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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 website.

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

Family Contribution to College and Costs

There are two forms used to determine a family’s contribution to the costs of college: the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the CA Dream Application. Students fill out the appropriate application and the information listed below is used to determine a student’s expected family contribution.

  • Family size
  • Income
  • Assets
  • 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 $598 to $5,815 per academic year
  • Amount is prorated depending on enrollment

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG)

  • For undergraduates
  • Range from $200 to $400 per academic year
  • Minimum enrollment requirement: 12 units a semester

State University Grants (SUG)

  • For undergraduates and graduate students who are California residents or AB 540 students
  • 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 or AB 540 students
  • Based on grade point average, income, assets, and application date
  • Covers part of SF State registration tuition fees
  • Minimum enrollment requirement: 6 units a semester

Cal Grant B

  • For undergraduates who are California residents or AB 540 students
  • 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

Federal 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 financial aid award
  • 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
  • Able for renewal only ~ no new perkins loans are being issued
  • Long term and low interest (5 percent)
  • Minimum enrollment requirement: 6 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 $1,000 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

SF State has an excellent scholarship website which helps students identify scholarships, prepare a competitive scholarship application and avoid scams. We have over 800 scholarships between our on campus and off-campus scholarship databases, with many tools that help students identify the perfect scholarship! Scholarships are based on various criteria such as academic achievement, major, community involvement, organizational affiliation, financial need and more! Be sure to pay attention to all deadlines and the required submission materials. Applying for scholarships is largely a self-help process, but well worth your time. Check out the SF State Scholarship website today!

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 or CA Dream Application online. with the Federal Student Aid Programs.
  2. Type in “San Francisco State University" and the code number 001154 for the FAFSA OR “CSU San Francisco” with the code 00115400 for the CA Dream Application.
  3. If requested, submit any verification documents listed on your “To Do” list on your Student Center to the Office of Student Financial Aid at SF State, as soon as possible. This could include income verification documents, IRS tax return transcripts, etc..

Deadlines

Pay attention to deadlines. If you miss the March 2nd priority deadline, you may be considered for limited available aid.

Notification

Your financial aid award offer will be posted for you to view and accept on your Student Center on the SF State Gateway. The View Financial Aid link 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 DREAM each year by the deadline.

Reminders

  • File the FAFSA or or the DREAM beginning January 1, and by the priority postmark deadline of March 2, if possible.
  • Mail the GPA Verification Form to CSAC 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, or acounselor at your high school or college 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.

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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