Your  Account:

Financial Aid Programs

Grants

  • Federal Student Grants (Federal Grants) are free money for educational expenses for eligible students pursuing a postsecondary education. 
  • Cal Grants (state aid) are free money guaranteed to every high school senior that applies on time and meets income, eligibility and GPA requirements.
  • State University Grant (SUG) provides need-based awards to cover the Tuition Fee. 
  • Educational Opportunity Grant (EOP) provides assistance to economically and educationally disadvantaged undergraduates.
  • TEACH Grant The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program is available for selected postbaccalaureate and master’s programs and plans in education.

Loans

  • Federal Loans are low-interest student loans that are designed to provide students with borrowing options that require repayment over a long-term period of time typically six months after graduation or attendance at less than half-time. 
  •  Subsidized/unsubsidized loans: Subsidized Loans are available to students who meet financial need requirements and are attending school at least half-time. With this loan, the government pays the interest while the student is enrolled at least half-time.  Six months after graduation or attendance less than half-time, repayment will begin.  An unsubsidized loan is available to any student regardless of financial need, but the student pays the interest while enrolled.
  • PLUS Loans are available for the parents of students attending college.
  • Graduate PLUS Loans are available to students enrolled in Masters Degree Programs.
  • Private Loans are available to creditworthy borrowers to meet the cost of education after other sources of aid has been depleted or when federal loan limits have been reached.
  • California Dream Loan is borrowed money you must repay with interest.  The loan is subsidized for undergraduate students with a valid CA Dream Act application and a valid AB540 affidavit or "U" Visa on file with Cal State San Marcos.

Scholarships

Scholarships provide "free" money for college, usually based on your area of study or merit, such as good grades, high test scores, athletic, musical or other special talents, community service and sometimes financial need.

Work Study

Financial Aid Employment Programs

  • Federal Work-Study provides part-time employment, usually on campus. Students are paid for hours worked and use the earnings to help finance educational expenses.
  • The Learning-Aligned Employment Program (LAEP) is a state-funded program that offers eligible underrepresented students the opportunity to earn money to help defray their educational costs while gaining education-aligned, career-related employment.

Program Requirements

  • Must be enrolled at least half-time
  • Undergraduate student
  • California resident classification
  • Satisfactory academic progress
  • Demonstrated financial need
  • Eligibility to work in the United States

Eligibility

Students must have unmet need of at least $6000 to take part in LAEP. This program is open to students admitted into an undergraduate program, that are meeting the campus SAP requirements, and enrolled at least half time. 

For the purpose of determining LAEP eligibility, “underrepresented” students include:

  • first-generation college students
  • low-income students
  • students who are current or former foster youth
  • homeless students or those at risk of becoming homeless
  • students with disabilities
  • displaced workers
  • students with dependent children
  • formerly incarcerated students
  • students who are veterans.

Funding: up to $6,000 per academic year depending on your eligibility

Periods of employment: Fall and Spring

Salary Range: Minimum wage to $22.00 an hour

Weekly Hours: LAEP student trainees may work up to, but not more than, 20 hours per week during academic periods (This is combined with any other campus employment, not exceeding 20 hours per week for all campus employment.)

Faculty Endorsement and LAEP Student Agreement Required