Announcements
Important Information About 2024-25 Financial Aid and Dream Act!
The FAFSA Simplification Act will introduce significant changes to the processing and the systems used to award federal student aid. This is the biggest change to the FAFSA in history and will be fully implemented in the 2024-25 application cycle.
Due to these changes, financial aid applications will not be available until late December/ Early January (NOT October, like previous years). Watch out for webinars and informational materials from the Financial Aid Office/Cal Coast Student Financial Center. Additionally, more information can be found on studentaid.gov.
California Dream Act
File Your 2023-24 DreamAct Application
File your California Dream Act Application for the 2023-24 academic year NOW! Certain types of aid are limited, so it's to your advantage to apply early. Financial aid awarding for the 2023-24 academic year will be available via my.SDSU by early April (for newly admitted students) and mid June (for continuing students). Prior to that check your my.SDSU "Tasks" tile for requested documents.
Welcome to SDSU's Cal Coast Student Financial Center:
Open Monday – Friday 9 am - 4 pm (PST)
We will be closed on the holidays listed on the SDSU Academic Calendar.
The Cal Coast Student Financial Center physical lobby (Student Services West 3615) is open 9am -3:30pm. The physical lobby has several private meeting rooms for students to connect to the virtual center. The Cal Coast Student Financial Center is accessible through the zoom link on days the campus is open.
We can help with questions related to financial aid, scholarships, and student accounts. Check out our video now!
- Students: please have your Red ID or Empl ID ready.
- Parents: make sure your student is with you or has authorized you to speak with us. FERPA regulations prevent us from speaking with you about personal financial aid information unless your student is with you, or has released authorization to you. Release of authorization is done via my.SDSU in the "Profile" tile.
If you prefer to connect to the Virtual Help Desk via phone, please dial: +1 (669) 900-6833. When prompted, enter the following meeting ID: 872 9357 5613
2024-25 Aid: Understanding FAFSA Simplification
Significant changes are coming to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application for the upcoming 2024-2025 aid year!
As more information is available, the Cal Coast Student Financial Center will continue to update our webpages, in an effort to educate SDSU students, families and campus partners.
The FAFSA Simplification Act represents a significant overhaul of the processes and systems used to award federal student aid starting with the 2024–25 award year. This includes the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form, need analysis, and many policies and procedures for schools that participate in federal student aid programs.
These changes are aimed at making it easier for students and their families to apply for financial aid with a more streamlined application process.
The process for the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) will include some of the changes from the new FAFSA, both of which will be implemented for the 2024–2025 award year. All students must complete either the FAFSA or CADAA to be considered for financial aid.
2023-24 Financial Aid Awarding, Student Financials and my.SDSU
Newly admitted SDSU students who filed the 2023-24 FAFSA and do not have pending items on their To-Do list can view their aid eligibility via my.SDSU in early April.
Continuing SDSU students who filed the 2023-24 FAFSA and do not have pending items on their To-Do list can view their aid eligibility via my.SDSU in mid June- after spring grades are finalized.
my.SDSU is a singular portal that streamlines the enrollment, registration, financial aid and student accounts processes. Via my.SDSU students are able to view Financial Aid tasks (To-Do Lists), if applicable, and take action for the Fall 2023 - Spring 2024 aid year.
Parents: Due to SDSU's implementation of my.SDSU, the CSU-standard system, parent access will be impacted. The system as implemented does not support parent access to student information, but in the future providing this functionality will be a priority. Read more in the Parents & Families Support page.
Students are also able to sign up for Direct Deposit via the my.SDSU Student Financials tile. Students who were previously signed up for Direct Deposit
through Cashnet will need to reestablish Direct Deposit in my.SDSU.
SDSU is a post-pay campus. This means that students pay tuition & fees in my.SDSU after they enroll in courses.
Processing of financial aid disbursements always starts one week prior to the start of the fall and spring semesters.
Please pay attention to emails and announcements from the Cal Coast Student Financial Center to stay informed about how to use my.SDSU to pay student charges.
Financial Education and Wellness Services:
Cal Coast Credit Union has partnered with SDSU to provide trusted financial education and resources to enhance students’ understanding of personal finance and how to successfully manage their finances while in college and throughout their lives. Cal Coast has been a long-time partner to SDSU and has served the community since 1929 when it was started by local educators to help improve the financial well-being of others.
Services
Cal Coast financial representatives as well as SDSU peer counselors are available for one-on-one Financial Education Sessions to meet with students and staff to answer any questions related to personal finances.
In-person workshops and webinars are available on an ongoing basis to students and staff on topics including budgeting, credit, student loans, saving & investing, and more.
To request a workshop for a specific group, please fill out a Financial Workshop Request.
Recorded webinars are free and available to students via our YouTube Channel - CalCoastCU - www.youtube.com/calcoastcu
Students and staff have access to iGrad, your source for no-cost financial wellness and education. iGrad features dynamic and interactive financial tools, courses, and resources to deliver a highly personalized experience designed just for you. https://sdsu.igrad.com.
About Us
The Financial Aid office provides information and counseling so that you can make informed choices as you and your family plan for meeting the costs associated with attending San Diego State University. We also provide outreach and access services in collaboration with other university departments and the community.
No appointment is needed to speak with a counselor. Contact a financial aid and scholarship counselor.
Visit the Cal Coast Student Financial Center webpage for more webinar dates, times & Zoom IDs.
Click the button below to view videos of past sessions offered.
Videos and Tutorials
Find videos and tutorials to help you complete your applications and receive aid!
Aztec Scholarships
The general application in Aztec Scholarships (SDSU's online scholarship application portal) is open from April 10, 2023 through August 25, 2023, for awards in the 2023-24 academic year. We offer an early action deadline of April 28, 2023, for current students and incoming students who have submitted their intent to enroll.
What is the difference between loans, work study, grants and scholarships?
A loan must be repaid to the lender, plus interest. Income from a work study job is earned by students hired to work, and it is taxable. Grants and scholarships do not have to be repaid.
Economic Crisis Response Team
Visit the ECRT website to request assistance if you or a student you know has an immediate, temporary food or housing need.
- my.SDSU is a secure online account that gives you 24-7 access to your financial aid and scholarship records and applications from the Fall 2022 term moving forward. Please note that AidLink has been retired and is no longer available to students.
- FAFSA Overview: Free Application for Federal Student Aid. All SDSU students should complete the FAFSA to be considered for all types of state and federal aid including grants, work study, student and parent loans, and some scholarships.
- Financial Aid: Learn about types of aid, your eligibility, how to apply, how to get your funds, and how to estimate your cost of attendance at SDSU.
- Scholarships: Learn about scholarships available through SDSU and about non-SDSU scholarships: how to apply, eligibility, essay writing tips, and more.
- Satisfactory Academic Progress: Learn about your responsibility to maintain satisfactory academic progress, and how your grades, units, and enrollment affect the financial aid you receive.
- Disbursement, Receiving Your Aid: Disbursement means the payment of money. Find out about how and when your financial aid and/or scholarship money is paid to you.