Apply for Aid
Application Process
What you need to know about the financial aid process
PREPARE
Learn about federal student aid programs and what's available to you. You can use FAFSA4caster to increase your knowledge of the financial aid process; become familiar with the various types of federal student aid that are available; and investigate other sources of aid, such as grants and scholarships. You can also find out about our programs in detail from one of our publications, Funding Education Beyond High School: The Guide to Federal Student Aid. The guide tells you almost everything you need to know about federal student aid, as well as other means of paying for your education after high school. Take what we say to heart... and then take it to the next step.
Federal Student Aid PIN (Personal Identification Number)
A PIN lets you electronically sign your online Free Application for
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), make corrections to your application
information, and more - all online. For faster processing, you (and
your spouse or parents, if required) may "sign" the FAFSA electronically
with a PIN. Go to http://www.pin.ed.gov/ for more information or to apply
for a PIN now.
Financial Aid Forecaster - FAFSA4caster
The FAFSA4caster provides students with an early estimate of their
eligibility for federal student financial assistance. Students considering
furthering their education beyond high school can use this FREE tool to:
- Calculate their eligibility for federal financial aid, including grants
- Reduce the time it will take to complete the Free Application for
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the qualifying form for all federal student financial aid
To access FAFSA4caster, visit http://www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov/
APPLY
This step is where many deserving students falter, either because they assume they won't
qualify or because the FAFSA may seem complex and difficult to complete. FAFSA4caster provides
an opportunity for you to become familiar with many of the questions that are asked on the FAFSA,
and you can use the FAFSA4caster to practice answering the questions online.
When to file the FAFSA
File each year as soon as possible after January 1 for the upcoming academic year. If you have not completed your tax return, you may estimate on the FAFSA and make corrections later
The FAFSA website has many resources to help you file the form correctly. Using the online application is significantly faster and more accurate than using the paper application
When you're ready to file the FAFSA use the online version at www.fafsa.ed.gov, which streamlines the application process considerably. Remember, it's a good idea to apply. You may be surprised by the amount of aid for which you qualify.
CSUSB's School Code is 001142. Enter this number on the FAFSA where indicated on the application.
Financial Aid Office