Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships
What you'll find on this page:
- How to Apply for Financial Aid
- FAFSA Simplification: 2024-2025 FAFSA Changes
- Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- California Dream Act Application
- Scholarships
- Tips for completing your financial aid application
- Next steps after completing your financial aid application
- What financial aid is available for your program
How to Apply For Financial Aid
To apply for aid, you'll first want to start by completing the FAFSA or the California Dream Act Application. Please do not complete them both -- this can cause delays in processing your account. If you aren't sure which application to complete, the California Dream Act Application has some initial questions that will help you determine which application is best for your situation!
The FAFSA or California Dream Act Application are not your final steps -- We always encourage students to apply for all scholarships that they may be eligible for!
The 2024-2025 FAFSA is Changing!
Simplifying the financial aid application process: the FAFSA Simplification Act is an initiative by the United States Department of Education to make applying for
federal student aid easier for students. As a result, the 2024-2025 FAFSA will open
in December 2023.
This process is the first major redesign of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process in over 40 years. It represents a significant overhaul of federal student
aid, including the FAFSA form, need analysis, storage of federal student aid application
data, and many policies and procedures for schools that participate in the Title IV
programs.
The process for the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) will include some of the changes from the new FAFSA, both of which will be implemented for the 2024–2025 award year. All students must complete either the FAFSA or CADAA to be considered for federal student aid.
The Fresno State Financial Aid & Scholarships Office is dedicated to keeping students, families, supporters and our campus community updated. We will continue to update this webpage as we receive more information from the Department of Education and post on our social media pages (Facebook, X, and Instagram @FSfinancialaid).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) Regarding FAFSA Simplification:
“FAFSA Simplification Act: On Dec. 27, 2020, Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act. The law includes provisions that amend the Fostering Undergraduate Talent by Unlocking Resources for Education (FUTURE) Act and includes the FAFSA Simplification Act—a sweeping redesign of the processes and systems used to award federal student aid. Specifically, the law makes it easier for students and families to complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form and expands access to federal student aid.”
The 2024-2025 FAFSA process is going to look a bit different than it was in the past. Don’t worry, we’re here to help keep you informed!
The application will not be available until December. To accommodate this later availability, we are extending our priority filing date to April 2, 2024. Please stay tuned for more details as they are released.
In 2020, the FAFSA Simplification Act was enacted into law as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021.
- Full implementation of major provisions will occur during the 2024–2025 award year (starting Fall 2024).
- The 2024–2025 FAFSA will be available in December 2023. The exact date has not yet been released by the Department of Education.
- Methodology will be introduced to calculate and determine applicant eligibility with a new need-analysis formula.
- Resources for completing the FAFSA form will be expanded to the 11 most common languages spoken in the United States.
Students and families will see a different measure of their ability to pay for college and experience a change in the methodology used to determine aid. The benefits of FAFSA simplification include:
- A more streamlined application process
- Expanded eligibility for federal student aid
- Expanded eligibility for the Federal Pell Grant.
- Reduced barriers for certain student populations
- A better user experience for the FAFSA form
- Enhanced data sharing with IRS to simplify the applicant’s experience
- 2024-2025 FAFSA completion date: Normally the FAFSA becomes available October 1st each year, but the 2024-2025 FAFSA will be available by the end of December 2023. As a result, we have extended our priority filing deadline to April 2, 2024.
- The FSA ID is more important than ever! To start the FAFSA, an FSA ID is required. Students and parents must have an FSA ID to fill out the form, including parents without a Social Security number.
- The term “EFC” (expected family contribution) is changing: With the 2024-2025 FAFSA, the term Expected Family Contribution (EFC) will be replaced with the Student Aid Index (SAI) – this is a new need analysis formula that we will use when awarding need-based grants and scholarships.
- Streamlined application: Questions are being removed, added, and rearranged. You’ll notice fewer overall questions when completing the 2024-2025 FAFSA and an easier way to transfer tax information directly from the IRS.
- The parent included on the FAFSA could change: For dependent students with separated or divorced parents, the parent providing the most financial support must be included on the new FAFSA. For many students, this will align with the previous requirement of including the custodial parent – the parent living with the student.
- New terminology: You’ll notice a few new terms like contributor (anyone who is asked to provide information on the FAFSA, a parent or student spouse for example) and consent (each contributor will need to consent to their information being included on the FAFSA)
- The number of questions will be reduced and the application will maximize the use of previously collected data.
- Students will be able to list up to 20 schools on their FAFSA via the online application.
- The Student Aid Index (SAI) will replace the Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
- Anyone asked to provide information on the aid application—student, spouse, student’s parent(s) and/or stepparents(s)—is called a contributor to the application.
- There will be two-step verification and all FAFSA contributors must have an FSA ID
to log into the online form.
- There will be a new process to get an FSA ID for parents and spouses without a Social Security number.
- Each contributor (student, student spouse, parent(s), and/or stepparent) will have to provide their consent to provide their Federal Tax Information (FTI) in the new Consent to Retrieve and Disclose Federal Tax Information section of the FAFSA.
- A Direct Data Exchange with the IRS will replace what is currently known as the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT).
- If any contributor does not provide their consent the Student Aid Index (SAI) will not be calculated, and we will not be able to determine the student’s eligibility for financial aid.
- For students whose parents are divorced or separated, the Custodial Parent on your FAFSA will be the parent who provides you with the most financial support and will no longer be the parent with whom you lived with the most over the past 12 months.
- Applicants will be asked to report their sex, race, and ethnicity on the FAFSA itself, but students will be offered a choice of “Prefer Not to Answer.” Schools and state agencies won’t see responses to these questions on the FAFSA.
- Foster, homeless, and unaccompanied youth—as well as applicants who cannot provide parental information—will be able to complete the form with a provisional independent student determination and receive a calculated SAI.
Students and families will see a different measure of their ability to pay for college and they will experience a change in the methodology used to determine aid. With the change to SAI, some students may see a decrease in financial aid eligibility. The SAI formula does not account for siblings in college and requires the net worth of all businesses and farms to be reported as assets.
- The Student Aid Index (SAI) will replace the Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
- The Cost of Attendance (COA) will be the starting point for calculating the SAI. COA includes direct costs (charges for which the university bills you directly) and estimated indirect costs (living expenses) to fund educational expenses for a year.
- The formula for calculating the Student Aid Index (SAI) is: COA – SAI = financial need.
- The new need-analysis formula:
- removes the number of family members in college from the calculation,
- allows a minimum SAI of -$1,500,
- implements separate eligibility determination criteria for Federal Pell Grants based on federal poverty levels and family size.
- Child support received will be included in assets and not as untaxed income.
- Families who own a small business/farm that also serves as primary residence will now have assets of that business/farm considered in their need-analysis calculation.
- The Pell Grant will no longer be adjusted based on enrollment status (full-time, half-time, etc.). Instead a student's Pell Grant and disbursement amount will be calculated using the student's Enrollment Intensity - which is a percentage value based on the number of credits a student is enrolled for during the term.
NOTE: The 2024-2025 FAFSA will not be available until December, due to FAFSA Simplification.
Every October 1st, the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will be available for the upcoming school year. It is important to know that you will need to complete the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application each year to receive federal aid. Only complete one financial aid application – Completing both the FAFSA and the California Dream Act Application can cause significant delays in receiving any financial aid. If you aren’t sure which application to complete, the initial questions on the California Dream Act will let you know which application is best for your situation.
To make sure that we receive your FAFSA, make sure you add our school code: 001147
While you can complete the FAFSA throughout the academic year, our priority deadline is March 2nd before the fall semester.
The FAFSA is based off income and federal tax information from two years prior. You’ll need other personal and income information as well – For a full list of what you may need, click here.
For example: The 2023-2024 FAFSA is for the Fall 2023, Spring 2024, and Summer 2024 semesters. Your (and your parents’) 2021 income and federal tax information is needed.
You (and your parent) will sign the FAFSA electronically using the FSA ID. Keep this information safe, you will need it each year that you complete your FAFSA. To create a FSA ID, click here.
The FAFSA can be completed in one of two ways:
- Online at studentaid.gov
- By completing the paper application; found here (under Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Information) and mailing it in to the U.S. Department of Education. The paper application is available in English and Spanish.
NOTE: The fastest, and most recommended way to complete your FAFSA is by completing it online. Mailing the paper FAFSA can cause significant delays in processing.
NOTE: The 2024-2025 CADAA will not be available until December, due to FAFSA Simplification.
Every October 1st, the new California Dream Act Application (CADAA) will be available for the upcoming school year. It is important to know that you will need to complete the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application each year to receive federal aid. Only complete one financial aid application – Completing both the FAFSA and the California Dream Act Application can cause significant delays in receiving any financial aid. If you aren’t sure which application to complete, the initial questions on the California Dream Act will let you know which application is best for your situation.
The California Dream Act Application has a deadline of March 2nd for the upcoming year. If you miss this deadline, you can still apply, but your eligibility may be limited.
You are eligible to complete the California Dream Act Application if you are undocumented, have a valid or expired DACA, are a U Visa holder, have Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and meet the non-resident exemption requirements under AB 540.
The California Dream Act Application can be completed online (this is recommended for faster processing!) or through the paper application.
Check out the California Student Aid Commission’s (CSAC) FAQ on the California Dream Act Application!
You’ll want to check with your high school counselor to ensure that your GPA was uploaded to CSAC by the March 2nd deadline!
Completing the FAFSA or the California Dream Act Application isn’t the only way to get financial aid. Scholarships are a great option because you don’t have to pay them back! They do, however, require a little effort on your part in researching, finding, and applying for them. Here are a few tips to get you started:
- Check out our Scholarships Page to complete the Fresno State Scholarship Application – It opens the October 1st prior to the upcoming fall semester and closes that following March 2nd. This application gives you the opportunity to apply for a ton of Fresno State Scholarships in just one application!
- Search for private and national scholarship opportunities that you qualify for! They are out there, you just need to take the the time to find them!
- If a scholarship is asking you to pay upfront, you might want to make sure it is a legitimate opportunity.
Keep in mind, a lot of scholarships also require the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application to be completed, so you’ll want to make sure you complete the application that your eligible for!
Tips for completing the FAFSA
- Apply early. Seriously – Our priority application deadline is the March 2nd before the Fall semester. We have additional financial aid opportunities for early applicants!
- If you (and/or your parents) are eligible to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, do it! It pulls your federal tax information directly from the IRS, helping complete the FAFSA faster and reduces your chances of being selected for verification.
- Make sure you answer the questions about your housing plans accurately – Will you live on campus? Off campus, but with a parent? Off campus, not with a parent? These are important questions in determining financial aid!
- Use your legal name and make sure your social security number is correct! Errors in your name and/or social security number can cause issues all along the way. They have to match national databases, including the social security database, and failure to do so can cause rejects in your application. If that doesn’t cause an issue, it can cause issues linking to your account here at Fresno State.
- Complete your FAFSA accurately the first time. Going back and making changes to your FAFSA can cause delays in processing.
- Make sure that we have your social security number on file. If we don’t have your social security number on file here at Fresno State, we can’t link your FAFSA to your account and process.
- If your FAFSA is rejected by the U.S. Department of Education, resolve it as quickly as possible – We can’t process until we receive an approved FAFSA.
Need help completing your financial aid application?
We offer workshops where you can get help from a financial aid team member to complete
your application! Financial aid application workshops will begin in the fall and go
throughout the spring. Follow us on social media for updates on events. If those
workhops do not work for you, you can swing by our office where we have computers
set up and can have a staff available to help you through the process.
After Completing your FAFSA…

- It’s a good idea to request your (and your parents’) federal tax return transcript from the IRS, just in case it is needed. You can find instructions on how to do this and request them here.
- Keep an eye on your my.FresnoState account and Student Center. If you have items on your To Do List, you’ll want to take care of them as soon as possible – they can impact your financial aid processing and disbursement!
- Apply for Scholarships! Scholarships don’t have to be paid back, and a little bit of research can go a long way! Check out our Scholarships page, search for private and national scholarship opportunities, but remember, you shouldn’t have to pay money to receive scholarships.
- Budget – Do you have enough money for college? Do you need to look at other aid opportunities? If so, you can find more information on other loan options here.
What Financial Aid is Available
Financial aid varies based on the program that you are participating in. Please note that financial aid will be delayed if you have financial aid To Do items or holds. California DACA and undocumented students must meet the AB540 residency status to be considered for state and institutional aid programs.
Below are the different financial aid opportunities that an undergraduate student may be eligible for. Please note that students working on a 2nd bachelor’s degree can only be considered for programs indicated with an *.
- Federal Pell Grant
- Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grant
- Cal Grant Programs
- State University Grant
- Middle Class Scholarships
- Federal TEACH Grant (Only the following majors)
- Liberal Studies – ITEP Option
- Mathematics – Integrated Credential Option
- Golden State Teacher Grant - (Only the following majors)
- Liberal Studies – ITEP Option
- Mathematics – Integrated Credential Option
- Scholarships*
- Federal Work Study*
- State Learning Aligned Employment Program*
- Federal Direct Loans*
- Nursing Loan (Only Nursing students)*
- Private student loans*
Below are the different financial aid opportunities that a graduate student may be eligible for. Please note that students working on a Psychology Educational Specialist (EdS) degree should refer to the Credential section.
- State University Grant
- Scholarships
- Federal Work Study
- Federal Student Loans
- Private student loans
Below are the different financial aid opportunities that a graduate student may be eligible for.
- Scholarships
- Fresno State Doctoral Grants
- Federal Student Loans
- Private student loans
Below are the different financial aid opportunities that a graduate student may be eligible for.
- Private Student Loans
Below are the different financial aid opportunities that a graduate student may be eligible for. Single Subject and Multiple Subject credentials are not eligible for programs indicated with an *
- Federal Pell Grant*
- Cal Grant Programs
- State University Grant
- Middle Class Scholarships
- Golden State Teachers Grant
- Federal TEACH Grant*
- Scholarships
- Federal Work Study
- Federal Direct Loans
- Private student loans
The following non-teaching programs are only eligible for the Golden State Teachers Grant and Private Student Loans:
- Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Credentials
- Psychology Educational Specialist Degree (EdS)
The following non-teaching programs are only eligible for Private Student Loans:
- Administrative Services Credential
- Reading & Literacy Leadership Specialist Credential
Below are the different financial aid opportunities that a graduate student may be eligible for. Students working on the CST Multi Subject Clear Credential can only be considered for programs indicated with an *.
- Federal Pell Grant
- Cal Grant Programs
- State University Grant
- Middle Class Scholarships
- Golden State Teachers Grant
- Federal TEACH Grant
- Federal Direct Loans
- Private student loans*
For more information on grants, click here For more information on loans, click here For more information on work study, click here