General Overview of the Financial Aid Application and Delivery Process

1) An applicant must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) electronically each year at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. The priority FAFSA filing date is March 2 and applicants applying by this deadline will receive first priority consideration for funds with limited allocations. If you would prefer to have a paper version of the FAFSA, you may obtain it from the Federal Student Aid Information Center at the toll-free number (800)4.FED.AID (800-433-3243).

2) The federal processor conducts a social security match to verify the applicant's citizenship status, a selective service registration check (for males only), and a National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) match to verify outstanding student loans and/or federal grants from prior years.

3) The federal processor calculates an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) based on the applicant's income and household size. The EFC represents the amount the government believes that, based on a federally determined needs analysis formula, the family should be able to afford to pay toward the applicant's cost of education for the year. The cost of education includes living expenses, transportation to and from school, tuition, books, and personal miscellaneous expenses. The cost of education varies from school to school.

4) The federal processor electronically transmits the applicant's processed application data, called a Student Aid Report (SAR), to each school that the applicant lists on their FAFSA (an applicant may add or delete schools from their SAR). The California State University , Bakersfield 's (CSUB) Title IV School Code is 007993.

5) The school uploads the SAR data into their computer system. Based on the applicant's enrollment status and EFC, CSUB may make a tentative Offer of Financial Aid at this time.

6) At least 30% of all financial aid applicants are randomly selected by the federal government for “Verification.” The federal processor identifies those applicants selected for “Verification” by placing an asterisk (*) on the SAR next to the EFC. This means that the school is REQUIRED to verify the applicant's SAR data as being true and accurate. The school does this by requesting verification documents from the applicant such as; income tax returns, verification worksheets, W-2 forms, etc.

7) If the federal government has a concern regarding the applicant's NSLDS record, or was unable to verify citizenship and/or selective service registration based upon the applicant's name, date of birth and SSN, then the federal processor flags the SAR by placing a letter “C” (for “caution”) next to the EFC. This means that the school is REQUIRED to verify the applicant's NSLDS eligibility, citizenship and/or selective service registration. The school may do this by requesting verification documents from the applicant such as; Birth Certificate, permanent resident “Green” card, Social Security Card, Selective Service Registration Card, etc.

8) A notification that an Offer of Financial Aid has been made will be e-mailed to applicants who are new or continuing students. This offer may be viewed online at the Student Self-Service link. This offer list the applicant's budget, the tentative offer of aid, and all verification documentation needed to complete the applicant's financial aid file. CSUB financial aid forms may be downloaded at http://www.csub.edu/FinAid/forms/index.html or requested by calling our office at (661) 654-3016.

9) Once the applicant submits all of the necessary documents, which must be scanned into CSUB's imaging system, and their financial aid file is complete, their file is forwarded to a Financial Aid counselor for review.

10) For those applicants selected by the federal government for verification, the counselor verifies that the applicant's SAR application data matches their verification documentation submitted. Among other things, the counselor checks academic progress for all continuing students (i.e., that the applicant completed the appropriate number of units in the prior academic year).

11) If the applicant's verification data does not match their application data, the counselor may request additional documentation and/or make the necessary corrections to the application data, recalculate the applicant's aid eligibility, and revise the Financial Aid Offer. If corrections are made, an Award Revision Letter is sent to the applicant's e-mail account.

12) Once all data is complete and accurate, the counselor certifies the applicant's aid eligibility. At this point, the applicant's aid for the quarter is ready to be disbursed into the applicant's university account upon proper registration and no sooner than 10 days prior to the beginning of the term.

13) Once the aid is disbursed into the applicant's university account, it will be credited toward any outstanding fees or charges. If there is any remaining credit balance, a refund check will be issued to the applicant via direct deposit into the applicant's checking or savings account. If you do not have a Direct Depost Authorization Form on file with CSUB Student Financial Services, please complete and submit one immediately. You may download this form at http://www.csub.edu/BAS/fiscal/studaccount/forms/DirectDeposit_FinAid.pdf . If you have questions regarding the Direct Depost Authorization Form, please contact the CSUB Student Financial Services office at (661)654-3225.

Note: Upon admission to the University, applicants may view their financial aid award, holds, messages, etc., on-line via the Student Self-Service at: To Be Announced.

Tips for Financial Aid Success

1. If possible, complete your federal Income Tax Return in February, which will provide you with the tax data you will need to complete the FAFSA by the March 2 priority deadline at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ .
   
2. If you have not already done so, apply for a federal PIN number immediately at http://www.pin.ed.gov/PINWebApp/pinindex.jsp . A federal PIN number is required to complete the FAFSA online. If you are a dependent student, your parents must also apply for a federal PIN number.
   
3. Use the same name on your FAFSA that is printed on your Social Security Card.
   
4. Make sure that the Social Security Number you report on the FAFSA is correct. If it is not correct, you will be required to complete a new FAFSA.
   
5. First-time Cal Grant applicants should complete the Cal Grant GPA Verification Form by the March 2 deadline.
   
6. Once you receive your SAR, review it for any necessary corrections.
   
7. Update your mailing address with the Admissions & Records Office.
   
8. Read your Offer of Financial Aid Letter very carefully.
   
9. Submit all required documents immediately!!! DO NOT WAIT until the month before school starts to submit all your documents. Because of our large applicant volume, imaging and reviewing documents takes time to process. Financial aid documents may be accessed and printed from our website at http://www.csub.edu/FinAid/forms/index.html
   
10. Check your e-mail account regularly for important messages and/or Award and/or Revision Letters.
    
11. Notify our office immediately of any changes to your enrollment status/level, living arrangements, outside resources (e.g., scholarships, VA benefits, etc.), or graduation status by completing a Change of Circumstances Form.
    
12. If you are an eligible non-citizen or you have an U.S. Employment Authorization Card from the Department of Homeland Security, please be prepared to provide a copy of your card to our office for verification of your financial aid eligibility.
    
13. All aid recipients must maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA as part of Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements. In addition, recipients must complete the number of units for which they received financial aid in the previous academic year to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress . Students not maintaining progress may have their financial aid reduced or terminated.
    
14. If you have reported income or assets on your FAFSA that are related to investments, a business, or a farm, please complete and submit a completed Investment/Business/Farm/Savings Form.
    
15. If the income you reported on the FAFSA has changed dramatically due to recent events, such as unemployment, disability, etc., then make an appointment to speak with your Financial Aid Counselor as soon as possible.
    
16. Incoming freshman interested in applying for academic scholarships should complete the CSUB Freshman Scholarship Application available from their local high school Guidance Counselor or by contacting the CSUB Office of Undergraduate Studies. The application deadline is April 1.
    
17. Continuing and transfer students interested in applying for CSUB academic scholarships should complete the CSUB Academic Scholarship Application available online at http://www.csub.edu/FinAid/forms/index.html or available in the CSUB Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships. The priority filing date is April 1.

Internet Filing

FAFSA on the Web is a free U.S. Department of Education web site where you can complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online and submit it via the Internet. You can use FAFSA on the Web on a personal computer (PC) or a Macintosh that is equipped with a supported browser. A Personal Identification Number (PIN) is required to allow parents and students to electronically sign their electronic FAFSAs. Visit the Department of Education's web site for PIN Registration and select the link "Request a PIN (first time)."

For a Copy of Tax Return(s)

When applying for financial aid, you may need to provide a copy of your (or your parents') latest Federal Income Tax Return or tax account information from that Return. To get a copy or summary transcript of your prior year(s) Federal Tax Form 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ, complete the IRS Form 4506 (Request for Copy of Transcript of Tax Form). To obtain Form 4506, dial (703)487-4160 from a fax machine and follow voice prompts, or order free forms through the IRS at (800)829-3676.

Federal Student Aid Info to Blind & Visually-Impaired and Deaf & Hearing-Impaired Students

Students, academic advisors, and counselors are advised that the U. S. Department of Education is continuing its efforts to offer blind and visually impaired students and deaf and hearing-impaired students information about the federal student loan, grant, and work-study programs in a variety of formats.

Assistance for Blind and Visually Impaired Students

The Department offers information to students on audio CD, in Braille, and on the Web. The audio compact disc (CD), the Student Aid Audio Guide, is available to anyone who wants it. It can be played on any audio CD player, and it contains information on the federal student aid programs, application procedures, eligibility criteria, loan repayment options, and deferment and cancellation provisions. It also contains information on non-federal resources. If students prefer to listen online, they can also access the Audio Guide on the web by going to this audio link.

Three of the Department's print publications are also available in Braille:

• The Student Guide: A booklet with detailed descriptions of the federal student financial aid programs. It is targeted to high school and college students and parents.
• Funding Your Education (FYE): A booklet covering the essentials of the federal student financial aid programs (application procedures, eligibility requirements, etc.) It is targeted to high school students.
• The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): The form all students must complete when applying for the federal student aid programs administered by the Department of Education. The Braille FAFSA itself cannot be submitted. Students can use a Braille FAFSA as a reference aid.

To request Braille copies of these publications, students should call the Federal Student Aid Information Center toll-free at (800) 433-3243. Students may also access both The Student Guide and Funding Your Education on the Web with a screen reader. For The Student Guide, they can go to the Student Guide link.

For Funding Your Education, they can go to the Funding Your Education Link.

The above-mentioned Braille FAFSA will help students complete the paper application. The FAFSA is also available electronically to students with screen readers at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

Assistance for Deaf and Hearing-Impaired

Several of the Department's major call centers have toll-free TTY numbers for deaf and hearing-impaired students. TTY access is available during the "operator-services" hours of operation.

Students may contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center at (800)730-8913. The Center provides general information on the federal student aid programs administered by the Department of Education and also assists students in completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students may also call (800)730-8913 for help applying electronically.

For assistance with their Direct Loans, students may contact the Department's Borrower Services Center at (800)848-0983. Services provided include checking interest rates, updating account information, selecting a repayment plan, ordering deferment or forbearance forms, or discussing difficulties in making payments.

For help in consolidating their loans through the Department, students may contact the Direct Loan Consolidation Department at (800)557-7395. Students may obtain a complete list of loans eligible for consolidation, request a loan consolidation application, or if they have already applied, check the status of their applications.

The Department is committed to helping students to meet their educational expenses through the various student aid programs and to ensuring that visually impaired and hearing impaired students and their parents have access to federal student aid information and services.