Steps at a Glance
Which Application Do I Complete?
After You Apply for Financial Aid
Announcements
December 1, 2024 | Applications Open
March 3, 2025 | State Aid Priority Deadline
May 2, 2025 | Applications Due
Need Assistance?
Phone: (415) 338-7000
Email: finaid@sfsu.edu
The SFSU Financial Aid Office is here to help you and your family break through the money barrier and make college possible — let’s get you there!
Which Application Do I Complete?
- US citizens
- Permanent resident (Green card holders)
- Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) with status from USCIS such as:
- Refugee
- Asylum Grant
- Cuban-Haitian entrant
- Condition entrant (Before April 1, 1980)
- Parolee
- T-Visa holder
- Battered immigrant qualified alien - Included children under Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
- Citizen of the Federated State of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, or the Republic of Palau
- Undocumented students
- DACA recipients (Active or expired)
- U-Visa holders
- Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
IMPORTANT NOTE: Applicants must be confirmed as AB 540/SB 68 eligible by the Admissions Office (Undergraduate or Graduate) at SF State.
Application Process
Here is our quick guide to the financial aid process so you can take the first step toward funding your future.
What Happens After Submitting Your Financial Aid Form?
What determines your financial aid reward?
Your Student Aid (SAI) (Formely known as the "Expected Family Contribution") is an eligibility index number that SFSU uses to determine how much Federal/State aid a student may receive.
IMPORTANT REMINDER: The Department Of Education (ED) bases every student's financial aid package on the 2023 tax year for 25/26. However, there are ways to appeal the SAI if a student and their families have experienced a change in their financial situations.
Cost of Attendance (2024/2025)
Cost of attendance (COA) includes:
- Direct Educational Costs (Tuition fees, books and supplies)
- Living Costs (Housing, meals, transportation and personal expenses)
- Loan origination fees
| Cost Type | On Campus | Off Campus | Living At Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fees (7 units or greater) | $7,950 | $7,950 | $7,950 |
| Housing | $17,010 | $14,724 | 0 |
| Food | $5,256 | $7,506 | $11,520 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,100 | $1,100 | $1,100 |
| Transportation | $1,512 | $1,962 | $1,764 |
| Personal Expenses | $3,222 | $3,924 | $4,050 |
| Loan Fee | $62 | $62 | $62 |
| TOTAL | $36,112 | $37,228 | $26,446 |
| Cost Type | On-Campus | Off-Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fees (7 units or greater) | $9,474 | $9,474 |
| Housing | $17,010 | $14,724 |
| Food | $5,256 | $7,506 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,100 | $1,100 |
| Transportation | $1,512 | $1,962 |
| Personal Expenses | $3,222 | $3,924 |
| Loan Fee | $146 | $146 |
| TOTAL | $37,720 | $38,836 |
| Cost Type | On-Campus | Off-Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fees (7 units or greater) | $8,928 | $8,928 |
| Housing | $17,010 | $14,724 |
| Food | $5,256 | $7,506 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,100 | $1,100 |
| Transportation | $1,512 | $1,962 |
| Personal Expenses | $3,222 | $3,924 |
| Loan Fee | $62 | $62 |
| TOTAL | $37,090 | $38,206 |
Federal Student Aid Estimator
The Federal Student Aid Estimator provides an estimate of how much federal student aid the student may be eligible to receive. These estimates are based on the Student Aid Index (SAI), an index number used to determine federal student aid eligibility. You can also use the Net Price Calculator to plan for your cost of attendance.
IMPORTANT REMINDER: Please be aware that these are estimates only and are not a guarantee of the financial aid you may actually receive. This calculator cannot simulate or replace a full, professional review of an admitted student's financial aid application.
Additional Aid
At San Francisco State University, we’re committed to making education accessible and affordable. In addition to FAFSA, explore our range of financial aid options, including grants, loans, federal work-study and scholarships designed to support your academic journey.