Financial Aid Office Sac State: Your Gateway to Educational Accessibility Types of Financial Aid Available How to Find Scholarships How to Apply for Scholarships How to Get Help with Financial Aid Conclusion

The Financial Aid Office at Sacramento State University (Sac State) is committed to providing financial assistance to students who need it most. The office offers a wide range of aid programs, including grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study. These programs help make college more affordable for students from all backgrounds.

Why Financial Aid Matters

The cost of college has been rising steadily for decades. According to the College Board, the average cost of tuition and fees at a four-year public college has increased by more than 250% since 1985. This has made it increasingly difficult for students to pay for college without financial assistance.

Financial aid can help students cover the cost of tuition, fees, books, and other expenses. This can make it possible for students to attend college who would not otherwise be able to afford it. Financial aid can also help students reduce their student loan debt and graduate with less debt.

How Financial Aid Benefits Students

Financial aid can provide a number of benefits for students, including:

• Making college more affordable: Financial aid can help students pay for the cost of college, making it possible for them to attend college who would not otherwise be able to afford it.
• Reducing student loan debt: Financial aid can help students reduce their student loan debt and graduate with less debt.
• Improving academic performance: Financial aid can help students focus on their studies and improve their academic performance.
• Increasing graduation rates: Financial aid can help students stay in school and graduate on time.

Services Provided by the Financial Aid Office

The Financial Aid Office at Sac State offers a wide range of services to students, including:

• Financial aid counseling: Financial aid counselors can help students understand their financial aid options and complete the financial aid application process.
• Scholarship search: The Financial Aid Office can help students find scholarships that they may be eligible for.
• Loan application assistance: The Financial Aid Office can help students apply for federal and private student loans.
• Work-study: The Financial Aid Office can help students find work-study jobs on campus.

How to Apply for Financial Aid

To apply for financial aid, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is available online at fafsa.gov.

The FAFSA deadline is March 2nd, but students are encouraged to apply as early as possible. The earlier students apply, the more likely they are to receive financial aid.

Contact Information

The Financial Aid Office at Sac State is located in the University Union building. The office is open Monday-Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm.

Students can contact the Financial Aid Office by phone at (916) 278-6231 or by email at [email protected].

The Financial Aid Office at Sac State offers a variety of financial aid programs, including:

Grants

Grants are free money that does not have to be repaid. Grants are awarded based on financial need, academic merit, or other factors.

Some of the most common grants include:

• Federal Pell Grant: The Pell Grant is the largest federal grant program for undergraduate students. The Pell Grant is awarded to students who demonstrate financial need.
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG): The SEOG is a federal grant program for undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional financial need.
• Cal Grant: The Cal Grant is a state grant program for California residents who attend college in California. The Cal Grant is awarded based on financial need and academic merit.

Scholarships

Scholarships are free money that does not have to be repaid. Scholarships are awarded based on academic merit, athletic ability, or other factors.

Some of the most common scholarships include:

• University Scholarships: Sac State offers a variety of scholarships to incoming and continuing students. These scholarships are awarded based on academic merit, financial need, or other factors.
• Departmental Scholarships: Many departments at Sac State offer scholarships to their students. These scholarships are awarded based on academic merit, financial need, or other factors.
• Private Scholarships: There are many private scholarships available to students. These scholarships are awarded by a variety of organizations, including businesses, foundations, and individuals.

Loans

Loans are money that must be repaid. Loans are available to students who demonstrate financial need.

Some of the most common loans include:

• Federal Direct Subsidized Loan: The Direct Subsidized Loan is a federal loan program for undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need. The federal government pays the interest on the loan while the student is in school and for six months after the student graduates or leaves school.
• Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan: The Direct Unsubsidized Loan is a federal loan program for undergraduate and graduate students. The student is responsible for paying the interest on the loan while the student is in school and after the student graduates or leaves school.
• Federal PLUS Loan: The PLUS Loan is a federal loan program for parents of undergraduate students and for graduate students. The parent or graduate student is responsible for paying the interest on the loan while the student is in school and after the student graduates or leaves school.

Work-Study

Work-study is a program that allows students to work part-time on campus to earn money to help pay for college. Work-study jobs are available in a variety of departments on campus.

Students who are eligible for work-study can earn up to $2,500 per year.

There are a number of ways to find scholarships. Here are a few tips:

• Search online: There are a number of websites that allow students to search for scholarships. Some popular scholarship search websites include Fastweb.com, Scholarships.com, and CollegeBoard.org.
• Talk to your counselor: Your high school or college counselor can help you find scholarships that you may be eligible for.
• Contact your local library: Your local library may have a scholarship database that you can use to search for scholarships.
• Attend scholarship fairs: Scholarship fairs are a great way to learn about scholarships and meet with scholarship providers.

Once you have found some scholarships that you are eligible for, you need to apply for them. Here are a few tips:

• Read the scholarship requirements carefully: Make sure you meet all of the scholarship requirements before you apply.
• Write a strong scholarship essay: The scholarship essay is your chance to tell the scholarship provider why you deserve the scholarship. Make sure your essay is well-written and error-free.
• Submit your application on time: The scholarship deadline is very important. Make sure you submit your application on or before the deadline.

If you need help with financial aid, there are a number of resources available to you. Here are a few tips:

• Contact the Financial Aid Office: The Financial Aid Office at Sac State can help you understand your financial aid options and complete the financial aid application process.
• Talk to your counselor: Your high school or college counselor can help you find scholarships and complete the financial aid application process.
• Visit the financial aid website: The financial aid website at Sac State has a wealth of information about financial aid. The website can help you answer your questions and apply for financial aid.

Financial aid can make college more affordable for students from all backgrounds. The Financial Aid Office at Sac State offers a variety of financial aid programs to help students pay for college. If you need help with financial aid, there are a number of resources available to you.