Apply for Aid & Stay Updated

Available October 1, 2026
To learn more about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and how to apply please visit the FAFSA webpage.

Learn about Deadlines & Workshops

1. A simplified application process:
   The number of application questions has been reduced and this has decreased the time needed to complete the FAFSA form. 
2. Expanded eligibility for Federal Pell Grant:
   More students will be eligible for the Federal Pell Grant, and some students may be eligible for more Federal Pell Grant than before.
3. Reduced barriers for applicants:
   The Federal Tax Information (FTI) requested will be secure and transferred for all taxpayers.
   Both students and parents/guardians will be able to create their own Federal Student Aid (FSA) IDs, even those with no Social Security Number (SSN).
   Please note that FSA IDs refer to the FAFSA application’s username and password required to submit a FAFSA 
4. Change from Expected Family Contribution (EFC) to Student Aid Index (SAI):
   Beginning with the 2025-2026 FAFSA, the EFC is being replaced by the SAI
   The SAI refers to the new tool used for determining and awarding need-based grants and scholarships
   • What is the difference? 
     The FAFSA will remove the question asking for the number of family members in college
     Additionally, there is also a possibility for the SAI to be a negative number, with a minimum SAI of -1,500 instead of zero 

Use of Federal Tax Information:

The FAFSA Simplification Act (Act) requires that whenever possible, the FAFSA use data received directly from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to calculate a student’s SAI and Pell Grant award.  

Changes to need: Dependency Status:

A FAFSA applicant’s SAI will be determined by their dependency status. A student's dependency status may be one of the following:  

• Dependent students 
• Independent students without dependents other than a spouse 
• Independent students with dependents other than a spouse 

Beginning with the 2024-2025 award year, students who are separated will no longer be considered married and should not indicate they are married on the FAFSA. Unless independent by a measure other than marriage, they will be considered dependent students. 

Provisional (Temporary) Independent Status:

Beginning with the 2024-2025 award year, dependent students who indicate that they have unusual circumstances that prevent them from providing parent data will no longer receive a rejected application but will instead have their application processed with a provisional (temporary) independent status. This will generate documents with a temporary SAI and an estimate of federal student aid eligibility.

Other notable changes:

• The number of family members in college is no longer a factor in determining need.
• The definition of family size has changed to be the same as the number of individuals reported as dependents on the applicant’s (if independent) or applicant’s parents’ (if dependent) U.S. tax return. Applicants may update their family size if it changes after filing the tax return.

The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) has made recent updates to the CADAA per recommendations from the Renewing the Dream Report earlier this year. The notable changes are:

• Application timeline:
  The CADAA will be available on October 1, 2026.
• Inclusion of Race/Ethnicity/Gender questions:
  The questions will be optional and will not impact a student’s financial aid eligibility. The information obtained will be used for CSAC research purposes only.
• AB 540 Affidavit inclusion:
  Following the progress of Assembly Bill 1540, CSAC will include the questions for the determination of nonresident tuition exemption (commonly referred to as AB 540 affidavit) within the CADAA and provide a way to allow institutions to collect a student’s answers to the AB 540 affidavit. Note: Colleges and universities will continue to make final determinations of AB540 eligibility.
• Parent Signature Process changes:
  The parental signature is more streamlined with a 1-step process, which eliminates the separate PIN creation process

The Department of Education has developed a Federal Student Aid Estimator. Students can use this estimator to help them understand their eligibility options of their Federal Student Aid for the 2027-2028 year. This tool can provide an early estimate of how much federal student aid they may be eligible for, based on the new Student Aid Index (SAI).

To access the estimator, please visit the Federal Student Aid Estimator.

• Support student success: Provide universities with resources to maintain educational quality, access, and equity.
• Make costs more predictable: Help students and families plan for future tuition expenses.
• Improve affordability: Strengthen financial aid support for students with the greatest financial need.

What does the Tuition Increase Mean for Students? 

• Undergraduate students (6.1+ units): $388 increase, from $6,450 to $6,838 per academic year.
• Undergraduate students (0–6 units): $224 increase, from $3,738 to $3,962 per academic year.
• Credential students (6.1+ units): $450 increase, from $7,488 to $7,938 per academic year.
• Credential students (0–6 units): $260 increase, from $4,344 to $4,604 per academic year.
• Graduate students (6.1+ units): $484 increase, from $8,064 to $8,548 per academic year.
• Graduate students (0–6 units): $280 increase, from $4,680 to $4,960 per academic year.
• Visit the Multi-Year Tuition Increase FAQ website to view the new tuition rates for academic year 2025-26 through 2028-29. 

How Does the Tuition Increase Affect Financial Aid?

Your financial aid may help cover tuition costs, but the amount and type of aid you receive depend on your eligibility.

• California state financial aid: Eligible undergraduate students receiving programs such as the State University Grant (SUG) or Cal Grant may receive assistance toward tuition costs. Middle Class Scholarship (MCS) awards may also help eligible students cover a portion of their educational expenses. Award amounts vary by program and individual eligibility.
• Federal financial aid: Federal programs, including the Pell Grant and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), are based on financial need and other eligibility requirements. These programs do not automatically increase when CSU tuition rates increase.
• Learn more: Visit our Financial Aid & Scholarship webpage for information about available programs and eligibility requirements. https://www.csustan.edu/financial-aid-scholarship/financial-aid-basics/types-financial-aid

What Should Students Do?

• FAFSA (https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa): For students eligible for federal student aid.
• California Dream Act Application (CADAA) (https://dream.csac.ca.gov/landing): For eligible California students who cannot receive federal student aid but may qualify for state and institutional aid.

Students and families can visit StudentAid.gov/fillingout for resources about completing the 2027–2028 FAFSA form—including information about creating a StudentAid.gov account without a Social Security number, how to complete the new 2027–2028 FAFSA form, and what to do before and after completing the FAFSA form.

Como Obtener un FSA ID para Personas sin un Numero de Seguro Social (SSN)

Información para como completar la Solicitud Gratuita de Ayuda Federal para Estudiantes (FAFSA), para contribuyente sin seguro social.

Cash for College

CSAC is hosting several Cash for College webinars designed to answer common questions about applying for financial aid. Financial aid experts are available live to answer questions for students and families. You can also look for in person Cash for College events hosted by our community partners. This information and additional resources can be found on the Cash for College website.