Frequently Asked Questions

For information regarding the cost of attending CSULB, visit the Office of Enrollment Services.

Your donor can verify your enrollment by contacting the Office of Enrollment Services the week before the semester begins. If your donor needs a worksheet to be filled out, they may contact a Financial Aid Counselor in the Office of Financial Aid at (562) 985-8403.

Students who receive scholarships from their high school or community groups should have their funds sent directly to Student Financial Services , 1250 Bellflower Boulevard, Long Beach, CA 90840. CSULB will then disburse the funds directly to the student based on the donor's instructions. All outstanding university charges must be settled before the funds can be disbursed.

There are many scholarship search services available. As a rule, we do not recommend paying a fee for any of them. The following are signs that indicate potential problems with using a scholarship search service:

• You are offered a money-back guarantee.
• You are told that you cannot get the information anywhere else.
• You are asked for your credit card or bank account number to hold the scholarship.
• You are told the service providers will do all the work.
• You are told the scholarship will cost some money.
• You are told you have been selected by a “National Foundation” to receive a scholarship, or you are a finalist in a contest you never entered.

Total financial aid awards received through scholarships, grants, work-study and/or loans may not exceed the cost of attending California State University, Long Beach for one year. Receiving a scholarship may cause a reduction in other financial aid and, where possible, loans will be reduced. However, it is sometimes necessary to reduce work-study, grants, and/or scholarships. This policy is in accordance with federal regulations and institutional policy. If your financial aid must be reduced due to receipt of a scholarship, you will receive notification from the Office of Financial Aid.

Yes! If you do not report scholarships you receive to the Office of Financial Aid, you may have to repay federal and state aid in the future. Have funds sent directly to Student Financial Services, 1250 Bellflower Boulevard, Long Beach, CA 90840. CSULB will then disburse the funds directly to the student based on the donor's instructions. All outstanding university charges must be settled before the funds can be disbursed.

Scholarship information is available from many different sources, but these locations will get you started:

• Scholarship Search, Center for Scholarship Information
• Career Development Center
• Academic departments
• College offices
• Internet
• Public and school libraries
• Community businesses, foundations and other organizations

Each scholarship listed on the Center for Scholarship Information Web pages should tell you where you can get a scholarship application. If you are having trouble finding a scholarship application, please contact the Center for Scholarship Information at (562) 985-2549 or scholarships@csulb.edu.

Yes there are! All scholarships have deadlines and those deadlines vary. Be sure you start early. Remember to allow yourself time to complete essays, resumés, and other materials that may have to accompany your application. Also, check whether the deadline is "postmarked by" or "received by," as this will affect the timing of your application.

Scholarships are available for nearly anyone who is willing to put in the time to research the available sources and to complete the application process. No student is guaranteed a scholarship, but students are encouraged to apply for as many scholarships as possible.

There is a wide range of criteria for scholarships. Many are based on academic merit. Remember that while grades are often important, donors also focus on things like:

• Leadership
• Athletic ability
• Talent in the fine arts
• Abilities in math or foreign languages
• Nontraditional students
• Veterans
• Financial need

Here are a few things to keep in mind in the search for scholarships:

• Work to achieve and maintain at least a 3.0 GPA (Learning Assistance Center)
• Become involved (Student Organizations and/or Community Service Opportunities)
• Become a leader (Leadership Resource Center)
• Discover and nurture your talents (Career Development Center career counseling)

Not really. Sometimes there are limits associated with state and federal financial aid, athletic, ROTC, or tuition only scholarships, but other than that, apply for as many as you can!

Scholarships are available for undergraduate and graduate students and some are renewable for multiple years. Some scholarships require that you reapply each year, so be sure to keep a record of your awards and reapply if needed. And keep those deadlines in mind!

Absolutely! Many recipients of scholarship assistance also receive federal and state aid. Scholarship funding may reduce the amount of aid you will receive from these sources, but typically will reduce loan and work assistance before grants are changed.

A student who receives a loan must repay this money to the government, bank or organization who loaned the money. A student who receives a grant, scholarship, and/or work study is not required to repay this money.

Unfortunately, no. Scholarships with spring deadlines will be disbursed the following fall semester and you must be enrolled at CSULB in order to receive the scholarship disbursement.