- Why should I enroll full-time and what are the benefits?
- Do I have to be enrolled full-time to receive financial aid?
- What happens if I'm not enrolled full-time?
- My Financial Aid Award is based on full-time, but I indicated on my FAFSA I would be enrolled less than full-time. Why is that?
- What is considered part-time enrollment for an undergraduate, credential and graduate student?
- Why do I need to meet with an academic advisor for planning my graduation?
- How or will my financial aid change if my unit load changes?
- If I drop a class that brings me below full-time, will it affect my financial aid?
- What happens if I receive a payment and then drop a class?
- What if I drop any or all my classes?
- What happens if I receive a part-time payment and then I add a class to increase my enrollment status?
- What happens to my financial aid if I do not complete my classes?
- If I stop attending, will I be disenrolled?
- If I stop attending, will I have to repay my financial aid?
- Do I need to be enrolled full-time to receive summer financial aid?
- Do I need to be full-time to receive my scholarship?
- Pro-Rated Awards?
Why should I enroll full-time and what are the benefits?
We highly recommend you enroll full-time to achieve degree completion in the shortest time possible. This provides you the maximum amount of financial aid, your college education will cost less in the long run and you may end up with less loan debt.
Do I have to be enrolled full-time to receive financial aid?
NO, WE CAN adjust your awards based on your enrollment status. Most awards require at least half-time enrollment. If you are registered less than full-time, your initial award amounts are subject to reduction or cancellation. Some awards, however, require full-time enrollment. Please refer to the “Grants” section on our website or the details of your scholarship to determine if you must be full-time.
What happens if I'm not enrolled full-time?
Your aid is subject to reduction or cancellation. Your initial award represents the maximum amount you may receive if registered full-time. The amount that is disbursed to your student account may change depending upon the number of units you are enrolled in. This amount may show as less than your initial award. Refer to our Withdrawal Policy on our website.
My Financial Aid Award is based on full-time, but I indicated on my FAFSA I would be enrolled less than full-time. Why is that?
At CSUN, your initial award is always based on full-time enrollment. At the time financial aid is applied to your account, if you are enrolled less than full-time, your award will be adjusted accordingly.
What is considered part-time enrollment for an undergraduate, credential and graduate student?
Undergraduate Credential 2nd Bachelors |
Master's |
|
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | 12 Units | 8 units |
| Three-quarter time | 9 to 11 units | 5 to 7 units |
| Half-time | 6 to 8 units | 4 units |
| Less than Half-time | 1 to 5 units | 1 to 3 units |
Why do I need to meet with an academic advisor for planning my graduation?
A good academic plan helps you determine the right classes to complete your degree in a timely fashion. The less time it takes you to complete your degree, the less you have to pay for your education. Consult your Academic Advisor for help with Academic Progress concerns.
How or will my financial aid change if my unit load changes?
If you are registered less than full-time, your initial award amounts are subject to reduction or cancellation. Your initial award represents the maximum amount you may receive if registered full-time. The amount that is disbursed to your student account may change depending upon the number of units you are enrolled in. This amount may show as less than your initial award. Financial Aid Counselors can explain the pros and cons of changing your enrollment status and how it affects your financial aid. Please come to the Financial Aid counter in Bayramian Hall (first floor lobby) during our counselor walk-in hours.
If I drop a class that brings me below full-time, will it affect my financial aid?
Yes, we will ADJUST your aid depending upon the award type(s). If you have a Stafford Loan, and you drop below half time, any amount that has not been disbursed for the academic year will be canceled, and any refund will be sent to your lender.
What happens if I receive a payment and then drop a class?
If you drop a class, you may be required to repay part or all of the funds received. For example, if you receive a full-time Federal Pell Grant payment (100% of the awarded amount) and you drop to 9 units, your enrollment status changes from full-time to three-quarter time; therefore, you may have to repay 25% of the amount already received.
What if I drop any or all my classes?
Please read the Withdrawal Policy.
What happens if I receive a part-time payment and then I add a class to increase my enrollment status?
It is possible to receive several disbursements at the beginning of the semester if your enrollment status changes. For example, if you are enrolled in 6 units when initial payment is made, you may receive only 50% of your Federal Pell Grant award. If you add a class for a total of 9 units, your eligibility will be recalculated for three-quarter time status and your payment will be adjusted accordingly. If you add another class for a total of 12 or more units, you will qualify for a full-time payment and another adjustment will be made. Disbursements occur once a week.
What happens to my financial aid if I do not complete my classes?
Completing your classes is a necessary part of meeting the campus Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements; therefore, not completing your classes may affect your ability to receive aid the next semester or academic year. Students must meet the campus Satisfactory Academic Progress policy to remain eligible for financial aid in later years. Please download a copy of the 
Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy.
If I stop attending, will I be disenrolled?
No. It is the responsibility of the student to withdraw from all courses. Refer to CSUN’s Attendance Policy.
If I stop attending, will I have to repay my financial aid?
If you withdraw from all or some of your classes, including a Medical Withdrawal, all or part of your financial aid may be reduced or cancelled and you may have a balance due on your account.
Do I need to be enrolled full-time to receive summer financial aid?
No, the number of units you enroll in for one summer term will determine the type and amount of summer financial aid. Normally, summer aid is limited to only Pell Grant, State University Grant and loans. For more detailed information, refer to our Summer Fact Sheet, usually available in spring. To receive Stafford loans, students must be enrolled at least half time. For undergraduate, credential, and 2nd BA students, half-time enrollment is 6 units. For students enrolled in a master’s program, half-time is 4 units.
Do I need to be full-time to receive my scholarship?
It depends on the scholarship. Some require full-time enrollment. Check with your donor or one of our scholarship representatives in Bayramian Hall, Room 130.
Pro-Rated Awards?
Your award(s) may be reduced if you are not enrolled at a full-time status. You may also be required to repay your financial aid awards if you drop classes after your financial aid has been paid.
Please submit a “Status Change Notification Form” to the Financial Aid and Scholarship department if you will not attend classes for any semester. Lower enrollment may lower your award amounts; an award revision will be done and you will be notified.
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