The following FAQs address some of the most commonly asked questions by students at Cal State LA. These questions cover a variety of topics related to financial aid, admissions, student services, and more, to help guide you through your academic journey. If you have any additional questions, feel free to reach out to the appropriate department for further assistance.
General
For updated tuition and fees, important dates, and payment information, visit the One-Stop Financial Services Website
Yes, payment plans are available. Payment Plan information is available via One-Stop Financial Services Website under the Pre-Registration Payment Plan section.
For updated payment information, visit the Payment Information section at One-Stop Financial Services Website
Grants and Scholarships are automatically accepted for you. Loans are not automatically accepted for you. For each loan offer, you can either accept the full amount you have been offered, request a reduced amount, or decline the loan in full. Additional guidance on how to view and accept your awards is available at Managing My Aid.
Keep track of your outstanding To-Do items via GET. Each item on your To-Do list has information on how to resolve the item. Unresolved To-Do items will delay your financial aid. Additional information is available at Managing My Aid
Submit financial aid documents using the Financial Aid and Scholarships Document Submission Portal. Please note that there are uploading limitations and size restrictions. Please consider the following:
- Do not use a camera to create images of the documents
- Do not attempt to upload color copies
- Use a lower resolution setting when scanning documents
Yes. Students can schedule a 15 minute appointment with a Financial Aid Advisor during Virtual Advising Hours OR submit an Advising Request Form if you are unable to meet with an Advisor during current business hours.
No. Cal State LA uses electronic means (such as email, texts, and the Internet) as a method of communication and of providing billing, payment, and Financial Aid Notifications. For many University communications, email to a student’s Cal State LA email account is the official form of notification to the student, and emails sent by University officials to such email addresses will be presumed to have been received and read by the student.
Yes. Please review the Financial Aid Deadlines for priority submission dates.
If you have completed all of your financial aid tasks, your financial aid (excluding work-study earnings and some private loans) will disburse approximately 10 days before the start of the semester. All of your accepted financial aid will first pay the charges on your bill. If your financial aid exceeds the amount of your bill, you will receive a refund for the remaining amount. If the amount of your financial aid is less than the amount of your bill, you will be responsible for paying the remaining balance.
The following Financial Aid information is available via GET.
- Financial aid application document status
- Financial aid award status
- View your financial aid award
- Adjust your financial aid award
If you have any remaining questions, you can contact us directly.
Appeals
Financial aid regulations require that students meet specific Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements to maintain eligibility for financial aid. Your academic record will be evaluated based on your progress at the end of each semester, to determine if you are meeting the SAP requirements to maintain financial aid eligibility for future terms, including summer.
We understand that circumstances sometimes prevent students from making satisfactory progress towards their degree. We review appeals in the order received and will notify you of the decision via email. We strongly encourage you to submit your SAP Appeal immediately after you receive notification that you are not meeting SAP requirements so that you may receive a decision on your appeal in a timely manner.
Please review the SAP Appeal Form to ensure you include all required documentation by the appropriate deadline. Incomplete appeals may require follow-up for additional information or documentation prior to a decision being made- you are encouraged to monitor your email regularly in case additional information is requested.
Additional information is available at: Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy
To complete an Unusual Circumstance Appeal for Financial Aid, follow these steps:
Review Eligibility: Ensure that you have experienced an Unusual Circumstance that may warrant an appeal.
Obtain the Appeal Form: Available on the Forms section of the Financial Aid and Scholarships webpage
Provide Required Documentation: Gather necessary documents to support your appeal.
Complete the Appeal Form: Fill out the form accurately, providing all requested information and explanations of your unusual circumstances.
Submit the Appeal: Submit the completed appeal form along with your supporting documentation to Financial Aid and Scholarships.
Wait for Review: After submission, your appeal will be reviewed by Financial Aid and Scholarships. This process can take some time, so it’s important to stay in touch.
Monitor Your Financial Aid: Once your appeal is reviewed, you will be notified of the decision. If your appeal is approved, your financial aid award may be adjusted to reflect the changes. If your appeal is denied, you may explore other options to meet your educational expenses.
To complete an Income Adjustment Appeal for Financial Aid, follow these steps:
Review Eligibility: Ensure that you have experienced a significant change in your financial situation (such as a loss of income, change in household size, or other cirumstances) that may warrant an appeal.
Obtain the Appeal Form: Available on the Forms section of the Financial Aid and Scholarships webpage.
Provide Required Documentation: Gather necessary documents to support your appeal, such as:
- A detailed explanation of the circumstances that led to your financial change.
- Income verification for the relevant period (for example, a recent tax return, pay stubs, or proof of unemployment).
- Any additional supporting documents, such as medical bills, termination letters, or divorce decrees, depending on your situation.
Complete the Appeal Form: Fill out the form accurately, providing all requested information and explanations of your unusual circumstances.
Submit the Appeal: Submit the completed appeal form along with your supporting documentation to Financial Aid and Scholarships.
Wait for Review: After submission, your appeal will be reviewed by Financial Aid and Scholarships. This process can take some time, so it’s important to stay in touch.
Monitor Your Financial Aid: Once your appeal is reviewed, you will be notified of the decision. If your appeal is approved, your financial aid award may be adjusted to reflect the changes. If your appeal is denied, you may explore other options to meet your educational expenses.
Maintaining Eligibility
12 units for Undergraduate and Credential students, 8 units for Graduate students
Students must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 units to be eligible for the State University Grant, Cal Grants, Middle-Class Scholarship, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Equal Opportunity Program Grant, and Federal Direct Student Loans. Undergraduate students need to be enrolled in a minimum of 3 units to receive a Federal Pell Grant.
Cal Grant
The Cal Grant program makes college affordable for middle and low-income Californians through state funds administered by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC). Awarding a Cal Grant requires confirmation of many eligibility requirements for entering students, including graduation from a California high school, establishing California residency and/or completing verification.
Once we document your eligibility for Cal Grant, we will update your financial aid offer. Note: Cal Grants generally replace university grants dollar for dollar. You will not receive Cal Grant in addition to State University grants currently in your financial aid offer.
Please visit WebGrants 4 Students and ensure that Cal State LA is listed as your final school of choice.
Scholarships
To be considered for scholarships awarded by the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office, complete either the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) and the Cal State LA General Scholarship Application.
Loans
Disbursed Student Loans
You can request to cancel a previously disbursed student loan(s) no later than 14 days from the date when your student loans are disbursed to your GET Account. To request a cancelation of your previously disbursed loan submit a Loan Cancellation Request Form. Requests submitted after 14 days will not be processed by Cal State L.A, at which point you will need to return your loan funds with your servicer directly.
Non-Disbursed Student Loans
You can request to cancel a previously accepted and non-disbursed student loan by submitting a FAN Change Form.
For many students and families, educational loans are a necessary part of the process of paying for college. Financial Aid and Scholarships offers and certifies loans for students, as well as Direct PLUS loans for parents of undergraduates. A complete overview on Loans is available at: Federal Direct Loans
The Department of Education provides low interest, need and non-need based student loans under the Direct Loan program. In order for direct loans to be funded, first time borrowers are required to complete a Direct Loan Master Promissory Note
and Loan Entrance Counseling. New Graduate Plus Loan borrowers must also complete an MPN and Loan Entrance Counseling.
An electronic notification of your loan counseling and Master Promissory Note completion will be sent to Financial Aid and Scholarships.
For each loan offer, you can either accept the full amount you have been offered, request a reduced amount, or decline the loan in full.