What should a student do if he or she, and the family, cannot afford to pay for college costs?
The first step is to apply for financial aid by filing the Free Application for Federal Aid (FAFSA) on a timely basis. Undergraduates who are California residents should also apply for a Cal Grant by filing the FAFSA by March 2 and ensuring that the California Student Aid Commission receives a verified GPA by March 2 to determine Cal Grant eligibility. If a student wants to attend college, meets CSU admission requirements, and demonstrates a financial need, CSU financial aid professionals will make every effort to assist in providing information about financial aid programs that help make college affordable. Expenses can be reduced by attending a local college and living at home or by attending a community college for two years prior to transferring to a four-year institution. Students can also work part-time to supplement resources available to meet college costs.
