Credential Aid Programs Overview
The Financial Aid Office at CSULB is your main resource for questions related to paying for your education. We oversee the awarding and distribution of loans, grants, work-study funds, and coordination with other aid – such as scholarships.
Students in the Credential Program are considered 5th year undergraduate students, not graduate, for Financial Aid purposes. The types of financial aid available to students pursuing a teaching credential are very specific and different from undergraduate or graduate aid types.
If you already possess an initial Teacher Credential, you will only be eligible for federal loan funds or for private education loans.
Scholarships are available to FAFSA and DREAM Applicants.
Scholarships are considered gift-aid; they don't need to be repaid! There are thousands of them, offered by schools, employers, individuals, private companies, nonprofits, communities, religious groups, and professional and social organizations.
A scholarship might cover the entire cost of your tuition, or it might be a one-time award of a few hundred dollars; scholarships are worth applying for as they can help you cover your educational costs. Our Scholarships page is your resource for information on a variety of CSULB and outside scholarship opportunities.
Teacher Credential students, who filed a FAFSA, might be eligible for federal grants.
Pell Grant
Pell Grant is available only for your initial credential. These grants are awarded to eligible credential students, who have not yet exhausted their Pell Grant Lifetime Eligibility. The amount of your Pell grant varies based on financial need, as determined by your FAFSA. Pell Grant lifetime eligibility is limited to 12 semesters or the equivalent.
Teacher Education Educational Opportunity Grants (TEACH)
The TEACH Grant Program provides grants of up to $4,000 a year to students who intend to teach full time in a high-need field at a public or private elementary or secondary school that the U.S. Department of Education has designated as having a high concentration of students from low-income families. The Grant is available for selected credential programs, and requires you to agree to fulfill certain teaching obligations – or risk having the grant will converted to an unsubsidized loan.
Eligibility for the TEACH Grant will be determined by CSULB, using guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Education. Check with the College of Education on whether your credential program meets the criteria for the TEACH Grant.
CSULB Grants are available to FAFSA or DREAM Applicants.
State University Grant (SUG)
SUG awards pay the State Tuition Fee and are offered based on full-time enrollment. If you will be receiving another award designated to pay your tuition fee (scholarship; tuition/fee waivers; vocational rehabilitation; etc.), you may not eligible to receive a SUG. The State University Grant is available only for your initial credential.
In order to be considered for a State University Grant, you must have submitted your financial aid application by the priority deadline of March 2nd; be classified as a California resident, for tuition purposes; and have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $6,000 or less.
Direct Student loans are available to all FAFSA filers and are offered as part of your financial aid package.Your FAFSA will determine if you are eligible for subsidized or unsubsidized federal loans.
Dependent Credential students may borrow up to $5,500 per year; Independent Credential students may borrow up to $12,500 per year. You may borrow Direct Loans up to your lifetime aggregate limit.
All other students, including those who may qualify for only a partially subsidized loan, may apply for the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan. This has the same terms and conditions except that the student borrower is responsible for the interest that accrues while in school. For current interest rate and origination fee information please visit the Federal Student Aid Website.
The parents of Dependent Credential Students might be able to cover their student’s remaining education costs through a PLUS Loan. PLUS Loans are federal loans in which the parent of a dependent student is the applicant and borrower. Your parent may borrow an amount up to the cost of attendance minus any other aid you are receiving. Any amount borrowed in excess of University charges through the Parent PLUS Loancan be issued as a refund to the parent or student based on selection on the application.
To qualify for the Direct PLUS loan, your parent must meet some general eligibility requirements and will need to pass a credit check. If your parent has an adverse credit history, the Federal Student Aid website for parent borrowers with adverse credit history provides guidance.
To Apply
Parent PLUS Loans are not included in your initial Financial Aid offer. The loan is not added to the award package until the request has been processed and CSULB receives notification that your parent has been approved. To apply, please visit Student Loans.gov; step-by-step instructions are provided in the Parent PLUS Instruction (PDF).
All staff members of the Financial Aid Office at California State University, Long Beach adhere to The California State University Student Lending – Code of Conduct (pdf), which restricts activity that may lead to conflicts of interest in the area of student lending
Federal Work-Study (FWS) is a federally funded program that provides employment opportunities to students who filed a FAFSA and have the highest financial need. The amount a student may earn will be listed on the student's award summary. The maximum FWS award is currently $3,500 per academic year. A FWS award does not guarantee placement in an actual position.
Work experience is not required to secure a FWS position. The money earned is yours to use for out-of-pocket expenses, such as travel, books, and personal care items. CSULB students typically work 10-12 hours per week. Work-study funds do not reduce your bill with the college.
