Apply for Financial Aid

Steps to completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

1. Request a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID (If you already have an FSA ID, go to step 2)

What is an FSA ID?
Students, parents, and borrowers are required to use an FSA ID, made up of a username and password, to access certain U.S. Department of Education websites. Your FSA ID is used to confirm your identity when accessing your financial aid information and electronically signing your federal student aid documents.

Where do I use my FSA ID?
You will use your FSA ID for the FAFSA, whether you are applying for the first time, renewing your application or making a correction to a form you already submitted. You can also use your FSA ID as an online signature for your Master Promissory Note and to access the National Student Loan Database System, Direct Consolidation Loans, Direct Loan Program and Direct Loan Servicing.

How do I create my FSA ID?
For helpful information about creating your FSA ID, visit StudentAid.gov's Creating Your StudentAid.gov Account page. When ready, visit https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account to create your FSA ID.

2. Complete and submit your FAFSA

Visit https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa to complete the FAFSA online. Submitting an application online is convenient since the application saves your information for the following year. Help with filling out the FAFSA form can be found on StudentAid.gov's Filling Out the FAFSA Form page.

The preferred (and fastest) method of reporting your (and your parent’s if applicable) federal income tax information on the FAFSA is to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.  The IRS Data Retrieval Tool allows students and parents to access the IRS tax return information needed to complete the FAFSA and transfer the data directly into their FAFSA from the IRS Web site.

Some information to keep in mind:

• We strongly encourage you to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool. It is the best way to ensure your aid eligibility is based on accurate data.
• Students who choose not to use or are unable to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool may be required to submit copies of their, their spouses’ or their parents’ federal income transcript. You will be notified via email if you are selected for verification during the academic school year and will be asked to submit tax transcripts.
• If you use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, do not make any changes to your (or your parent’s) income information on the FAFSA. Doing so will cause your application to be flagged for verification and you will be asked to submit additional documentation.

3. Check your status

If you filed electronically, check your FAFSA application online three to five days after submission. If you mailed your form, wait 7 to 10 days to check the status of your application.
After FAFSA validates your information, CSUN will electronically receive your financial aid application. You may then check your financial aid status on the CSUN Portal.

4. Financial Aid Process

Approximately 30 percent of financial aid applicants are selected for a process that requires the Financial Aid & Scholarship Department to verify information submitted on the FAFSA. The verification process must be completed before aid is awarded. It is your responsibility to check your CSUN email regularly and determine if you have been selected for verification. For additional information, visit Financial Aid & Scholarship's Financial Aid Process page.

California Dream Act

The California Dream Act of 2011 became law through the passage of Assembly Bills 130 and 131. AB 130 and AB 131 allow AB 540 students to apply for state and institutional grants, and privately funded scholarships.

How to Apply

To apply for the state grant programs available under AB 131, you need to complete the California Dream Act application. The application will collect basic personal and income information to determine eligibility for funding. To be eligible for priority consideration, the application should be completed every year between Jan. 1 and March 2.

Students who received a Social Security number and qualify for AB 540, including those who qualify through the Deferred Action of Childhood Arrivals (DACA), should complete the California Dream Act application in order to be considered for state financial aid, since those students are not eligible for federal student aid.

Please note that when completing your application online, the following web browsers should be used for optimal compatibility:

• Microsoft Internet Explorer version 9.0 or higher
• Google Chrome version 24.0 or higher
• Apple Safari version 5.0 and higher

Check your status

After the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) validates your information, CSUN will electronically receive your application. You may check your financial aid status on the CSUN Portal or by calling 1-(818)-677-4085 to speak with a financial aid representative. Please note that CSUN will not begin processing aid applications until mid-April.

Additional information

You may be asked to send in additional information before you can be awarded. Check your CSUN Gmail, and view your To-Do List on the CSUN Portal. Submit all required documentation promptly.

Award notices

The Financial Aid & Scholarship Department will begin awarding new freshmen and transfer students in late April for the upcoming academic year. Continuing students will be awarded in late June. Award notices are sent to your CSUN email address, and awards are visible on the CSUN Portal.

SUMMER 2026

Summer financial aid is available to continuing CSUN students who qualify and are enrolled in a matriculated program during the 2025-2026 academic year. Financial Aid is not available to non-matriculated students taking courses through Open University.

Summer financial aid is considered part of the academic year. Students are evaluated based on their current FAFSA or CADAA on file, and no separate application is required for summer aid.

Any remaining financial aid eligibility from the fall and/or spring terms (e.g., Pell Grant, federal loans) may be used for summer enrollment. Students interested in summer loans must submit a Summer Loan Request form.

Enrollment Information for Summer Courses
For information on how to enroll in classes, view the Registration Calendar. For summer tuition fee information and payment deadlines for special year-round cohort programs, visit University Cash Services.

Most Financial aid programs require at least half-time enrollment. Summer financial aid for eligible students may include the following.

• Federal Pell Grant (available for 1st Bachelor's and most Teaching Credential Students)

• State University Grant (students must meet eligibility criteria)

• Summer Enrollment Grant (students must meet eligibility criteria)

• Doctoral Grants

• Federal Direct Loans

• Federal Direct PLUS loans

• Private Education Loan

Registering for all your classes at the same time can help expedite the processing of your financial aid. Summer aid eligibility is based on the total number of units enrolled across all summer sessions.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

What do I need to do to receive financial aid for the summer?

1. You must have a 2025-2026 financial aid application on file with the Financial Aid & Scholarship Department. No separate summer application is required.

2. If you have not already done so, submit all required documents as listed in your 2025-2026 To-Do List. Log in to the CSUN Portal and navigate to the SOLAR Student Center.

3. Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements.

4. Enroll in summer courses. Eligible students will be notified of their summer financial aid based on their 2025-2026 FAFSA or CADAA.

How much financial aid can I receive?
Your summer aid eligibility depends on several factors, including enrollment, financial need, class level, and whether you have exhausted your grant and loan eligibility during the regular 2025-2026 academic year.

When will I be awarded summer aid?
Summer awarding begins in mid-April and continues on a rolling basis throughout the summer term. Eligibility is determined after you enroll in summer courses, and you will be notified via your CSUN email.

How is summer Federal Pell Grant eligibility determined?
The Financial Aid & Scholarship Department will identify and award eligible students on a rolling basis. All classes you are enrolled in for the summer must apply to your degree program.

Only undergraduate students and those pursuing a first teaching credential may be considered for Federal Pell Grant eligibility. Credential students must be enrolled at least half-time in classes required coursework. Graduate students, second bachelor’s degree students, and doctoral students are not eligible for Federal Pell Grant funding.

How is Summer State University Grant eligibility determined?
To be considered for this grant, you must be enrolled in at least 1 unit. In addition, students must meet the following award criteria:

• Meet the FAFSA or CADAA filing deadline of October 31, 2025.

• Be a California Resident

• Have a Student Aid Index of 6,855 or below for Undergraduate students and 0 or below for Post-BA students

• Award amount is equivalent to Summer State University Fees

Eligible students are awarded based on earliest enrollment date. Funds are limited and may be exhausted before all eligible students are awarded.

How is Summer Enrollment Grant eligibility determined?
The Summer Enrollment Grant is awarded to students meeting particular eligibility criteria (must be a recipient of Middle Class Scholarship or Cal Grant in 2025-26). Students will receive notification of their eligibility for the Summer Enrollment Grant award via their CSUN email account. Funds are limited and may be exhausted before all eligible students are awarded.

How is Summer Doctoral Grant eligibility determined?
If you received a Doctoral Grant during Fall 2025 or Spring 2026 term and enroll for summer, you may be considered for a summer award.

You must be enrolled at least half-time to be considered for the summer Doctoral Grant and must maintain at least half-time enrollment to remain eligible. If your enrollment drops below half-time, your grant will be canceled.

These funds are limited. Eligible students will be identified and awarded based on the earliest enrollment date and based on fund availability.

How do I request a summer loan?

To be considered for a summer Federal Direct Loan, you must:

• Be enrolled at least half-time

• Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements

• Submit a Summer Loan Request form by the published deadlines

Summer Loan Request forms will be available on the financial aid website in mid-May. Do not submit your request until you are enrolled at least half-time.

Loans may take 4-6 weeks to process after enrollment. For information about Federal Direct loans and annual eligibility amounts, visit Federal Student Aid.

Can I use Private Education Loans for summer?

To request a private education loan, you must be a matriculated CSUN student in a degree-granting program. Non-matriculated and Open University Students are not eligible.

Visit the Private Education Loans webpage for additional information.

When will my summer aid pay out?

Summer aid will be applied to your CSUN student account:

• Late May 2026 (for Summer Sessions 1 and 2)

• Mid-July 2026 (for Summer Session 3 only)

To receive your aid, you must:

• Be enrolled in the minimum units for the financial aid awarded (classes must apply to your degree program)

• Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements

Aid is first applied to outstanding charges. Any remaining balance will be issued via eRefund or paper check.

What happens if I withdraw from all or part of my summer sessions?

Students who drop below half-time enrollment status during any of the Summer 2026 sessions may have their financial aid award reduced or canceled.

If you withdraw from all courses in Sessions 1 or 2 but remain enrolled in Session 3, you must submit written confirmation of your intent to attend Session 3. Failure to do so may result in aid being reduced or canceled.

Any reduction or cancellation in aid may result in a balance due and a hold on future enrollment.

Can I receive summer financial aid at more than one school?

No. Students who enroll at more than one school during the summer are only eligible to receive financial aid at one institution.

Receiving federal aid at multiple schools for overlapping enrollment periods (e.g., regular semesters and summer sessions) may be subject to a reduction of financial aid at one or all schools. Any reduction of aid may result in a balance due and a hold on future enrollment.