FINANCIAL AID PROCESS
1.) How to Apply
2.) Submit Documents
How to Apply
Federal Pin
Request a Personal Identification Number (PIN) at www.pin.ed.gov. The PIN serves as your electronic signature. Parents of dependent students must apply for their own PIN. You will need this to e-sign your completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
File a FAFSA
Every year on January 1, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) becomes available for the following academic year. Students of all class levels should apply to be considered for all types of financial aid.
Sacramento State is priority filing deadline is March 2 of every year. What does the priority filing date mean? Some aid programs are awarded on a first-come-first-serve basis. The earlier you apply the earlier you will be notified of your financial aid eligibility.
Complete the FAFSA at www.fafsa.gov
- Sacramento State’s school code is 001150
- Have your Federal Student and/or Parent PIN
File a Cal Grant GPA Verification
In addition to filing a FAFSA, undergraduate students may apply to be considered for Cal Grant. March 2 is the deadline to have your GPA Verification form submitted to the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC).
Sacramento State students who have not been previously awarded a Cal Grant AND completed 24 or more units at Sacramento State, should file their FAFSA by February 22; Sacramento State will send your Cal Grant GPA to CSAC.
For more information on Cal Grant Awards visit CSAC’s website at www.csac.ca.gov.
Submit Documents
To complete your financial aid file, you may need to submit additional documents or other financial aid forms. Any documents required to complete your file will be posted to your To Do list. Monitor your My Sac State Student Center often Processing time is generally about 6 to 10 weeks.
Information you may be asked to verify include, but not limited to:
- Income earned from work;
- Income earned from work if you were not required to file a tax return;
- Asset information;
- Food stamp benefits received;
- Child support paid;
- Household size;
- Citizenship status;
- Any other information needed to determine eligibility.
To receive a timely fall disbursement, “Get Your Docs Done by June 1”
It is important to submit all requested forms as soon as possible to ensure that your financial aid processed in a timely manner. Documents may be submitted in person to Lassen Hall 1006, in the drop box located outside the Financial Aid Office door, by mail or fax:
California Sacramento University, Sacramento
Financial Aid Office
6000 J Street
Sacramento, Ca 95819-6044
Fax: (916) 278-6082
More information about how to navigate to access financial aid information: FA Navigation
IRS Data Retrieval Tool
Verifying your income will be easier and faster if you and/or your parents have already completed your IRS federal tax returns.
- You and/or your parents should complete your IRS federal tax returns as early as possible. Doing so will allow you to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool when filing your FAFSA
- You can estimate income on the FAFSA and later correct your estimated income using the data retrieval process
- If you are unable to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, you will need to request and submit a copy of you and/or your parents IRS Tax Return Transcripts.
Quick Reference (pdf): IRS Data Retrieval Tool
More information about how to apply can be found on the Financial Aid Checklist for Students: FA Checklist
Determining Eligibility
General eligibility requirements include:
- Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or eligible non-citizen;
- Have a valid social security number;
- Be admitted to a degree or credential program;
- Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP);
- Be eligible for aid according to federal and state regulations;
- Re-apply every year to be considered for financial aid
Determining Your Need
The calculation used to determine your financial aid eligibility depends on your Cost of Attendance (COA), your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), and any other financial assistance you may receive for your educational expenses. The Financial Aid Office must review your FAFSA and supporting documentation to determine your financial aid need. Need is defined as the COA minus, your EFC.
Cost of Attendance - Minus EFC = Financial Aid Need
Your award, including student and/or parent loans, will never be more than the COA.
Your Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
The EFC is not an actual amount that you pay to the university; it is a calculation of how much you and your family are expected (can reasonably) contribute to help for your education expenses.
The amount the EFC computed depends on:
- Taxed and untaxed income;
- Assets;
- Household information;
- Other income reported items
More information about how to apply may be found on the Financial Aid Checklist for Students: FA Checklist
Award Notification
If your financial aid file is complete, you will receive an award notification via your Saclink email directing you to your My Sac State Student Center to accept/decline your awards. The Financial Aid Office does not send estimated award notifications.
Most aid programs are awarded in an offer status. The student should respond in a timely manner of accepting and/or declining their awards. Awards are subject to cancelation after 30 days.
Census and Award Adjustments
Census is when the university verifies your actual enrollment. Initial awards are based on full-time attendance (12 units). Disbursed amounts may be adjusted if your enrollment at Census is less-than what you were paid for. This adjustment may or may not result in repayment of aid.
More information about how to navigate to access financial aid information: FA Navigation
Financial Aid Holds
Financial aid holds will be listed on the Hold section of your My Sac State Student Center account.
Some aid programs require additional steps be taken before a disbursement is authorized. Read your hold message for additional information and action if necessary.
Financial Aid Holds are term specific and do not prevent you from registering.
Disbursement of Aid
Disbursements occur once a week throughout the term, unless there is a holiday. Disbursements begin no earlier than 10 days prior to the first day of instruction for each term and will first be applied to outstanding university charges. If funds remain, they will be paid to you for other educational expenses.
e-Refund – Direct Deposit
E-Refund is the process in which you designate Sacramento State to deposit refund of funds directly in your own bank account. It is the fastest method of receiving funds. Simply enroll by going to your My Sac State Student Center and selecting Account Inquiry.
Parent PLUS Loan funds cannot be disbursed/refunded through the e-Refund process. Parents will be mailed a refund check after all university debts have been paid for the term
