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Accepting Your Awards
and What to Do Next

The award notice is only one step in the process of receiving your financial aid. There are additional steps you need to take in order for your awards to disburse and credit your university fees (and for any refund to be issued):

  1. Step 1. Accept or Decline My Awards
  2. Step 2. Report Other Sources of Funding
  3. Step 3. Sign Up for eRefund
  4. Step 4. Direct Loan Entrance Counseling & Master Promissory Note
  5. Step 5. Recommended Reading

Step 1. Accept or Decline Your Awards

The financial aid awards that you have been offered can be viewed on MyCSULB. You may accept or decline any of the awards, and can decline or reduce offered loan amounts. Awards need to be accepted before they can be credited towards your university-related charges.

  1. Login to MyCSULB
  2. If it’s your first time logging in, you may need to set up your account. Select the “Activate Your Account” option and follow the directions.
  3. From the “Student Center” select “Accept/Decline Awards,” located under the Financial Aid heading in the “Finance” section.
  4. When the “Financial Aid: Select Aid Year to View” screen appears, select the aid year you wish to view.
  5. Select “Accept/Decline Awards”
  6. Review each award in your package. You can click on a specific award to view detailed information about the award.
  7. Accept/Decline awards. Place a checkmark in either the Accept or Decline column for each award.
  8. Students offered a Direct Stafford Loan can choose to accept a loan amount lower than the amount offered. Once a checkmark has been placed in the Stafford Loan Accept column, the amount field in the Accepted column will become available. Change the amount in the Accepted column if you wish to decrease the accepted loan amount (you can only decrease the loan amount – you cannot increase the amount above what has been offered). Once you’ve made your changes, click the “update totals” box.
  9. Once you’ve checked the accept/decline boxes, and updated any loan amounts, click the “Submit” button. Be sure to review the information for accuracy, as you won’t be able to make any changes online once you’ve clicked “submit.”
  10. A “Submit Confirmation” page will appear, confirming that your submit was successful. Click “OK”
  11. You’ll be returned to the main awards screen. Review the screen for any messages.

If you need additional assistance with accepting & declining your awards, refer to the Using Finances and Aid guide.

Step 2. Report Other Sources of Funding

If you will be receiving other sources of funding that are not included on your award summary, you must notify us in writing of the source and amount of each award (i.e., departmental or outside scholarships or a fee waiver). We will issue you a revised electronic notice if other awards need to be adjusted based on this new information.

Step 3. Sign Up for eRefund

Financial aid funds are first applied toward any outstanding University charges. Any excess amounts are then refunded through direct deposit into your checking/savings account through a process called “eRefund.” Enrollment in eRefund is completed online on MyCSULB.

To enroll in eRefund, you will need to have your account Routing Transit number and Account number, both of which can be located on your check or savings deposit slip).

  1. Login to MyCSULB
  2. From the Student Center, select “Enroll in eRefund” located under the Financial Aid heading in the “Finance” section
  3. Select “Yes, I want refunds deposited directly into my bank account;” click “continue”
  4. Enter the requested information and follow the on-screen prompts.
  5. Once completed & submitted, a screen will display showing your eRefund status as “enrolled.”

For more information on the eRefund process, refer to the “How-To Guide” for Requesting eRefund.

Step 4. Complete Direct Loan Entrance Counseling & Master Promissory Note

If you have been offered, and accepted, a Direct Stafford Loan, you will need to complete additional steps in order for your loan to disburse and credit your student account. These steps will only need to be completed the first time you borrow a Direct Stafford Loan at CSULB; you do not need to do them for subsequent years.

Online Entrance Counseling

Federal Regulations require that you complete student loan counseling prior to receiving a federal student loan for the first time at CSULB. The counseling will provide critical information about the student loan programs and delivery of funds. After completing the online session, we recommend printing out a copy of the student loan borrower’s Rights & Responsibilities Checklist.

Online Master Promissory Note (MPN)

You will need to provide the following when completing the MPN:

  • Federal PIN (this is the same one used to electronically sign the FAFSA)
  • Your full legal name as it appears on your social security card
  • Permanent mailing address
  • Driver’s License number and state (if applicable)
  • Phone number
  • Email address
  • Name, address, and phone number for two references. These should be people who have known you for at least one year – preferably relatives – who live at different addresses from one another.

Step 5. Recommended Reading

Things you should know now to maintain your eligibility.