Financing your Education

Graduate school fees are set by the CSU Board of Trustees each academic year. The current fee structure may be found on the Enrollment Services website. The approximate cost as of Fall 2025 is $21,266 for the entire program for California residents (4 semesters at "7 units or more" + 1 summer class).

There are many options available for financing your graduate education.

 

CSULB fees are based on students enrolled in either 6 units or less, or enrolling in 7 units or more. Current tuition and fees may be found at the Enrollment Services website. Please reference your program’s website for information about the number of units you will take each term.

The Financial Aid and Scholarships Office serves all students and help meet their educational goals. They work with students and their families to meet the full demonstrated financial need for students who satisfy all deadlines and eligibility requirements.

Phone: 562.985.8403
Hours: 9:00AM-5:00PM
Location: Brotman Hall 123

The Financial Aid and Scholarship Office is the official hub for scholarship information at CSULB. They collect, organize, and distribute information on hundreds of external scholarships as well as administer university scholarships for the campus. Please visit the Scholarships Office website for information on a range of grant and scholarship opportunities.

The College of Education provides scholarships based on academic merit, financial need, personal statement, and faculty recommendations. Students must have been accepted into a major in the College of Education with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, and be enrolled for at least 6 units of coursework in the year they receive the scholarship. Applications are typically available in November and are due in early March for the following academic year. Check the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office website for specific details. 

FACTSS Training Project

Overview: What is FACTSS? Project FACTSS will prepare 15 school counselors and 13 special education teachers to implement culturally congruent, evidence-based career/transition interventions for youth with significant support needs in a variety of settings through participation in two years of intense research-based coursework, school-based fieldwork and conference participation. Scholars will develop and implement quality transition programs and support evidence-based career/transition practices such as inclusion by facilitating access to Linked Learning Pathways for students with disabilities.

Who can apply? Special education and school counseling students may apply, once admitted to the graduate program, students will commit to 1.5 to 2 years of training on the project. Priority will be given to MS special education scholars who are already teaching 6th through 12th grades in districts close to CSULB. Project participants will be selected by Drs. Achola and Olsen.

How much is the training scholarship? Scholars will receive an average of $13,550 per year as part of the training scholarship. 

The Golden State Teacher Grant (GSTG) Program awards up to $20,000 to students currently enrolled in a professional preparation program approved by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) and working towards earning their preliminary teaching or pupil personnel services credential. 

Visit the GSTG website for complete information about this grant opportunity. 

Students in eligible programs receive an email invitation from the Graduate Studies Office in the Summer inviting them to apply.

The CSULB Graduate Center provides a list of funding for research and pre-doctoral study.

The CSULB Graduate Center provides a list of funding for graduate student travel. Typically, students must be presenting their research in order to receive funding.

 

Below are links to resources and information for students who do not hold California Residency about non-resident tuition. 

  • California Non-Resident Tuition Exemption (AB-540) The California Nonresident Tuition Exemption, known as AB 540, exempts some students from paying nonresident tuition and/or permits them to apply for and receive state aid at certain public and private institutions in California. Please visit the Dream Success Center's Understanding AB-540 website for more information on AB-540 and how to apply for this exemption. 
  • Non-Resident Tuition and Fees Visit the CSULB Tuition and Fees website and select the "Non-Resident Tuition" dropdown box to review the additional non-resident tuition fees. 
  • CSULB Residency for Tuition Purposes Visit the CSULB Residency for Tuition Purposes website for information on how residency is determined and steps to establish and declare residency in California.