Cost & Financial Aid

Cost of Attendance (COA)

At California State University, Northridge (CSUN), we understand how much time and energy goes into the college decision-making process, particularly when it comes to evaluating costs.

Other than defined tuition and fees, the costs of attending a college vary from one student to another. That’s why institutions provide an estimated COA like the one we provide below for CSUN undergraduates (freshmen or transfer students) from California who will enroll full time and live with a relative. Estimates are also available for living on or off campus.

2024-2025 Estimated Cost of Attendance

*To estimate non-resident tuition, multiply the number of units you plan to enroll for the year by $420. For example, a typical student takes 30 units, so you'll add ($420 x 30) to Tuition and Fees ($7,458). 30 x $420 = $12,600 + $7,458 = $20,058.

To estimate your costs, visit CSUN Cost of Attendance, select an academic year and then choose your student group. We have cost estimates for:

• Undergraduate students
• Graduate programs
• Credential programs
• Doctoral programs

If you are a resident of one of the member U.S. states or territories of the Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education, you can enjoy reduced nonresident tuition rates by participating in the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) program. Learn more about WUE.

Important Notice: Tuition and fees are subject to change without notice. Please review the full Tuition and Fee Disclosure provided by the CSU Chancellor's Office.

Net Price of Attendance

The net price of attending an institution is defined as a student’s total estimated cost of attendance minus the total amount of grants and scholarships received. 

To calculate your projected net cost of attending CSUN, visit our Net Price Calculator.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

The CSUN Financial Aid and Scholarships Department encourages all students to apply for financial aid and scholarships. Any financial aid or scholarships you receive will assist with the cost of attending CSUN. Students may receive any combination of financial aid and scholarships, up to their annual COA.

Financial Aid Opportunities

To be considered for federal student aid including grants, loans and work-study, you will need to complete the online Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students are encouraged to complete their FAFSA as soon as possible once it is available in December for the coming 2024-2025 academic year.

Additionally, California residents who aren’t eligible to file a FAFSA but meet AB 540 Status requirements will need to complete the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) to be considered for state and institutional grants and scholarships. You must complete the CADAA by May 2 to maximize potential aid opportunities for the 2024-2025 academic year.

If you are a California resident, you can apply for a Cal Grant. Learn more at Cal Grant FAQs or see all of the California state grants.

Please note international students are not eligible for federal or state student aid.

Scholarship Opportunities

To apply for institutional scholarships, you will need to complete the CSUN online scholarship application by logging in to myMatadorScholarships. Students applying for need-based scholarships must also complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA).

In addition to general institutional scholarships, a number of individual colleges and departments at CSUN offer their own scholarships. You can learn more about college and departmental scholarship opportunities online.

The California State University Foundation offers donor-funded scholarships on a systemwide or multi-campus basis. Visit our CSU Foundation scholarships page to learn more about these scholarships including descriptions, eligibility requirements and application processes.

For information on external scholarship opportunities, visit our off-campus scholarships page.

Types of Financial Aid

By completing the FAFSA, you will be considered for grants, loans and work-study.

Grants

A grant is a form of need-based financial aid that does not have to be repaid. Learn more about federal, state and other grants.

Loans

There are several different federal educational loans available through the FAFSA.

Students are automatically considered for Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans. Parents of undergraduate students can apply for a Federal PLUS Loan to help cover costs. Learn more about loans.

Students not meeting federal student aid requirements or in need of additional student loan funding beyond that offered through FAFSA can consider non-federal private student loans.

Work-Study

The Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program provides colleges and universities with funding to help provide students with paid, part-time jobs to help offset some of their college costs.

Financial Aid & Scholarships Timeline

Here are some key dates and deadlines for your financial aid and scholarship application processes.

December - 2024-2025 FAFSA and CADAA is available.

February - Create a WebGrants for Students (WG4S) account and confirm attendance.

May 2 - 2024-2025 priority consideration filing deadline for FAFSA or CADAA for California.

Student Finance

CSUN Student Financial Services consists of University Cash Services, Student Accounting and Financial and Tax Services.

University Cash Services is where you'll make any in-person payments. The office provides students with fee payment information (PDF) including deadlines and timelines. They'll also help you sign up for eRefund, the fastest way to receive any excess financial aid beyond charges.

Student Accounting is where you'll go for help with sponsorships, to make housing and meal plan changes, or to manage a debt with CSUN.

Financial and Tax Services is responsible for the administration and collection of Federal Perkins loans receivable and serves as the point of contact for federal and state tax compliance, including generating Form 1098T for students.