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. 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.
2020-21 Academic Year: March 2, 2020
2021-22 Academic Year: March 2, 2021
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 2020-21 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. 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 FAFSA User ID, please visit the FAFSA site.
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 2020-21 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, please visit the IRS site.
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 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 2nd deadline.). 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.
Instructions on how to review the list of required documents:
- Log into your G.E.T. (Golden Eagle Territory) account
- Click on “Self Service”
- Click on "Student Center"
- There you will find the "To Do List" (located to the right of the page) for a list of required documents
- Click “more” for the complete list of documents
- If an item requested requires the submission of a form, you can find it in Cal State LA Forms
- If you already submitted the requested documents, please check your to do list to ensure it has been received and recorded.
IRS (Internal Revenue Service) Assistance and 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
