Financial Assistance

Do you need help financing your education? The decisions you make now, such as negotiating student loan borrowing amounts, can impact you for many years following graduation. Financial trouble may have a negative impact on your academic performance, can lead to withdrawal, and loan default. It is important to manage your finances early by understanding the importance of developing and maintaining a budget, prioritizing wants and needs, and preparing for the repayment process.

There are several financial aid opportunities available to students who wish to complete their degree or an approved Certificate Program at Cal State LA Downtown. Please note that Cal State LA's College of Professional and Global Education (PaGE) administers all programs at Cal State LA Downtown.

Students are encouraged to apply for federal aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application.

View/download the Roadmap for Financial Aid brochure here.

Roadmap For Financial Aid
  1. Complete the FAFSA application beginning October 1st
  1. Complete the admissions process at Cal State LA
  1.  Apply for the Cal State LA General Scholarship
  1.  Check your financial aid status in GET (Golden Eagle Territory) Student Center
  • Cal State LA will receive your FAFSA within 7-10 business days
  • Utilize the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to decrease the processing time
  • Cal State LA school code: 001140
  • March 2nd is the priority deadline to submit the FAFSA to be eligible for all available aid
  • Apply early to ensure that your financial aid is processed before you need to pay for class registration
  • Apply to Cal State LA at Cal State Apply
  • Provide your social security number and the exact spelling of your name as it appears on your social security card
  • Include your correct date of birth to ensure that admissions and financial aid files are linked and complete for processing
  • To be eligible for financial aid, you must be admitted to an approved program (degree or certificate) at Cal State LA

  • Complete 1 application 

     Scholarships

  • March 5th (Starting) - April 1st (Application Deadline)
  • Include your correct date of birth to ensure that admissions and financial aid files are linked and complete for processing
  • Review your GET "To-Do-Lists" and any communications received and respond in a timely manner
  • Once documents are submitted to Tom Lau (Financial Aid Advisor), processing time is approximately 7-10 business days
  1. Financial Aid Award Notification
  1. Federal Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans
  1. Disbursement Information
  1. Contact Information

  • View your award on the GET Student Center by:

    -Selecting "Finances" and clicking on the "View Financial Aid" link

    -Clicking on "Aid Year" to view your award

  • Financial aid awards are initially based on full time enrollment (12 or more units)

    -Award proration for Undergraduates enrolled in less than a full-time schedule are:

    12 or more = 100%

    9-11 units = 75%

    6-8 units = 50%

    1-5 units = 25%

  • To be eligible, students must: be enrolled in a minimum of 6 units or more each semester 

  • PLEASE NOTE: Additional steps are required to receive Federal Direct Student Loans. Learn more at: www.studentloans.gov

    - Complete the Loan Counseling

    - Complete the MPN (Master Promissory Note)

  • For more information:

    Loan Types

  • Disbursements are scheduled approximately 10 days prior to the start of classes
  • Disbursements occur weekly once the semester begins

  • The Disbursement Office prepares and issues checks for the following:

    - Financial Aid Grants/Direct Loans

    - Scholarships

    - Alternative Loans/Parent PLUS Loans

    - ASI Grant-In-Aid/Athletic Grant-In-Aid

    - Off Campus Work Study

    - Tuition Refunds

    - 30 Day Loans

  • Disbursement Schedule

Financial Aid Disbursement Information

  • Enroll in Eagle Express Direct Deposit

Tom Lau

Financial Aid Advisor

Email: [email protected]

To be eligible for Financial Aid, students must:

  • Have a completed FAFSA application (Free Application for Student Aid) on file with the Center for Student Financial Aid. California State University, Los Angeles school code (001140).
  • Be a “matriculated” Cal State LA-PAGE/DTLA student admitted into a Degree-granting or approved Certificate program. Matriculated students include those who have been formally admitted to Cal State LA and enrolled while pursuing an authorized degree, credential, or certificate.
  • Be enrolled in a minimum of 6 units (1/2 time enrollment).
  • Meet all requirements of the SAP (Satisfactory Academic Progress) policy.

2023-2024 FAFSA Application

(California State University, Los Angeles school code: 001140)

FAFSA Checklist and Information (also see Resources below)

IMPORTANT FAFSA DATES & DEADLINES

Priority Deadline: March 2, 2024

FAFSA 2023-2024 Academic Year: Application opens October 1, 2023

To apply for financial aid follow the steps in the Financial Aid Roadmap.

View/download the Roadmap for Financial Aid brochure here.

Current Scholarship Opportunities:

StudentAid.gov/scholarships

Fastweb

College Board

Finaid Scholarships

Scholarships

Student Scholarship Search

FAFSA Checklist and Information

FAFSA Contact Information:

Web: FAFSA Website

Phone: 1-800-433-3243

E-mail: Contact Help Center

FAFSA Information on social media:

Youtube

Facebook

Twitter

Federal financial aid is currently not available for the Paralegal Studies Certificate Program and the Project Management Certificate Program.

Cal State LA Downtown provides the following information but does not endorse nor have any affiliation with the lenders listed below. PaGE works with all private loan lenders and students are not required to select a lender from this list. The lenders listed below are provided as a guide when considering private loan programs. To apply, please contact the lender(s) directly and/or visit their website for further assistance.

The following lenders offer private loans that may provide financial assistance:

- After you select "Apply for a student loan," follow the prompts, and "CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY - LOS ANGELES - CONT ED, LOS ANGELES, CA, 00114098" will autofill.
- The university user code is 001140-98.
 

Student Loans (Undergraduate/Graduate) - AltaOne

Student Loans (Undergraduate/Graduate) - California Coast Credit Union

Student Loans (Undergraduate/Graduate) - Safe Credit Union 

If you have any questions, please contact Tom Lau, Financial Aid Advisor

If you need more information or assistance about Financial Aid, please email Financial Aid Advisor Lisette Hernandez or call (213) 873-1351.

Current Cal State LA Downtown or College of Professional and Global Education (PaGE) Online and Main Campus students can schedule an appointment.