CSU CSU Financial Aid and Tuition 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the name of the state grant program that provides financial aid to low-income California residents attending CSU?
- Cal Grant (Correct answer)
- Pell Grant
- Golden State Scholarship
- CSU Access Award
Correct answer: Cal Grant
The Cal Grant is California's state-funded financial aid program that helps low- and middle-income students pay for college at CSU and other eligible institutions.
Question 2: What federal financial aid form must CSU applicants complete to be considered for most grants, loans, and work-study programs?
- FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) (Correct answer)
- CSS Profile
- CADAA (California Dream Act Application)
- SAR (Student Aid Report)
Correct answer: FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
The FAFSA is the federal form required to determine eligibility for federal and most state financial aid programs at CSU.
Question 3: Which California financial aid application is specifically available to undocumented AB 540 students who are not eligible to file the FAFSA?
- California Dream Act Application (CADAA) (Correct answer)
- Cal Grant Alternative Form
- CSU Equity Aid Application
- State Student Aid Form (SSAF)
Correct answer: California Dream Act Application (CADAA)
The California Dream Act Application allows AB 540 eligible undocumented students to apply for state-funded financial aid, including Cal Grants.
Question 4: What is the term for the CSU fee that all students pay each semester or quarter, covering basic enrollment costs separate from campus-specific fees?
- State University Fee (Correct answer)
- Tuition Surcharge
- Academic Services Fee
- Mandatory Campus Charge
Correct answer: State University Fee
The State University Fee is the systemwide per-unit fee that all CSU students pay and is the primary source of student fee revenue for the system.
Question 5: What is a CSU fee waiver commonly offered to California National Guard members called?
- College Fee Waiver for Veteran Dependents and National Guard (Correct answer)
- Military Tuition Assistance Program
- Cal Vet College Aid
- Armed Forces State Grant
Correct answer: College Fee Waiver for Veteran Dependents and National Guard
California's College Fee Waiver for Veteran Dependents and National Guard members provides fee waivers to eligible active National Guard members attending CSU.
Question 6: What financial aid concept describes the difference between the total cost of attendance and the amount a student and family are expected to pay?
- Financial need (Correct answer)
- Expected Family Contribution
- Unmet need
- Cost gap
Correct answer: Financial need
Financial need is calculated as total cost of attendance minus the Student Aid Index (formerly Expected Family Contribution), determining aid eligibility.
CSU CSU Financial Aid and Tuition 1
What is the name of the state grant program that provides financial aid to low-income California residents attending CSU?