Financial Aid

2013-2014 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) updates:

Visit the Federal Student Aid website and watch videos on learning how to complete your FAFSA

• The Help icon is now available on all FAFSA pages.
• FAFSA signing option encourages students and parents to use PIN
• Improved information on confirmation as to what happens next in the aid application process.
• The IRS data retrieval tool has been enhanced and mentions who is not eligible to use the tool.

The Fiscal Cliff: A series of expiring tax breaks and required spending cuts the possible impact to student aid programs:

If Congress does not reach an agreement the following will most likely occur:

• Federal work/study: Funding would drop by $76 million, potentially reducing slots for 52,000 students.
  
• TRIO programs: These college access and awareness programs would face a $66 million cut, potentially affecting 61,000 low-income students.
• Career and technical education: Projected cuts of $88 million could reduce participation by 1.1 million students.
• Title I: This major K-12 program for low-income students would lose $1.1 billion, which could affect 1.8 million students and eliminate more than 15,000 education jobs.
• Pell Grants would be protected next year, the maximum grant could drop by $300 or $400 once the one-year exemption runs its course-for the 2014-2015 academic year.

To begin the financial aid process, you will need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You must file a FAFSA every year after January 1st in order to receive your financial aid, www.fafsa.gov. Click here for more information.

Each year, the US Department of Education will select financial aid applicants to verify the information on their FAFSA with that on their Federal Tax returns.

When you complete your FAFSA, you are applying for gift aid (scholarships and grants) and self-help programs (Federal Work-Study and loans). Click here for more information.

You will receive a financial aid award email which explains the types of financial aid and amount of assistance you are eligible to receive at CSU for a particular academic year. Click here for more information.

You should plan ahead and be prepared to take the necessary steps needed to meet the requirements in order to keep your financial aid. Click here for more information.

Significant changes to the standards of academic progress (sap) policy became effective fall semester 2011. Please be aware that there are new forms. Click here to learn more.

Scholarships do not have to be repaid and are based on many factors, including academic merit and/or financial need. Click here to find scholarships.

CSU's Student Employment Program is administered by the Career Services Center. The program is designed to assist matriculating students in financing their education, developing essential job skills and enhancing their University experience.  

Learn how much it will cost to attend Cleveland State. Click here to visit the Treasury Services website.