Financial Aid & Scholarships

Location: Student Administration Building, SA 114
Telephone: (661) 654-3016
Email: finaid@csub.edu
Website: www.csub.edu/finaid
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/csubfinaid/

The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships (OFA&S) offers a variety of financial aid programs to help students who need financial assistance to attend California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB). We encourage you to contact OFA&S for application guidance and detailed instructions or visit our website at www.csub.edu/financial-aid for information on how to apply for and receive financial aid.

The priority filing period for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) is October 1 through March 2 before the start of each academic year. You can apply online at:

FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
CADAA: California Dream Act Application (CADAA)

Applications submitted after the priority deadline will still be accepted; however, aid for late applicants is awarded based on the availability of remaining funds.

Students who complete their application and submit all required verification documents will be considered for a financial aid package. Your package may include funds from one or a combination of the following programs:

Grants / Fellowships

Grants and fellowships help pay for education-related expenses and do not need to be repaid. However, if you withdraw from all classes before completing 60% of the term, you may be required to repay a portion of the funds you received.

Athletic Grant-in-Aid

Athletic Grant-in-Aid is a CSUB grant program available to student-athletes. Eligibility is determined by the CSUB Athletic Department, and awards are made in accordance with National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) regulations.

Chafee Foster Youth Grant

The Chafee Foster Youth Grant Program provides financial assistance to eligible California students who are aging out of foster care and are pursuing education at a postsecondary institution in a Title IV-eligible program.

Students may receive up to $5,000 per year if enrolled in an eligible program. To help serve more students and reduce the program waitlist, the California Department of Social Services may authorize annual award amounts of $4,500 for the 2026–27 academic year.

Chafee Grant funds are intended to supplement, not replace, other grant aid a student may be eligible to receive.

The Chafee Foster Youth Grant application is available online at:
https://chafee.csac.ca.gov/

Only new applicants need to complete the Chafee application. Students who are unable to access the online application may download a paper version and submit it by mail or fax to the California Student Aid Commission. Renewal Chafee recipients must file a corresponding FAFSA or CADAA each year to be considered for the renewal award process.

For general questions, the Commission’s Customer Service staff can be reached at (888) 224-7268. For more information about the Chafee Grant Program and its benefits, please visit: http://www.csac.ca.gov, or https://mygrantinfo.csac.ca.gov/.

Cal Grant Program

The Cal Grant Program is a state-funded grant program administered by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) to assist undergraduate and some credential students in paying for a college education. Recipients may receive these renewable undergraduate awards for up to 4 years and may request an additional year of funding while enrolled in specific coursework in post-baccalaureate teaching credential programs.

To be considered for Cal Grant awards, students must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) during the priority filing period (October 1 -March 2 before the academic year they wish to be awarded) and meet the following criteria:

Be a California resident
Not have a bachelor’s or professional degree
Have financial need
Have family income and assets below the minimum levels
Be enrolled or plan to enroll at least half-time
Not owe a refund on any state or federal grant or be in default on a student loan
Not be incarcerated

Cal Grant A Entitlement Award

This award provides grant funds to recent high school graduates to help pay tuition/fees for California residents at qualifying California Institutions. These awards are for low to middle-income students who have a minimum high school GPA of 3.0 and meet all other established program eligibility criteria.

Cal Grant B Entitlement Award

This award provides grant funds to recent high school graduates to help pay tuition/fees and other costs for California residents at qualifying California Institutions. These awards are for low-income students who have a minimum high school GPA of 2.0 and meet all other established program eligibility criteria.

Cal Grant Transfer Entitlement Award

This award is offered to students who do not already have a Cal Grant award and who plan to transfer directly from a California Community College to a 4-year qualifying California University offering a baccalaureate degree. There cannot be a gap in enrollment between attendance at the California Community College and the 4-Year University, and the award must be received in the first year of transferring to the 4-year University. Students must have a Community College GPA of at least 2.4, be under the age of 28, have graduated from a California High school or its equivalent in the year 2000 or later, and meet all other established program eligibility criteria. This award can represent the equivalent of either a Cal Grant A or B.

Competitive Cal Grant A and B Award

This award is intended for students who did not receive an entitlement award and are from low- and middle-income families. The California Student Aid Commission selects students for this limited award based on information from FAFSA or Dream Act information, as well as GPA.

Cal Grant Teaching Credential Program Benefits (TCP)

Undergraduate Cal Grant A and B recipients who plan to enroll in a teaching credential program (TCP) after they complete their bachelor's degree may be eligible to renew their Cal Grant award for an additional year. An additional year of payment is provided to students who are fully admitted into an initial teaching credential program, and it cannot be used for other graduate-level courses of study. Students must submit a Request for Cal Grant Teaching Credential Program Benefits Form (G-44) to the Commission to determine if they are eligible for an extension. The G-44 form and more information on this award can be found at https://www.csac.ca.gov/post/request-cal-grant-teaching-credential-program-benefits.

Educational Doctorate Grant

The CSU Educational Doctorate Grant is available to students enrolled in the Educational Doctorate (Ed.D.) program. This grant is funded by a portion of doctoral student tuition fee revenues.

To be considered, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) and demonstrate financial need based on federal methodology.

Eligible students must have a Student Aid Index (SAI) that does not exceed 50% of the standard academic year Cost of Attendance for off-campus Educational Doctorate students.

Award amounts typically range from $900 to $3,000. Funding is limited, and awards are determined after Census Day each term.

Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) Grant

This is a state-funded program limited to undergraduates admitted to California State University, Bakersfield through the Educational Opportunity Program. To be eligible for the EOP grant, a student must be historically disadvantaged according to criteria established by state regulations and be enrolled at least half-time. This program currently provides financial assistance annually, subject to available funding, to eligible EOP students. Funding is limited. Apply for the EOP Program by contacting the EOP Office at (661) 654-2276.

Federal Pell Grant

The Federal Pell Grant is the largest federal grant program for college students. Unlike loans, Pell Grants do not need to be repaid.

Students may receive Pell Grant funding for up to six years (or the equivalent of 12 full-time semesters) as an undergraduate student. Students enrolled in eligible teacher preparation post-baccalaureate programs leading to an initial teaching credential may also qualify.

Eligibility is determined by the federal government using a formula established by the U.S. Department of Education and Congress. To determine eligibility for the grant, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application for each academic year.

Federal Pell Grant for Dependents of Deceased Service Members and Safety Officers (formerly Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant)

If you are not eligible for a Federal Pell Grant based on the SAI on your FAFSA application, you may still qualify to receive a maximum Pell Grant if your parent or guardian died in the line of duty while either (a) serving on active duty as a member of the U.S. armed forces on or after September 11, 2001; or (b) actively serving as and performing duties of a public safety officer; and you are under the age of 33 as of January 1^st of the year prior to the start of the school year (example: January 1, 2026, for the 2026-2027 school year). To determine eligibility for the grant, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application for each academic year.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)

The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is a federal grant awarded to students with exceptional financial need. To qualify, students must be eligible for the Federal Pell Grant. Due to limited funding, the average award at CSUB is approximately $800 per academic year, and funds are not sufficient to meet the needs of all eligible students. Eligibility for FSEOG is determined based on information submitted on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Priority is given to on-time applicants with the lowest Student Aid Index (SAI) until funds are exhausted.

Federal TEACH Grant

The Federal Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant provides funding to students who plan to become teachers.

In exchange for receiving this grant, you must agree to teach full-time for at least four academic years in a high-need field at a qualifying school. This teaching service must be completed within eight years of finishing the program for which you received the grant.

If you do not complete the required teaching service, the TEACH Grant will be converted into a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan. You would be required to repay the loan with interest, calculated from the date the grant funds were first disbursed.

Awards are determined after Census Day each term.

Graduate Equity Fellowship (GEF) Program

The Graduate Equity Fellowship (GEF) Program provides financial support to students pursuing a master’s degree at a California State University (CSU). The program aims to increase diversity among graduate students, encourage continuation to doctoral programs, and promote interest in university faculty careers. GEF supports economically disadvantaged students who have demonstrated success in overcoming educational challenges. It also encourages faculty mentoring and research opportunities. The award amount typically ranges from $500 to $2,000. How to Apply: Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) and submit the GEF application through the Office of Graduate Studies. Contact the Office of Graduate Studies: (661) 654-2786.

Middle Class Scholarship

The Middle-Class Scholarship (MCS) is a state-funded program administered through the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) that helps undergraduate students, including those pursuing a teaching credential, pay for attendance at a University of California (UC) or California State University (CSU) campus. Eligible students may receive the award for up to 4 years, depending on their education level when the scholarship is awarded.

To be eligible, a student must be attending a UC or CSU and meet the following criteria:

Students must complete either the FAFSA Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) California Dream Act Application (CADAA) between the priority application window of October 1 and March 2 prior to the start of each academic year.

Be a California resident
Not have a bachelor’s or professional degree
Have family income and assets below the minimum levels
Be enrolled or plan to enroll at least half-time
Not owe a refund on any state or federal grant or be in default on a student loan
Not be incarcerated
Maintain Satisfactory Academic Standards

Once you are accepted to a UC or CSU, you will be automatically considered for the Middle-Class Scholarship.

MBA Grant

The CSU MBA Grant is available to students enrolled in the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program. This tuition grant is funded by a portion of MBA student tuition fee revenues at CSUB.

The maximum award will not exceed the amount of the additional Graduate Professional Business Tuition charged for the term.

Because funding is limited, awards are prioritized for MBA students with the lowest Student Aid Index (SAI). Awards are determined after Census Day each term.

Nursing Doctorate Grant

The CSU Nursing Doctorate Grant is available to students enrolled in the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. This grant is funded by a portion of doctoral student tuition fee revenues at CSUB.

Eligible students must have a Student Aid Index (SAI) that does not exceed 50% of the standard academic year Cost of Attendance for off-campus DNP students. Funding is limited, and awards are determined after Census Day each term.

State University Grant (SUG)

The State University Grant (SUG) is a California State University (CSU) funded grant and fee assistance program for California residents with exceptional financial need.

Eligibility criteria and award amounts are determined by the CSU Chancellor’s Office. Because funding is limited, priority is given to undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, and graduate students who apply for financial aid by the priority deadline, demonstrate exceptional financial need, are enrolled full-time, and have not exceeded unit limit requirements.

Eligibility is determined based on the information submitted on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA).

Loans

All loans must be repaid after the student graduates, leaves school, or drops below half-time enrollment. Students are encouraged to borrow only the amount needed to cover educational expenses and to understand their rights and responsibilities as borrowers. All student loan borrowers must complete a Federal Direct Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN), Entrance Loan Counseling, and Exit Loan Counseling.

Federal Direct Subsidized Loan

The Federal Direct Subsidized Loan is a long-term, fixed-interest-rate loan for eligible undergraduate students with financial need. Interest is paid by the federal government while the student is enrolled at least half-time and during the six-month grace period after the student graduates, leaves school, or drops below half-time enrollment.

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan

The Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan is a long-term, fixed-interest-rate loan for eligible undergraduate and graduate students and is not based on financial need. Interest begins to accrue at the time of disbursement. Students are encouraged to make interest-only payments while enrolled in school to prevent accrued interest from being added to the principal balance when repayment begins.

Repayment of both Federal Direct Loans begins six months after the student graduates, leaves school, or drops below half-time enrollment.

Students must complete their financial aid file and accept their loan offer before a loan can be processed. Additionally, borrowers must complete Direct Loan Entrance Counseling and a Master Promissory Note (MPN) before loan funds can be disbursed.

Direct Loan Annual Loan Limits by Class Level

Lifetime Loan Limits by Degree Objective

Professional degree programs may have higher aggregate loan limits.

Federal Direct PLUS Loans (Parent Loans)

The Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan is a long-term, fixed-interest-rate loan available to eligible parents of dependent undergraduate students.

Beginning July 1, 2026, Parent PLUS Loans are subject to the following limits:

Annual limit: $20,000 per student
Lifetime limit: $65,000 per student

Parents must pass a credit check to qualify. Repayment of principal and interest begins 60 days after the final loan disbursement, although deferment options may be available while the student is enrolled.

If a parent is denied the PLUS Loan due to adverse credit history, the dependent student may request consideration for additional Direct Unsubsidized Loan eligibility.

Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans

Beginning July 1, 2026, the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan program will be eliminated for new borrowers.

Graduate students will instead primarily utilize Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans, which have an annual borrowing limit of $20,500 and an aggregate limit of $100,000.

Students who borrowed a Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan before July 1, 2026, may be eligible to continue borrowing under limited transition provisions if they remain enrolled in the same program at the same institution without a break in enrollment.

CA Dream Loan

The CA Dream Loan is a long-term, fixed-interest-rate loan available to eligible Dream students attending a California State University (CSU) or University of California (UC) campus. The loan is need-based.

Interest is deferred until six months after the student graduates or ceases to be enrolled at least half-time.

Loan amounts are limited to:

$4,000 per academic year
$20,000 lifetime limit

Federal Work-Study

The Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program is a form of financial aid that allows eligible undergraduate and graduate students to work part-time—up to 20 hours per week—to earn money to help pay for educational expenses.

Work-Study job opportunities are posted on the Community Engagement and Career Education (CECE) website:
https://csub.joinhandshake.com/login

If you are hired for a Federal Work-Study position, you may be awarded up to $4,500 for the academic year. This amount is included as part of your overall financial aid package.

To be considered for Federal Work-Study, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), demonstrate financial need, and be enrolled at least half-time.

America Reads/Counts Programs

CSUB participates in the America Reads/Counts programs, federal initiatives that prepare eligible Work-Study students to serve as reading and math tutors for local elementary and middle school students who are performing below grade level.

These positions are part of the Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program and provide students with the opportunity to earn money while making a positive impact in the community.

Students interested in participating should contact the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships (OFA&S) at (661) 654-3016.

Student Assistant (on campus) and Part-time (off campus) Employment

Student Assistant positions are available on campus and do not require financial need. These jobs provide students with the opportunity to gain work experience while earning income during their studies. Part-time, off-campus employment opportunities are also available to all students.

Available positions are posted on the Community Engagement and Career Education (CECE) website: https://csub.joinhandshake.com/login.

Scholarships

CSUB’s scholarship program provides financial support and recognition to students who have demonstrated academic achievement.

Scholarships are available campus-wide, within individual schools and departments, and through community-based donors. Awards are selected by donors and/or scholarship committees.

Scholarship amounts typically range from $300 to $2,500 and are often distributed over multiple terms.

Students can apply for CSUB academic scholarships online at:
https://csub.scholarshipuniverse.com. The priority application period is January 1 through March 2 prior to the start of each academic year.

Students are also encouraged to apply for scholarships outside of CSUB. A list of reputable external scholarship opportunities can be found here: https://www.csub.edu/financial-aid/types/scholarships.shtml.

Enrollment Requirements

The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships (OFA&S) considers undergraduate, 2^nd BA/BS, and post-baccalaureate Teacher Credential students to be enrolled full-time if they are registered in at least 12 units per term and working toward their declared degree objective. Graduate and Doctoral students are considered enrolled full-time if they are registered in at least 6 units per term, typically consisting of 5000 and 6000 level coursework, toward their declared degree objective. Graduate students will not receive credit for courses numbered below 3000.

Undergraduate, Credential, and Graduate students with less than full-time enrollment will have their financial aid prorated based on their enrollment status, as outlined below:

Undergraduate, 2nd BA, and Teacher Credential Enrollment Requirements

Undergraduate, 2nd BA, and Teacher Credential Enrollment Requirements
Enrollment Types	Units
Less than half-time	1-5 units
Half-time	6-8 units
Three-quarter time	9-11 units
Full-time	12 or more units

Graduate Enrollment Requirements

Graduate Enrollment Requirements
Enrollment Types	Units
Less than half-time	Less than 3 units
Half-time	3 units
Full-time	6 or more units

Note: Students must be enrolled at least half-time for eligibility in most federal and state student financial aid programs.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

Federal and state regulations require California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB) to establish and apply standards to measure a student’s academic progress. This policy is known as Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).

To remain eligible for financial aid, students must meet both:

Qualitative standards (such as maintaining the required cumulative GPA)
Quantitative standards (such as successfully completing a required percentage of attempted units)

Both standards are cumulative and are reviewed by the University each term to determine continued financial aid eligibility.

Your eligibility for federal, state, and institutional financial aid is affected by this policy. It is your responsibility as a financial aid recipient to understand and comply with SAP requirements. Students can review the full Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy on our website at:https://www.csub.edu/financial-aid/satisfactory-academic-progress.shtml.

Student Rights / Terms and Conditions

Financial aid recipients are advised of their rights and responsibilities with respect to their financial aid and scholarship records. In consideration of limited catalog space, students are encouraged to refer to the OFA&S website at https://www.csub.edu/financial-aid/disclosures.shtml and Rights and Responsibilities | California State University, Bakersfield for more detailed information.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), also known as the Buckley Amendment, is a federal law that protects the privacy of student educational records. FERPA applies to all colleges and universities that receive funding from the U.S. Department of Education, including CSUB.

When students enroll in higher education, FERPA rights transfer from parents (as in K–12 education) to the student—regardless of the student’s age.

Under FERPA, the CSUB Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships (OFA&S) may share financial aid information with federal, state, and University officials who have a legitimate educational need to know. However, financial aid information cannot be shared with third parties (such as parents, spouses, relatives, friends, or others) without the student’s written consent.

Students can grant or revoke consent through the FERPA Release Authorization section in their myCSUB portal (PeopleSoft). When submitting authorization, students may specify who may receive their information and which campus departments may release information (including Financial Aid).

Under FERPA, students also have the right to access their educational records, request corrections to their records, and control certain disclosures of their information.

For more information, please review the CSUB FERPA Guidelines: CSUB FERPA GUIDELINES | California State University, Bakersfield.

Federal Laws Governing FAFSA and Financial Aid Data

Several federal laws work together to simplify the financial aid process while protecting your personal information. These include the Higher Education Act (HEA), the FAFSA Simplification Act, the FUTURE Act, the Internal Revenue Code (IRC), the Privacy Act, and FERPA.

Beginning with the 2024–25 academic year, these laws created a secure process that allows the IRS to transfer tax information directly to the U.S. Department of Education when you complete the FAFSA. This reduced the number of questions on the FAFSA and replaced the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) with the Student Aid Index (SAI).

All FAFSA contributors (student, spouse, and/or parents) must provide consent for the IRS data transfer. If consent is not provided, the student is not eligible for federal financial aid.

Federal Tax Information (FTI) received through this process is strictly protected by law. FTI may not be shared or disclosed except as specifically authorized for the administration of financial aid programs.

Additionally, FAFSA data may only be shared by the Financial Aid Office with third parties when the student provides explicit consent, unless a specific legal exception applies under federal law. For more information, please visit the CSUB Financial Aid website: https://www.csub.edu/financial-aid/index.shtml.

Financial Aid and Withdrawal (Return to Title IV Funds)

If you completely withdraw from CSUB, your federal financial aid (Title IV funds) must be reviewed to determine how much you “earned” based on the date you withdrew.

Federal regulations require a pro-rated (proportional) calculation. This means the amount of aid you earn is based on the number of calendar days you attended, divided by the total number of calendar days in the term. Breaks of five or more consecutive days are not included in this calculation. Federal Work-Study earnings are excluded from this process.

If you withdraw before completing 60% of the term, a portion of your federal aid may need to be returned.
If you withdraw after the 60% point of the term, no repayment of federal Title IV funds is required.
If you withdraw before the first day of classes but after receiving financial aid, you must repay 100% of the funds disbursed to you, including any student loans.

The Financial Aid & Scholarships Office calculates the portion of unearned aid that must be returned. Responsibility for repayment is shared between CSUB and you, in accordance with federal regulations.

If you owe a repayment due to withdrawal, you must contact the CSUB Student Financial Services Office to discuss your repayment options.

Important: Financial aid withdrawal calculations performed by the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships are separate from fee refund calculations handled by the Student Financial Services Office (Bursar). Even if you do not owe a balance to the University, you may still be responsible for repaying all or part of your student loans to your lender.

For more information about the withdrawal process and how aid is calculated, please visit the CSUB Financial Aid website at: https://www.csub.edu/financial-aid/withdrawal.shtml.

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