Financial Aid Guide

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

A) Grants

• 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

B) Scholarships

• Scholarships- AcademicWorks Database Search
• Middle Class Scholarship
• Sources for Other Scholarships

C) Fellowships and Stipends

• Graduate Equity Fellowship
• Stipends

D) Loans

• 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

E) Employment

• Federal Work-Study Program
• Student Assistant Program
• Employment Eligibility Verification (EEV)
• Job Postings

Register for Classes

• 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

• CSU -Student Lending Code of Conduct
• Penalties for Drug Law Violations

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

• Repayment Policy Due to Withdrawal or Dropping out

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

• Directory Access on Internet

Understanding Your Financial Aid Award Offer

Understanding Your Financial Aid Award Offer:

View and Accept your Financial Aid Award Offer on line

If you accept a Federal Direct Loan, you must complete all the action requirements (Master promissory note and Loan entrance counseling). Federal Work-Study Annual Award limit is $4,000 for all grade levels. 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. Federal Parent PLUS Loan -- 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. Federal Graduate PLUS Loan -- 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. Types of Financial Aid and Eligibility Requirements GRANTS Awards you do not have to repay unless you withdraw or are over-awarded Federal Pell Grant Gift aid for undergraduate and teacher credential students with exceptional need, with awards ranging from $606 to $5,920 per academic year. Enrollment requirement: full award = 12 units 3/4 award = 9 - 11 units half award = 6 - 8 units Less-than-half time 1-5 units for undergraduates only. Amount of award is prorated depending upon enrollment.   Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) Gift aid for undergraduate students with exceptional need, with awards ranging from $200 to $700 per academic year. Minimum Enrollment Requirement: 12 units.   State University Grant (SUG) Gift aid for undergraduate, credential and classified graduate California residents, paying resident tuition and Registration fees. Enrollment requirement: full award = 7 units or more, half award = 6 units for undergraduates, 4 - 6 units for graduates. Students with a fee subsidy/waiver are ineligible for this grant.   Maximum award per semester is $2,871 for undergraduates. Maximum award per semester is $3,588 for graduates.   California State University Policy on Limited Grant Eligibility   Educational Opportunity Program Grant (EOP) Gift aid for undergraduate students admitted to SF State through the EOP program, up to $1,000 per academic year. Enrollment requirement is full-time = 12 units.   Cal Grant Award Authorization If your Financial Aid Offer lists Cal Grant A or Cal Grant B, the OSFA must receive authorization from the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) before we can disburse your grant. For more information on how to apply for Cal grant.   Cal Grant A Gift aid for undergraduate California residents. Awards assist low-and middle-income students with tuition and registration fee cost. Awarded by the California Student Aid Commission, based on financial need and grade point average. Pays partial tuition and registration fees only. Students awarded a Cal Grant A cannot receive a State University Grant since both grant programs are applied to tuition and registration fees. Enrollment requirement: full award = 12 units, 3/4 award = 9-11 units, half award = 6-8 units.   Cal Grant B Gift aid for undergraduate California residents who are primarily from disadvantaged and low-income families. Awarded by the California Student Aid Commission, grant pays a subsistence stipend for the first year (estimated $1,551), and partial tuition and registration fees plus a stipend in subsequent years. Enrollment requirement: full award = 12 units, 3/4 award = 9-11 units, half award = 6-8 units.   CHAFEE Grant What is a California Chafee Grant? The California Chafee Grant is free money for current or former California foster youth to help pay for college or career and technical training. Chafee Grants don’t have to be paid back. You may also use your grant to pay for child care, rent and transportation while you’re in school. A Chafee Grant is a federal and state funded grant subject to yearly availability of funds. How do I qualify? To qualify, you must: • Be a current or former foster youth* • Not have reached your 22nd birthday as of July 1 of the award year *To qualify, foster youth dependency of the court must have been established between the ages of 16 and 18. KinGap youth who are or were eligible to receive Independent Living Program services, guardian placements and voluntary placements may not be eligible for the California Chafee Grant unless court dependency was established between the ages of 16 and 18. How do I apply? You must submit the California Chafee Grant Application, Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADA) and your school submits the Chafee Needs Analysis Report (NAR). • Submit the California Chafee Grant Application online at https://chafee.csac.ca.gov/ • Submit the FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov or CADA at www.caldreamact.org. • Have your school submit the Chafee Needs Analysis Report (NAR) electronically or download the PDF version at https://chafee.csac.ca.gov/. .   TEACH Grant The Federal TEACH Grant for students in a graduate teaching credential / master's program who plan to teach in high-need fields at low-income schools. <p class="class=" parahead"="">TEACH Grant Program provides grants of up to $4,000 per year to students who intend to teach in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves students from low-income families. Conditions In exchange for receiving a TEACH Grant, recipient must agree to serve as a full-time teacher in a high-need field in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves low-income students. Recipient of a TEACH Grant must teach for at least four academic years within eight calendar years of completing the credential / master's degree. IMPORTANT: If the recipient fails to complete this service obligation, all amounts of TEACH Grants received are converted to a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Student Loan. This loan must be repaid to the U.S. Department of Education. Interest is charged from the date the grant(s) was disbursed. Note: TEACH Grant recipients will be given a 6-month grace period prior to entering repayment if a TEACH Grant is converted to a Direct Unsubsidized Loan. Student Eligibility Requirements: To receive a TEACH Grant student must meet the following criteria:   Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), although does not have to demonstrate financial need. Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen. Be enrolled as a graduate student in the elementary, secondary, or special education teaching credential program. Be enrolled in course work that is necessary to begin a career in teaching or plan to complete such course work. Such course work may include subject area courses (e.g., math courses for a student who intends to be a math teacher). Meet certain academic achievement requirements (generally, scoring above the 75th percentile on a college admissions test or maintaining a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25). Sign a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve High-Need Field.   High-need fields are the specific areas identified below: Bilingual Education and English Language Acquisition. Foreign Language. Mathematics. Reading Specialist. Science. Special Education.   SCHOLARSHIPS / FELLOWSHIPS / STIPENDS Awards you do not have to repay unless you withdraw or are over-awarded Scholarships   Gift aid, based on financial need and/or merit. Scholarship funds come from University funds or outside donors. A scholarship becomes part of a financial aid package and may reduce a student's eligibility for student loans and/or Work-Study. Minimum enrollment requirements vary but are generally at least half-time (6 units for undergraduates and 4 units for graduates). Our office encourage students to research the availability of all scholarships. Scholarship books are available online, at the OSFA and in the reference section of the SF State library. The OSFA AcademicWorks Scholarship Database also has links to free scholarship services. Middle Class Scholarship - provides a scholarship to undergraduate students with a family annual income of up to $150,000. - The student must be enrolled at a California State University or University of California - and be a CA resident or eiligible AB 540 student. - The student must file a FAFSA or California Dream Application by the March 2 deadline. For more complete information on the program and eligibility requirements- visit https://www.csac.ca.gov/middle-class-scholarship Graduate Equity Fellowship   Scholarship aid for classifiedgraduate students who are California residents and who are underrepresented in their graduate program. Disabled students are encouraged to apply as well as women pursuing a master's degree in Business or the Sciences. Eligibility for this fellowship is based onfinancial need and academic achievement, professional or community service and achievements.   Stipends Funds awarded to students by academic departments.Stipends, unless treated as employment, become a resource for calculations of financial aideligibility. The fellowship, or stipend cannot exceed the cost of attendance at SF State. This includes the Gaann and Javit's Fellowships. ***Back to Top Page*** WORK-STUDY Award that you must earn Federal Work-Study Program A work-study award provides an opportunity for a part-time job allowing you to earn up to the amount indicated on the Financial Aid Offer. A work-study award is an amount you can earn, not an amount you are guaranteed to receive. You may increase your accepted amount of Work Study, up to a maximum of $4,000, bydeclining all or a portion of the Subsidized Federal Direct Student Loan awarded to you. An Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan cannot be converted into a Work-Study award. If you have not been awarded Work Study but wish to be considered for Work-Study award, please speak with a financial aid counselor. You must be enrolled at least half-time at SF State to be employed in a Work-Study position (undergraduates=6 units; graduates=4 units). For more information regarding Work-Study Employment. See the Employment section for detailed information about Work-Study and Student Assistant Employment. LOANS FEDERAL LOANSAwards that must be repaid Federal Direct Student Loan Federal Direct Student Loan has two components: Subsidized and Unsubsidized. What is a Direct Federal Loan? Direct loans are funded by the federal government. The federal government raises the loan funds through its regular Treasury bill auctions. Direct Loans are loans made with federal capital and owned by the federal government. Loan repayments are made to the government branch called the Department of Education. Repayment of Direct Loan funds begins six months after the student graduates or ceases enrollment at least half-time. There are two types of Direct Loans offered at our university: Subsidized Direct Loans - are loans that the government will not charge you interest on prior to repayment. The federal government pays the interest while the student remains enrolled in school at least half-time, during the 6-month grace period (except for loans disbursed between July 1, 2012 and July 1, 2014) and during all eligible periods of deferment. The fixed interest rate for Undergraduate Direct Subsidized loan will usually change every July 1, of the current year. Unsubsidized Direct Loans - are loans that you are charged interest on from the day the loan funds are disbursed until you repay the loan in full. The principal loan balance payments are deferred, if you are enrolled in a college or university at least a half-time. However, you must pay interest on the Unsubsidized loan while you are in school and during any grace or in-school deferment periods. You may choose to have the interest deferred. This will result in the deferred interest being added to the principle loan amount borrowed at the time your repayment begins. This is called capitalization. Having the interest capitalized will mean a higher loan amount owed than originally borrowed. The fixed interest rate for Undergraduate Unsubsidized loan will usually change every July 1, of the current year. Summary: Direct Subsidized Loan - interest is paid by the government while you are in school. Direct Unsubsidized Loan - YOU pay the monthly interest while you are in school. More information to apply for Federal Direct Loan   Federal Grad PLUS Loan A federal graduate PLUS loan is available to students pursuing a master's degree. The Grad PLUS loan can be used to help with the additional college costs toward a student's master's degree. More information on how to apply for this loan can be found at:financialaid.sfsu.edu/newgradplus.html Federal Parent Loans(PLUS) A parent PLUS Loan is available so parents may borrow to help meet college costs for their son or daughter. PLUS Loans are only for parents of a dependent undergraduate student. More information on how to apply can be reviewed at financialaid.sfsu.edu/newplus.html Who is and is not Eligible for Financial Aid- CLASS LEVEL-UNCLASSIFIED GRADUATE Not eligible for financial aid including student loans Unclassified Graduate students Not eligible for any type of financial aid including student loans. You must be accepted into a MA or MS program to receive any financial aid.   CLASS LEVEL- 2ND BA, COLLEGE OF EXTENDED LEARNING (CEL), TEACHING CREDENTIAL Financial Aid Award limits Second Baccalaureate If eligible you may be considered for Federal Work-Study and/or student loans. College of Extended Learning Students who have not earned a Baccalaureate degree and are enrolled in a certificate program may be considered for the Federal Pell Grant and Federal Student Direct Loan only. Teaching Credential Eligible students enrolled in a post-baccalaureate teacher credential program not leading to a graduate degree may be considered for a Federal Pell Grant in addition to the State University Grant, and/or student loans. *** Go Back to Top Page*** Employment 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 Program Work-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). A Work-Study award on your award offer is NOT a cashaward - after you find employment and begin working you will receive a Work-Study paycheck. 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. Student Assistant Program 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. ***Back to Top*** Job Postings Available 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. Gator Registration Deferment of Tuition and Registration Fees Students who have been awarded financial aid by the SF State Office of Student Financial Aid will automatically receive a fee deferment so that they can take advantage of registration through Gator Registration. 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. If you are found to be ineligible for Financial Aid after you have enrolled in classes, you must pay your fees by the published fee payment deadline. If the fee payment deadline has passed, your fees are to be paid before the first day of the semester to avoid a being assessed a non-refundable administration fee of $20. If your Financial Aid is not sufficient to pay your tuition and registration fees in full, you will be responsible for paying the balance 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. If your financial aid does not disburse by the fourth week of the semester for any reason, a $20 non-refundable administrative fee will be assessed. If after registering through Gator Registration, you decide not to attend SF State for the semester, you must officially withdraw from all registered classes before the first day of the semester through Gator Registration or in person to get 100% refund less a non-refundable administrative of $20 (See Refund Guideline under the Title IV Return of Federal Financial Aid Fund Due to Withdrawal). You are responsible for the tuition and registration 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 a pro-rata calculation of tuition and registration fees and you are responsible for payment. 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. Warning: see the financial aid refund and repayment policies for students who withdraw from classes. 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 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.

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.

***Return To Top***

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.

• 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.

   

  ***Back Top***

  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 received

  Financial 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.

  Please click here for further explanation of the Return of Federal Financial Aid Funds Due to Withdraw Policy.

  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.edu

  Office of Student Financial Aid
  Student Services Building, One Stop Center
  1600 Holloway Avenue
  San Francisco, Ca 94132
  http://financialaid.sfsu.edu

  FAFSA application on line
  https://www.fafsa.ed.gov

  California 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.

  • Provide all documents and complete all actions required (promissory notes, entrance counseling).

  • Meet satisfactory academic progress requirements for financial aid.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

 

For PDF files, you'll need Adobe Acrobat 5.0 or above to view it. If you need Adobe Acrobat Reader it's available free from Adobe.