Financial Aid Services
Commitment of EOP Financial Aid Services
We are committed to empowering students from economically and educationally disadvantaged backgrounds by providing financial resources, personalized guidance, and comprehensive support. We dedicate ourselves to ensuring equitable access to higher education, removing financial barriers to academic success, and fostering financial literacy, responsibility, and self-advocacy. Below are a list of services provided by our office, as well as counseling services.
Financial Aid Counseling
EOP offers comprehensive financial aid support to guide students and families through every step of paying for college. Our services provide personalized assistance from completing applications to understanding award packages and planning for next steps.
Counseling Provided:
- One-on-One Financial Aid Counseling: Individual appointments (in-person or virtual) that provide step-by-step guidance through the financial aid process, with EOP offering a holistic counseling approach that supports students’ academic, financial, and personal needs to promote overall success.
- SAP Appointment Campaigns: Proactive outreach to students on Financial Aid Warning and those not meeting SAP standards, providing early support to discuss the steps needed to clear their status, improve academic progress, and maintain eligibility. This includes personalized guidance on meeting SAP requirements, understanding deficiencies, and assistance with the appeal process when needed.
- Financial Aid Workshops: Workshops focused on specialized topics such as Student Loans 101 (loan types, borrowing limits, and interest), Student Loan Repayment (repayment plans, loan forgiveness, and managing debt after graduation), and Financing Study Abroad (understanding aid eligibility, budgeting, and available funding resources).
- FAFSA & California Dream Act Assistance: Support with completing applications, creating FSA IDs, making corrections, and submitting verification documents, provided through one-on-one appointments, drop-in services, and hands-on workshops to ensure students receive guided, step-by-step assistance.
- Appeals & Special Circumstances Support: Guidance on submitting financial aid appeals due to changes in income or family situations, including assistance with completing appeal forms, identifying required documentation, explaining eligibility criteria, and providing step-by-step support throughout the review process to improve the likelihood of a successful outcome.
Additional Financial Aid Services
Short-term financial support for unexpected hardships provided each semester via Beach Bucks.
Help students develop essential money management skills by teaching them how to plan, track, and control their finances via various workshops. Past workshops have include Budgeting Your Way to Success, Using Credit Cards Wisely & Building Your Credit and utilizing the Financial Literacy 101 platform.
Students are provided with access to a wide range of scholarship opportunities and guided support throughout the application process. This includes help with finding relevant scholarships, understanding eligibility requirements, and meeting deadlines.
Strong collaboration with the campus financial aid office ensures students receive accurate, up-to-date guidance on available funding options and financial policies. This partnership helps streamline communication, resolve issues quickly, and make informed decisions about financing their education.
Financial Aid Counselors
For any questions regarding Financial Aid, please contact our financial aid counselors. Students can also book appointments with counselors through BeachConnect by following these instructions and clicking "Book an Appointment" below.
Lorena Romero
Assistant Director
Educational Opportunity Program
Email: Lorena.Romero@csulb.edu
Fabiola Mendoza
Counselor
Educational Opportunity Program
Email: Fabiola.Mendoza@csulb.edu
