Prospective Students

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    I am a Graduate Student

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    Why CSUN: Sharing the Student Story

Graduate Student: I have been admitted

Congratulations on your admission to CSUN! Completing the steps below will start you on the path to becoming a masters, doctoral, or credential student at CSUN.

Step 1 — Submit Your Final Official Transcripts

Send us your final, official transcripts as soon as your courses end and your grades and degree(s) are posted. Your final transcripts are used to verify that you have completed the course work you indicated as work-in-progress on any preliminary transcripts. You can check for missing transcripts and other incomplete tasks in your CSUN Portal Checklist (login required).

How to Send Paper and Electronic Transcripts

—Electronic transcripts:

  • When ordering your school's electronic transcripts, choose "CSU Northridge" as the recipient. If this option is not available, use registrar@csun.edu as the recipient email address.
  • If you have any California Community College transcripts, please review eTranscript California and have the transcripts sent through this system.
  • Please do not send identical, duplicate paper and electronic transcripts!

—Paper transcripts must be received in sealed, unopened envelopes. Send transcripts to:

California State University, Northridge 
Office of the Registrar
18111 Nordhoff Street 
Northridge, CA 91330-8207 

You may also hand deliver transcripts in sealed, unopened envelopes to the Office of Admissions in Bayramian Hall (BH) Room 160 during office hours.

Step 2 — Apply for Financial Aid and Scholarships

Make a Plan

You should take into account your overall cost of attendance, including basic tuition and fees, housing, transportation, books and personal expenses when deciding how you will finance your CSUN education. By combining grants, loans, scholarships, part-time employment, savings and contributions from your family, it is possible to make this investment affordable.

Funding your education will take careful planning. The CSUN Financial Aid & Scholarships Department has prepared a list of resources for Special Groups, including Graduate Students. Even if you don’t qualify for a grant, you will find additional guidance and resources on the Financial Aid & Scholarship Department website.

For the most up-to-date information regarding tuition and fees, refer to the Student Financial Services – University Cash Services website.

Apply for Financial Aid

Federal and state financial aid programs (grants, part-time jobs and student loans) are awarded to students who apply and meet eligibility requirements.

To begin the financial aid application process:

  • Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible. Be sure to use the IRS data retrieval option to reduce errors and list CSUN's federal school code (001153) on your FAFSA.
  • The FAFSA application is available in December for the coming 2024-2025 academic year.
  • File your FAFSA by April 2 for priority consideration and the best opportunities in the 2024-2025 academic year for California.
  • California residents should also file FAFSA or CADAA by April 2 to be considered for a State University Grant in 2024-2025.

Apply for CSUN Scholarships

CSUN on-campus scholarships are competitive and each requires a separate application and essay. Review each scholarship's application requirements carefully.

To begin the CSUN scholarship application process:

  • Go myMatador Scholarships and log in using your CSUN user ID and password.
  • Apply by submitting a separate online application and essay for each scholarship for which you meet the eligibility requirements.

You will be notified of your eligibility by late spring. Check your CSUN Portal regularly for your application and award status and the Financial Aid & Scholarship Department website for additional scholarship opportunities posted throughout the year.

Apply for External Scholarships

Organizations other than CSUN award countless scholarships each year. Students are encouraged to apply for as many scholarships as possible. Review the off-campus scholarships website for more information.

Guidelines for Financial Aid and Scholarships

Priority Deadlines

Financial aid and scholarship applications are reviewed and aid is awarded throughout the year based on available funding. Some grant funds are limited, so apply early and submit documents as soon as requested.

Your Financial Aid Award and Disbursement

Log in to the CSUN Portal to view your financial aid award. If you are registered for classes and your aid is available, CSUN's University Cash Services will apply financial aid funds to any charges on your account and issue refunds for any remaining amount. Sign up for e-refund by early August to receive your refund amount via direct deposit.

When your financial aid is disbursed, amounts due from basic tuition and fees and housing (if applicable) will be deducted automatically from your awarded aid. University Cash Services will send you an email and you may view the transactions in your student account.

Helpful: Financial aid guides and tutorials

Step 3 — Schedule an Academic Advising Appointment

Before enrolling in classes, we suggest scheduling an appointment for academic advisement with your graduate program coordinator:

Ask your program coordinator or advisor about any requirements to attain graduate student classified status.

We think you'll enjoy exploring the Graduate Studies website for events, funding opportunities and resources especially for graduate students. Be sure to check out the Graduate Student Handbook, too.

Step 4 — Register for Classes

Look for your registration appointment. It displays online in the CSUN Portal Checklist. Clear any registration holds before registering.

Learn about self-service registration with these resources:

Step 5 — Pay Tuition and Fees

Tuition and other fees are due at the time you register but no later than the deadlines in the fee payment schedule.

How to Pay Your Fees

  1. Log in to the CSUN Portal.
  2. In the list of links below the Top Tools icons, select Make a Payment.
  3. On the Student Account Information page, review your Current Balance Outstanding.
  4. Select the CSUN Payment button.

For additional information regarding fee payment, download the Important Fee Payment Requirements (PDF) document. It's updated each term.

Please be aware of the student disclosure regarding the Schedule of Tuition and Other Fees.

Step 6 — Review Immunization Requirements

To promote public health and safety, the California State University (CSU) has long-established immunization requirements. Under the direction of the CSU Chancellor’s Office, students must meet the immunization standards by the end of their first and/or second semesters to avoid holds on class registration.

Find detailed requirements, updates and instructions at Klotz Student Health Center Immunizations, including:

  • A current list of required immunizations
  • A tutorial on how to upload proof of immunization or immunity through CSUN’s “myHealth Patient Portal”
  • Requirements for students enrolled in health care fields of study or teacher education programs

Resources:

Step 7 — Update Your Contact Information

We want to communicate with you! So please:

  • Check your CSUN email regularly for the latest information.
  • Verify your mailing address in the CSUN Portal. Learn how at Update Personal Information.

Best wishes for your first semester at California State University, Northridge!