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

1. Request an 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?
To view a short video on how to create your FSA ID click here.  When you are ready to create your FSA ID, go to https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa/filling-out/fsaid.

2. Complete and submit your FAFSA

Go to https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa and complete the FAFSA online. Submitting an application online is convenient since the application saves your information for the following year. If you need help filling out the form, check out the video tutorial, "7 Easy Steps to the FAFSA".

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.

To see some commonly asked questions about transferring financial information from the IRS using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool click here and review the “Browse FAQs” on the left side of the page.

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 myNorthridge 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 on the Financial Aid process go to this website: https://live-csu-northridge.pantheonsite.io/financial-aid-scholarship-department/financial-aid-basics/financial-aid-process.

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 myNorthridge 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 myNorthridge 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 myNorthridge Portal.

SUMMER 2022

All information about summer 2022 is subject to change. We strongly encourage you to check back often for potential changes to the financial aid summer process.

Summer Courses Offered Through Tseng College
The majority of summer courses are offered through Tseng College. For information about Tseng College summer tuition fees and payments, visit the Tseng College website.

Special Year-Round Cohort Programs (regular university)
Students in the programs below enroll for summer courses through the regular university:

Athletic Training (B.S.)
Athletic Training (M.S)
Associate Degree in Nursing to BSN (ADN-BSN)
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Doctoral Program in Education Leadership (Ed.D.)
Doctoral Program in Physical Therapy (DPT)
Doctoral Program in Audiology (Au.D)

For information on how to enroll in classes for these cohorts, go to https://www.csun.edu/admissions-records/registration-calendar. For summer tuition fee information and payment deadlines for special year-round cohort programs, visit University Cash Services.

Is summer aid available?
Yes.  Financial aid is available for the summer term to matriculated students who qualify.  Aid is not available to non-matriculated students taking classes through Open University or for ADN-BSN for the first summer term at CSUN. Most programs require at least half-time enrollment (6 units for undergraduates and credential, and 4 units for graduates).

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

• Federal Pell Grant (available for 1st Bachelor's and most Teaching Credential Students)
• Campus Summer Grant (for matriculated students enrolling through Tseng College)
• State University Grant (for special year-round cohort students enrolling through regular university)
• Doctoral Grants (for special year-round cohort students enrolled in Doctoral programs through regular university)
• Summer Enrollment Grant (SPRINT) for undergraduate students enrolled through regular university
• Federal Direct Loans
• Federal Direct PLUS loans
• Private Education Loan

Registering for all your classes at the same time will expedite processing of your financial aid. Your summer aid eligibility is based on total units enrolled for all summer sessions. Students who filed the DREAM Act Application will be considered for Campus Summer Grant/State University Grant based on eligibility criteria and fund availability.

How do I apply for summer aid? I am a matriculated CSUN student enrolling for summer through Tseng College.

1. Have a 2021-2022 financial aid application on file with the Financial Aid & Scholarship Department. If you already completed a 2021-2022 FAFSA or CA Dream application, you do not need to submit another one to be considered for summer aid.
2. If you have not already done so, submit all required documents as listed in your 2021-2022 To-Do List. Log on to the myNorthridge Portal, and navigate to the SOLAR Student Center. The To-Do List is located on the right side of the page.
3. Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).
4. Enroll in your summer courses and pay your summer registration fees on your own at the time of enrollment. Financial aid awards will not be available at the time you enroll. Later, your file will be reviewed and you will be awarded the grants you are eligible to receive.
5. Eligible students will be identified and awarded on a rolling basis. No further action is required by the student.
6. Note that most summer aid programs require you to be enrolled at least half-time.

I am enrolled in a special Year-Round Cohort through the regular university. How do I apply for summer aid?

1. Have a 2021-2022 financial aid application on file with the Financial Aid & Scholarship Department. If you already completed a 2021-2022 FAFSA or CA Dream application, you do not need to submit another one to be considered for summer aid.
2. If you have not already done so, submit all required documents as listed in your 2021-2022 To-Do List. Log on to the myNorthridge Portal, and navigate to the SOLAR Student Center. The To-Do List is located on the right side of the page.
3. Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).
4. Your file will be reviewed and you will be awarded the financial aid you are eligible to receive.

How much financial aid can I get?
Your eligibility for summer aid depends on many factors, including enrollment, financial need, class level and whether or not you have exhausted your eligibility for grants and loans during the regular 2021-2022 academic year. If you are unsure about your exact circumstances, you can always check with the Financial Aid & Scholarship Department. However, if you contact us, we will not be able to process your summer aid eligibility at the time of contact.

How is summer Federal Pell Grant eligibility determined?
If you are enrolled in 6 units or more the Financial Aid & Scholarship Department will identify and award eligible students on a rolling basis. All classes enrolled in for summer must apply to your degree program. Only undergraduates and students 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 for credential completion. Graduate students, second B.A. and doctoral students are not eligible for Federal Pell Grant funding.

How is Campus Summer Grant eligibility determined?
In order to be considered for this grant, you must be enrolled at least half-time, 4 units for Graduate students and 6 units for Undergraduate students. In addition to enrollment, students must meet the following award criteria:

• Meet the priority FAFSA/CADAA filing date of March 2, 2021
• Must have been enrolled at CSUN during Fall 2021 and/or Spring 2022
• Considered a California Resident
• Based on Expected Family Contribution of 4,000 and below
• Award amount is up to $2000

Awarding is processed in early-May and in date order, based on when you meet the enrollment criteria. These funds are limited and may be exhausted before we can award all eligible students. If you are awarded the Campus Summer Grant, you must maintain at least half-time enrollment during the summer or you will lose your grant.

How is Summer State University Grant/Doctoral Grant eligibility determined?
If you received a State University Grant or Doctoral Grant during either the fall 2021 or spring 2022 term(s) and you are a student in one of the special year-round programs enrolling for summer through regular university, you may be considered for the summer State University Grant/Doctoral Grant.  These funds are limited and may be exhausted before we can award all eligible students. Eligible students will be identified and awarded based on earliest enrollment date and based on fund availability. You must enroll at least half-time to be considered for summer State University Grant or Doctoral Grant. If you are awarded the grant, you must maintain at least half-time enrollment during the summer to maintain your eligibility. Your grant will be canceled if you reduce your enrollment to less than half time after you are awarded.

How is Summer Enrollment Grant eligibility determined?
The Summer Enrollment Grant may be awarded to students enrolled in designated summer coursework. Students will receive notification of their eligibility for the grant and awarded once enrolled at least half time in the designated courses.

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; and submit the required loan request forms by the published deadlines. Summer Loan Request forms will be available on the financial aid website mid-May. Do not submit your request until you are enrolled at least half-time. Loans may take up to 6 weeks to process after you enroll. For information about Federal Direct loans and annual eligibility amounts, go to https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/types/loans.

Private Education Loans: 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 page for additional information.

Summer Loan Deadlines:

• Deadlines will be updated mid-May

When will I be awarded summer aid?
Summer awarding begins early-May and continues on a rolling basis throughout the entire summer term. Your aid eligibility will be determined after you enroll and pay your summer tuition fees. You will be notified of your summer aid eligibility via your CSUN email account.

When will my summer aid pay out?
Summer aid will pay out and be applied to your CSUN student account in early June 2022 (for Summer Session 1 and 2). If you are only enrolled in Summer Session 3, your aid will disburse mid- July 2022. You must also meet the conditions below:

• You have been awarded
• Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements
• Enrolled in at least half-time units (classes must apply to degree program)

Summer aid will go towards any outstanding summer charges first; anything in excess of charges will be processed as an eRefund or mailed as a 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 2022 sessions may have their financial aid award reduced or canceled. If you withdraw from all courses in session one or two, but retain enrollment for session three, please submit written confirmation of your intent to attend summer session three courses. Failure to submit written confirmation may result in a reduction or cancellation of financial aid. Any reduction or cancellation of financial aid may result in a balance due to CSUN and a possible hold on future enrollment.

Can I receive summer financial aid at more than one school?
Students who enroll at two or more schools during summer 2022 are only eligible to receive financial aid at one institution for that term. Students who receive federal financial aid at two or more schools for overlapping enrollment periods (i.e., regular semesters and summer sessions) may be subject to reduction of financial aid at one or all schools. Any reduction of financial aid may result in a balance due to CSUN and a possible hold on future enrollment.  The California College Promise Grant (CCPG) does not impact federal aid at CSUN.