Students with an affidavit on file with their CSU campus may be eligible for state and institutional financial aid. Students should apply for financial aid annually to determine their eligibility for the following programs:
Types of Financial Aid
Cal Grant A and B
- helps pay tuition and some fees at four-year California colleges.
- has a March 2 deadline to apply using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA). See below for more information on “Applying for Financial Aid.”
- award amounts vary by type of Cal Grant and type of college — up to $7,142 for undergraduates in 2016-17 at a California State University campus.
- has a GPA requirement. Students who are applying using a high school GPA, must have at least a 2.0 GPA. Students applying for a transfer entitlement Cal Grant must have a 2.4 GPA from their community college and must meet other eligibility criteria. Students are not eligible for the competitive Cal Grant program.
- requires that the student's course of study leads directly to an associate or bachelor’s degree, or qualifies for transfer from a community college to a bachelor’s degree program.
- There are additional eligibility criteria related to income, academic progress, selective service, etc. For more information visit the
California Student Aid Commission.
Middle Class Scholarship
Provides undergraduate students, including students pursuing a teaching credential, with family incomes and assets up to $156,000 a scholarship to attend California State University (CSU) campuses.
State University Grant (SUG)
Provides a need-based grant to help pay for the CSU Tuition Fee for eligible undergraduate and graduate students who are California residents or are otherwise determined as eligible. Systemwide, the priority is to award a SUG at least equal to the amount of the CSU Tuition Fee (in 2016-17 that was $5,472 for undergraduates, $6,348 for teaching credential and $6,738 for graduate students).
Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) Grant
Provides assistance to economically and educationally disadvantaged undergraduates. Recipients must be California residents who are admitted to a CSU campus through the Educational Opportunity Program. EOP students may receive a grant, based on need, of up to $2,000 per year. Funding for this grant is very limited.
Scholarships
All eligible students may apply for scholarships administered by a CSU campus. Scholarships are free money that the student does not have to re-pay. Students may be required to meet certain academic and enrollment criteria. Students are encouraged to check their CSU campus website for more information on applying for a campus scholarship. Students interested in applying for scholarships not administered by their CSU campus should look at databases provided by their local high schools, local libraries, or campus Dream Centers.
For a list of private scholarships, visit the
Other Resources section.
California Dream Loan
The California Dream Loan is a subsidized loan program for enrolled undergraduate, credential and masters students with a valid California Dream Act application and a valid AB540 affidavit on file with their CSU campus. The California Dream Loan is borrowed money you must repay with interest. The interest rate for the California Dream Loan corresponds with the interest rate on Federal Direct Subsidized loans and is subject to change annually. The California Dream Loan does not accrue interest while you are enrolled at least half-time, during periods of approved deferment, and during the 6-month grace period before you enter repayment. You will be responsible for the interest charged at all other times.
For more information about the California Dream Loan please visit your CSU campus Financial Aid website.
Applying for Financial Aid
Students who meet the nonresident tuition exemption requirements may be eligible for state and institutional financial aid.
- Submit the CSU application for admission.
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Students without lawful immigration status and students with a U-Visa or DACA status should file a California Dream Act Application (CADAA). The CADAA is available as early as October 1. Some state and institutional financial aid requires you to apply before the March 2 California priority filing deadline. The application is available until June 30, but eligibility for some programs may be limited after March 2, due to limited funding.
Students who are U.S. Citizens or eligible non-citizens and are AB540 eligible should apply for financial aid using the
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is available as early as October 1. Some state and institutional financial aid requires the student apply before the March 2 California priority filing deadline. The application is available until June 30, but eligibility for some programs may be limited after March 2, due to limited funding.
Please note: All male students under the age of 26 are required to confirm that they registered for the
Selective Service to receive financial aid. If the student has a valid Social Security number, the student may register online. Students without a Social Security number may register in person at any U.S. Post Office. The CSU campus may request proof of selective service registration prior to awarding or disbursing financial aid.
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Cal Grant GPA, March 2 deadline. Students should confirm that their California community college or California high school has submitted their GPA for verification to the California Student Aid Commission prior to the March 2 deadline. The GPA is required for Cal Grant consideration. If the student's high school or community college does not submit the GPA electronically to the California Student Aid Commission, the student should download the
Cal Grant GPA Verification Form and have the school submit it to the California Student Aid Commission.
- Students who have applied for financial aid using the CADAA and have been admitted to a CSU campus may now file the
Nonresident Tuition Exemption Request with the CSU campus to determine whether they meet the AB 540 / AB 2000 / SB 68 criteria. The request requires students without lawful immigration status to affirm that they will file an application to legalize their immigration status as soon as they are eligible to do so.
- It is important that the student refers to their admitted student packet for all deadlines that students must meet to maintain their admission status, and for helpful information that is meant to assist the student through the admission process.
- All students should check their CSU campus email, or student portal, early and often. CSU campuses may request additional information from a student that applies for financial aid using the FAFSA or CADAA. Students should respond promptly to all requests for information to prevent delays in processing their financial aid.