A Guide to Financial Aid at San Francisco State University
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Understanding Your Financial Aid Award Offer
- Financial Aid Award Offer Assumptions
- Resources - Student/Parent Contributions
- Accepting Loans and/or Work-Study
- Cal Grant Award Authorization
- Limited Eligible for Financial Aid - Unclassified, 2nd BA, CEL, and Teaching Cedential candidates
- Federal PELL Grant
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
- State University Grant (SUG)
- Educational Opportunity Grant (EOP)
- Cal Grant A or B
- Chafee Grant
- TEACH Grant (TCHG)
- Americorps
- Federal Direct Student Loan Program (FDSL)
- FDSL Loan Types - Subsidised and Unsubsidized
- (Entrance Loan Counseling, Interest Rates, Direct loan Origination Fees)
- Federal Parent PLUS Loan
- Federal Graduate PLUS Loan
- Bank Loans - Alternative Loans
- Federal Work-Study Program
- Student Assistant Program
- Employment Eligibility Verification (EEV)
- Job Postings
- Deferment of Tuition and Registration Fees
- Fee Waivers and Subsidies
- Debt Owed to the University/University Obligation Hold
- Withdrawing From All Classes
Students Right To Know - Higher Education Opportunity Act Disclosure
Financial Aid Check Disbursement
- Requirements to Receive Your Financial Aid Funds
- Account Statement and Balance Check
- Tuition and Registration Fee Payment
- Check Disbursement Dates
- Financial Aid Disbursement Hold and Enrollment Hold
- Direct Deposit
Return of Federal Financial Aid Funds Due to Withdrawal
Maintaining Your Financial Aid Eligibility
- Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
- Minimum Semester Unit Contracts/Unit Deficiency
- Maximum Degree Unit limits
- Failure to meet the SAP Standard Appeals
Directory Access/SF State on Internet
| Understanding Your Financial Aid Award Offer |
Understanding Your Financial Aid Award Offer:
View and Accept your Financial Aid Award Offer on line
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Financial Aid Award Offer Assumptions:Your Financial Aid Award Offer is for the current academic year and cannot be used to pay prior academic year outstanding charges in excess of $200. Your financial aid award is based on the most current information available regarding your class level, enrollment status, and fund regulations and availability. Be aware that award amounts and programs are subject to change due to change in your enrollment, your housing plans, Federal, State and University funding limitations, and changes in law, policy or University procedures. Resources - Student/Parent Contributions:The Student and/or Parent Contribution represents the amount that you (and your parents, if you are considered dependent) are expected to contribute towards your educational expenses during the academic year through income, savings, and/or loans. This figure was calculated using the previous yearincome and assets reported on your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), or renewal FAFSA,and your/your parent's previous income tax returns (if requested). Factors considered in determining student/parent contribution are income, net assets, family size, age and the number of family members in college (excluding parents). Your home, or your parents' home, if it is your principal place of residence, is not included in the calculation. Unreported changes in circumstances or resources could result in cancellation and/or repayment of financial aid you may have already received. Accepting Loans and/or Work-Study on your Financial Aid Offer*** Read this section carefully *** Student can Accept, Reduce, or Decline their Federal Direct Stafford and PLUS loans, and federal Work study by logging on to their SF State Student Center, and selecting "View Financial Aid". Federal Direct Student Loan (FDSL) - Subsidized and Unsubsidized If you have not been awarded the full annual federal loan maximum, you may be able to increase the amount of subsidized and/or unsubsidized loan by the amount of Work-Study you decline. Contact our financial aid office for the change. PLUS loans are only for parents of a dependent undergraduate student. The amount indicated on your award Offer is the maximum amount your parents may borrow under this loan program. Before making a decision about the loan, your parents should carefully read the information provided on the Federal Parent Loan Program (PLUS). The parent must apply for the Parent PLUS loan on www.studentloans.gov and a credit check will be required. GRAD PLUS loans are for master's and doctorate degree candidates. The amount indicated on your award Offer is the maximum amount you may borrow under this loan program. Before making a decision about the loan, you should carefully read the information provided on the Federal Graduate PLUS Loan Program (PLUS) . The student must apply for the GRADPLUS loan on www.studentloans.gov and a credit check will be required. Federal Work-Study -- A Work-Study award is an amount you can earn, not an amount you are guaranteed to receive while working in the program. You can find more information on the Work Study program on the web page. You may increase your accepted amount of Work-Study, up to a maximum of $4,000, by declining all or a portion of the subsidized Federal Direct Student Loan awarded to you. An unsubsidized Federal Direct Student Loan cannot be converted into a Work-Study award. If you have not been awarded Work-Study but wish to be considered for a Work-Study award, please speak with a financial aid counselor.
There are two part-time student employment programs available at SF State: Federal Work-Study and Student Assistant. Both offer part-time work that you can usually arrange around your classschedule and provide paychecks that you use to help pay for your educational expenses. Work-Study and Student Assistant jobs are located on-campus. Federal Work-Study ProgramWork-study is a Federal financial aid employment program that helps students finance theireducation via part-time jobs. Most students looking for Work-Study employment are able to find jobs, but the Work-Study award is not a guarantee that you will find a job nor that you will earn the entire amount on your award offer. You may earn up to, but not more than, the total Work-Study award on your Award Offer. Your total earnings are dependent upon the number of hours you work and your hourly pay rate. You must be enrolled at least half-time at SF State to be employed in a Work-Study position (6 units - undergraduates, 4 units - graduates).
The primary advantage to having a Work-Study job is that although Work-Study earnings are taxable, they are not included as income when you apply for financial aid in future years. Work-Study students also are eligible to be employed through the Student Assistant program, but you cannot use your Work-Study award eligibility when employed as a Student Assistant. Work-Study students also are eligible to be employed through the Student Assistant program, but you cannot use your Work-Study award eligibility when employed as a Student Assistant.
The Student Assistant program is not a financial aid program. It is funded by the State and provides part-time, on-campus positions available to students who are enrolled at least half-time at SF State(6 units - undergraduates, 4 units - graduates). Student Assistant employment is similar to Work-Study except that Student Assistant earnings will be included as income if you apply for financial aid in future years. Also, Student Assistant employees are not eligible to work as Work-Study employees unless they have applied for financial aid and have received a Work-Study award on their Financial award offer. Job PostingsAvailable Work-Study and Student Assistant jobs are posted on the SF State Career Center's web site. Go to handshake at https://sfsu.joinhandshake.com/login and follow instructions on their web site to access to all Work-Study and Student Assistant jobs. Most student employees work between 5 and 20 hours per week. Pay rates vary between $8.50 and $14.81 per hour. You complete income tax withholding and payroll forms with your employer and you receive your monthly paycheck directly from your employer.
Deferment of Tuition and Registration Fees
Financial Aid Deferments:A financial aid fee deferment postpones payment of your tuition and registration fees. This means that you do not have to pay your tuition and registration fees before using Gator Registration. If the Office of Student Financial Aid has given you a fee derferment, enroll in classes by following the Gator Registration Procedures. Once you are enrolled in the minimum number of units required, your tuition and registration fees will be deducted automatically from your financial aid at the time of disbursement.
Tuition and Registration Fee PaymentFinancial aid funds, including FDSLs, are disbursed each semester and are credited directly to cover tuition and registration fees and/or other outstanding obligations to the University (i.e. Short-term Loan, On-Campus Housing Payments). If your financial aid is not sufficient to cover your tuition and registration fees and/or other financial obligations, you will have to pay the balance owed before the first day of the semester. Payments received after the first day of the semester will be assessed a non-refundable administrative fee of $20. |
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View Current SF STATE Tuition and Registration Fees for California Residents Fees are subject to change Please contact or call the Bursar's Office at 415/338-1281. |
Fee Waivers/Subsidies:
If another agency (US or Foreign) such as: Veterans Administration, Dept. of Rehabilitation, Social Security Office, etc. or Scholarship organization will pay your tuition and registration fees or reimburse you for tuition and/or books, you must submit agency/donor verification to the Bursar's Office and the OSFA. If an unauthorized letter covering your tuition and registration fees is not on file in the Bursar's Office, submit a copy of the letter to ensure your eligibility to register through Gator Registration.The letter must include your name, student I.D. number, the total amount of the subsidy, and the name and addressof the contact person at the agency. The Bursar's Office will provide you with a fee deferment and the OSFA will make any necessary adjustments to your financial aid. You are ineligible to receive a State University Grant, a Cal Grant A or a portion of your Cal Grant B. These grants are specifically to pay your tuition registration fees. If one of these grants has already been disbursed to you, you will be required to repay to SF State the amount of grant you received.
Debts Owed to the Institution/University Obligation Hold
The Bursar's Office at San Francisco State University may place a financial aid hold on your Gator Registrationdue to outstanding financial aid obligations to the University. Should a student or former student fail to pay a debt owed to the institution, the institution may "withhold permission to register; to use facilities for which a tuition and registration fee is authorized to be charged; to receive services, materials, food, or merchandise, or any combination of the above from any person owing a debt until the debt is paid." (See Title 5, California Code of Regulations, Section 42380 and 42381).For example, the institution may withhold permission to receive official transcripts of grades from any person owing a debt. If a student believes that he or she does not owe all or part of an unpaid obligation, the student should contact the campus Bursar's Office. The Bursar's Office, or another office on campus which student may be referred to by the Bursar's Office, will review the pertiment information, including information that the student may wish to present, and will advise the student of its conclusions with respect to the debt.
Students will be responsible for any legal costs incurred in collecting any unpaid tuition/fees and other miscellaneous university fees. Any amount owed may be reported to the Franchise Tax Board to offset tax refunds and/or from any state lottery winnings. Call the Bursar's Office at 415-338-1281 regarding a financial obligation hold.
Students Right To Know - Higher Education Opportunity Act Disclosure
The Higher Education Opportunity Act required disclosures of the HEOA that was enacted on August 14, 2008 and reauthorizes the Higher Education Act of 1965. Included provisions that campus participating in Title IV programs publish the California State University Student Lending - Code of Conduct which describes prohibited practices related to loan programs.
Notice of Financial Aid Penalties for Drug Law Violations
Students convicted of possession or sale of drugs, a federal or state drug conviction can disqualify a student from receiving financial aid. Convictions only count if they were for an offense that occurred during a period of enrollment for which the student was receiving Title IV aid; they do not count if the offense was not during such a period. Also, a conviction that was reserved, set aside, or removed from the student's record does not count, nor does one received when they were a juvenile, unless they were tried as an adult.
The chart below illustrates the period of ineligibility for financial aid, depending on whether the conviction was for sale or possession and whether the student previous offenses. (A conviction for sale of drugs includes convictions for conspiring to sell drugs.)
| The chart below illustrates the Period of ineligibility for Financial Aid | ||
| Possession of illegal drugs | Sale of illegal drugs | |
| 1st offense | 1 year from date of conviction | 2 years from date of conviction |
| 2nd offense | 2 years from date of conviction | Indefinite period |
| 3+ offenses | Indefinite period |
If student was convicted of both possessing and selling illegal drugs, and the periods of ineligibility are different, the student will be ineligible for the longer period.
Withdrawing from all classes:
If, after registering through Gator Registration, you decide not to attend SF State for the semester, you must officially withdraw from all registered classes. You are responsible for the fees and/or tuition payments UNLESS you officially withdraw from the university prior to the 1st day of semester. Withdrawals after the 1st day of the semester will be subject to pro-rata calculation of tuition and registration fees and you are responsible for payments. See the Bursar's web site for more information. Consult with a financial aid counselor before you withdraw from the University. If you do not officially withdraw, you will still have to pay your tuition and registration fees and you will receive failing grades in all registered classes.
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Warning: see the financial aid refund and repayment policies for students who withdraw from classes.
Financial Aid Check Disbursement Requirements to Receive Your Financial Aid Funds
Note: that your financial aid will be canceled if you do not meet all of the disbursement conditions.
Tuition and Registration Fee Payment
Financial aid funds, including FDSLs, are disbursed each semester and are credited directly to cover tuition and registration fees and/or other outstanding obligations to the University (i.e. Short-term Loan, On-Campus Housing Payments). If your financial aid is not sufficient to cover your tuition and registration fees and/or other financial obligations, you will have to pay the balance owed at the Bursar's Office by the tuition and registration fee payment deadline (see the Class Schedule). Payments received after the deadline will be assessed a late payment fee.
Account Statement and Balance Check to Students
You will be emailed an "Account Statement" with descriptions of financial aid credits. If you have remaining financial aid funds for the semester, you will be disbursed the difference.
If you pay all of your university obligations, including tuition and registration fees, in advance by personal check or credit card, your full financial aid award will be disbursed directly to you.You can receive your disbursement balance by a check mailed to you or a direct deposit to your checking or savings account. You can sign up for direct deposit at this website:www.sfsu.edu/~bursar/finaid/fadisburse.html#directdep. If you do not have an account for Direct Deposit, All financial aid checks are mailed to the address on file with the Registrar's Office; checks are not picked up on-campus. It is important for you to keep your mailing address current.
Earliest Disbursement Dates for the current year for all types of financial aid The earliest financial aid disbursement dates apply to students who register through Gator Registration and meet all disbursement requirements. Financial aid disbursements happen once a week. It can take 3-5 days for the student to have a direct deposit to the student's account or 5-7 days to be receive the financial aid balance check by US Postal Services.
Refund and Repayment Policies
WARNING: Withdrawing from or
dropping all of your classes for the
semester will cause you to be placed in
immediate repayment for all or some of
the financial aid you receivedFinancial Aid recipients are obligated to remain enrolled and pass a certain number of units. SF State is mandated by the State of California and the Federal government to calculate a refund and a repayment when a student does one of the following:
A refund is the portion of financial aid funds used to pay the student's tuition and registration fees and/or on campus housing that must be returned by SF State to the Student Financial Aid Programs. The refund amount is calculated by the Bursar's office based on the student's withdrawal date. If the student received a FDSL, the refund amount will be applied to the loan to reduce the student's loan indebtedness. Otherwise, the refund will be applied to the other Student Financial Aid Programs from which the student received funds.
To ensure proper calculation of a refund, a student who intends to withdraw from all classes must file a "Withdrawal From The University Card" with the Registrar's Office and complete a "Withdrawal Record Form" with OSFA. See the current Class Schedule under Refunds for deadlines. Withdrawal from SF State after the fourth week of the semester will result in "W" grades. The Bursar's office will calculate a 25% refund to the Student Financial Aid Programs for withdrawals from the fifth week through the eighth week of the semester.
Consequences of Outstanding Repayment Obligation: SF State does not have the authority to waive or write off the repayment requirement, regardless of the reason for the withdrawal, including extenuating circumstances such as illness, accident or grievous personal loss.
A student who fails to return the unearned Federal Financial Aid funds will be referred to the U. S. Department of Education for collection and the University may withhold permission to register; to use facilities; or render services. Until the repayment is resolved, the student's record will be "flagged" every time a student files a Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
A student in repayment is ineligible for financial aid at any other institution in the nation and cannot receive other University services,including but not limited to re-enrollment at SF State, until the repayment obligation has been paid in full.
Maintaining Your Financial Aid Eligibility
SF State Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy and Requirements
Federal and State regulations governing student financial aid programs require the University to ensure that each financial aid recipient maintains Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) toward his or her degree objective. You can review the SAP policies and appeal process information on the above web site. Contact our office by phone
415-338-7000
phone hours 9:00 am -4:30 pm
Office Hours Monday, thru Friday 9:00 am-5:00 pm* (Office hours are subject to change during the FAFSA application review period)Directory Access / SF State on Internet / Additional SF State Numbers
SF State on the Internet
http://www.sfsu.eduOffice of Student Financial Aid
Student Services Building, One Stop Center
1600 Holloway Avenue
San Francisco, Ca 94132
http://financialaid.sfsu.eduFAFSA application on line
https://www.fafsa.ed.govCalifornia Student Aid Commission- WEB GRANT 4 Students
(888) 224-7268
https://www.csac.ca.gov
https://mygrantinfo.csac.ca.gov WEB GRANT 4 Students (Cal Grant A, B award)-
Accept your Financial Aid Award Offer online by the specified date.
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Provide all documents and complete all actions required (promissory notes, entrance counseling).
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Meet satisfactory academic progress requirements for financial aid.
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Resolve all financial aid holds. You can check our Student Center online to view what holds you have and how to resolve them; respond promptly to any OSFA correspondence about holds.
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Enroll in at least the minimum units required for the types of financial aid you have been awarded. Being on a waiting list for a class does not constitute enrollment.
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Stay enrolled. Students who drop units and are enrolled in less than the minimum requirement at the end of the ADD/DROP period will be put into repayment for a portion of their Federal Pell Grant.
- withdraws from all courses for the semester
- drops out from all courses for the semester
- takes an unapproved leave of absence
- fails to return from an approved leave of absence
- is expelled
- otherwise fails to complete the period of enrollment for which he/she received financial aid.
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