Yes. We accept applications after that date. Available funding may be limited to the Federal Pell Grant (if you are an undergraduate or enrolled in a teaching credential program) and Federal Direct Student Loans. Be sure to apply as soon after January 1 as possible for the next academic year. You may apply up until the end of the Spring Semester, but the processed record of your application must be received by California State University, Stanislaus by the last day of classes for the Spring Semester.

Yes. Students are required to reapply for each new award year.

Yes. Students often mistakenly think they don't qualify for aid and prevent themselves from receiving financial aid by failing to apply. In addition, there are a few sources of aid such as Federal Unsubsidized Direct loans and Federal Parent PLUS loans that are available regardless of need.

This program requires at least 1/2-time enrollment in order to maintain eligibility. Be aware that some programs may require full-time enrollment.

Filing electronically is much faster and includes a system of checks and balances that allows you to submit a virtually error-free application, saves paper and reduces the need for manual data input by the federal processor.

Public libraries and most high schools offer access. If you cannot use these sources, file the paper version.

The processor will evaluate your application and determine your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), the amount you and/or your family are expected to contribute toward your education. If you included an email address on your FAFSA, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) notification in response by email. If you did not include an e-mail address, you will receive a paper SAR in the mail. Either form of the SAR allows you to review the information you submitted and to make corrections, if any are needed.

California State University, Stanislaus will receive your application information electronically after your FAFSA is processed. We will then send you a letter listing the documents we need from you and notify you of your eligibility for financial aid.

Note: All of your requested documents must arrive and you must be admitted at Stanislaus State before you can receive a financial aid offer.

Some students will be notified on their SAR that they have been selected for verification by the federal government. The verification process must be complete before we will make an offer of financial assistance. Students must submit to the Financial Aid Office a copy of their signed federal tax returns with all schedules and attachments, as well as a Verification Worksheet. We will mail you the worksheet upon request or you can print one from this website. Additional forms or documents may need to be submitted to the Financial Aid Office to satisfy federal regulations, including confirmation of citizenship or registration with selective service. Please keep copies of all forms submitted to our office and make sure all forms, such as tax returns, are signed and include your student ID.

The Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) prohibits us from discussing any of your specific financial matters with anyone but you without your written permission. Should you wish to authorize release of this information to a specific person, a Consent for Release of Information form is available at the Financial Aid Office.

The University complies with federal law FERPA (Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974); see Appendix of the University Catalog. The University has adopted a set of policies concerning implementation of FERPA, which may be obtained from the Enrollment Services Office, the Vice President for Student Affairs Office, and through the Student Conduct website.

Not unless you meet one of the following criteria:

  • You will reach age 24 by December 31 of the academic year.
  • You will be working on a masters or doctorate degree at the beginning of the school year.
  • You are married at the time you complete the financial aid application
  • You have children who receive more than half of their support from you
  • You have another dependent who lives with you and receives more than half of their support from you
  • You are an orphan or ward/dependent of the court
  • You are a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces
  • You are currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for purposes other than training
  • You are an emancipated Minor
  • You have a legal guardian assigned by the courts (not your parent)
  • You were in Foster Care after the age of 13

*Please note: If you will be working on a credential, a second bachelors degree, or prerequisites for a masters program, you do not meet this criteria.

However, if you are an undergraduate younger than 24 and believe that you have extenuating circumstances, you should make an appointment with a Financial Aid Advisor to discuss the situation.

Financial Aid is disbursed ten days prior to the start of each term. Students are responsible to provide all documents required by Financial Aid and displayed in their "To Do List". Turning in documents late could delay the disbursement date.  Please see the Terms of you Financial Aid Award for more information.

Students have the option to purchase their books at our University Bookstore and charge them to their student account. Once Financial Aid disburses it will be applied to cover all charges in the student account. It's the student's responsibility to verify if they have enough Financial Aid to cover all the charges posted in the student account. 

It's the student's responsibility to verify that their pending financial aid is equal to or greater than the charges in the account to avoid being dropped. Students can verify the amount of financial aid pending in the "account inquiry" option displayed in the student center. If the student has a "balance due" then it must be covered to avoid being disenrolled (for more information please contact us).

No. Once you have been awarded and received your Cal Grant, you do not need to complete the GPA Verification form in subsequent years. Your Financial Aid Advisor will include your Cal Grant in your award package if you are eligible for a renewal of the grant the next year.

If you have been awarded an off-campus scholarship please provide the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office a copy of the scholarship award letter. The Financial Aid and Scholarship Office will add a placeholder in your financial aid award package until the scholarship check is received. 

In most cases, students taking prerequisites are eligible for funds from the Federal Loan Programs for up to one year while completing prerequisites. Refer to the previous section regarding independent student criteria before you complete your FAFSA. You may also contact your Stanislaus State Financial Aid Advisor for additional information.

Updated: January 17, 2023