Types of Aid Available

Your financial aid package may contain a combination of grants, scholarships, and loans. Grants are considered "gift aid," free money that does not need to be repaid. Below is a listing of the federal, state, and institutional grants for which you may qualify. Please be aware that grants or fee waiver are tuition specific and only one can be used. You cannot use more than one source if the waiver or grant is tuition specific. For example, you can use either Cal Grant or VA Benefits or CSU Fee Waiver.

Federal Pell Grant Program

Pell Grants are federally funded, need-based awards available to students pursuing their first undergraduate degree. Grants are awarded on a sliding scale based on a student's expected family contribution from the FAFSA and enrollment. Pell Grants are awarded assuming full-time enrollment. The Pell Grant is only available up to six years based on enrollment. The award may be adjusted according to actual enrollment at the Census deadline for the term.

Full-time: 12 or more units

Three-quarters-time: 9 to 11.9 units

Half-time: 6 to 8.99 units

Quarter-time: 3 to 5.99 units

Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship

Beginning with the 2018-2019 award year, a Pell-eligible student whose parent/guardian died in the line of duty while performing as a public safety officer is eligible to receive a maximum Pell Grant for the award year for which the determination of eligibility is made. All Title IV aid awarded to such eligible students must be based on a calculated Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) of zero. Download the form to apply.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program (SEOG)

SEOG Grants are federally funded, need-based awards available to students pursuing their first undergraduate degree and have exceptional financial need. Priority is given to Federal Pell Grant recipients with the greatest need and those who have completed their FAFSA by March 2. These funds are awarded directly by Cal Maritime and limited to the total amount allocated to the college by the U.S. Department of Education.

Cal Grant A

Provides need-based grant assistance to low- and middle-income California resident students to offset tuition fee costs for high school graduates with at least a 3.0 grade point average (GPA). Recipients must also meet financial requirements. Students must file the FAFSA or CADAA and the Cal Grant GPA verification form by March 2. For 2023-2024, the estimated maximum Cal Grant A award for California State University students is $5,742 for undergraduates. These awards are limited to the total amount of the CSU State Tuition Fee for full-time students. The Cal Grant A is only available up to four years. The Cal Grant program is administered by the California Student Aid Commission. Visit www.csac.ca.gov for more information.

Cal Grant B

Provides need-based grant assistance to high-potential California resident students from low-income, disadvantaged families to help offset tuition fees and other costs for high school graduates with at least a 2.0 grade point average. Recipients must also meet financial requirements. Students must file the FAFSA or CADAA and the Cal Grant GPA Verification Form by March 2. In 2023-24, the maximum access grant is $1,648 and the tuition fee awards are the same as Cal Grant A ($5,742) for student enrolling at CSU campuses. The Cal Grant B is only available up to four years. The Cal Grant program is administered by the California Student Aid Commission. Visit www.csac.ca.gov for more information.

State University Grants (SUG)

Provides need-based awards to cover a portion of the California State University Tuition Fee for eligible undergraduate students who are California residents or are otherwise determined as eligible. System-wide, the priority is to award a SUG at least equal to the amount of the State Tuition Fee of $5,742 to eligible, first-time undergraduate students.

In order for students to be eligible for SUG awards, they must meet the following:

Students must be enrolled at least half-time
Students must not have accumulated more than 125% units earned in their CSU undergraduate careers
Students pursuing a second bachelor's degree are not SUG eligible (the CSU will only fund the first degree)

CSU Mandatory Fee Waivers

Established by the California Legislature and required by Education Code, CSU campuses must honor these waivers for qualifying students.

Please visit the Chancellor's website for information on these programs.

Students who receive a tuition-specific grant or fee waiver may not use multiple grants/fee waivers that are tuition-specific.

Download the eligibility matrix, broken down by degree

Middle Class Scholarships 2.0

The Middle Class Scholarship is a grant to help undergraduate California resident students with family incomes up to $217,000 and family assets up to $217,000. Students must file the FAFSA or CADAA by March 2. The Cal Grant program is administered by the California Student Aid Commission. Visit www.csac.ca.gov for more information.

Contact Information

Financial Aid Office
Student Services Building
(707) 654-1287
(707) 654-1007 FAX
finaid@csum.edu

Monday-Friday (8 AM - 4:30 PM)

Campus Resources

Office of Admission
Student Services Building
(707) 654-1330

Office of the Registrar
Student Services Building
(707) 654-1201

University Advisors
Laboratory Building 111
(707) 654-1794

Laboratory Building 112
(707) 654-1785

Housing & Residential Life
Upper Residence Hall
(707) 654-1400

Food Security
Mayo Hall

Cashier's Office
Administration Building
(707) 654-1031

Student Employment
Administration Building
(707) 654-1137