FINANCIAL AID
Financial Aid Office
Student Service Center Lassen Hall
(916) 278-6554
www.csus.edu/faid
Although the primary responsibility for financing an education rests with the student and the student’s immediate family, the Financial Aid & Scholarships Office helps students and their families search for, apply, receive and maintain eligibility for various types of financial aid to help meet the cost of attending Sacramento State. All students are encouraged to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act application prior to the March 2 priority filing date.
Financial aid may include scholarships, grants, federal work study and loans. Eligibility for financial aid is based on the Cost of Attendance (COA) minus the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) determined by the information reported on the aid application. For more information on the types of financial aid available please refer to our website at www.csus.edu/faid
Staff are readily available to assist students. Visit us at the Student Service Center located in Lassen Hall.
Application Process
All students are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act application before the March 2 priority filing deadline each year to be considered for the maximum number of aid programs. There are two ways to apply for financial aid.
- U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens will need to complete the FAFSA application at www.fafsa.gov.
- Students who have an unofficial immigration status and meet the California AB540 eligibility criteria will need to complete the California Dream Act application at https://dream.csac.ca.gov.
This single application will determine the student’s need for all financial aid programs (excluding scholarships) available at Sacramento State. Financial aid documents requested by the Financial Aid & Scholarships Office, must be submitted by June 1 each year to ensure financial aid funds are ready to be disbursed at the beginning of the Fall semester. Please note that students must reapply for financial aid each academic school year.
When filing the financial aid application, answer all questions accurately. Information reported on the application may need to be verified by the Financial Aid & Scholarships Office; if so, students will be provided with the information to complete the verification process. Students are strongly encouraged to submit all requested information immediately to ensure timely processing of their financial aid file.
Student Eligibility Requirements for US Citizens and Eligible Non-Citizens who filed a FAFSA
To be eligible for financial assistance each applicant must:
1. be accepted for admission to the University;
2. be U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen;
3. not be in default on a federal student loan;
4. not owe a repayment on a federal grant;
5. agree to use any student aid received solely for educational purposes;
6. be making satisfactory academic progress toward a degree (see Satisfactory Academic Progress); and
7. satisfy other general eligibility criteria established by the federal, state, or institutional regulations and guidelines.
These factors are reviewed at the time of application for financial aid. Before a financial aid disbursement is made, the Financial Aid & Scholarships Office will verify student’s enrollment status and academic progress.
Student Eligibility Requirements for AB540 students with an unofficial immigration status who filed a California Dream Act Application
To be eligible for financial assistance each applicant must:
1. be accepted for admission to the University;
2. be a AB540 eligible student with an unofficial immigration status;
3. not be in default on a student loan;
4. not owe a repayment on a grant;
5. agree to use any student aid received solely for educational purposes;
6. be making satisfactory academic progress toward a degree (see Satisfactory Academic Progress); and
7. satisfy other general eligibility criteria established by the federal, state, or institutional regulations and guidelines.
These factors are reviewed at the time of application for financial aid. Before a financial aid disbursement is made, the Financial Aid & Scholarships Office will verify student’s enrollment status and academic progress.
Priority Dates
- March 2 is the FAFSA and the California Dream Act Application priority filing date for limited available funds. Financial aid is awarded first to eligible students who meet the priority filing date and have the greatest need.
- March 2 is also the deadline to file the GPA verification form to the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) for the Cal Grant programs.
- Those students whose FAFSA's are received by the processor after March 2 are late applicants and are considered for aid based upon fund availability.
Documents Required
A set of federal and state defined criteria is used to determine if documentation is needed in support of data reported on the FAFSA or the California Dream Act Application. This process is referred to as verification. Applicants selected for verification will be notified by the Financial Aid & Scholarships Office and asked to provide additional documentation. A message will be sent explaining the exact requirements. Requested documentation may be accessed through the students My Sac State Student Center. To ensure timely disbursement of funding for Fall, we require all requested documents be submitted prior to the June 1 deadline.
Awarding Financial Aid
Eligibility for financial aid is determined by subtracting the estimated family contribution (EFC) amount the student and spouse, (if independent), or the student and parents together, (if dependent), can contribute toward the cost of attending Sacramento State. The EFC is determined by filing the FAFSA or California DREAM Act application.
Financial aid will be awarded based on full-time enrollment. Some awards, however, may be prorated for students attending less than full-time.
Grants
Federal Pell Grant is available to eligible undergraduates and students pursing their first non-degree teaching credential. Students are eligible to receive a Pell Grant for up to 12 (full-time) semesters regardless of school attended.
Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants (FSEOG) is available to eligible undergraduate students with extreme financial need. Funding is limited. To receive a FSEOG, a student must also be receiving the Federal Pell Grant.
Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) grants are available for students who filed a FAFSA and currently completing coursework necessary to begin a career in teaching. Students must sign an Agreement To Serve/promise to repay and teach full-time for at least four years within eight years of completing the program as a highly qualified teacher, at a Title 1 school, in a specified subject area. If the service is not met, the grant must be repaid as an Unsubsidized Direct Stafford Loan, with interest from the date(s) of the original disbursement.
Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) Grant is available to eligible undergraduate California residents who are admitted to Sacramento State through the EOP program. Due to limited state funds, not all EOP students receive this grant. Other eligibility criteria also applies.
State University Grant (SUG) helps pay tuition fees and is available to eligible California residents. A student may only receive one award designated for tuition fees. Priority is given to students meeting the eligibility criteria and who have filed their FAFSA or DREAM application by the March 2 priority deadline. Funding is limited.
Cal Grants (Cal Grants A and B) is available to eligible undergraduate California residents. Eligibility is determined by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) for students meeting the March 2 priority filing deadline. Cal Grant A is designated for tuition fees. A student may only receive one award designated for payment of tuition fees. Other eligibility criteria also applies.
Loans
All loans must be repaid after the student graduates, leaves school or drops below half-time enrollment. All student loan borrowers must complete a Federal Direct Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN), Entrance Loan Counseling and Exit Loan Counseling.
Federal Perkins Loans are need-based, low-interest (5 percent) loans available to both graduate and undergraduate students. Payments of interest and principal are deferred while the student remains enrolled at least halftime. Federal Perkins Loan borrowers begin repayment nine months after they cease attending school at least halftime. The Perkins Loan program is currently being phased out and may only be awarded to students who meet the eligibility requirements; are a continuing student, and have a prior Perkins Loan while attending California State University, Sacramento.
Nursing Student Loans (NSL) assist eligible nursing students (admitted into the nursing program) with a low-interest (5 percent) loan. At Sacramento State, NSL are restricted to students in their junior and senior year in school. Awards are not made to pre-nursing students or students in the first and second year of the nursing program. Principal and interest payments are deferred until nine months after the recipient stops attending at least half-time.
The Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan is a long term, fixed interest rate loan for eligible undergraduate and graduate students and is non-need based. Interest begins to accrue at the time of disbursement. We highly recommend students make interest only payments while in school to avoid unpaid interest being added to the principal amount of the loan at repayment.
Repayment of both Federal Direct loans begins six months after the student graduates, leaves school or drops below half-time. Students must have completed their financial aid file and an award acceptance must be submitted to the Financial Aid & Scholarships Office before a loan can be processed. Additionally, borrowers must complete Direct Loan Entrance Loan Counseling and a Master Promissory Note (MPN) before receiving loan funds. Students who have previously completed the Direct Loan Entrance Loan Counseling and MPN requirement at Sacramento State are exempt.
In general, students may borrow the following maximum amounts annually:
Direct Loan Annual Loan Limits By Class Level
| Class Level | Dependent | Independent | (Max Subsidized) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freshman | $5,500 |
$9,500 |
($3,500) |
| Sophomore | $6,500 |
$10,500 |
($4,500) |
| Junior/Senior | $7,500 |
$12,500 |
($5,500) |
| Credential | $5,500 |
$12,500 |
($5,500) |
| Unclassified Grad (Masters) | $5,500 |
$12,500 |
($5,500) |
| Unclassified Grad (Credential) | $2,625 |
$8,625 |
($2,625) |
| Graduate | $20,500 |
N/A |
Lifetime Loan Limits By Degree Objective
| Degree Objective | Dependent | Independent | (Max Subsidized) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | $31,000 |
$57,500 |
($23,000) |
| Graduate | NA |
$138,500 |
($65,500) |
Federal Direct PLUS Loans (Parent Loans) is a long term, fixed interest rate loan for eligible parents of dependent students. The annual loan limit is the student’s cost of attendance minus financial aid. The parent borrower must begin repayment of principal and interest 60 days following the date of full disbursement. If the parent is denied the PLUS loan because of adverse credit history, the dependent student may request consideration for additional unsubsidized loan eligibility.
Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans is a long term, fixed interest rate loan for eligible graduate students who demonstrate credit worthiness. Repayment begins six months after the student graduates, leaves school, or drops below half-time enrollment.
Employment*
Federal Work-Study (FWS) is a federally funded, need-based employment program that provides eligible students the opportunity to earn funds for their educational expenses through job opportunities. Many different types of positions are available, ranging from library attendants to research assistants. A wide range of choices exists in the University as well as in nonprofit agencies in the metropolitan area, including community service opportunities. Recipients may work up to 20 hours per week.
*See also Academic Support Resources/Cooperative Education Program.
Scholarships
The Financial Aid & Scholarships Office administers three types of scholarships: Institutional, Departmental, and Community scholarships. Typically, scholarships are disbursed at the beginning of the Fall and Spring semesters. Scholarships are considered a resource and must be coordinated as part of the student’s overall financial aid package and therefore may reduce other financial aid awards.
The Institutional Scholarship Program
The Institutional Scholarship Program offers a varied number of scholarships in diversified categories and majors. Scholarship eligibility requirements and award amounts may vary from scholarship to scholarship. Application and award information is available on the Financial Aid & Scholarships Office website. The application cycle is open from mid-January through mid-March each year.
Other Scholarship Programs
Other various scholarship programs are available from campus departments, community organizations, and private industry. Students should contact their major department as well as their employers, service and religious organizations, and other professional affiliations for possible scholarship opportunities.
Fee Waivers and Exemptions
The California Education Code provides for the waiver of mandatory systemwide tuition fees as follows:
Section 66025.3 –Dependent eligible to receive assistance under Article 2 of Chapter 4 of Division 4 of the Military and Veterans Code; child of veteran of the United States military who has a service-connected disability, has been killed in service, or has died of a service-connected disability, and meets specified income provisions; dependent, or surviving spouse (who has not remarried) of a member of the California National Guard who, in the line of duty, and while in the active service of the state, was killed, died of a disability resulting from an event that occurred while in the active service of the state, or is permanently disabled as a result of an event that occurred while in the active service of the state; and undergraduate student who is a recipient of or child of a recipient of a Medal of Honor, under 27 years old, meets the income restriction and California residency requirement.
Section 68120 – Qualifying children and surviving spouses/registered domestic partners of deceased public law enforcement or fire suppression employees who were California residents and who were killed in the course of active law enforcement or fire suppression duties (referred to as Alan Pattee Scholarships); and
Section 68121 – Qualifying students enrolled in an undergraduate program who are the surviving dependent of any individual killed in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon building in Washington, D.C., or the crash of United Airlines Flight 93 in southwestern Pennsylvania, if the student meets the financial need requirements set forth in Section 69432.7 for the Cal Grant A Program and either the surviving dependent or the individual killed in the attacks was a resident of California on September 11, 2001. Students who may qualify for these benefits should contact the Admissions/Registrar’s Office for further information and/or an eligibility determination.
The California Education Code provides for the following nonresident tuition exemptions:
Section 68075.7 – Nonresident students are exempt from paying nonresident tuition or any other fee that is exclusively applicable to nonresident students if they (1) reside in California, (2) meet the definition of “covered individual” as defined in subsection (c) of Section 3679 of Title 38 of the United States Code, as that provision read on July 1, 2015; and (3) are eligible for education benefits under either the federal Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty program or the Post-9/11 GI Bill program.
Section 68122 – Students who are victims of trafficking, domestic violence, and other serious crimes who have been granted T or U visa status are exempt from paying nonresident tuition if they (1) attended high school in California for three or more years; (2) graduated from a California high school or attained the equivalent; and (3) registered as an entering student or are currently enrolled at a CSU campus.
Section 68130.5 – Students who are not residents of California are exempt from paying nonresident tuition if they (1) attended high school in California for three or more years; (2) graduated from a California high school or attained the equivalent; and (3) registered as an entering student or are currently enrolled at a CSU campus. In addition, students without lawful immigration status will be required to file an affidavit stating that they have filed an application to legalize their immigration status, or will file an application as soon as they are eligible to do so. This exemption from paying nonresident tuition does not apply to students who are non-immigrant aliens within the meaning of 8 United States Code 1101(a) (15), except as provided by Section 68122 above.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
SAP is measured in three areas and all three standards must be met:
1. Minimum Cumulative GPA standard: Students are required to maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 as undergraduates, 2.5 as second bachelor's, and 3.0 as doctorate, graduate, credential students, and unclassified graduate students.
2. Overall Degree Progress standard: Students are required to complete their degree/certificate within 150 percent of their program degree objective.
All graded coursework are counted, including transfer units, repeats, in-progress and withdrawals. SAP review also incorporates all unsuccessful coursework attempted at Sacramento State (i.e. “F”, “I”, “NC”, “W”, “WU”).
Probation Warning Students who have completed 120 percent of attempted coursework will receive a warning notification. This early warning enables the student to seek academic advisement for degree completion.
3. Satisfactory Pace Standard:
The satisfactory pace standard is an overall ratio of Sacramento State units earned to Sacramento State units attempted. Students must pass at least 75 percent of units attempted.
All graded coursework are counted, including repeats, in-progress and withdrawals. SAP review also incorporates all unsuccessful coursework attempted at Sacramento State (i.e. “F”, “I”, “NC”, “W”, “WU”). Transfer units are not included in this calculation.
Students must meet the following standards to receive financial aid regardless of whether they are prior financial aid recipients. Satisfactory Academic Progress will be reviewed and monitored annually after the spring grades have posted.
These standards comply with federal regulations and University policy, are applicable to all financial aid applicants at Sacramento State, and affect eligibility for all federal and state aid, including grants, loans, and work study. Students receiving only scholarships, graduate assistantships, stipends, or student assistant earnings are not subject to these standards unless specified.
Financial Aid Disqualification
Students will become disqualified from receiving financial aid if any one of the following applies:
- they fail to meet the GPA requirements;
- they fail to successfully complete fewer than 75% of their attempted unitsin any academic year;
- they fail to complete their program within 150% of their degree program required units;
- they are pursuing a second or subsequent bachelor's, credential, or master's degree.
Students are required to maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 as undergraduates, 2.5 as second bachelor's, and 3.0 as doctorate, graduate, credential students, and unclassified graduate students.
Apeal Review
Satisfactory academic progress is measured for all students on an annual basis. Students not meeting the requirements will be "Financial Aid Disqualified" and notified accordingly with instructions of the appeal process.
Appeal Process
SStudents who become disqualified from receiving financial aid will be notified via My Sac State Student Center and provided instruction on the process. Appeals will be evaluated based on the student's extenuating circumstance.
Regaining Eligibility
Students who are disqualified due to low GPA or low unit completion will regain eligibility when they achieve the required GPA or unit completion as long as they have not completed more than 150% of their program requirements. Undergraduate students who are disqualified due to exceeding 150% of the required units for their program will regain eligibility after they become a master's or credential student after their bachelor's degree is posted. Students who meet this condition before the spring semester may submit a written request to have their eligibility reinstated, otherwise progress will be reviewed after spring grades have posted.
Drop in Units
Students who received financial aid funds should consult with the Financial Aid & Scholarships Office prior to dropping a course or withdrawing from the University to determine the impact on the financial aid received. Financial aid regulations requires the Financial Aid & Scholarships Office to determine what percentage of aid is considered earned and any unearned aid must be returned to the appropriate program, resulting in refund or repayment of grant or loan assistance received for that academic term. For drop in units, aid will be adjusted at Census date to reflect the final enrollment status.
Special Categories of Students
Students in the International Program, Visitor Status, Consortium, and/or contractual programs must meet with a financial aid counselor.
Summer requires a separate institutional application available on the Financial Aid & Scholarships Office web site in April at www.csus.edu/faid.
Open University students are not eligible for financial aid. Courses being audited are not considered toward enrollment for financial aid purposes.
Financial Aid Refunds/Return of Title IV*
*Refer to Fees and Refunds/Return of Title IV.
Cost of Attending Sacramento State
Student budgets, also known as Cost of Attendance (COA), are designed to provide students with a projection of reasonable costs to attend school for a nine month school period. The students COA includes direct costs which are actual tuition and fees charged and, if applicable on campus housing charges. Indirect costs included in the total COA include an allowance for books and supplies, food and housing for those living off-campus or with parents, transportation costs and an allowance for miscellaneous/ personal items. The following chart is an estimate of the cost of attendance during the 2016-2017 academic year as a full-time undergraduate student and may not represent your actual expenditures for these items.
| Allowance | Live with Parents | Live On-Campus | Live Off-Campus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fees | $6,900 |
$6,900 |
$6,900 |
| Books/Supplies | $1,792 |
$1,792 |
$1,792 |
| Food/Housing | $4,968 |
$13,916 |
$12,492 |
| Transportation | $1,108 |
$838 |
$1,242 |
| Misc. Personal | $1,416 |
$1,416 |
$1,416 |
| TOTAL | $16,184 |
$24,862 |
$23,842 |
* Graduate students add $1,266 for graduate tuition fees; teaching credential students add $876. State-support MBA students add $254 per unit for graduate business professional fee. Non-resident students add $372 per unit for non-resident tuition fees. Budget figures are subject to change without notice. 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, the CSU must reserve the right, even after initial payments are made, to increase or modify any listed fees, without notice, until the date 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.