The Financial Aid and Scholarship Department provides financial assistance and guidance to support student access and success. Financial aid awards and services are not based on race, color, national origin, age, gender, marital status, religion, sexual orientation or disability.

CSUN has four major types of financial aid available to students and their families: grants, work-study, loans and scholarships. Most financial aid is funded by the federal government, with the state government, the institution and private donors providing the balance.

• Federal and State Grants are need-based funds that do not need to be repaid.
• Federal Work-Study funds are need-based and must be earned through authorized work experience.
• Federal Loans are need-based and non-need-based and must be repaid upon leaving the University or dropping below half-time enrollment. An online loan entrance counseling session and a Master Promissory Note are required for all new borrowers. Loan exit counseling is required for all students who are graduating or leave school (including withdrawing from all classes).
• State aid and Institutional aid are need-based and students apply through the FAFSA or California Dream (AB540 students) application process. Cal Grants and State University Grants assist students with tuition/fee payment. The Middle Class Scholarship and CSU Dream Loan can be used to pay tuition fees or other educationally related expenses.
• Most scholarships are need-based, although a limited number of merit-based scholarships are available. Scholarships require separate applications and are awarded competitively. In most cases, they do not require repayment. Scholarship information and applications can be found at Scholarships.

To apply for financial aid, complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or a California Dream (AB 540) application online. The Title IV school code for CSU-Northridge is 001153. Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the CA Dream application no earlier than October 1 and no later than March 2 for priority consideration to receive aid in the following academic year. These applications are used to determine your eligibility for all federal, state and institutional funds, as well as scholarships requiring demonstrated need. Submit all additional forms requested by the Financial Aid and Scholarship Department as soon as possible. Many funds are all awarded before the school year begins. More information is available at the Financial Aid and Scholarship Department website.

If you are unsure whether your file is complete, check your To Do List on myNorthridge Portal to to see if additional documents are being requested. Please keep your contact information updated on the Portal to ensure receipt of important notices. Please check your CSUN email regularly for any important communications. You must inform our office of any changes in housing plans or if you will not enroll at CSUN.

Financial aid applicants are expected to know application deadlines and to apply early; respond immediately to requests for documents; read all financial aid emails carefully and promptly; keep copies of all forms submitted; and create a special file for financial aid documents.

Cal State Northridge offers Bookstore Debit Card Loans for purchasing books and supplies at the Matador Bookstore. Applications are available at the Financial Aid and Scholarship Department window in Bayramian Hall or online at Bookstore Debit Card Loan. The application period typically begins one week prior to the start of the semester. Refer to the financial aid website for exact application dates and deadlines.

Most students are eligible for some financial funding. For more information about financing your education, refer to the Financial Aid website.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

An annual review of progress toward an eligible degree or certificate is required by federal, state and institutional rules as one condition for determining student financial aid eligibility. Your academic progress will be reviewed in several areas: units attempted versus units earned, academic disqualification and maximum units to complete a degree. If you fail to meet satisfactory academic progress in any of these areas, you will be ineligible for financial aid funding and your aid will be canceled. You may be able to restore your aid if there are qualified extenuating circumstances for an appeal. The Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy and possible appeal conditions are available online at Student Financial Aid Policies.

Enrollment Adjustments for Financial Aid Recipient

Financial aid awards are based on full-time enrollment at 12 units for undergraduates and 8 units for graduates. Most adjustments for less than full time are made after the semester begins. If you are enrolled less than full time, your disbursement will be reduced or canceled. You must stay enrolled to maintain eligibility. In some cases, you may be required to repay financial aid if you drop or withdraw from classes after receiving your financial aid funds.

Withdrawing from the University

Students who receive financial aid funds must consult with the Financial Aid and Scholarship Department prior to withdrawing from the University regarding any required return or repayment of grant or loan assistance received for that academic term. If a recipient of financial assistance under federal Title IV financial aid programs withdraws from the institution during a payment period, the amount of grant or loan assistance received is subject to return and repayment provisions governed by Federal law. The policy on Withdrawals and Return of Title IV Funds is available online at Student Financial Aid Policies.