How Do I Activate My Award?
To receive your loan funds you must “activate” your loan by accepting it on the SOLAR Student Center. If you need help accepting your loan, please refer to our Loan Acceptance Tutorial for instructions.
If you do NOT want a student loan, please check the “decline” box on the “Financial Aid – Accept My Student Loan” page. Loans are NOT processed without your approval.
How to Receive Your Funds
Once your award is activated, your aid will be credited directly to your student account (usually ten days before classes start, and then weekly thereafter during the semester). Financial Aid will automatically pay your registration fees first, then to on-campus housing obligations (up to one full semester) and other outstanding financial obligations due to the University. If there is money left over, then a financial aid balance check (a refund check) is mailed to your home address (as listed on the SOLAR Student Center) starting at the beginning of the term (provided you filed your application early and submitted your documents in a timely manner). If your financial aid is applied towards costs but does not cover all of your charges, University Cash Services will bill you. You must use your own money to pay any balance due.
Questions about the charges on your bill or lost checks in the mail should be directed to University Cash Services at (818) 677-8000, Option 3. Questions on how your financial aid was applied to your account should be directed to Student Accounting at (818) 677-8000, Option 2.
Using Financial Aid Funds Legally
When you signed your aid application (the FAFSA), you agreed to abide by the consent language contained in step seven of that form. In that certification, you agreed to use financial aid to pay the costs of attending an institution of higher education and other significant provisions of law. Your signature is legally binding as your acceptance of the terms of the “Statement of Educational Purpose”. In addition, we have provided you other provisions of the electronic application of funds to registration fees, on-campus housing costs and other charges allowed by law on the “CSUN 2009-2010 Financial Aid Award Noticed”. Should you wish to have information more fully explained, please contact the Financial Aid & Scholarship Department.
Budgeting
Learning about money management is critical to your life. Learning to live within a budget is not always a simple thing. The Financial Aid & Scholarship Department encourages you to complete the profile to help you understand and better budget your money. This is a life skill vital to your future success.
The form may help you see how to manage your money while you receive financial aid. It is a practical guide for determining how educational expenses and other costs of living may be met. Some students find they need to adjust their plans, so expenses may be met.