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Costs + Financial Aid - Financial Aid

College costs are at an all time high. However, you should not rule out pursuing a higher education on the basis of costs alone. Help is available in the form of financial aid. Financial aid counselors are available on a drop-in basis or by appointment to work with individual applicants and parents. They can be reached by phone at (415) 338-7000. More information is available at the Financial Aid Office.

On This Page . . .

How Financial Aid Works

Financial aid is based on need -- the difference between what it costs to attend SF State and what you and your family can afford to pay toward the cost.

Costs

Your total cost will depend on where you live while in college -- at home, on campus, or off campus. Costs include:

  • Direct educational costs
    • Registration Fees
    • Non-Resident Tuition Fees
    • Books
    • Supplies
  • Living costs
    • Meals
    • Housing
    • Transportation
    • Personal expenses

Contribution

A form called the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is used to determine your expected family contribution and takes these factors into account:

  • Family size
  • Income
  • Assets
  • Parents' age
  • Number of family members in the household and in college

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Types of Financial Aid

Grants

Grants are funds awarded to exceptionally needy students. They do not have to be repaid.

Federal Pell Grants

  • For undergraduates and teaching credential students
  • Range from $605 to $5,645 per academic year
  • Amount is prorated depending on enrollment

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG)

  • For undergraduates
  • Range from $200 to $500 per academic year
  • Minimum enrollment requirement: 12 units a semester

State University Grants (SUG)

  • For undergraduates and graduate students who are California residents
  • For students who are not receiving a Cal Grant
  • Usually covers part of SF State registration tuition fees
  • Minimum enrollment requirement
    • For undergraduates: 6 units a semester
    • For graduate students: 4 units a semester

Cal Grant A

  • For undergraduates who are California residents
  • Based on grade point average
  • Covers part of SF State registration tuition fees
  • Minimum enrollment requirement: 6 units a semester

Cal Grant B

  • For undergraduates who are California residents
  • Primarily for students from disadvantaged and low-income families
  • First year grant pays a subsistence stipend
  • Subsequent year grants pay a stipend and partial registration tuition fees
  • Minimum enrollment requirement: 6 units a semester

Educational Opportunities Program (EOP) Grants

  • For undergraduates admitted to SF State as part of EOP
  • Range from $200 to $800 per academic year
  • Minimum enrollment requirement: 12 units a semester

AB131 - California Dream Act of 2011

  • For students who qualify under AB540
  • State-funded financial aid such as institutional grants, community college fee waivers, Cal Grant and Chafee Grant
  • This law took effect on January 1, 2013
  • Eligible AB540 students at San Francisco State University who complete the Dream Application will be considered for funding.
  • Visit http://www.sfsu.edu/~finaid/DreamAct.html for more information

Work-Study

Aid earned through part-time employment on campus or at participating nonprofit agencies

  • For eligible undergraduates and graduate students
  • Allows them to get a part-time job and earn up to $4,000 per academic year, depending on the amount stated in the Offer Letter
  • Minimum enrollment requirement:
    • For undergraduates: 12 units a semester
    • For graduate students: 8 units a semester

Loans

Aid that must be repaid after a student is no longer attending college at least half time

Federal Perkins Loans

  • For undergraduates and teaching credential students
  • Long term and low interest (5 percent)
  • Minimum enrollment requirement: 12 units a semester
  • Interest free as long as student is enrolled half time or more
  • Repayment begins nine months after student no longer meets that minimum enrollment standard
  • Maximum loan amount varies from $300 to $2,000 per academic year

Federal Direct Student Loans

  • For undergraduates and graduate students
  • Interest rate: varies.
  • Maximum loan amount: varies, depending on student's class level
  • Minimum enrollment requirements:
    • Undergraduates and teaching credential students: 6 units a semester
    • Graduate students: 4 graduate units a semester
  • Subsidized Loans
    • For undergraduate students who meet financial aid eligibility requirements
    • Interest paid by the government while student remains in school
  • Unsubsidized Loans
    • For students who do not meet eligibility requirements
    • Interest paid by the student

Scholarships

The scholarship search is largely a self-help process. We urge you to check out the many sources of scholarships, which include the following Web sites:

Reference books containing lists of scholarships are available from public and university libraries.

In addition, various SF State offices may have information about scholarships offered by other organizations. Many of these offices administer their own scholarships as well.

Financial need is the determining factor and is the crucial criterion for most types of aid. Typically scholarships are based on various criteria such as academic achievement, targeted major and fields, community involvement, organizational affiliation andfinancial need. Aid is sometimes based on other criteria including scholastic achievement and group membership. It is important to pay attention to deadlines and the required submission materials. This information is available:

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Applying for Financial Aid

Applying

All forms of financial aid at SF State require you to follow these steps:

  1. File a completed FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form with the Federal Student Aid Programs. You can apply online.
  2. The paper form of the FAFSA is available at:
    • the college or career office of most high schools
    • the financial aid offices of colleges and universities
  3. Write "San Francisco State University" and the code number 001154 on the college release section of the FAFSA form.
  4. If requested, submit verification documents such as IRS tax forms to the Office of Student Financial Aid as soon as possible.

Deadlines

Pay attention to deadlines. If you miss them, you may be considered for limited available aid.

Notification

Your financial aid award offer will be posted for you to view and accept on the SF State Portal. The Award Offer details the types and amounts of your financial aid. The Office of Student Financial Aid will send you an email when your award offer is ready to view. You may also receive notices about Cal Grants and scholarships.

Reapplication

Returning students must reapply for aid by filing the FAFSA or a Renewal FAFSA each year by the deadline.

Reminders

  • File the FAFSA beginning January 1, and by the priority postmark deadline of March 2.
  • Mail the GPA Verification Form by the priority deadline of March 2.
  • Submit all verification documents immediately upon request.
  • Keep photocopies of every form and document.
  • Contact the Office of Student Financial Aid at SF State, the counselor at your high school or college, or a counselor from agencies such as AACE, UNECS, PACT, etc., to assist you with completing the forms and meeting the deadlines.

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Financial Aid Eligible Programs

Academic Programs eligible for Financial Aid

Students must be pursuing an academic degree to be eligible for federal and state financial aid.

Eligible academic programs at SF State:

Graduate Certificate Programs are NOT eligible for financial aid.

College of Extended Learning Programs

Most programs through the College of Extended Learning (CEL) are NOT eligible for financial aid, including Open University.

For more information, visit: CEL programs approved for federal financial aid.

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