How to Apply for Financial Aid at CSUN and Get Your Application Started
- CSUN is a Title IV school that receives funding from the Department of Education, so every year you must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to receive Federal Grants or Loans.
- CSUN receives FAFSA data once a week and sends an Application Acknowledgment Email to your campus email account to notify you that your FAFSA has been updated on the financial aid system.
- All California state aid eligibility is based on the information on the FAFSA.
- The California Student Aid Commission requires a GPA verification and a FAFSA for first-time Cal Grant recipients by March 2 in order to be considered for a Cal Grant award.
- Scholarships come in all shapes and sizes and have their own applications.
The Verification Process
Things we check before you can be awarded.
- We create the document request(s) that appear on your To-Do List.
- We send you a To-Do List
Email telling you to send in your documents.
You may be asked to submit any of the following documents. The items
listed below represent a sample. You may be requested to submit additional
documents:
- Dependent/Independent Verification – Dependent or Independent Student Verification Worksheet.
- Parent Tax Return - A signed copy of your parent(s) Federal 1040 Income Tax Return.
- Student Tax Return - A signed copy of your (and/or your spouse's) Federal 1040 Income Tax Return. If you and your spouse file separate returns, you must submit copies of both.
- Instructions for Obtaining Transcripts of Tax Returns, Copies of Tax Returns, or 1722 Letters - Obtain copies of 1040s and 1722 tax forms.
- Selective Service Verification – Proof of your registration with the Selective Service System.
- Student Visa – Either proof of U.S. Citizenship or your current eligible non-citizenship status. If you became a U.S. Citizen after you received your Social Security card, go to the Social Security Administration, provide them your updated U.S. Citizenship status and request a duplicate Social Security Card. Proof of Eligible Non-Citizenship Status
- Proof of U.S. Citizenship - Information on what is required to document U.S. citizenship status.
- Driver's License - A legible copy of your valid driver's license or state photo identification card.
- Social Security Card – A copy of your Social Security card and a copy of your driver's license or state photo identification card.
Cost of Attendance
We will always try to award up to your Cost of Attendance.
- State University Fees are your Tuition and Fees for being a student. These fees are determined by the State of California.
- Campus Based Fees are campus charges like Health fees, Associated Student Fees, etc. These fees are determined by CSUN.
- The CSU makes every effort to keep student costs to a minimum. Fees listed in published schedules or student accounts may need to be increased when public funding is inadequate. Therefore, CSU must reserve the right, even after initial fee payments are made, to increase or modify any listed fees, without notice, until the date when instruction for a particular semester or quarter has begun. All CSU listed fees should be regarded as estimates that are subject to change upon approval by The Board of Trustees.
Coordination of Aid
Financial Aid is awarded to students based on federal formulas for determining the need for taxpayer-funded student aid programs. Federal and state regulations require that all financial aid awards take into account any and all resources that students have available to meet the costs of their education.
Read More Information about Coordination of Aid
The Awarding Process
- We start awarding new students for the upcoming fall by the end of April and continuing students by the end of June, after the spring term has closed.
- Financial Aid awards are computed weekly for students who have completed all the documentation requested.
- Award Notifications are emailed to students every week stating that the award information is available on the myNorthridge Portal.
- If a change is made to your award, a Revised Financial Aid Award Email is sent to you.
- The Award and Planning Guide is updated every year and explains in detail what a Financial Aid award means and how to make it happen.
Disbursement of Funds
After you are awarded, your amounts will show as Anticipated Aid.
Things we check before your award can be disbursed.
- You must complete Loan Entrance Counseling before your loan funds can be disbursed.
- If you are a freshman, you must have a valid high school transcript on file.
- You must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress.
- You must be registered in the required number of units for an award.
When are funds released?
- We begin disbursing funds prior to the start of each term and continue weekly.
- When we disburse funds, your Anticipated aid becomes actual aid to pay off your charges. If there is a credit balance, a Financial Aid Balance Check will be mailed directly to your address on file with Admissions & Records. Checks may NOT be picked up in person. Disbursement processing happens weekly.
MORE CSUN POLICIES
Release of Information – in order for us to release student information to the parent or parent information to the student, you must have a release form on file. Please read the Confidentiality Policy and then download the form to fill out and submit.
Less Than Full-Time Enrollment - Financial Aid awards are projected at full time. The amount that will actually be disbursed to your student account may change depending upon the number of units you are actually enrolled in. This may show as less than your award amount.
Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy – Satisfactory Academic Progress must be maintained in order to continue to be eligible for financial aid.
Withdrawal Policy - Consequences of withdrawing from all or part of your courseload including medical withdrawals.
CSUN Domestic Partner Information – Rights and Responsibilities