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The California State University (CSU) is committed to continuing to provide access to a quality postsecondary education and advising students and their families that college is affordable.  Despite increases in costs associated with attending college, financial aid programs are available to assist students and their families in meeting college costs.

The Cost of Attendance at CSU Campuses

The cost of attendance (COA) that a student will face while attending college will vary depending on the fees charged by the institution, the type of housing available to the student during the academic year, the proximity of the student's housing to the campus, the mode of transportation used to reach campus, and other factors influencing costs in the area where the college is located.

For student financial aid purposes, the cost of attendance includes the fees charged to a student, an allowance for books and supplies, the cost of room and board (or, for students who do not contract with the college, an allowance for food and housing expenses), an allowance for transportation, and an allowance for miscellaneous personal expenses.

CSU campuses develop standard costs of attendance allowances based on data available from student responses to a survey regarding student expenses and from other data regarding local living costs, transportation expenses, and books and supplies expenses. While a student's actual expenses may vary based on individual priorities, obligations, and life-styles, the standard costs of attendance are intended to provide modest but adequate allowances for the expenses associated with attending college.

These allowances are adjusted annually and campuses are able to make adjustments based on documentation of special circumstances and costs such as child-care expenses, costs related to a disability, medical expenses, or the purchase of a computer in order to complete required coursework and class assignments.

The following table reflects average 2006-07 cost allowances for California resident undergraduate students. The allowances are for the 9-month academic year.

The 2006-07 State University Fee for students enrolled in post-baccalaureate teacher preparation programs for a Multiple Subject, Single Subject, or Special Education credential is $2,922 for students enrolled in more than 6 units and $1,698 for students taking 6 units or less. Students enrolled in graduate programs and other post-baccalaureate or credential programs pay a State University Fee of $3,102 for more than 6 units or $1,800 for 6 units or less.

Students who are not classified as residents of California pay nonresident tuition at the rate of $339 per semester unit or $226 per quarter unit in addition to the State University Fee and miscellaneous campus-based fees.

Because of significant differences in living costs in areas where CSU campuses are located, there can be substantial differences in the cost of attendance allowances at CSU campuses.

More information about the cost of attendance (COA) at CSU campuses may be found on CSU's website at http://www.calstate.edu/ar/fa_coa.shtml. This site also includes links to detailed information on CSU student fees as well as information on costs at CSU comparison institutions across the country.

Two New Federal Grant Programs for Students

Two new federal grant programs are being provided to assist students beginning in the 2006-07 award year.  These programs were authorized by Congress in an effort to encourage students to take more challenging courses in high school in preparation for college enrollment and to encourage students to pursue college majors that are in high demand in the global economy, such as science, mathematics, technology, engineering, and critical foreign languages.  Eligibility for these need-based grants is limited to students who are receiving Federal Pell Grants, are U.S. citizens, enroll full time in a two- or four-year degree granting institution, and meet the additional requirements for the respective program.

The Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) provides up to $750 for eligible first-year students and up to $1,300 for second-year students.  Students must have completed a rigorous secondary school program as recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education.  The Secretary has recognized completion of the A-G curriculum pattern required by the CSU for admission as a rigorous secondary school program.  First-year grant recipients must have graduated from high school after January 1, 2006 and second-year recipients must have graduated from high school after January 1, 2005 and have had a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 during the first year of college.

The National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) Grant provides up to $4,000 per year to eligible third and fourth year students who are enrolled in eligible majors (mathematics, sciences, technology, engineering, or a critical foreign language) and who maintain a GPA of at least 3.0.

How Students and Families Can Prepare for Applying for Financial Aid

While the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for 2007-08 cannot be filed until January 1, 2007, there are steps that can be taken now to help students and their families prepare for the often critical process of applying for financial aid.

2007-08 Financial Aid/Scholarship Application Planning Steps

• Encourage students to obtain a Social Security Number if they do not already have one. www.ssa.gov/ssnumber
• Encourage students (and their parents) to obtain a Personal Identifier Number (PIN) to facilitate online filing of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). [See the related information about "PIN Safety" below.] www.pin.ed.gov
• Seek cooperation from financial aid or outreach staff at your local CSU campus (or other institution in your area) in presenting a workshop for students and families on financial aid opportunities and completion of the FAFSA.
• Obtain student/parent authorization to release the required high school Grade Point Average (GPA) to the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) so that potentially eligible students may be considered for a Cal Grant Entitlement award.  This process includes the provision of the student’s Social Security Number.  CSAC provides a release form for completion by the student and parents at http://www.csac.ca.gov/pubs/forms/grnt_frm/currentnews.pdf.
• Encourage students to investigate deadlines and application requirements for institutional scholarships at each of the postsecondary institutions to which they are applying for admission.
• Encourage students to investigate deadlines and application requirements for scholarships or other aid opportunities offered by local organizations or by other philanthropic agencies and organizations.
• Encourage students and their families to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after January 1, 2007 and by the March 2, 2007 deadline for Cal Grant Entitlement awards.  March 2 is also the priority filing date for student aid at all CSU campuses.
• Ensure that your high school provides GPAs for as many high school seniors as possible by the March 2, 2007 deadline for Cal Grant Entitlement awards.

PIN Safety

With increasing concern about identity theft, students and their parents should be cautioned to protect their Social Security Numbers and other personal information including their respective PINs (Personal Identifier Numbers) that are assigned by the U.S. Department of Education for student financial aid purposes and similar identifiers and passwords used by most colleges and universities.

An informational handout developed by the Office of the Inspector General in the Department of Education is available for download at ww.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oig/misused/idtheft.pdf

Additional information is available at www.ed.gov/misused.

The CSU Review is published by Student Academic Support in the California State University Office of the Chancellor.

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Questions? E-mail Tarita Varner. Review current and past issues at the CSU Review archives.