Students

I want financial aid?

The FAFSA is available every January 1.  Students must file a FAFSA each academic year and should file by March 2 to meet the priority filing deadline. You can still file a FAFSA after March 2, but aid is limited.   Be sure to list "California State University, Sacramento" (our official name) or the federal school code number 001150 on your FAFSA. Also, submit your Cal Grant GPA Verification to the California Student Aid Commission by March 2 deadline.  We will automatically send verification for students who have completed 24 units at Sacramento State, so long as the FAFSA has also been completed by February 20.

I have applied, what’s next?

After the Financial Aid Office receives your FAFSA results, you will receive notification instructing you to go to your My Sac State Student Center and review your To Do list. Make sure you check your My Sac State messages often and respond to any document request(s) as soon as possible.

Documents may be submitted in person to the Financial Aid Office at our customer service desk, in the drop box located in the lobby of Lassen Hall, by mail, or by fax.

California State University, Sacramento

Financial Aid Office
6000 J Street
Sacramento, CA 95819-6044
FAX: (916) 278-6082

You may be required to submit additional documents if we find any discrepancies while reviewing your FAFSA and/or your submitted documents.  Submit your documents by June 1 to help ensure you receive your financial aid in time to pay your tuition fees.

Where is my money?

The scheduled disbursement date shown on your Award Notification is the earliest date the Financial Aid Office is allowed to begin the check disbursement process and not the actual date you will receive your refund. If your funds have been received from the appropriate federal, state, or private agency and you have no holds, the earliest you can expect your Spring 2013 check is around January 28.

Thereafter, throughout the semester, disbursements will typically occur once per week. Funds are disbursed and released electronically on Thursday morning for those enrolled in eRefund. Paper checks are processed on Thursdays and Fridays and are typically mailed by the following Monday afternoon.
 

Will my fees get paid?

Check your My Sac State Student Center to see if you have a fee deferment. Fee deferments postpone your tuition fee payment deadline. You must complete all To Do List items and take care of any Holds or your financial aid will not disburse. Your tuition fees must be paid either by your financial aid disbursement or with your own funds by the advertised fee deferment deadline to avoid having your enrollment cancelled.

Please note that the fee due date on your My Sac State will not change.

Any unpaid debt that is owed to the University (tuition fees, housing fees, fines, etc.) will be automatically deducted from your financial aid disbursement and if you have a balance it will be released to you.

For information on current tuition fees, please visit Student Financial Services Center.

What is a fee deferment and how can I receive one?

A fee deferment extends your tuition payment due date from the advertised date to the second Friday of the term.  This means you would not need to make any payments toward your tuition until the deferment expires.

Fall term fee deferment requirements:

  • FAFSA must be filed by the March 2 priority deadline
  • All required documents must be submitted by June 1

Spring term fee deferment requirements:

  • Students awarded a fall fee deferment will receive a spring fee deferment
  • If Spring is the first term of enrollment, you must have spring award(s) on your account

If you are not awarded a fee deferment, consider signing up for the Installment Payment Plan with the University.

I am taking the term off.  How will this affect my financial aid?

For each term that you decide to withdraw or choose not to attend, your awards will be reviewed and adjusted according to the program requirements. If you decide to return to the University the following term please note the following:

Fall term:
If you withdraw or do not attend the fall term, the Financial Aid Office will cancel your aid for spring.  If you intend to continue your enrollment for the spring term, to avoid processing delays, you must notify the Financial Aid Office in writing, at least one month in advance, to determine spring aid.

Spring term:
If you withdraw or do not attend the spring term, you must a file a FAFSA for the upcoming academic year to determine aid eligibility.

I am an undergrad who is graduating at the end of fall, but I was admitted into a post-baccalaureate program for spring.  What do I need to do to receive aid in spring?

It is policy that after a student graduates in fall, their spring aid is canceled.  If you enroll in a post-baccalaureate program for spring, you must notify the Financial Aid Office in writing of your academic intent for spring.   The Financial Aid Office will determine aid eligibility once your degree posts.