Center for Student Financial Aid & Scholarships

The 2021-2022 FAFSA and Dream Application are available for submission as of October 1, 2020. The priority submission deadline for both applications is March 2, 2021. Students who apply after  March 2nd may be considered for remaining financial aid, dependent on availability. Current Cal State L.A. students can still apply for Financial Aid for the 2020-2021 award year by submitting a 2020-2021 FAFSA or Dream 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

What is the Cost of Attendance?

The Cost of Attendance (COA) is an estimate of costs associated with attending the University for a given enrollment period (e.g. one term and/or one academic year). There are (3) standard student budgets: Commuter (i.e., living at home with parents), On-campus, and Off-campus.  In addition to tuition and fees, each budget contains student expense allowances for books and supplies, room and board, miscellaneous/personal, and transportation for the duration of attendance.

Please note, all tuition and fees should be considered as estimates and are current at the time of publication.  Tuition and Fees are subject to change without prior notification.

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.

Nursing Loan - The Nursing Student Loan is a low interest loan program developed to assist nursing students. The loan is borrowed money that must be repaid with interest. The loan is deferrable and does not accrue any interest while a student is enrolled at least half-time (6 units). The loan interest rate for the Nursing Student Loan 5%.

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 2019 tax filing year (the tax year used on your 2021-22 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 for further guidance.