Graduate Aid Programs Overview

The Financial Aid and Scholarships 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 scholarships.

The types of financial aid available to students pursuing a graduate degree are very specific and differ from undergraduate or credential aid.

Students who are working on a second master’s or second doctoral degree are only eligible for federal loan funds or for private education loans. They are not eligible for any grant aid.

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. Either way, scholarships are worth applying for as they can help you cover your educational costs, and reduce your dependence on loans.

Our Scholarships page is your resource for information on a variety of CSULB and outside scholarship opportunities.

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 select graduate programs at CSULB, and requires the recipient to agree to fulfill certain teaching obligations or risk having the grant will converted to an unsubsidized loan.

In order to be considered for the TEACH Grant, you must have filed a FAFSA, been fully admitted to your credential program, and be working on your initial graduate degree.

State University Grant (SUG)

SUG awards are available only to California residents working on their initial graduate degrees who filed their FAFSA or Dream application. Eligibility is determined by the FAFSA or DREAM application, including meeting the priority riling deadline (see Key Dates and Deadlines).

The State University Grant (SUG) is a state grant awarded by CSU Long Beach to California residents who have an eligible Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Since funds are limited, you must have submitted your financial aid application by the March 2 priority deadline in order to be considered for SUG.

SUG awards are not available to students who are not charged the State Tuition Fee, which includes most CPIE and Open University programs, or to students pursuing a second bachelor’s degree. Students who are already receiving a financial aid award designated to pay the tuition fee, such as Cal Grant or scholarship; tuition/fee waivers; vocational rehabilitation; etc., are not eligible to receive a SUG.

Ed.D. Students and DPT Students: Students enrolled in the DPT program and the Ed.D. program are not eligible to receive funding through the State University Grant (SUG), as the State Tuition Fee is not assessed to students in these programs and SUG only gets applied towards the State Tuition Fee. Please review the Degree Program Specific Grants below for information on available grants for these two programs.

Degree Program Specific Grants are available to FAFSA applicants and DREAM applicants.

There are a few CSULB grant programs available for students who have been admitted to specific programs. Eligibility for these Degree Program Specific Grants is based on CSULB admission, program admission, CA residency, and financial need.  

Graduate Business Professional Fee Grant

The CSU Graduate Business Professional Fee (GBPF) Grant is available to students that are assessed the CSU Graduate Business Professional  Fee (also known as the CSU MBA Fee)  – a supplemental system-wide fee charged to students in the following programs:

  • Master of Business Administration (State-Support Daytime Program)
  • Online Master of Business Administration
  • Master of Science in Accountancy
  • Master of Science in Finance
  • Master of Science in Marketing Analytics

Students in programs operated through CSULB’s College of Professional and Continuing Education (CPaCE) are not eligible for this grant, as these students are not charged the CSU Graduate Business Professional fee.

Funding for the GBPF Grant is limited, so awards are based upon the student’s Expected Family Contribution. Eligible students are awarded $1,620 per semester ($3,240 per academic year), which covers 6 units of the GBP Fee assessed to students. Students must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 units that are assessed the GBP Fees to receive funding for the semester. Students enrolled in less than 6 units of GBP Fee coursework are not eligible to receive payment for that semester. 

To be eligible for the Graduate Business Grant Fee Grant, you must meet the following conditions:

  • Have filed a financial aid application (FAFSA or CA DREAM Application) for the academic year and have an Expected Family Contribution of $10,000 or less
  • Meet standard financial aid eligibility criteria for all Federal and/or California State financial aid
  • Be a California resident for fee payment purposes
  • Have been assessed a Graduate Business Professional (GBP) Fee
  • Enroll in a minimum of 6 units of coursework (per semester) that are assessed the GBP Fee

Doctor of Physical Therapy Grant (DPT Grant)

The Doctor of Physical Therapy Grant is available to students in the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program.

The CSU Doctor of Physical Therapy Grant program was established in July 2011 in the interest of equity to students enrolled in the DPT program, as these students are not eligible for SUG funding. The DPT Grant provides students enrolled in the DPT program access to grant funding similar to that of all other CSU students who demonstrate financial need (based on the FAFSA or DREAM application).

To be eligible for the DPT Grant, you must meet the following conditions:

  • Have filed a financial aid application (FAFSA or CA DREAM Application) for the academic year
  • Meet standard financial aid eligibility criteria for all Federal and/or California State financial aid
  • Be a California resident for fee payment purposes

Grant amounts vary based on available funding. Awarding of the DPT Grant occurs during the regular awarding cycle for Fall and Spring semesters.  Additional grants are awarded to eligible students enrolled during the Summer semester.

Education Doctorate Grant (Ed.D. Grant)

The Education Doctorate Grant is available to students in the Education Doctorate (Ed.D.) program.

The Education Doctorate Grant program was established in 2007 in the interest of equity to students enrolled in the Ed.D. program, as these students are not eligible for SUG funding. The Ed.D. Grant provides students enrolled in the Ed.D. program access to grant funding similar to that of all other CSU students who demonstrate financial need (based on the FAFSA or DREAM application). 

To be eligible for the Education Doctorate Grant, you must meet the following conditions:

  • Have filed a financial aid application (FAFSA or CA DREAM Application) for the academic year by the priority filing deadline
  • Meet standard financial aid eligibility criteria for all Federal and/or California State financial aid
  • Be a California resident for fee payment purposes
  • Enroll in a minimum of 4 units of Ed.D. course work (per semester)

Grant amounts vary based on available funding. Awarding of the Ed.D. Grant occurs at the end of the academic year and awards are applied retroactively.

Direct Student Loans

Direct Student loans are available to all FAFSA filers and are offered as part of your financial aid package. Graduate Students are eligible for unsubsidized federal loans. Loans offered through the Direct Loan program are for graduate students enrolled at least half-time (4 units for master’s degree, 3 units for doctoral degree), in eligible course work for their program of study. For current interest rate and origination fee information, please visit the Federal Student Aid Website for Direct Student Loans.

Graduate PLUS Loans

The Graduate PLUS Loan is an additional loan available for those graduate students who need additional funds, beyond the Unsubsidized Loan, to cover their remaining education costs. Unlike the Unsubsidized Loan, PLUS Loans require credit approval.

Graduate PLUS Loans are not included in your initial financial aid award. The loan is not added to the award package until the request has been processed and CSULB receives notification that you have been credit approved. To apply, visit Student Loans.gov.

For current interest rate and origination fee information please visit the Federal Student Aid website for Graduate PLUS Loans.

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. You must be enrolled in at least 6 units in order to be considered for Federal Work-Study funding. The amount a student may earn will be listed on the student's award summary. An 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 to 12 hours per week. Work-study funds do not reduce your bill with the college.

Visit the CSULB Career Development Center for more information.