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How to Apply

Follow these basic steps to apply for financial aid. For more detail, take a look at the "Financial Aid Process" section.

Submit Your FAFSA

Fill out the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) online or mail a hard copy. Submitting an application online is convenient since the system saves your information for the following year.

If you need help filling out the form, check out the video tutorial, "Seven Easy Steps to the 2013-2014 FAFSA."

If you prefer to mail a hard copy, you can request a paper FAFSA by calling (800) 433-3243. You can also download a PDF version of the FAFSA.

If you previously filed a FAFSA online, you may file a Renewal FAFSA with your personal identification number (PIN). If you have problems with your PIN, please review the federal PIN tab. Please note, the Financial Aid & Scholarship Department does not provide Form 1098-T. Contact Student Accounting for more information.

Check Your Status

If you file electronically, check online with the FAFSA three to five days after submission. If you mailed in any forms, wait 7 to 10 days to check the status of your application.

After FAFSA validates your information, Cal State Northridge will electronically receive your financial aid application materials. You may then check your financial aid status on the myNorthridge Portal or by calling 1-818-677-4085 to speak with a financial aid representative.

Submit Additional Information

You may be asked to send in additional information. Check your CSUN Gmail, and view the To-Do List on the myNorthridge Portal. Submit all required documentation promptly.

Receive Funds

Newly admitted students begin receiving their financial notifications after mid-April. Continuing students begin receiving their financial awards after mid-June.

Check your Northridge email for an award notification. Awards are visible on the myNorthridge Portal.

How to Create a FAFSA PIN

If you do not have a personal identification number (PIN), you can create one by supplying basic identifying information. Choose your own four-digit PIN. If you don't choose your own, a PIN will be randomly generated for you. It can also serve as the applicant's signature. Additionally, parents can receive PIN numbers and use it to electronically sign their child's online forms.

How do I apply for a PIN?

Visit the federal PIN website and choose "Apply for a PIN." Enter your name, Social Security number, date of birth, mailing address and email address. After you submit your request, a confirmation number will appear; keep the confirmation number for your records.

When do I receive my PIN?

Once your information has been successfully submitted, the Central Processing System will confirm the identifying information with the Social Security Administration database. After a successful match, a PIN will be generated and sent to you by mail.

Where do I use my PIN?

Use your PIN for the FAFSA, whether you are applying for the first time, renewing your application or making a correction to a form you already submitted.

You can also use your PIN as an online signature for your Master Promissory Note and to access the National Student Loan Database System, Direct Consolidation Loans, Direct Loan Program and Direct Loan Servicing.

California Dream Act

The California Dream Act of 2011 became law through the passage of Assembly Bills 130 and 131. AB 130 and AB 131 allow AB 540 students to apply for state and institutional grants, and privately funded scholarships.

To apply for the state grant programs available under AB 131, you need to complete the California Dream Act application. The application will collect basic personal and income information to determine eligibility for funding.

You must complete the California Dream Act application every year to determine eligibility for state and institutional aid.

The deadline to apply for fall 2013 and spring 2014 priority consideration is March 2, 2013.

Check your status

After the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) validates your information, Cal State Northridge will electronically receive your application. You may check your financial aid status on the myNorthridge Portal or by calling 1-(818)-677-4085 to speak with a financial aid representative. Please note that Cal State Northridge will not begin processing aid applications until mid-April.

Submit additional information

You may be asked to send in additional information before you can be awarded. Check your CSUN Gmail, and view your "To-Do List" on the myNorthridge Portal. Submit all required documentation promptly.

Award notices

The Financial Aid & Scholarship Department will begin awarding new freshmen and transfer students in late April for the 2013-2014 academic year. Continuing students will be awarded in late June for the 2013-2014 academic year.

Summer Aid Procedures

All information about summer 2013 is subject to change. We strongly encourage you to check back often for potential changes to the financial aid summer process.

Is summer aid available?

Yes. Limited financial aid is available for the summer term to students who qualify. Summer financial aid may include the following:

• Federal Pell Grant
• Campus Summer Grant
• Federal direct Stafford loans
• Federal direct PLUS loan
• Federal direct graduate PLUS loan
• Private education loans

How does it work?

To be considered for summer aid, you must:

• Pay your summer registration fees on your own at the time of enrollment. Financial aid awards will not be available when you enroll. If you are later found eligible for aid, you will be awarded. However, you should also be financially prepared for the possibility that you may not have remaining financial aid eligibility for the summer term.
• Have a 2012-2013 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file with the Financial Aid & Scholarship Department. If you already completed a 2012-2013 FAFSA, you do not need to submit another one for summer aid.
• Enroll in at least half-time units to be eligible for a payment. Undergraduate, credential, and second B.A. students must enroll in at least six units. Graduate students must enroll in at least four units.
• Submit all required documents as listed in your "To-Do List." Log onto the myNorthridge Portal and navigate to the SOLAR Student Center. The "To-Do List" is located on the right side of the page.
• Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).
• Submit all summer loan request forms by August 8, 2013. Loan request forms will be available online beginning March 26, 2013.
• Summer awarding will begin in mid-April and continue on a rolling basis throughout the entire summer term.
• Grant-eligible students will be identified and awarded once half-time enrollment is established. No further action is required by the student.
• You will be notified of summer aid eligibility via your CSUN email account.
• Summer aid will begin to pay out to eligible students starting the week of May 28 and weekly thereafter. If you are enrolled in summer session three only, your aid will begin to disburse the week of July 10. Summer aid will go toward any outstanding summer charges first; anything in excess of charges will be processed as an e-refund or mailed as a paper check.

Note: Registering simultaneously for all summer classes in one or more sessions will expedite your financial aid request. Your summer aid eligibility is based on total enrollment units in all summer sessions.

How much are summer tuition fees?

Summer 2013 term is offered through The Tseng College. For information about summer tuition fees and payments, go to their website.

Exceptions: Students in one of the state-supported cohort programs below will enroll for summer 2012 through the regular university.

• Accelerated Bachelor of Science in nursing
• Master of Social Work
• Doctoral program in educational leadership
• Doctoral program in physical therapy

For summer tuition fee information and payment deadlines through the regular university, please visit University Cash Services.

If you are a student in one of the state support cohort programs and you are interested in summer aid, please follow the instructions below on how to request a summer loan.

When will I be awarded summer aid?

Summer awarding begins in mid-April and continues on a rolling basis throughout the entire summer term. Your aid eligibility will be determined after you enroll and pay your summer tuition fees.You will be notified of your summer aid eligibility via your CSUN email account.

When will my summer aid pay out?

Summer aid will pay out and be applied to your CSUN student account starting the week of May 28 and weekly thereafter if you meet the following conditions:

• Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements
• No outstanding document requests with the Financial Aid & Scholarship Department
• Enrolled in sufficient units

If you are only enrolled in summer session three only, your aid will disburse the week of July 10.

How is my summer Federal Pell Grant eligibility determined?

If you enrolled less than full time for either fall 2012 or spring 2013, you may have remaining Federal Pell Grant funds for summer. The Financial Aid & Scholarship Department will identify and award eligible students once summer half-time enrollment is established.

Please note that only undergraduates and students pursuing a first credential may be considered for Federal Pell Grant eligibility. Credential students must be enrolled at least half time in units required for credential completion. Graduate master's, second B.A. and doctoral students are not eligible for Federal Pell Grant funding.

How is my Campus Summer Grant eligibility determined?

If you received a State University Grant or Cal Grant for the 2012-2013 academic year, you may be eligible for a Campus Summer Grant. These funds are limited and may be exhausted before we can award all eligible students. Eligible students will be identified and awarded based on earliest enrollment date.

You must enroll at least half time to be considered for the Campus Summer Grant. If you are awarded the grant, you must maintain at least half-time enrollment during the summer to maintain your eligibility. Your grant will be canceled if you reduce your enrollment after you are awarded.

How do I request a summer loan?

To be considered for a summer federal direct Stafford loan, you must have remaining eligibility from the 2012-2013 award year and be enrolled at least half time. For information about federal Stafford loans and annual eligibility amounts, go to the "Loans" page.

You must also meet the following deadlines and conditions:

• Submit a loan request between March 26, 2013, and Aug. 8, 2013.
• You must be enrolled at least half time when submitting the loan request.
• Allow at least two weeks for the loan request to be processed.

Federal direct Stafford loan: To request a Stafford loan, you must submit a Summer 2013 Direct Stafford Loan Request form (available March 26), only if you have not borrowed the annual maximum eligibility amount for the 2012-2013 award year. For more information on annual loan limits, visit the "Stafford Loans" page.

Federal parent loan for undergraduate students (PLUS): To request a PLUS loan for the summer term, you must be a dependent undergraduate or credential student, and submit the 2012-2013 Federal Direct PLUS Loan Information and Request form.

Federal graduate PLUS loan: To request a Graduate PLUS loan for the summer term, you must be in a master or doctoral degree program, and submit the 2012-2013 Federal Graduate PLUS Loan Information and Request form.

Private education loans: To request a private education loan, you must be a matriculated CSUN student in a degree-granting program.

How much aid am I eligible for?

Your eligibility for summer aid depends on many factors, including need, class level and whether you have exhausted your eligibility for federal grants and loans during the regular 2012-2013 academic year. If you are unsure about your exact circumstances, you can always check with the Financial Aid & Scholarship Department. However, if you contact us, we will not be able to process your summer aid eligibility on request.

What if I withdraw from all or part of my summer sessions?

Students who drop below half-time enrollment status during any of the summer 2013 sessions may have their financial aid award reduced or canceled. If you withdraw from all courses in session one or two, but retain enrollment for session three, you may be required to submit written confirmation of your intent to attend session three courses. Failure to submit written confirmation, when requested, may result in a reduction or cancelation of financial aid. Any reduction or cancelation of financial aid may result in a balance due to CSUN and a possible hold on future enrollment.

Can I receive summer financial aid at more than one school?

Students who enroll at two or more schools during summer 2013 are only eligible to receive financial aid at one institution for that term. If you wish to decline your summer financial aid at CSUN, you must submit a status change notification form.

Students who receive federal financial aid at two or more schools for overlapping enrollment periods (i.e., regular semesters and summer sessions) may be subject to reduction of financial aid at one or all schools. Any reduction of financial aid may result in a balance due to Northridge and a possible hold on future enrollment. Board of Governors Fee Waiver (BOG) does not impact federal aid at Northridge.