Meeting the cost of an undergraduate education is a significant investment. Students can apply for Financial Aid by submitting a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or CADAA (California Dream Act Application). In general, the FAFSA and CADAA are available for submission as of October 1st and the priority submission deadline for each application is March 2nd. The Federal Cal State LA School Code is: 001140
The 2024-2025 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) are available for submission. The priority deadline is May 2, 2024. While many students have successfully submitted their applications using the new process, the U.S. Department of Education has announced that colleges and universities will not receive 2024-2025 FAFSA Application data until March 2024.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Financial Aid and Scholarships is currently offering a series of virtual Financial Aid Workshops. For more information visit our Financial Aid Workshop Webpage. You can also visit our FAQ page for additional guidance.
How to Apply for Financial Aid
First Time Freshman
In order to receive the best possible financial aid award package, you are encouraged to apply for Financial Aid during your senior year of high school, by the March 2nd priority deadline. If you are applying for the Cal Grant Program (for California residents only), GPA Verification Forms are also due by March 2. Your California High School should submit your GPA electronically to the California Student Aid Commission. Check with your high school for more details.
After submitting your FAFSA or CADAA, Cal State L.A. will notify you by email of possible financial resources available to you for the upcoming school year. As a new incoming freshman, please make sure that the Admissions Office at Cal State L.A. has all of your academic transcripts on file, accurate residency information, and that you are officially admitted to the university. Taking this precaution will aid in eliminating obstacles that may slow down the financial aid process.
Transfer Student
Financial aid awards cannot be transferred from one school to another. You must reapply for Financial Aid every year. Remember to add Cal State LA to your Financial Aid Application when you renew. Our federal school code is 001140. After submitting your FAFSA or CADAA, Cal State L.A. will notify you by email of possible financial resources available to you for the upcoming school year.
You may only receive a Federal Pell Grant from only one school at a time. If you transfer in the middle of an academic year, you may be eligible for the remaining balance of your Pell eligibility. For Cal Grant Programs, contact the California Student Aid Commission at (888) 224-7268. Inform Cal Grant of a change of school with a G-10 form. You must reapply for all other financial aid, including student loans, at your new school.
Graduate Student
If you receive your Undergraduate degree at the end of the Fall Semester and continue your enrollment into a Graduate program next term, you are required to inform the financial aid office of your new academic status and have your new enrollment program updated in GET by the Registrar's Office. Certain financial aid programs are only available to undergraduate students. If these awards are disbursed inadvertently to you after your bachelor's degree is posted in GET, you will be billed upon our reversal.
If you are admitted into a master’s, credential, or second bachelor’s degree program, financial aid will be adjusted to reflect the appropriate award for the new post-degree program. Financial Aid is not available to Continuing (Extended) Education students.
- Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Students who are U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents will need to complete the Free Application for Student Financial Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is a Federal financial aid application used to determine financial aid eligibility for all federal, state, and institutional aid. In order to be considered for Financial Aid, the FAFSA must be submitted/renewed each academic year.
- California Dream Act Application (CADAA)
Students who are classified as AB540 will need to complete the California Dream Act Application (CADAA). Federal implications to DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) does not affect a CADAA Applicant's eligibility for California State financial aid and should not deter students from applying. If you would like more information about DACA, please do not hesitate to contact The Glazer’s Family Dreamer’s Resource Center.