Applying for Aid
Applying for financial aid is a free and easy process and we're ready to help you every step of the way.
Applying for financial aid is a three-step process:
- Apply for admission to CSUB.
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- Apply for scholarships
Please note that CSUB's Federal School Code is 007993. The FAFSA, or renewal FAFSA, should be submitted by the student annually between January 1st and the March 2nd priority deadline prior to the academic year for which they are applying. The absolute aid application processing deadline for an academic year is defined as: The FAFSA must be completed correctly by the student in a timely manner so that CSUB receives accurate and complete FAFSA data from the Central Processor by the student's last day of enrollment. All verification documents must be received no later than 120 days after the last day of enrollment or the last day of the academic year (i.e., June 30th), whichever is earlier. FAFSA data and/or verification documents received after that date will not be processed.
FAFSA 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 Students
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).
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.