Announcement:

• The FAFSA and Dream Application (AB540) Applications for the 2019-20 award year are now available. Instead of waiting until January 1, 2019 to apply, you may now begin on October 1, 2018.  Be sure to complete your application online.  March 2^nd, 2019  is still the priority funding consideration deadline.  Students who apply after the March 2^nd, 2018 priority deadline may be considered for remaining available aid, which is dependent on funding availability.
• Note:  Federal implications to DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) does not affect a Dreamer’s eligibility for California state financial aid and should not deter you from applying.  If you would like more information about DACA, please do not hesitate to contact The Glazer’s Family Dreamer’s Resource Center located in SA214.  They can also be reached at GFDRC@calstatela.edu or 323-343-4367.
   
• NEW for 2019-20:  The FAFSA App is now available:
  
   
• Students may still apply for financial aid for the 2018-19 award year by submitting a FAFSA for the 2018-19 award year.

Students who are U.S. Citizen or have eligible permanent resident status should file the Free Application for Student Financial Aid (FAFSA).  This financial aid application is used to determine financial aid eligibility for all federal, state, and institutional aid and must be submitted/renewed for each academic year. In addition to the FAFSA, separate applications are required for Cal Grants, Scholarships and the Federal Direct Student Loan.

Students who are AB540 students should file the Dream Act Application.  Note:  Federal implications to DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) does not affect a Dreamer’s eligibility for California state financial aid and should not deter you from applying.  If you would like more information about DACA, please do not hesitate to contact The Glazer’s Family Dreamer’s Resource Center located in SA214.  They can also be reached at GFDRC@calstatela.edu or 323-343-4367.
In addition to the FAFSA, California residents and AB540 students may file the GPA Verification form for Cal Grant consideration.  There are two different GPA Verification Forms.  The forms can be found at:  http://www.csac.ca.gov/doc.asp?id=1177.  If you are a Cal State LA student and are currently enrolled, the Registrar’s Office will automatically submit your GPA to the California Student Aid Commission for you.

The priority deadline listed below applies to all awards.
2019-20 Academic Year:  March 4, 2019
2020-21 Academic Year:  March 2, 2020

Financial aid funds are limited in many programs, with funding going to the earliest eligible applicants. Therefore, deadlines should be observed. Students pursuing their bachelor's and master's degree or their teaching credential can receive financial aid as long as they continue to be eligible and do not exceed the allowable maximum units earned or attempted.

Students may submit their 2020-2021 applications as of October 1, 2019.  In past years (prior to 2017-18), January 1st was the earliest day to submit the applications.

The FAFSA Application and FSA User ID:
To file your FAFSA, You will need to use your FSA User ID and password to complete your Renewal FAFSA on the web at https://fafsa.ed.gov/. It allows users to electronically access personal information on Federal Student Aid Web sites as well as electronically sign a FAFSA.

If you are a dependent student, your parents will also need a separate FSA Username and password to complete the FAFSA. If you do not have a FSA User ID and/or you have forgotten your password, you can retrieve it from the FAFSA login page.  For more information about the FSA User ID, please visit:  https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa/filling-out/fsaid

FAFSA Filing Helping and Important Reminders:
Cal State LA Title IV Code is 001140.  For Cal State LA students, list this first on your FAFSA.

Starting with the 2017-2018 academic year:  Students will provide income information from an earlier tax year.  For example, for the upcoming 2020-2021 academic year, students (and parents, as appropriate) will report their 2018 income and tax information, rather than their 2019 income and tax information.

FAFSA Tips and Common Mistakes to Avoid

DRT (Data Retrieval Tool).  You may complete your FAFSA using this tool.  This will ensure that the FAFSA income information you provide is accurate.  For more information on the Data Retrieval Tool, visit:  https://financialaidtoolkit.ed.gov/tk/learn/fafsa.jsp#irs-drt

For FAFSA and more information on financial aid eligibility:  How do I qualify for financial aid?

Read your email and check your “To Do List” on GET portal:
After you have filed your 2020-21 or 2019-20 FAFSA, you will get updates via your Cal State LA email.  Check on your financial aid application status through your GET (Golden Eagle Territory) account.

Verification Documentation:
If you are asked to provide additional information to the financial aid office, do so as quickly as possible and within the deadline provided on the financial aid communication.  Failure to do so may result in the loss of priority file review and funding status (for students who meet the annual March 2^nd deadline. Note:  March 4^th was the deadline for 2019-20).  It may take up to 8 weeks to process your file.  This time frame may vary and is based on the volume of documents the office receives.  Files are reviewed only after all requested documents are received and processed on a first-in, first-out basis. 

IRS (Internal Revenue Service) Assistance and Tax Transcripts:
For questions and assistance related to completing your federal tax return, visit the IRS website at http://www.irs.gov

2020-21 FAFSA Workshops:

The Financial Aid Office provides free financial aid workshops. 2020-21 FAFSA and AB540 Workshops

American Opportunity Tax (Hope) Credit Information:  https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/american-opportunity-tax-credit.

To access all of financial aid forms click here

To be considered for financial aid, you must:

• be a US citizen or eligible noncitizen;
• be registered with Selective Service (if required);
• be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular matriculated student in a degree objective or teaching credential program. Unclassified Post-Baccalaureate students are normally not eligible for financial aid. If you are a student, check with the Center for Student Financial Aid. Extension/continuing education students are ineligible for financial aid.
• be making satisfactory academic progress;
• not owe a refund on a federal grant or be in default on a federal educational loan;
• have financial need (except for Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loans and Plus Loans); and
• be a California resident for state financial aid programs (SUG, EOP, Cal Grant A and B).

Selective Service Information

If you are a male who is at least 18 years old and born after December 31, you MUST be registered with Selective Service in order to receive Federal student aid. You may now register with Selective Service online.