The FAFSA and Dream Application (AB540) Applications for the 2020-21 award year are now available. Instead of waiting until January 1, 2020 to apply, you may now begin on October 1, 2019.  Be sure to complete your application online.  March 2, 2020  is still the priority funding consideration deadline.  Students who apply after the March 2nd, 2020 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.
• For more information on how to apply, visit the Apply for Financial Aid Page in the section below.
• Students may still apply for financial aid for the 2019-20 award year by submitting a FAFSA for the 2019-20 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 via email: 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, which can be found in the CSAC website. 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. 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.  Please visit the fthe FAFSA Login page for  FSA User 

Students may also file the 2020-21 FAFSA using the myStudentAid app.  To download the app, please visit the  Apple App Store (iOS) or the Google Play store (Android

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 visit the Data Retrieval Tool

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

The Dream or California Dream Application (CADAA) and User ID:

To file your CA Dream Application, You will need to a User ID and PIN to complete your application on the CA Dream Application. It allows users to electronically sign a Dream Application.

If you are a dependent student, your parents will also need a separate User ID and PIN to complete the Dream Application. If you do not have a User ID and PIN and/or you have forgotten your password, you can reset it from the Dream Application login page.  Please visit for more information about the User ID and PIN  

California Dream Act FAQ:  

Read your email and check your “To Do List” on GET portal:
After you have filed your 2020-21 or 2019-20 FAFSA or Dream Application, 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 Federal Tax Transcripts:
For questions and assistance related to completing your federal tax return, visit the IRS website.

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 Link:  

Please visit the Financial Aid forms for all other forms

Below is a list of 2020-2021 Financial Aid forms

2020 - 2021 Dependent Verification Worksheet

2020 - 2021 Independent Verification Worksheet

2020 - 2021 Consortium Agreement Form

2020 - 2021 Financial Aid Notification (FAN) Change Form

2020 - 2021 High School Completion Verification Form

2020 - 2021 Identity and Statement of Educational Purpose Form

2020 - 2021 Transfer Entitlement Cal Grant Verification Form

2020 - 2021 Unaccompanied Homeless Youth Verification Form

 

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.

We offer financial assistance to students in the following categories.

Grants - Grants are available on the basis of financial need and do not have to be repaid. Sources of grant funds are available through Federal and State Governments. Grants are awarded to students who demonstrate the financial need and are prorated based on enrollment.

Federal Work-Study - A federally funded program that provides employment opportunities to students with the highest financial need. Placement is limited.

Scholarships- Forms of free money that are made available to students from various local community groups, corporate donors, and the University. You do not have to repay scholarships. Most scholarships require a separate application.

Federal Direct Loans - Loans are funds that you must repay. The Federal Direct Loan programs offer a secure, government-regulated and reasonably affordable way to invest in yourself and your goal of attaining higher education. Even though some loans are based on financial need, there are programs available to all federally eligible students regardless of income. Types of loans include Federal Perkins Loan, subsidized/unsubsidized Direct Loans, and PLUS Loans.

Private Loans - Private Education Loans, also known as Alternative Loans, are credit-based loans that can help bridge the gap between the actual cost of your education and the amount of your other financial aid funds. Private loans are offered by private lenders and should only be considered after exhausting all other sources of funding – including federal loans.

Dream Loan - The California Dream Loan is a subsidized loan program specifically developed to assist the California Dream Act students, also known as an AB-540 student.  This loan is borrowed money that must be repaid with interest.

TEACH Grants - The TEACH Grant (Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education) Program provides grants for students who intend to teach in high-need fields in low income schools. The program is available only to students fully admitted into an eligible teaching credential or graduate program at CSU Los Angeles.

Special Circumstances Appeal Process

Students with special circumstances may submit an appeal to the financial aid office for a re-evaluation. If you or your family's financial situation has significantly changed since the 2018 tax filing year (the tax year used on your 2020-21 FAFSA application), you may request a re-evaluation of your financial aid eligibility using more current income information. If you have incurred additional “out-of-pocket” expenses related to your current academic program or related to the COVID-19 outbreak to continue your attendance for the current academic year, you may request an adjustment to your student expense budget.

Students who wish to pursue the special circumstance appeal process can submit an on-line advising request at http://www.calstatela.edu/financialaid/advising-request-form for further guidance.