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Financial Aid is available to students completing their degree through distance learning programs.
Types of Aid for Distance Learning Programs
Students enrolled through the College of Continuing and Professional Education programs and recipients of Cal Grant A and B, and students whose fees are paid by another party are NOT eligible for SUG.
The William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program provides low-interest long-term loans through the University. These funds must be REPAID. Funding for these loans comes from the U.S. Department of Education. These loans can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Eligible students must be admitted and enrolled in good standing at least half-time in a program leading to a degree or certificate. If you drop below half-time during a term or semester, the remainder of your loan may be canceled. Beginning 2012-2013, graduate students will no longer be eligible to borrow a SUBSIDIZED Federal Direct Loan due to recent federal legislation. Graduate students will be eligible to only borrow an Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan up to $20,500 for the academic year.
If you are eligible for a Federal Direct Loan, we have recommended one (either subsidized or unsubsidized or a combination of both) as part of your financial aid award. Read the following paragraphs to learn the differences between the subsidized and unsubsidized Federal Direct Loans. If you decide to borrow a Federal Direct Loan, you are required to attend an Entrance Interview Session and sign a loan promissory note, which the university will forward to the Direct Loan Servicing Center.
Subsidized Federal Direct Loan
The amount of a subsidized Federal Direct Loan you can borrow is the difference between the cost of education and your resources (family contribution, financial aid, and any other assistance you receive from the school and outside sources). However, you cannot borrow more than the federal maximum. If you are eligible for a subsidized Federal Direct Loan, the federal government pays the interest for you until your repayment begins.
Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan
The unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan can replace all or part of the family contribution. However, the amount of the loan cannot be more than the difference between the cost of education and any financial assistance you will receive from the school and any outside source (including the subsidized Federal Direct Loan). If you are a dependent student, your total Federal Direct Loan (subsidized, unsubsidized, or a combination of both) cannot exceed the federal maximum for a subsidized loan. Interest accrues on the unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan while you are in school and during the six-month grace period before repayment begins. You have the option of paying the interest or to add the interest to the principal.
First-time Borrower Requirements
Before receiving a William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan, first-time student borrowers must complete a Loan Entrance Counseling Session and Electronic Master Promissory Note (EMPN). You may fulfill both requirements by going online to studentloans.gov.
MPA & NCRP
Students participating in the online distance learning programs at CSUDH attend on a session basis. This means that the course-work will be divided into sessions throughout our traditional academic year.
The traditional academic year at CSUDH consists of 3 semesters (Fall, Spring, and Summer) as follows:
| Fall | August - December |
| Spring | January - May |
| Summer | June - August |
The academic year for MPA & NCRP is:
| Spring | Session 1: January through March |
| Summer | Session 2: April through June |
| Fall #1 | Session 3: July through September |
| Fall #2 | Session 4: September through December |
(Please contact the College of Continuing and Professional Education for exact dates, as they are subject to change.)
The academic year for MSQA is:
| Spring | January-April |
| Summer | May-August |
| Fall | September-December |
Disbursements are issued at the beginning of each semester and NOT at the beginning of each session.
The Financial Aid & Scholarships Office determines your eligibility based on the information provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). To apply, visit FAFSA online. Please note, students must reapply for financial aid for each new academic year.
As a distance learning student through the online master's program, you will not be eligible for federal or state grants. Rather, you are considered eligible for a federal unsubsidized loan only. If you are eligible to borrow a William D. Ford Deferral Direct Loan, it will be paid in two equal installments, or three if you will be enrolled during the summer session. These installments will occur at the beginning of the Fall, Spring, and Summer terms.
Before receiving a William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan, first-time student borrowers must complete a Loan Entrance Counseling Session and Electronic Master Promissory Note (EMPN). You may fulfill both requirements by going online to studentloans.gov.
We encourage students to limit the amount they choose to borrow. Remember, a student loan must be REPAID!
To receive your loan disbursement, you must enroll at least half time as a master's student (minimum 4 units of 500 level courses). Therefore, if your online program offers 3-unit courses only, you will need to be enrolled in a minimum of 6 units to be eligible for the loan disbursement.
To receive Summer financial aid, you must complete and submit a Summer Request Form to the Financial Aid Office. This form is usually available mid-March and can be printed from this website.
CSUDH is required by federal law to establish, publish, and apply reasonable standards for measuring whether a student is maintaining satisfactory academic progress toward a degree objective, and to ensure progress toward the degree for all periods of enrollment, whether or not the student has received financial aid. These standards are applicable to all financial aid recipients at CSUDH and affect eligibility for all federal and state aid, including grants, student loans, and work-study.
Please review our SAP policy here.
For additional information on program requirements and courses, please contact the College of Continuing and Professional Education at (310) 243-3741.
If you have any questions about financial aid, just contact us. We're here to help.