Understanding Financial Aid Eligibility

Students who receive financial aid awards have rights to certain information, and responsibilities to fulfill as a student, in order to use and keep their aid.

You have the right to ask a school:

• What financial assistance is available, including information on all federal, state, and school financial aid programs

• What it costs to attend, and what the refund policies are if you drop out

• What the deadlines are for submitting applications for each financial aid program

• What criteria are used to select financial aid recipients

• How your financial need is determined, including how costs for tuition and fees, room and board, transportation, books and supplies, personal and miscellaneous expenses, etc. are considered in your budget

• What resources (such as parental contribution, other financial assistance, your assets, etc.) are considered in the calculation of your need

• How much of your financial need, as determined by the school, has been met

• To explain the various programs in your student aid package. If you believe you have been treated unfairly, you may request reconsideration of the award that was made to you.

• What portion of the financial aid you receive must be repaid, and what portion is grant aid. If the aid is a loan, you have the right to know what the interest rate is, the total amount that must be repaid, the repayment procedures, the length of time you have to repay the loan and when repayment is to begin

• How the school determines whether you are making satisfactory academic progress, and what happens if you are not making satisfactory progress.

It is your responsibility to:

• Review and consider all information about a school's program before you enroll

• Pay special attention to your application for student financial aid, complete it accurately and submit it on time to the right place. Errors may delay your aid and intentionally providing false information is a violation of federal law and is considered a criminal offense subject to penalties

• Respond promptly and return all documentation, verification, corrections and/or new information requested by the financial aid office or by the agency to which you submitted your application

• Read and understand all forms you were asked to sign and keep copies of them

• Accept responsibility for all agreements you sign

• Notify your lender of changes to your name, address or school status, if you have a loan

• Perform all agreed upon work in a satisfactory manner if accepting Federal Work Study

• Know and comply with deadlines when applying or reapplying for financial aid

• Know and comply with the University's refund procedures

• Maintain satisfactory academic progress according to the policies and standards of the University. Download the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy(pdf).
• A federal or state drug conviction can disqualify students from receiving Financial Aid. Please see the Notice of Financial Aid Penalties for Drug Law Violations for complete details.

1. I understand the aid as offered is to supplement my own resources for payment of my educational costs at California State University, East Bay. I agree to use the funds for my educational expenses as outlined in the student budget and that funds will be made available beginning the first day of each term, provided all necessary requirements have been completed. I understand that my award may be adjusted during the year by the Office of Financial Aid due to changes in institutional, State, or Federal funding or to other unknown factors, such as changes in student attrition or percentage of award acceptances.
2. I understand that the Admission’s office determines my residency status for tuition purposes. I will update the Office of Financial Aid if my aid status does not match my current residency classification or if my classification is revised at any time.
3. I understand that I must notify the Office of Financial Aid in writing if I withdraw from CSUEB during a term or do not register for a subsequent term. I also understand that if I withdraw I may be required to repay some of the aid that I have already received. I understand that my aid is based on a full-time course load (12 credits undergraduate, 9 credits graduate), unless I have made specific arrangements in writing with the Office of Financial Aid for a reduced course load.
4. I understand that I am expected to maintain satisfactory academic progress and to complete my degree requirements within a maximum timeframe in order to continue to receive aid. I understand that I am responsible for knowing the most recent standards of satisfactory academic progress policy as noted on the Financial Aid website or hard copy available at the Financial Aid office.
5. I understand that if my parents are interested in the Federal Direct Parent PLUS loan, one parent needs to submit the Parent PLUS loan application found at: studentloans.gov. The parent that completes the Parent Plus loan application must also complete and sign the Master Promissory Note (MPN) at: studentloans.gov, if a first time Parent Plus loan borrower.
6. I understand that if I am a first time borrower accepting the Federal Ford Direct student loan, I am required to complete an Entrance Counseling session at: studentloans.gov and sign a Master Promissory Note (MPN) at: studentloans.gov.
7. I understand that if Federal Work-Study is part of my aid, I must work to earn the amount of this award. I understand that the wage will be at least the State minimum wage and that I cannot work more than 20 hours in a week while school is in session. For more information visit the Federal Work Study webpage.
8. I understand that the scholarships listed on my award letter are part of my aid package information and I understand that I must accept my scholarship as offered separately by the donor.
9. I agree to report to the CSUEB Office of Financial Aid any additional assistance I may receive at any time throughout the school year. This includes, but is not limited to, all departmental scholarships, outside scholarships, stipends, fellowships, GRA or GTA positions, room and board allowances or subsidies, vocational rehabilitation, staff rates, tuition waivers, etc. I understand that additional assistance may result in a reduction of my award and/or require repayment of financial aid already received.