1. How do I apply for financial aid?
2. How much am I eligible for as a graduate student?
3. Do I have to renew my financial aid every year?
4. What financial aid year is it?
5. How can I defer my loans?
6. Do I have to be a full time graduate student to be eligible and maintain financial aid?
7. When are refunds issued?
8. Can I change my loan amount?
9. Do you offer any funding or payment methods other than loans?

1. How do I apply for financial aid?                                                     back to top

In order to qualify for financial aid at CSU, all students must first be regularly accepted to the university and be registered for classes. Then, to determine the amount you are eligible and to apply for financial aid you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Finally, we will create a financial aid package for you and send you an award letter detailing all of your financial aid for the academic year. The aid in this package will be based on financial need. If you receive the letter and would like to change the amount of funds you receive then contact the graduate financial aid counselor by clicking here.

2. How much am I eligible for as a graduate student?                 back to top

Your eligibility is determined based on your financial need. The maximum amount you will be eligible for any academic year is $20,500.

3. Do I have to renew my financial aid every year?                        back to top

Yes, you have to renew your financial aid each year. There is not a deadline but you need to have the renewal FAFSA completed as soon as you file your taxes.

4. What financial aid year is it?                                                           back to top

The 2010-11 Financial aid year runs from July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011.

5. How can I defer my loans?                                                             back to top

You may be able to defer your undergraduate student loans while you are enrolled in CSU’s graduate programs. In order to find out more about this you need to contact your undergraduate student loan lender. They will be able to provide you with a document for deferment. This document may be signed by CSU’s registrar’s office only after the drop/add date. The registrar’s office is the only office eligible to sign this deferment form.

6. Do I have to be a full time graduate student to be eligible and maintain financial aid?                  back to top

No, you do not have to be a full time graduate student to be eligible for financial aid. You must be enrolled in at least one course during the term you wish to receive financial aid. You also must remain in good standing as identified in the graduate catalog.

7. When are refunds issued?                                                          back to top

A financial aid refund is when you have excess money on your CSU account after paying for tuition. Financial aid refunds are issued each after the drop/add date. You can find the drop/add date by viewing the graduate academic calendar. The refunds are issued as quickly as possible but will take some time. You may call the business office to determine if you have been issued a refund check and when it will be available for pick up.

8. Can I change my loan amount?                                                   back to top

Yes, you may change your loan amount. Feel free to contact your graduate enrollment counselor in order to change the amount you wish to receive. You will then receive an adjusted award letter with the amount you requested.

9. Do you offer any funding or payment methods other than loans?
 back to top

We do accept outside scholarships, loans, tuition reimbursement, tuition assistance, VA funding, and payment plans scheduled at www.afford.com. To set up financial aid, outside scholarships, or outside loans contact graduate studies. To set up tuition reimbursement, tuition assistance and payment plans contact the Business Office at (843) 863-8058. To set up VA funding please contact Raynelle Odom.

**To find out more information regarding determining financial need, verification selection, where to pay your bill, or more information on outside scholarships click here!