Unit Banner

Apply for Financial Aid

Are you ready to apply for Financial Aid? Don't wait! Get started now -- the earlier you apply, the better chance you have to receive available funds.

How Do I Apply?

To apply for financial aid, all students are required to file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Please do not submit more than one application.

We realize that the information requested on the FAFSA is quite detailed. However, by providing complete responses, the analysis of your financial circumstances will be thorough and will provide us with the ability to be sensitive to your individual needs.

If you or your parents have difficulty completing the FAFSA, please contact us.

To ensure that we receive your FAFSA information, indicate our institutional code 001141 in the Federal School Code field and list the appropriate housing code. If you are a new student, do not wait until you are admitted to the University to apply for financial aid. The earlier you apply, the better chance you have that funds will be available.

Am I Eligible?

To be eligible for federal financial aid, students must:

  • be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
  • be registered with Selective Service (if required)
  • be admitted to the University seeking a degree or certificate
  • not owe a refund on a Federal grant or be in default on a Federal educational loan
  • be making Satisfactory Academic Progress
  • be enrolled at least half-time (6 units undergraduate/credential; 4 units master's)
  • not be convicted of any illegal drug offense or be incarcerated

Students are not eligible for financial aid if he or she:

  • holds an "F" or "J" visa
  • holds an I-688A, I-688B, or I-797 visa
  • is admitted to the University as unclassified
  • is enrolled through Open University

What Happens After I Submit My FAFSA?

By submitting your FAFSA online or on paper and you provided an e-mail address, you will receive an e-mail with a link to your SAR information on the Web. If you submitted your FAFSA online without an e-mail address, you'll receive a paper SAR Acknowledgement. This SAR Acknowledgement will have all of the information you provided on the FAFSA, but it can't be used to make corrections – you'll need to make correction on your SAR online using your PIN at the FAFSA website or request a paper SAR.

Students who are selected to receive a Cal Grant will be sent a "California Aid Report" (CAR) by the California Student Aid Commission. Students must follow the printed instructions on the CAR.

What Should I Expect From The CSUDH Financial Aid Office?

  1. A Document Request E-mail
    After CSUDH receives your FAFSA information from the processor, you may be sent a Document Request e-mail asking for additional documents needed to complete your financial aid file. Do not submit documents unless requested on the document request e-mail. Also, students should review their To-Do items listed on the Student Center at MyCSUDH. If your SAR indicated that you have been selected for verification, you may be required to submit the following additional document(s):
    • Student (& Spouse) federal income tax return
    • Parent(s) federal income tax return (if dependent)
    • Verification Worksheet - parent and/or student
    • Selective Service Acknowledgement letter
    • Visa Verification for eligible non-citizens
    • A copy of your birth certificate
    • A copy of your social security card
    • A copy of your Certificate of Naturalization
    • Proof of orphan or ward of court status
    • A copy of your DD-214
    • Verification of legal separation (student's or parent's marital status)
  2. A Financial Aid Award Notification
    After your completed file is reviewed, a Financial Aid Award Notification will be sent to your CSUDH e-mail account directing you to the Student Center at MyCSUDH. Our Financial Aid Award Guide contains pertinent information about the offer as well as explains your rights and responsibilities as a financial aid recipient. Financial aid is intended to be used to pay educational expenses. Listed below are estimated, average educational expenses as related for attendance at CSU Dominguez Hills during the 2009-2010 year:

    3. Please note: The CSU makes every effort to keep student costs to a minimum. Fees listed in published schedules or student accounts may need to be increased when public funding is inadequate. Therefore, CSU must reserve the right, even after initial fee payments are made, to increase or modify any listed fees, without notice, until the date when instruction for a particular semester or quarter has begun. All CSU listed fees should be regarded as estimates that are subject to change upon approval by The Board of Trustees.

Full-time Undergraduate

Expenses Living with Parents Living On Campus Living Off Campus
Fees $4,645 $4,645 $4,645
Books $1,500 $1,500 $1,500
Misc & Personal $2,400 $2,600 $2,650
Transportation $1,236 $956 $1,236
Meals & Housing $4,338 $9,970 $10,650
Total $14,119 $19,671 $20,681

Full-time Teaching Credential

Expenses Living with Parents Living On Campus Living Off Campus
Fees $5,293 $5,293 $5,293
Books $1,500 $1,500 $1,500
Misc & Personal $2,400 $2,600 $2,650
Transportation $1,236 $956 $1,236
Meals & Housing $4,338 $9,970 $10,650
Total $14,767 $20,319 $21,329

Full-time Graduate

Expenses Living with Parents Living On Campus Living Off Campus
Fees $5,581 $5,5 $5,581
Books $1,500 $1,500 $1,500
Misc & Personal $2,400 $2,600 $2,650
Transportation $1,236 $956 $1,236
Meals & Housing $4,338 $9,970 $10,650
Total $15,055 $20,607 $21,617

How Do I Check on the Status of My Application?

There are four ways to check your status: