How to Apply for Aid

A step-by-step guide to applying for financial aid at Cal State Monterey Bay.

A high-quality, life-changing education at Cal State Monterey Bay is more affordable and accessible than you might think. 

About 72% of our students receive some form of financial aid, such as grants, scholarships, work-study, and loans. These awards include more than $14 million worth of scholarship funding, including California’s Middle Class Scholarship. 

Applying for aid begins with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, better known as the FAFSA. We outline all of your next steps on this page. 

As always, we’re here to provide you and your family with one-on-one support. If you have any questions at any time during the process you may reach out to our financial aid team.

Steps to Applying for Financial Aid at CSUMB

Explore Types of Aid

If you are an incoming student, here’s how to apply for financial aid at Cal State Monterey Bay. For reference, our FAFSA school code is 032602.

The FAFSA is the basis for all of your financial aid. For example, we use the information here to help determine your eligibility for need-based aid programs like the federal Pell grant. 

The FAFSA asks for important personal and financial information. To complete the application correctly and accurately, make sure you have following information ready:

  • Your Social Security number 
  • Your parents' Social Security number (for dependent applicants only)
  • Your driver's license number if you have one
  • Federal tax information
  • Untaxed income information
  • Information on cash, savings, investments, and business and farm assets (if applicable)

The priority deadline to complete your FAFSA is June 30th.

You may be asked for additional documents to confirm what you reported on your financial aid application. The Financial Aid Office will notify you by email and the OASIS Student Portal if you need to submit other information after filing your financial aid application.

Go to Forms

You can check the status of your financial aid (and other admissions documents) by logging into your OASIS Student Portal. Be sure to also regularly check your email for important messages.

Go to Portal

We typically send financial aid award letters by email in April. This letter will outline the financial aid being offered to you; we call this your award package. Your package could include a combination of grants, scholarships, federal student loans, and work-study. 

The letter will also show your estimated cost of attendance and break down how any financial aid will help offset this number. 

If you or your family have any questions about your letter, please get in touch with our financial aid team. 

Contact Us

Your financial aid funds will be credited to your student account during the first few weeks of classes. If there are any remaining funds after your expenses are covered, they will be refunded to you via direct deposit. 

If there is still a balance due before the start of classes, you might be able to take advantage of our 10-month payment plan for housing and other expenses. 

Students who meet eligibility criteria can apply for state and institutional financial aid by completing the California Dream Act Application (CADAA).

Criteria includes: 

  • Three or more years of full-time attendance or attainment of equivalent credits at a high school, adult school, or community college in California; or three or more years of full-time high school coursework and a combination of elementary, middle, or high school in California for three or more years. 
  • Meeting one or more of these graduation requirements;
    • Graduate from a California high school
    • Obtain a GED, HiSET, or TASC in California
    • Attain an associate degree from a community college in California
    • Fulfill the minimum requirements to transfer from a California community college to a California State University or University of California
  • Will register or enroll in an accredited college or university in California
  • If applicable, complete an AB 540 affidavit stating you will legalize your immigration status as soon as you are eligible
  • Do not hold a valid non-immigrant visa, except persons granted Temporary Protected Status or hold a U Visa 

The CADAA application asks for important personal and financial information. To complete the application correctly and accurately, be sure to have the following information ready:

  • Federal tax information
  • Untaxed income information
  • Information on cash, savings, investments, and business and farm assets (if applicable)

Go to CDA Application

Additional Financial Aid Resources

Types of Financial Aid

Financial aid helps offset the cost of tuition. You may be eligible for a combination of grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study.

Tuition & Fees

Learn more about the cost of attending Cal State Monterey Bay, including a breakdown of tuition and fees.

Resources for Current Students

If you are a returning student looking for information about renewing your financial aid or filing this year’s FAFSA, contact the Financial Aid office.

Get Financial Aid Assistance

Our dedicated team is here to answer your questions about the financial aid process.

Request admissions and aid information for attending Cal State Monterey Bay

Office of Financial Aid

Contact Office of Financial Aid