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Financial Aid Forms: Understanding The Steps

How to Submit Your Form(s)

Submission Method

Student Forms portal is how most of our Financial Aid documents are submitted. Now, students and parents can easily complete their forms and upload their documents online from their phone, tablet, or computer!

Before you can create your account, you must complete an online Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or a California Dream Act Application (CADAA) to Sac State using our Federal School Code 001150.

Important: Please DO NOT email documents, as they will NOT be accepted due to privacy concerns.

Document upload issues? If you are experiencing issues uploading your financial documents through your Student Forms, use a compatible browser such as Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Internet Explorer.

Student Change In Aid (e-Form)

A student-initiated form for aid adjustments which includes increasing or decreasing award amounts, reinstating or canceling aid, and reporting any changes to their financial aid file. This also includes requesting Federal Work-Study.

Steps to Complete

  1. Access the "Change In Aid (e-Form)" below.
  2. Select the option that applies to the student’s request.
  3. Follow the instructions on the form to submit online.

2025-2026 Change in Aid Form (e-form)

This form applies to Fall 2025, Spring 2026, and Summer 2026

2026-2027 Change in Aid Form (e-form)

This form applies to Fall 2026, Spring 2027 and Summer 2027

Apply for the Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans

The Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans are offered to undergraduate and postbaccalaureate students that applied for FAFSA. If eligible, it will be automatically offered to students in their finanical aid award package.

Loan amounts are based on grade level and amounts of units enrolled at Sac State.

NOTE: There are no forms required; simply follow the steps below:

Steps to Accept/Decline the Loan(s)

  1. Log in to your My Sac State and locate your Student Center.
  2. In the Financial Aid section, click on the "Accept/Decline Awards" link.
  3. Select the applicable aid year (For 2026-2027, it will show as "2027").
  4. Select the checkboxes next to the loan(s) in the "Accept" column and it will open up the "Accepted" field for you to change the loan amount. If you are not interested, simply select the checkboxes under the "Decline" column for the loans.
    • You can lower the loan amount to any amount below the amount offered or keep as is.
    • If you are awarded a Subsidized Loan, the system will require you to accept it first because it is the most beneficial loan option.
  5. Once you are ready with your selected options and amounts, click on the "Submit button" to lock in your selection.
  6. Once confirmed, the "Last Updated" field will show the date and timestamp of your submission.
    • The checkboxes next to the loans you accepted (or declined) will be grayed out and you will not be able to change your selection.
    • If you wish to make a change to your award amount (or have them reinstated), you must now submit the Change in Aid eform to notify the Finanical Aid office.

Additional Steps for NEW Loan Borrowers

If you are borrowing federal loans for the first time at Sac State, you must complete the federal loan requirements before the funds can disburse. Previous Sac State borrowers do not have to complete the requirements again, it will carry over from the previous aid year.

There are two federal loan requirements that all students must complete: Loan Entrance Counseling and the Master Promissory Note (MPN). These requirements are typically listed on the student’s To Do List to notify them that action is required.

NOTE: There are no forms required; simply follow the steps below:

  1. Loan Entrance Counseling
    • Understand the terms and conditions of your loan and your rights and responsibilities. You'll learn what a loan is, how interest works, your options for repayment, and how to avoid delinquency and default
  2. Master Promissory Note (MPN):
    • A legal document in which you promise to repay your loan(s) and any accrued interest and fees to the U.S. Department of Education. It also explains the terms and conditions of your loan(s).

Once you complete the requirements online, please allow 2–3 business days for them to be removed from your To Do List.

If they are still listed after 2–3 business days, they may not have been completed successfully. We encourage you to log in to your StudentAid.gov account to verify the status of your requirements.

Graduate/Professional Direct Plus Loan Request Form

The Graduate Federal Direct PLUS loan is offered to FAFSA-eligible students pursuing a graduate degree. This is a credit-based loan and is automatically offered on the student’s financial aid award letter. This form is required to request and pursue the loan.

Steps to Complete

  1. Download the "Graduate/Professional Direct Plus Loan Request Form"(PDF) below.
  2. Complete the steps listed on the form.
  3. Gather the necessary documents applicable to the “If Approved” or “If Denied” sections of the form. Note: Typed/electronic signatures are not accepted
  4. The student will submit the form. Refer to the How to Submit Your Forms section at the top of this webpage for details.
  5. The student will submit the form. Refer to the How to Submit Your Forms section at the top of this webpage for details.

2026-2027 Graduate / Professional Direct PLUS Loan Request Form

Apply for the Parent Plus Loan

The Direct Parent PLUS Loan is a credit-based parent loan offered to eligible dependent students who file a FAFSA. If eligible, award amounts are typically listed on the student’s school account, My Sac State. This loan is intended for a parent borrower to pursue on behalf of the student to assist with college expenses.

NOTE: There are no forms required; simply follow the steps below:

Steps for the Parent to Apply

  1. Log in to Federal Student Aid with PARENT FSA ID
  2. Under the “Grants and Loans” drop-down, select “PLUS Loans: Grad PLUS and Parent PLUS”
  3. Select “Learn More” in the section labeled “I am a Parent of a Student.”
  4. Select Start. Under “Select an Award Year,” select the academic year you are requesting the loan for.
  5. In the School and Loan Information section, the loan period is August through May of the academic year (ex: 08/2026 – 05/2027).

Apply for Parent PLUS Loan

IF THE LOAN IS APPROVED

Complete the items below:

  1. Under the “Grants and Loans” drop-down, select “Annual Student Loan Acknowledgment.” Click “Start” under the section "I am a Parent of an Undergraduate Student.” Complete acknowledgment.
  2. Complete the PLUS Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN). On the MPN, be sure to correctly list the student’s name, date of birth, and social security number.

IF THE LOAN IS DENIED

Due to the credit decision made by the lender, the parent may use the following to pursue the PLUS Loan:

  1. Appeal the credit decision with the Direct Loan Servicing Center (800-557-7394)
    1. If the appeal is approved, then complete the “IF APPROVED” section.
    2. Complete PLUS Counseling at Federal Student Aid
  2. Use a co-signer by having the individual log in to Federal Student Aid and complete an Endorser Addendum.
  3. Complete PLUS Counseling at Federal Student Aid

The student needs to monitor their My Sac State for the parent loan updates.

Apply for a Private Loan

Students who are pursuing a degree through the main campus or through an eligible CCE program are eligible to pursue a private loan of their choice. Students who are taking courses through Open University are not eligible. Sac State does not not have a preferred lender list.

Private Loan Eligibility

Private loans do not require a financial aid application. However, students who receive financial aid may also apply for a private loan in addition to their financial aid award (if applicable).

Students may have the loan for one semester of entire academic year. If requesting for the summer session, students must apply separately from the academic year. No private loans are accepted for the winter intersession.

  • Be a current student pursuing an undergraduate, graduate or professional program.
  • Enrolled or plan to enroll into at least one (1) unit for the semester.
  • Have room in your Cost of Attendance (i.e., Student Budget) to be awarded the loan.

How to Apply

NOTE: There are no forms required; simply follow the steps below:

  1. Research a lender of your choice and apply. Sac State does not not have a preferred lender list.
    • The lender must use ELMOne (Electronic Loan Management) system
    • Parent loan applications are not accepted.
  2. If approved, the lender will send your loan certification via ELMOne for Sac State to access. Please note: Your loan amount is subject to change based on your Cost of Attendance at Sac State and may differ from the amount approved by your lender.
  3. The Financial Aid Office will notify you via email when the loan certification is received and if further action is required. Please allow up to a week for an update.
  4. Once the loan certification is confirmed, please allow up to four (4) weeks for processing by the Financial Aid office.
    • The loan will be posted to your financial aid award letter when processed.
    • Funds are usually disbursed 1-2 weeks after the loan is posted to your financial aid award letter.

Budget Increase Appeal (e-Form)

The Budget Increase Appeal is offered to students seeking to increase their budget (also known as the Cost of Attendance) due to documented expenses not covered in the standard budget within the school year.

Steps to Complete

  1. Access the "Budget Increase Appeal" (e-Form) form below.
  2. Complete the sections listed on the form.
  3. Gather supporting documentation and attachments for the appeal.
  4. Complete the steps listed on the form and submit it online.

Form available starting September 2026

Cal Grant Transfer Entitlement Verification

This task applies to Cal Grant recipients who are required to verify their eligibility. The task will be found on the student's Holds if required to complete.

Steps to Complete

  1. Refer to the description on your Hold, it should route you to complete on the WebGrants 4 Students website.

Web Grants for Students

There are no additional forms needed. All updates will be made directly on the Student's WebGrants account.

College Of Continuing Education (CCE) Information Request (e-Form)

This form applies to students who applied for admission to a degree program through our College of Continuing Education (CCE). If required, this form will be requested on the student’s My Sac State account > Student Center > To Do List in “initiated” status.

Steps to Complete

  1. Access the "College of Continuing Education (CCE) Information Request” (e-Form) below or directly on the student’s To Do List.
  2. List the applicable classes to the semester(s) of attendance.
  3. Follow the instructions on the form to submit online.

2025-2026 College of Continuing Education (CCE) Information Request (e-form)

2026-2027 College of Continuing Education (CCE) Information Request (e-form)

Consortium Agreement

The Consortium Agreement is a contract between Sac State and another college that helps maximize a student’s financial aid eligibility.

Steps to Complete

  1. Access the "Consortium Agreement" (PDF) form below.
  2. Complete all sections of the form. For Step 2: Host Campus Certification of Aid must be completed by the Financial Aid Office of the Host campus.
  3. Sign and date the form. Note: Typed/electronic signatures are not accepted.
  4. The student will submit the form and required attachments. Refer to the How to Submit Your Forms section at the top of this webpage for details.

Fall 2026 Consortiums will begin August 2026

2026 2027 Consortium Agreement - Fall 2026

Corrections Required to your FAFSA

This form serves as a guide to help students make the proper corrections to their FAFSA. These steps apply to teaching credential students who may have incorrectly answered questions regarding their grade level and classification.

Steps to Complete

  1. Download the "Financial Aid & Enrollment Verification" (PDF) form below.
  2. Review the instructions and take steps to make corrections to your FAFSA.
Follow the online steps as listed on the form to complete the task.

Corrections Required to Your 2026-2027 FAFSA

Federal Work-Study Student Employee Hiring Instructions

A guide for FWS student employees with step-by-step instructions and details for the hiring process with their employer.

2026-2027 Federal Work-Study Hiring will begin July 1, 2026.

2026-2027 FWS Student Employee Hiring Checklist

Housing Clarification (e-Form)

Students who are requesting an update on their Housing status (i.e., on-campus, off-campus, with parent) for the academic year, should complete the e-form below.

Steps to Complete

  1. Access the "Student Housing Clarification” (e-Form) below.
  2. Complete the steps listed on the form.
  3. Follow the instructions on the form to submit online.

2026-2027 Student Housing Clarification Form

Loss of Income for Student/Spouse/Parent (Dependent Student)

Students must use this form to begin the Loss of Income Appeal process for themselves, their spouse, their parent(s) and/or parent’s spouse (if married). This appeal is for families who have completed a financial aid application but experienced a change in income compared to what was originally reported. The appeal typically becomes available in July.

Steps to Complete

To access the Loss of Income Appeal, the student (and parent if Dependent) must have a Student Account created to verify the information provided. To create an account, please visit Sac State Student Forms.

When creating your account, you’ll be using your CSUS email. You will want to make sure your information matches exactly what is on your financial aid application. For additional assistance, please visit How to create my Verification Documents account?

  1. Log into Student Forms.
  2. From the Needs Action menu, select "Manage Requests"
  3. Select PJ: Special Circumstances - Loss of Income Appeal
  4. Complete the steps outlined on the appeal.
  5. Download the 2026-2027 Loss of Income Checklist Documentation form and gather all applicable income documentation supporting loss of income.
  6. Upload the 2026-2027 Loss of Income Checklist Documentation form and all income documentation to the Student Forms account.
  7. Ensure all required documents are submitted by the posted semester deadlines.

Student Forms

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Appeal

Students who do not meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements may submit a SAP Appeal to request reconsideration of their financial aid eligibility.

Steps to Complete

  1. Create or access your Student Forms account.
  2. Complete and submit your appeal. Follow the instructions in the SAP Appeal and submit your appeal through Student Forms.
  3. Complete an Academic Plan (if requested). If you are submitting the SAP - Over Unit Appeal, download the 2026-2027 Office Academic Plan available in Student Forms. Complete the plan as instructed and upload it with your appeal directly into the Student Forms portal.
  4. Upload all required supporting documentation requested as part of your appeal.
  5. Submit all required documents by the posted deadline for the semester.

Student Forms

Additional Resources:

Third-Party Financial Aid Verification

This form must be initiated by the student. It permits the release of the student’s financial aid and enrollment to a third party. The request will entail your financial aid awards, cost of attendance, and academic details (i.e., degree, graduation date, enrollment status) to the requested person(s) or agency.

Steps to Complete

  1. Download the "Third-Party Financial Aid Verification" (PDF) form below.
  2. Complete the Third-Party Release section only as outlined.
  3. Email the completed form to sacstatessc@csus.edu from your CSUS email with “Financial Aid Verification” in the Subject line. The form can also be dropped off at Lassen Hall, Room 1000.

Third-Party Financial Aid Verification

Allow 5-7 business days for the office to process your request. It will be submitted directly to the third-party agency with the contact information listed. Processing time may increase during peak periods.