Student Health and Counseling Center
Financial Aid for Student Parents
Fresno State offers a range of financial aid programs to help students afford college, whether through grants, work opportunities, or special allowances! Check out each of the following below that are tailored to support parent scholars.
The Federal Pell Grant provides financial assistance to eligible students attending college to help cover tuition and other educational expenses. This is a grant, so it does not need to be repaid, making it a valuable resource for those who qualify based on financial need.
To apply, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and check with the Financial Aid Office for additional details.
Colleges use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form to determine how much financial aid students are eligible to receive, which could include grants, scholarships, work-study funds, and loans. Any student, regardless of income, who wants to be considered for federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs can fill out a FAFSA.
Students must apply for financial aid every year and submit any required documents
to the Financial Aid Office.
The California Dream Act Application (CADAA) allows undocumented students and other eligible non-citizens to apply for state and institutional financial aid, including grants, scholarships, and fee waivers, which do not need to be repaid, to help cover college costs, such as tuition and other educational expenses.
To apply, complete the CADAA online and be sure to submit any required documents to the Financial Aid Office.
The Cal Grant and Students with Dependent Children Award provides money that does not need to be paid back to eligible college students with financial need. Foster youth in case after age 13 or students with dependents can get an additional $6,000 per year (on top of the maximum benefit) for non-tuition costs like rent and books.
To qualify for the student parent supplemental award, you must have dependent children under 18 years of age for whom you provide more than half of their financial support during the academic year. You must complete the FAFSA and CADAA to be considered for this grant and complete a GPA verification form if your school has not already done so automatically.
The California Chafee Grant for Foster Youth provides financial support for current and former foster youth under the age of 26, helping them pursue their educational goals. This grant offers up to $5,000 per year for up to five years to help cover tuition, living expenses, and other college-related costs. To qualify, you must demonstrate financial need and meet certain eligibility criteria. You must complete the FAFSA and CADAA to be considered for this grant.
To learn more about eligibility and to apply, visit the Chafee Grant Application website.
Cost of Attendance (COA) Adjustments allow you to increase your financial aid package to cover essential expenses beyond tuition, including rent, utilities, health care, child care, specialized books and supplies, relocation expenses, and transportation. By adjusting your COA, you may qualify for additional grants, federal student loans, work-study opportunities, or scholarships to help cover your costs.
To request an adjustment, contact the Financial Aid Office at 559.278.2182 or financialaid@mail.fresnostate.edu. Documentation of your expenses may be requested.
The Dependent Care Allowance can increase the amount of financial aid for which you’re eligible by including dependent care expenses, such as child care, in your cost of attendance (COA) budget, making it easier to balance family responsibilities with your studies. To qualify, you must be enrolled in college, have a dependent, and complete the FAFSA and any other requested financial aid forms. The allowance covers dependent care costs while you attend classes, study, do field work or internships, commute, and more.
Contact the Financial Aid Office at 559.278.2182 or financialaid@mail.fresnostate.edu for more information. You can also review the Dependent Care Allowance Request Form.
The Federal Work-Study Program provides part-time employment opportunities for students while they are enrolled in school. The program is available to both full-time and part-time students, allowing them to earn money to help cover education and living expenses. Work-study jobs may include on-campus roles, positions with nonprofit or public agencies, and even partnerships with for-profit employers.
To learn more and determine your eligibility, contact the Financial Aid Office at 559.278.2182 or financialaid@mail.fresnostate.edu. You must complete the FAFSA to be considered for this program.