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. Here is some basic
information on types of financial aid, how financial aid works, and how to apply for it at San Francisco State.
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.
Types of Financial Aid
Grants
Grants are funds awarded to
exceptionally needy students.
They do not have to be repaid.
Examples:
- Federal Pell Grants
- For undergraduates and teaching credential students
- Range from $400 to $4,050 per academic year
- Amount is prorated depending on enrollment
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG)
- For undergraduates
- Range from $200 to $750 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 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 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 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 $100 to $600 per academic year
- Minimum enrollment requirement: 12 units a semester
Work-Study
Aid earned through part-time
enrollment 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
- Usually from $300 to $2,000 per academic year
- Federal Direct
Student Loans
- For undergraduates and graduate students
- Interest rate: varies. Maximum rate: 8.25 percent
- 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
- Two types:
- Subsidized
- For students who meet financial aid eligibility requirements
- Interest paid by the government while student remains in school
and for six months afterward
- Unsubsidized
- For students who do not meet eligibility requirements
- Interest paid by the student
Scholarships
Sources of
information:
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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