Financial Aid Information for Future Students

At Cal State East Bay, we are proud to support our future students with our extensive financial aid programs. Over 72% of students at CSUEB receive some form of financial aid. We understand that as an incoming student, affordability is one of the most important aspects of your enrollment consideration. That’s why we are here to help you explore your financial aid options and provide you with additional information on how to fund your education.

Cost of Attendance

At Cal State East Bay, our low tuition rates put your degree within reach. The estimated tuition and fees for in-state undergraduate and graduate students are $7,583 and $9,107 per year, respectively. For out-of-state students, tuition is paid on a per-unit basis of $420/unit. Details about tuition costs can be found on the Student Financial Services site. Other expenses such as books, food, and housing should be also taken into account aside from the mandatory tuition and fees. View the detailed cost of attendance.

Our goal is to make CSUEB as affordable as possible for you. With financial aid and scholarships, the cost of attending Cal State East Bay can be significantly lower. You can use our Net Price Calculator to estimate the financial aid awards you might receive. Please note that the calculator is a tool for estimation, not an actual offer.

Financial Aid Requirements

Various types of financial aid are available for future students including scholarships, loans, grants, and work study. Depending on your citizenship status, you are required to complete different financial aid applications before being considered for financial aid awards. If you are a US citizen or an eligible non-citizen, such as a permanent resident or refugee, you need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply for federal aid. If you are neither a US citizen or an eligible non-citizen, you may have the option to apply for the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) and available scholarships on our Pioneer Scholarship Portal.

Financial Aid Deadlines

We encourage our students to apply for financial aid as early as possible, as many awards are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Future students set to begin courses in the 2025/2026 academic year should start their application now or by the official launch on/by December 1, 2024, complete the Pioneer Scholarship application by March 3, 2025, and submit the FAFSA or Dream Application by March 3, 2025. You can expect to receive an Award Offer by end of April, 2025.*

After receiving your Award Offer, don’t forget to confirm your admission acceptance by June 1. The financial aid for the Fall 2024 term should be disbursed to your student account in August 2025, shortly before the start of the semester. Click here to view the CSUEB Important Dates calendar.

 * Note the official 2025/2026 Award Offer timeline will be updated as we get closer to April, 2025.

FAFSA/Dream Application Priority Deadline: March 3, 2025

Pioneer Scholarship Application: March 3, 2025 (log in to view listing of scholarships with different application deadlines)

Confirmation of Admission Acceptance: June 1, 2025. For questions about your status, please reach out to the Office of Admissions.

How to Apply for Financial Aid

Essentially, as a new student, you need to provide information about you or your family’s finances before the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships can evaluate your qualifications and determine your Award Offer. To assist new students in completing their financial aid applications, we provide useful guidelines illustrating important steps in the application process. Please review the Important Announcements page for webinars and workshops hosted by the CSUEB Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships.

Learn more about applying for financial aid.

Contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships

Do you have more questions about applying for financial aid as a new student? We understand that it could be a daunting task to navigate through the financial aid process. That’s why our knowledgeable counselors are here to work with you and help you understand your financial aid options. If you need more information or assistance, please contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships at (510) 885-2784 or finaid@csueastbay.edu.