Graduate Financial Aid Information

How to Apply for Financial Aid | Financial Aid Programs

The California State University provides financial assistance in the form of grants, scholarships, fellowships, loans, and part-time employment for students who meet financial aid program eligibility requirements. CSU financial aid awards are contingent upon continued funding from federal and state government programs. International students who are in the United States on F-1 or F-2 student visas and students who are not citizens or eligible noncitizens are not eligible to receive federal or state-funded financial aid and should not apply. If you believe you will not be able to pay for all you educational costs, you are encouraged to apply for financial aid.

How to Apply for Financial Aid

To be considered for financial aid, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is available beginning in December of each year and should be completed and mailed to the processing service listed on the form as soon as possible after January 1 and before the CSU priority filing date and will make awards as long as funds are available. If you meet the March priority filing date, you improve the chances of receiving aid from all the programs for which you are eligible. You can obtain a copy of the FAFSA at your local college financial aid office or public library. If you cannot obtain a FAFSA in this manner, you may request one by writing to the financial aid office of the CSU campus to which you are applying for admission. When you request the FAFSA, be sure that you also ask for a copy of The Student Guide, which describes federal financial aid programs, the California Student Financial Aid Workbook, and the State Graduate Fellowship program fact sheet. The workbook provides helpful information about college costs in California, the various financial aid programs available, and how financial aid eligibility is determined.

After analyzing the information on your FAFSA, the processing service will transmit information from your FAFSA to the financial aid office at the campus(es) you listed on the form. The financial aid office will then notify you of any other documents that must be submitted before your eligibility for financial aid can be determined. Required documents may include copies of your most recent federal income tax returns and/or verification of untaxed income and other information reported on the FAFSA.

Financial aid funds cannot be transferred from one CSU campus to another. Therefore, if you change your choice of CSU campuses you must send written notification to the financial aid office at your first choice campus (with a copy to the financial aid office at the alternative campus) authorizing the transfer of your financial aid application documents to the alternative campus.

Financial Aid Programs

Students eligible for financial aid typically receive a "package" of aid from two or more of the programs described below.

Cal Grant A recipients accepted into a teaching credential program may be eligible to receive state-funded Cal Grant fifth-year benefits.

California Graduate Fellowships

State-funded fellowships that cover a portion of the fees are awarded by the California Student Aid Commission to California residents who apply by the March 2 deadline and qualify on the basis of merit, financial need, and considerations of disadvantaged background. Graduate fellowships are restricted to students enrolled in graduate degree programs who intend to become college or university faculty members.

State University Grants

State funded awards that cover a portion of fees for eligible graduate students who are California residents and who are required to pay the State University Fee.

Graduate Equity Fellowships

State funded awards to students with demonstrated financial need who are admitted to graduate degree programs. Eligible students are from ethnically underrepresented groups, students with disabilities, and women in academic disciplines where they are underrepresented.

Fellowships and Scholarships

Fellowships and scholarships awarded on the basis of merit and financial need, in addition to other criteria as specified by the donors of each fund. The number and types of awards available, as well as the application procedures, vary from campus to campus. Interested students should contact the campus financial aid office to obtain application forms and additional information.

Federal Work-Study Program

Work-study jobs enable eligible students to earn money to help pay for their educational expenses through part-time and summer employment on campus or with an approved off-campus agency. The program is jointly funded by the federal government and the employer.

Federal Student Loans

Various long-term, low-interest student loans are available to eligible applicants. Student loans must be repaid with interest. Federal Perkins Loans and Nursing Student Loans may be included in the financial aid "package." The amount of the loan will vary according to the total amount of financial aid a student is eligible to receive. Students whose total financial aid eligibility is not met by a "package" of aid from the above-listed financial aid programs may also be eligible to receive a Federal William D. Ford Direct Student Loan or a Federal Stafford Loan. These loans are "subsidized" if the student has financial need, meaning the federal government pays interest on the loan until the borrower begins repayment, or "unsubsidized," meaning the borrower will be charged interest on the loan from the time it is disbursed until it is paid in full. An unsubsidized loan is not awarded on the basis of financial need. Additional information on these loan programs is available from the campus financial aid office.

Additional Opportunities

Further opportunities for financial aid are often available at the program level. These include teaching and research assistantships, small scholarships, and part-time employment funded by faculty research or training grants. Interested students should address their inquiries about such opportunities directly to the chair or director of the master or credential program in which they wish to enroll.

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