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Understanding Your Financial Aid Offer and what to do next...

Now that you have been awarded financial aid, this page will guide you through the next steps.

  • If you received an email notification or have access to MyCSULB, keep reading this page.

  • If you received a paper award notice and do not have MyCSULB access; read next steps for a paper award notice.

  • If you have not received an award notice, you can check your status on MyCSULB or call our automated system at (562) 985-2500. There are a variety of reasons why you may not have received a notice.

The award notice is only one step in receiving your financial aid. You now need to understand and respond to it.

Step 1. View your award summary

To see your financial aid award summary you must sign in to MyCSULB; click on the "Finances and Aid" hyperlink located in the "My Menu" section and then select the "View My Financial Aid" link. When viewing your awards make sure the semester(s) for which you have been awarded correspond to your enrollment plans. If not, then read more information on one semester awards.

If you need additional assistance check out the Using Finances and Aid guide.

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Step 2. Understand your awards

You should review the terms and eligibility requirements (enrollment, etc.) for each award you have been offered. Read Types of Aid for more information.

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Step 3. Accept or decline your awards

Once you are familiar with your award(s) you are now ready to accept or decline your awards in MyCSULB, by clicking on the "Finances and Aid" hyperlink located in the "My Menu" section and then select the "Accept/Decline Financial Aid" link.

If you need additional assistance check out the Using Finances and Aid guide.

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Step 4. Report other sources of funding

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

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Step 5. Select your Stafford lender

If you have been offered and have accepted a Stafford Loan as part of your financial Aid award in Step 3, then click on the "Finances and Aid" hyperlink located in the "My Menu" section and then select "Select My Lender" to choose your lender in MyCSULB. If you need additional assistance check out the Using Finances and Aid guide.

  • If you are borrowing for the first time at CSULB, we recommend you read more about our preferred lender list prior to selecting a lender and you must also complete a loan entrance workshop, which informs you of your rights and responsibilities as a Stafford loan borrower.

  • If you are a continuing borrower at CSULB, your loan will be processed using your previous lender. We recommend you stay with the same lender. To select a new lender, use the "Select My Loan Lender" link. To remain with the same lender you do not have to do anything.

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Step 6. Sign up for eRefund

Financial aid is applied to University charges first. Any excess amounts can be refunded to the student by electronic funds transfer (eRefund) to their bank account. Save time with no more trips to the bank or waiting for your check in the mail.

To sign up for this convenient and secure service; go to MyCSULB, click on "Finances and Aid" and then the "Request eRefund Direct Deposit" link. If you need additional assistance check out the Sign up for eRefund guide.

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Step 7. Recommended reading

Things you should know now to maintain your eligibility.