Tuition & Financial Aid

Applying for Federal and State Financial Aid

All prospective CDU undergraduate and graduate students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This free and quick application provides access to financial aid resources that may help you cover the cost of your degree. The FAFSA is also used to determine your eligibility for California State and CDU Institutional Aid, in the form of other grants and scholarships.

1. After you have applied to your program of interest, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
2. Create a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID. This is required to complete the FAFSA and allows you to sign it electronically. If you are a dependent student, you should also have your parent request an FSA ID.
3. Complete any required additional documentation and receive your financial aid award letter.

Undocumented & DACA Students

If you are an undocumented student or a student with DACA status, no FAFSA submission is required. Instead, please be sure to submit your Dream Act Application.

Scholarships & Grants

We highly encourage all applicants to the CDU to apply for most university scholarships. Need-based institutional grants and scholarships may be available to students who demonstrate maximum financial need.

Students are highly encouraged to apply for outside scholarships. We recommend reviewing the bottom of our scholarships page for additional outside scholarship opportunities. Please note the following about the PLP and outside scholarships:

• The program is a post-baccalaureate program; thus, some scholarships open to “undergraduates” may not apply.
• The program offers only undergraduate courses (upper and lower division),; scholarships open only to graduate students will not apply.

Loans & Work-Study

Your Federal loan eligibility will depend on a variety of variables. Most importantly, your dependency/independence status will determine your aggregate Federal loan limits. Please visit the following page for more information in deciding dependent vs. independent status.

Federal:

• Unsubsidized Loans (if aggregate undergraduate loan limit maximums have not been met)
• Direct Parent PLUS Loans (dependent students only)
• Work-study (limited but available)

Also, you may opt to secure a private loan with a lender of your choice. To provide the most excellent access to private loan options, CDU does not have a preferred lender listing.