Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I request a bill for the charges I received this semester for my employer?

All charges are listed on your account activity on your MyCSULB account. CSULB does not issue bills.

Where can I receive an official copy of the charges I received this semester to provide to my employer to get reimbursed?

You can visit the Cashiers windows in Brotman Hall Room 148 and request to have a printed copy of your account activity with the CSULB letterhead, free of charge.

My tuition and fees will be due soon but I cannot pay it all at once, what options do I have?

You can enroll in a Payment Plan through MyCSULB for the current term charges.

How do I setup a Payment Plan?

You can sign up online for a Payment Plan. The plan automatically spreads your tuition costs equally across two, three, or four payments depending on when you sign up. There is a non-refundable service fee of $33. Just log in to your MyCSULB account and go to the Finances section of your Student Center. Select “Enroll in Payment Plan” from the drop-down menu, and follow the four-step process. If you are a non-resident student, you may also sign up for the additional “Non-Resident” plan after signing up for the “Basic Tuition Fees” plan for an additional $33 that is also non-refundable.

I am being charged a Student Health Fee for the semester but I have my own health insurance.

The Student Health Fee is not related to health insurance. It is a mandatory fee for all students. The Student Health Fee sponsors the Student Health Center and some of the services they provide to all students on campus.

When are tuition and fees due?

Your tuition due date is assigned when you enroll. More information can be found under the “When To Pay” Section of Tuition and Fees.

Where can I find my payment due dates on my MyCSULB account?

Select the "Account Inquiry" link below the "Finances" section of the Student Center. From there, you can select the Tab “Charges Due” to view your due charges. A step-by-step guide on how to view your charges can be found under the “About Your Student Account” section.

I receive financial aid, do I still need to pay my fees?

If you have pending financial aid that you have accepted, you do not need to pay fees covered by financial aid by your assigned due date. Students with Financial Aid Fee Deferments are protected from enrollment cancellation until the student’s financial aid is disbursed. If your pending financial aid does not fully cover your tuition and fees, you must pay the difference by your assigned due date to avoid being cancelled from your classes.

My Account Summary in my MyCSULB account says that I have an amount due now but I am expecting financial aid to cover all my tuition and fees. Do I have to make payment?

If the amount of your accepted Financial Aid award is greater than your tuition and fees for the semester, then you do not need to make a payment. Your financial aid will be applied to your tuition and fees when it is disbursed to your student account.

If I am not going to attend, can I just wait to be dropped for non-payment?

No. It is always the student’s responsibility to drop all classes if he/she is not planning on attending by the University’s established deadlines. Students who register for courses offered by the University are obligated for the payment of fees associated with registration for those courses. Failure to cancel registration in any course prior to the first day of the academic term can result in the obligation to pay student fees including any tuition for the reservation of space in the course.

I signed up for classes for the semester but never attended any classes. Why does my MyCSULB account say that I owe tuition and fees?

Students who do not plan to attend should drop all classes before the first day of instruction to get a full refund. After instruction begins, students who drop/withdraw from their classes will be responsible for pro-rated fees based on the date of dropping or withdrawing. Students should not assume that the University will remove them from a class for non-payment of fees or that the instructor will remove them for non-attendance.

Can I pay with a college savings (529) plan?

Yes. Students should contact the institution holding their plan to find out how to initiate a payment. Payments should indicate the student’s name, student ID, and applicable term, if possible. Payments are made payable to CSULB and mailed to: California State University, Long Beach, Attn: Cashier's Office BH-148, 1250 Bellflower Boulevard, Long Beach CA 90840. Mailed payments may take up to 10 business days to process, so it is important for students to initiate their savings plan payment early to ensure the payment is posted by their tuition due date.

How can I use a Cal Vet Waiver or military benefit such as the Post-9/11 GI Bill?

If you are a veteran or dependent of a veteran, you may be eligible for financial assistance for your tuition and fees. For more information, go to Veterans' Services or call 562.985.5115 for information on how to begin your benefits certification. Our office works in partnership with Veterans’ Services to apply benefits to student accounts.

Can a third party sponsor or employer pay for my tuition?

Yes. Submit third party vouchers before your tuition due date or contact Student Financial Services at studentaccountservices@csulb.edu or 562.985.5471 (Option 3) to make special arrangements. Please note, if payment is not received by a sponsor, charges may be reverted to student’s account before the end of the semester.

How do I make a payment online using an E-Check?

You can pay your fees on-line from your bank account with “E-Check.” All you need is your banking information (bank account and bank routing number from your check or your bank). Just log in to your my MyCSULB account and go to the Finances section of your Student Center. Select “Make a Payment” under my account, go to the payment page and select the button for “electronic payment.” There are no additional fees associated with an E-Check.

I was charged for Non-Residence Fees; however, I have filed for Residency Status.

Verify with Enrollment Services that the status has been updated. Then, if it has been changed then contact Student Account Services at 562.985.5471 (Option 3) or in person at Brotman Hall Room 155.

Do I need my CSULB student ID card to get services at Student Financial Services?

CSULB Student ID card is preferred, but you may use any government issued photo ID.

What can I do if I am experiencing an unexpected financial emergency?

If you are unable to pay a current term tuition balance in full, Student Financial Services offers installment plans for Fall, Spring, and Summer terms. More information can be found under Tuition and Fees in the “How to Pay” section. If you are experiencing a basic needs crisis such as homelessness, food insecurity, or you are affected by a catastrophic event, you may qualify for assistance through the Student Emergency Intervention and Wellness Program. If you are experiencing hardship paying a past due balance for a prior term, you may be able to make payment arrangements with one of our Collections analysts.

If I am getting a financial aid refund where can I pick up my check?

The Disbursements Office issues financial aid refunds as a check that is mailed to your address or as an E-Refund which is directly deposited into your bank account. To expedite your refund, enroll in the E-Refund.

How can I set up e-Refund?

All CSULB students are recommended to sign up for e-Refund, which electronically deposits any financial aid refunds directly into your bank account. Click the e-Refund Signup link from the “Finances” section of your Student Center. Remember, you must have the Checking/Savings Account Routing Transit and Account Numbers available to enroll in e-Refund. A step-by-step guide on how to enroll can be found under the “Sign up for e-Refund” section.

I accepted a loan but no longer want it. How do I cancel it?

If the loan has been disbursed within 14 days, you can submit a loan cancellation form and make a payment back to the Disbursements Window in Brotman Hall with cash, money order, or cashier’s check to cancel a portion or for the entire amount of the loan. If it has been longer than 14 days, then you would need to contact the National Student Loan Data System to cancel the loan. Parent Plus Loans have to be returned by the parents.

Why was my financial aid loan never disbursed to my student account?

Be sure that you have completed the Master Promissory Note (MPN) and the Loan Entrance Counseling to make sure your loan gets disbursed. Also, you can follow up with the Financial Aid Office to see if there is anything else that you need to complete regarding your loan. They can be reached by phone at 562.985.8403 or you can Join the Queue and speak to someone in person.

If I was awarded a scholarship when will I receive my funds?

Scholarship funds are applied to tuition and fees. After applying the scholarship funds, if a payment was made to secure the classes, it will be refunded the way the payment method was received.

If I drop classes will my Financial Aid Award be affected?

Yes. Grants are sensitive to the amount of units taken. Therefore, if your units drop below Full-Time, the grant amount is calculated or pro-rated accordingly.

My Disbursements went to a wrong Bank Account or the Bank Account was closed.

Please do not edit or change any information on your E-Refund account if you are in this situation until the Disbursements Office sends you an email with instructions. As a reminder, it is your responsibility to confirm your banking institution's routing and account numbers. The university is not responsible for mistyped or entered information when you enroll or make a change in E-Refund.

When does my financial aid disburse?

Major Disbursements for Fall/Spring are processed 10 days prior to the start of school. Exception: TEACH Grants disbursed after Census date for Fall/Spring – beginning October and March usually.

After the Financial Aid Office disburses the funds when do I get my money?

After tuition and fees are paid, any excess funds are processed as an E-Refund (Direct Deposit) or a paper check.
E-Refunds processed a week before the semester starts for Fall/Spring.
E-Refunds are deposited within one to three business days to the student’s banking institution.
Paper checks are mailed out during the first week of school for both Fall/Spring.

If aid is disbursed any time after Major Disbursements for Fall/Spring, the e-Refund is usually processed the same evening or the next evening after their award has posted to their student account. Then it would take the on to three business days for the money to post to their banking institution. Paper refund checks are only printed once a week on Mondays for refunds processed the week before.

I have a past due amount due for tuition and fees. How long do I have to pay off this amount?

A student has about 90 days to pay off a past due balance before a Final Demand for payment letter will be mailed.

I am not able to pay off my past due balance all at once. Are there any payment options available?

In certain circumstances, University Collections does offer a monthly repayment agreement to resolve past due accounts to prevent a student from being sent to a collection agency and having it reported on their credit history.

I have a monthly repayment agreement with CSULB. Why was my California state income tax refund still garnished?

As a state university, CSULB adheres to state guidelines and reports all student account debt to the California Franchise Tax Board to garnish state income tax refunds to recoup those outstanding charges.

At the end of the 2017-2018 academic year, the Department of Education terminated the disbursing of Perkins Loans. The program is currently in a wind-down mode, meaning that schools are assigning delinquent accounts to the Department of Education for further collection activity. Please contact our office to make arrangements and avoid this action.

I just got a bill for my Perkins Loan payment. I cannot make the payment and I do not want to get behind. What should I do?

If you are unable to make your payment, please contact us immediately so we can go over your situation. You may be eligible for a hardship deferment/forbearance, an unemployment deferment, or an economic hardship deferment. We can go over your account and determine the best plan of action.

I moved and just received my forwarded mail. A bill for my Perkins Loan was included and I am late. What can I do?

Contact our office at 562.985.8562, we will assist you in getting your account back on track.

I remember reading about having your Perkins Loan forgiven if you were employed as a teacher. What can I do to learn more about this benefit?

Besides Teaching, you can also be employed in the following fields:

Nursing
Social Work
Law Enforcement

There are requirements that you must meet in order to be eligible for the forgiveness of your student loan. Please contact our office to learn more about these requirements.

I would like to combine (consolidate) all my student loans. Where can I find information about loan consolidation?

You can find information regarding loan consolidation by visiting the Federal Student Aid website. The site provides information regarding payment plans and loan forgiveness.

What is a 1098-T Form?

Form 1098-T is an IRS form issued to students with qualified educational expenses. It includes amounts paid to CSULB for qualified tuition and related expenses during the calendar year, (January 1-December 31). The form is used by taxpayers to obtain certain qualified educational tax credits on their income tax returns. 1098-T forms are available online by the end of January following the reporting year.

What should I do after I receive a 1098-T Form?

Taxpayers use the form to obtain certain qualified educational tax credits on their income tax returns. Click here for more information on form 1098T and Tax Credits for Higher Education. For more information, please see IRS Publication 970 (PDF) or consult your personal tax advisor for assistance on your Income Tax Return.

How do I qualify for a 1098-T Form?

If your payments for Qualified Tuition and Related Expenses (QTRE) are greater than the Scholarships, Grants and/or Third Party payments for the calendar year (January 1-December 31), then you are eligible for Form 1098-T.

Why am I not eligible for a 1098-T Form?

You were not eligible for Form 1098-T if the total amount of your Scholarships, Grants and/or Third Party payments for the calendar year (January 1-December 31) exceeds the total amount of Qualified Tuition and Related Expenses (QTRE) paid for the same year. You are also not eligible if you did not have any Qualified Tuition and Related Expenses paid during the calendar year (January 1-December 31).

What are Eligible Charges or Qualified Tuition and Related Expenses (QTREs) reportable on a 1098-T form?

Tuition Fees and some mandatory fees
Course/Laboratory Fees
CPaCE (College of Professional and Continuing Education) Fees: Credit courses towards a degree program only. Please email CPaCE-info@csulb.edu for more information.
Non-Resident Tuition Fees

Why is the amount reported in Box 1 on my 1098-T Form less than what I paid?

You may be including charges that are not eligible and not reportable in Form 1098-T. Please refer to the charges that are not eligible and not reportable below:

Parking Permit
SIRF-Student Involvement & Representation Fee
Student Health Fee
Late Registration Fee
Late Payment Fee
Refund Processing Fee
Library Fines
Charges for Room and Board, Insurance, Transportation, and similar Personal Living or Family Expenses
Installment Payment Plan Fees

I did not receive my 1098-T Form yet. Can you send me the copy?

Students eligible to receive the Form 1098-T can access it electronically on their Student Center by January 31st. There are NO printed forms mailed out to students.

How can I view and print a 1098-T Form through MyCSULB?

Your MyCSULB Student Center provides an easy way to access, view, and manage your Student Financial Account information online. Please follow the instructions below.

Go to Student Center, Finances, Other Financial Box, View 1098-T.
Click on the calendar year (Example 2018) hyperlink on the General Tab to view Form 1098-T.
Years listed indicate which 1098-T statements are available.
Click the Box Amount tab to view the details.
View the Box Details by clicking on the hyperlink on the Amount field.
Go to File (top left side of your browser), then Print the form.

Instructions to view/print Form 1098-T.

I am alumni. I cannot access my 1098-T Form from my MYCSULB account because I do not have access.

If you have left the University less than 13-months, you should be able to log into your MyCSULB account to obtain the most current Form 1098-T. If you have issues logging in, please contact the Technology Help Desk ITS at 562.985.4959 to reset the account password.

What if I have more questions regarding my 1098-T Form?

Please send an e-mail to 1098THelp@csulb.edu with Campus ID, contact information, and specific Form 1098-T questions. Further research will be done and a reply will be sent within one to two working days.