Financial Aid

In order to maintain financial aid eligibility, you must make Satisfactory Academic Progress toward obtaining a degree. Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) will be monitored for all periods of enrollment whether or not you have received financial aid.

The minimum standard requirements are:

• Maintaining a 2.0 GPA as an undergraduate student or a 3.0 GPA as a graduate student;
• Meeting the unit completion requirements for your enrollment status; and,
• Not exceeding the maximum time frame for your program.

Students are evaluated on their SAP 30 days after the start of the term. The first time a student fails to make satisfactory academic progress, they will be placed on financial aid warning.

Students who do not meet minimum standard requirements at the end of their warning semester, will be placed on financial aid probation for the next semester. Also, any student who does not complete any units in a semester will be on financial aid probation.

Continued failure to meet the requirements will result in a loss of eligibility for future financial aid.

Minimum Standard Requirements

Qualitative Measure (Cumulative GPA)

Undergraduate and credential-seeking students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (equivalent to C average) in all college work attempted. Complete grades are A, B, C, D, and CR.

Grades of C and above count positively toward progress to degree.

Grades of C-, D, D+, and D- may count as units earned for the purposes of financial aid, but may not meet academic program requirements.

Grades of F, I, W, WU, NC, RP, RD, and AU are not considered passing and may affect a student's eligibility for financial aid.

Graduate and post-baccalaureate certificate students must maintain a University and cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (equivalent to a B average) in all college work attempted. Complete grades are A, B, C, and CR.

Grades of B and above count positively toward progress to degree.

Grades of B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, and D- may count as units earned for the purposes of financial aid, but may not meet academic program requirements.

Grades of F, I, W, WU, NC, RP, RD, and AU are not considered passing and may affect a student's eligibility for financial aid.

Quantitative Measure (Unit Progression)

You must complete at least 67 percent of units attempted each semester to remain on track. Unit progression will be based on a cumulative total of attempted units to earned units. For example, a full-time undergraduate student who attempts 24 units in an academic year must complete at least 16 units.

Maximum Time-frame to Complete Degree

The maximum allowable time-frame for receiving aid is equal to 150 percent of the length of your academic program.

If you are a transfer student, your accepted transfer coursework will be counted in the maximum time-frame.

Repeated courses and Withdrawals are counted as "units attempted" and will be counted in the maximum time-frame.

Required remedial coursework will not be counted toward your maximum time-frame (up to 30 units).

Undergraduate Enrollment Status

• Full time ~ 12 or more undergraduate units
• Three-quarter time ~ 9 to 11 undergraduate units
• Half time ~ 6 to 8 undergraduate units
• Less than half time ~ 1 to 5 undergraduate units

Graduate Enrollment Status

• Full time ~ 8 or more units
• Three-quarter time ~ 6 to 7 units
• Half time ~ 4 to 5 units
• Less than half time ~ 1 to 3 units

Financial Aid Warning

Students who have not met the minimum standard requirements will be placed on financial aid warning status. Any student receiving financial aid for the first time who fails to meet any one of the SAP criteria will enter financial aid warning status for their semester of enrollment.

You are still eligible for financial aid consideration while on warning.

Students who are on warning will be required to attend a Satisfactory Academic Progress Workshop and complete a quiz on CANVAS before funds are released for the following semester.

Students who do not meet minimum standard requirements at the end of their warning semester, will be placed on financial aid probation for the next semester. Also, any student who does not complete any units in a semester will be on financial aid probation.

Financial Aid Probation

If the Financial Aid Office determines that you have not met the minimum standard requirements, following your warning semester, you will be placed on financial aid probation. You are not eligible for any financial aid assistance while on financial aid probation.

Students who are on financial aid probation and who wish to be reconsidered for financial aid will be required to attend a Satisfactory Academic Progress Workshop and complete the appeals process.

Reinstatement

If you maintain satisfactory academic progress without financial aid for one academic year (completing at least 12 units total), you may be eligible for reinstatement and regain eligibility for financial aid, however, you must complete the appeals process.

Students who have been placed on financial aid probation for exceeding the maximum time frame are ineligible for reinstatement and can only regain financial aid eligibility through the appeal process.

Appeal Process

Students who wish to be reconsidered for financial aid may appeal their financial aid SAP status. The appeal form is available on the Financial Aid website.

Required items/steps include:

• Attend a SAP Workshop no later than 30 days after the first day of classes
• Complete the SAP quiz on CANVAS
• Complete the Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeals Form (found on the Financial Aid website). You may wish to include an explanation of any extenuating circumstances that prevented you from maintaining SAP and what steps you have begun or completed to allow you to become successful in your education program. You should plan to include supporting documentation for any claims you make in the explanation
• Create or revise an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) that is signed by you (the student) and an academic advisor

The appeal will be reviewed by a Financial Aid Appeals Committee. You will be notified of the result of your appeal by email or letter.

If approved, read the criteria set forth by the Appeals Committee. Failing to comply with the criteria will result in loss of financial aid in subsequent semesters.

If denied, you will be given guidance and a timeline for when you may appeal again.

The Appeals Committee's decision is final.

Unofficial Withdrawal - Failure to Earn a Grade

When a student who begins attendance fails to earn a grade in at least one class for the term; the student may no longer be eligible for the full amount of Financial Aid funds that the student originally received. The Financial Aid Office is required by Federal regulation (HEA, Section 484B 34 CFR 668.22) to re-calculate Federal Title IV funds, this process is known as Return to Title IV.

Withdraws

Financial Aid assistance is granted to a student under the assumption that the student will complete the term in it’s entirely. If the student withdraws before this happens, the Financial Aid Office must pro-rate financial aid eligibility in accordance with a federal formula, referred to as R2T4. If this formula determines the student withdrew before completing at least 60% of the semester, and had federal and/or state aid applied to their student account, the student may owe money back to the university.

The requirements for Title IV program funds when you withdraw are separate from any refund policy the university may have. Therefore, you may owe funds to the university to cover unpaid institutional charges, and the university may charge you for any Title IV program funds that was required to return.

Withdrawal & Cal Grant, State University Grant, Middle Class Scholarship

If the student is a recipient of state or institutional aid such as Cal Grant, State University Grant, Middle Class Scholarship, and/or any other state aid they may owe money back to these programs as well. While these programs are not part of the Return of Title IV calculation, they are part of the withdrawal process and are subject to any necessary adjustments to reflect the amount earned based on their withdrawal date.

1. If the student finds it necessary to withdraw from CSUMB after enrolling for any academic term, the student must follow the official withdrawal procedure.
2. The student needs print the Withdrawal Request form from CSUMB website under Classes & Planning section
3. The student completes the form and submits it to the University College and Graduate Studies located in the Administration Building.
4. If the withdrawal is approved, the Financial Aid Office will began the Return of Funds Calculation to determine how much of the aid received was earned by the student based on the withdrawal date.
5. A student who withdraws from the University before or up to the 60% period (approximately after the 10th week of classes), may be required to return all or a portion of the Financial Aid funds received.
6. The student will receive a Withdrawal Notification from the Financial Aid Office in which it will list any amounts of unearned Financial Aid.
7. If the student fails to return the unearned Financial Aid, the student will be referred to the U.S Department of Education for collection making the student ineligible for any future financial aid until their debt is paid.
8. If the student withdrawal date is prior or up to completing 60% of the semester, a pro-rate financial credit of registration fees and tuition (if applicable) will be applied to their account.

Return to Title IV

During the Return to Title IV, the school must determine how much of the Financial Aid funds received by the student were earned. The earned portion is calculated on a daily basis, using calendar days from the first day of instruction. If the amount disbursed is greater than the amount earned, the unearned funds must be returned to any outstanding federal loan balances and grant programs received by the student in the following priority order:

1. Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loans
2. Subsidized Federal Direct Loans
3. Federal Perkins Loans
4. Federal Parent Plus Loans
5. Federal Pell Grants
6. Federal SEOG
7. Teach Grants
8. Other Title IV assistance for which a return of Title IV funds is required

The student’s portion of the calculated amount owed to their Title IV loan program, may be repaid by the student according to the loan’s terms. But, if the portion of unearned aid is attributable to a grant program; then, the student has 45 days to enter into a repayment arrangement with CSUMB or with the U.S. Department of Education.

Earned Aid

Determined by taking the number of days the student attended (all calendar days are counted, including weekends), and dividing them by the total number of days in the term (first day of classes until the final exam period).

Unearned Aid

Calculated by subtracting the amount of Title IV aid earned by the student from the total Title IV aid disbursed for the term.

During the first 60% of the payment period (term), the student earns Title IV funds in direct proportion to the length of time the student remains enrolled. A student who withdraws from the University before the 60% period (approximately after the 10th week of classes), may be required to return all or a portion of the Financial Aid funds received. The amount to be returned will be based on the formula stated above. However, if the student withdraws from the University after the 60% point of the term, there will be no unearned Financial Aid funds. Withdrawal after this point-in-time will result in no adjustments to the student’s financial aid awards for the term.

Institutional Refund Policy

The refund policy requires that students officially drop all classes before the first day of classes for the term, to receive full financial credit of their registration fees and tuition (if applicable) and a full refund (less the enrollment confirmation fee). As stated above, a student who drops all classes on or after the first day of the term up to the 60 percent point of the semester will receive a pro-rata financial credit of registration fees and tuition (if applicable). If classes are dropped or a student withdraws after the 60 percent point of the semester, there will be no financial credit of fees. Financial Aid students who withdraw prior to the first day of classes are not eligible for any financial aid and will be required to repay any aid received.

Consequences of Outstanding Repayment Obligation

CSUMB does not have the authority to waive or write off the repayment requirement regardless of the reason for the withdrawal, including extenuating circumstances such as illness, accident, or grievous personal loss.

A student who fails to return the unearned Federal Financial Aid funds will be referred to the U.S. Department of Education for collection and the University may withhold permission to register, to use facilities, or render services. Until the repayment issue is resolved, the student’s record will be “flagged” every time a student files a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). A student in repayment is ineligible for Financial Aid at any other institution in the nation.

Students who are applying for the FAFSA must meet all of the following requirements:

• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen
• Have a valid social security number
• Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a student working towards a degree in an eligible program
• Be registered with the selective services (males only)
• Have a high school diploma or a general education diploma
• Not be in default on any student loan
• Not owe a refund for any grant
• Be making Satisfactory Academic Progress as determined by CSUMB
• Must not have a conviction regarding a drug offense. Any student who has a drug conviction for any offense, during a period of enrollment for which the student was receiving federal financial aid program funds, under any federal or state law involving the possession or sale of illegal drugs will result in the loss of eligibility for any federal student grant, loan, or work-study assistance (HEA Sec. 484(r)(1)); (20 U.S.C. 1091(r)(1)).

Students who are applying the DACA, must meet the following requirements:

• Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a student working towards a degree in an eligible program
• Be registered with the selective services (males only)
• Have a high school diploma or a general education diploma
• Be making Satisfactory Academic Progress as determined by CSUMB
• Must not have a conviction regarding a drug offense. Any student who has a drug conviction for any offense, during a period of enrollment for which the student was receiving federal financial aid program funds, under any federal or state law involving the possession or sale of illegal drugs will result in the loss of eligibility for any federal student grant, loan, or work-study assistance (HEA Sec. 484(r)(1)); (20 U.S.C. 1091(r)(1)).
• You are an AB 540 student, and exempt from paying non-resident enrollment fees, if you meet all of the following criteria:
  • Attended a California high school for at least three years;
  • Graduated from a California high school, got a GED or passed the California High School Proficiency Exam;
  • Are registered or enrolled at a California community college; AND
  • If required, complete an affidavit saying you have filed (or will file when you are eligible to do so) for legal immigration status.

AB540 students are eligible to receive state funds under SB 131. Students who are interested in being considered for state funding must meet the criteria listed above with the exception of Citizenship and Social Security Number requirements. For more information on the Dream Act, please visit the California Student Aid Commission Website.

Financial Aid will adjust your awards based on your enrollment on the last day to add/drop. Adjustments or additions to unit load after the last day add/drop will not be grounds for adjusting your financial aid award.

The Financial Aid Office grants bill payment extensions to students who accepted sufficient financial aid, or a combination of financial aid and payments to cover the entire direct cost per term. You are required to pay the difference between your financial aid and tuition fees by the billing due date. A payment extension indicator will be placed on your student account if you meet the above criteria. You can view the extension indicator on your OASIS Student Center page under Holds. Please view the video below for more details.

Students who are ineligible for a payment extension are encouraged to set up a Tuition Fee Installment Payment Plan(IPP).

We encourage all students to complete necessary documents before the document deadline, and complete all Federal Student Loan requirements prior to the payment deadline. For more information about Federal Student Loans, please visit the CSUMB Loan Website.

The Priority Document Deadline is crucially important in guaranteeing a complete Financial Aid Award. Awards must be accepted prior to the Payment Extension Deadline. The average processing time for all documents submitted is 2-5 weeks. We encourage all students to submit required documents and/or any other special circumstance documents as soon as possible. Notification of required documents are sent via email.

Students interested in studying abroad should visit CSUMB's International Office for information on CSUMB's Study Abroad programs and important information.

Most federal financial aid programs are available for study abroad programs for which units are accepted for transfer to your CSUMB academic record.

All students who wish to receive financial aid for enrollment in any study abroad program are required to meet with a financial aid counselor to discuss the types of financial aid available to you based on the study abroad program in which you plan to enroll.

If you are unsure about any of the items above, please contact the Financial Aid Office at CSUMB for assistance.

Financial Aid is required to monitor repeat classes for all periods of enrollment (including prior terms). Federal regulation limits the number of times a student may get paid financial aid for courses being repeated. Previously passed courses with a “D-” or better can only be repeated twice for financial aid payment. If you are repeating a course, it is recommended that you contact the financial aid office to get more information on how this policy may impact your awards. Please see the explanation below.

Once a student has achieved a “D-“ grade or better, a student can repeat the same course a second time and still receive federal financial aid. However, the third time the student is not eligible.