CSULB offers a number of nondegree certificate programs.  Not all of the programs are eligible for financial aid. 

The Following chart lists the current Stand-Alone Certificate programs at CSULB that are eligible for financial aid:

What Type of Aid is Available?
Students enrolled in an aid-eligible Certificate Program are only eligible for funding through the Federal Loan programs.  The amount of loan eligibility depends on how the program is classified – refer to the above chart for details on loan eligibility.

Eligibility criteria:

• Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5
• Be enrolled at least halftime (6 or more units)
• Have remaining eligibility for loan borrowing (Not reached lifetime loan limits associated with credential program)

Second Bachelor’s Degree
Students with a prior Bachelor’s degree are only eligible for funding through Federal Work Study, Direct Subsidized & Unsubsidized Loan programs, and, if still dependent, the Parent PLUS Loan at the undergraduate level.

Eligibility criteria:

• Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5
• Be enrolled at least halftime (6 or more units) 

Have remaining eligibility for loan borrowing (Not reached Undergraduate lifetime loan limits)
 

Financial Aid and Study Abroad
CSULB offers numerous opportunities for study abroad through programs at universities throughout the world. For more information on the programs available, visit the Study Abroad website or drop by the Center for International Education in Brotman Hall 201 to pick up pamphlets and brochures about the various programs.

Money Matters
Do not rule out studying abroad because of cost. Many programs charge the same tuition and fees as CSULB. There are additional costs, of course, associated with studying abroad with any of the programs. Carefully read through the program material and assess what personal resources you may be able to draw upon for a study abroad semester or year. We recommend you see a Financial Aid Counselor the semester before studying abroad.

Scholarships for Study Abroad:
A number of scholarship opportunities exist for students wishing to Study Abroad, including opportunities from CSULB as well as other outside organizations.

The following sources have information on the variety of scholarship options available:

•    Institute for International Education (IIE)
•    CSULB Study Abroad Website

Scholarship Opportunity for Pell Grant Eligible Students:
The Gilman Scholarship Program is an undergraduate grant program for U.S. citizens of limited financial means to enable them to study abroad, thereby internationalizing their outlook and better preparing them to thrive in the global economy.  The program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State.

Financial Aid & Study Abroad
Financial aid may be applied to the costs of study abroad programs associated with CSULB through the Study Abroad Office. Students who previously have not applied for financial aid may consider applying in order to be eligible for federal student loans to help cover the costs for Study Abroad.

Summary of Programs and Financial Aid
 

* Subject to individual scholarship criteria

Application Process

1. Follow all standard steps for applying for Financial Aid (submitting the FAFSA  or DREAM Application).
2. Award offers will be made starting in late June for the following academic year. Initial awards will be based on CSULB costs.
3. After you have been accepted into a study abroad program, you may have your cost of attendance (COA) adjusted. Cost of attendance adjustments may increase your eligibility for additional loan funds.
4. Meet with a representative from the CSULB Study Abroad Office and complete the appropriate Study Abroad Financial Aid Form
5. Meet with a Financial Aid Counselor to go over the impact on your financial aid as well as when aid will be released

How Financial Aid is Released – Study Abroad
Financial aid is typically released 10 days prior to the start of the CSULB semester.  If your Study Abroad program begins on – or before – the CSULB semester start date, your funds will be released to Student Financial Services on the date reflected in MyCSULB.

Many Study Abroad programs begin after the semester start date for CSULB.  In these instances, your financial aid will be released to Student Financial Services on the actual first day of classes for your program. 

Arrange for direct deposit of your financial aid refund to your checking account. Be sure to enroll in e-Refund through your Student Center by clicking on "Enroll in e-Refund" under the Finances section.  This will minimize delays in your receipt of your funds while studying abroad.

If you are unable to register for the classes you need at CSULB, you may find them at a community college and have the units count toward your financial aid eligibility at CSULB.

For cross-enrollment classes to be eligible for at least some financial aid programs at CSULB:

• You must be enrolled at least half time (6 units as an undergraduate) through regular CSULB enrollment
• You have not transferred the maximum of 70 units from a community college
• The course(s) you take must be transferable towards your CSULB degree
• You must be making satisfactory academic progress towards your degree at CSULB
• You submitted a Cross Enrollment Agreement to Enrollment Services, and it was approved
• You submitted a Request for Evaluation of Coursework from Another Institution to Enrollment Services, and it was approved
• You received a notification from CSULB Financial Aid that your financial aid awards will be adjusted based on your approved Cross Enrollment coursework

Aid programs that may be impacted by Cross Enrollment

Many financial aid programs require a minimum of half-time enrollment (6 units) for undergraduates to be eligible to receive funding.  There are a few programs, however, where the amount you receive is pro-rated based on your actual enrollment (and which would be impacted by Cross Enrollment):

• Federal Pell Grant
• Cal Grant Fees Award
• Cal Grant Stipend