Student Affairs

Financial Aid

Student financial aid programs are intended to provide assistance to students who do not have the necessary financial resources to meet their educational costs. Most students qualify for some type of assistance. For resources that recognize academic excellence, refer to the following information on scholarships. Only United States citizens and eligible noncitizens can receive financial aid.

Information about all state and federal aid programs and institutional aid programs is available from the Financial Aid Office, 760-768-5507. The SDSU Guide to Financial Aiddescribes the available programs as well as the academic standards that a student must maintain in order to remain eligible for such aid. The Guide to Financial Aid can be accessed at http://www.sdsu.edu/financialaid.

Applying for Aid

Applicants who want to be considered for all types of state and federal financial aid should apply as soon after January 1 as possible by completing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Since new California grant program applicants must apply by March 2, we strongly encourage all applicants to apply by this date.

The FAFSA is all you need to begin the application process. You may apply by using FAFSA on the Web site at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. Paper FAFSA applications are also available and may be picked up at high school counseling offices and college financial aid offices.

Applications are reviewed and awarded throughout the year based on available funding. January through May, however, is considered the optimum time period to apply for aid to receive funding at the beginning of the fall semester.

Cost of Living

San Diego State University establishes standard student budgets in coordination with the California State University system that meet federal requirements. Student budgets, updated annually to account for inflation are currently:

Costs of Attendance for the 2006-2007 Academic Yearfor the Imperial Valley Campus
	Living off Campus	Commuting from Home
Registration Fees..................................	$ 3,122	$3,122
Books and supplies ..............................	1,283	1,283
Food and housing..................................	.9,352	3,429
Transportation .....................................	1,043	840
Miscellaneous/Personal .........................	2,496	2,572
Total ..................................................	$17,296	$11,246

The academic year registration fee for a postbaccalaureate student is $3,704 and $3,524 for a teaching credential student.

In addition to the registration fee, nonresident (foreign and out-of-state) students pay tuition of $339 per unit (see Schedule of Fees section). All fees and costs are subject to change without notice.

Refund Policy

Information concerning the refund policy of San Diego State University for the return of unearned tuition and fees or other refundable portions of institutional charges is available from the University Cashiers Office, 760-768-5514.
Information concerning San Diego State University policies regarding the return of unearned aid to the federal Title IV student assistance programs is available from the Financial Aid Office, 760-768-5507.

E-Mail and the Internet

The SDSU Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships uses e-mail and the Internet to communicate with aid applicants about documentation needed, disbursement holds, and awards. The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships home page and secure Web site, AidLink, have been enhanced to streamline the application and award process for SDSU students. Go to SDSU’s Web site at http://www.sdsu.edu/portal, and select E-Mail/Address Update to make sure there is a valid e-mail address on record for you with the Office of the Registrar. Use AidLink at http://www.sdsu.edu/financialaid to view your personal financial aid information, download and print documents
you need to submit, activate your student loan, and more.