San José State University (SJSU) is committed to providing financial assistance to students who demonstrate financial need and have the academic potential to succeed in college. The university offers a variety of financial aid programs, including grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study programs.
Grants
Grants are free money that does not have to be repaid. SJSU offers a variety of grants, including the Pell Grant, the Cal Grant, and the SJSU Grant.
The Pell Grant is the largest federal grant program for low-income undergraduate students. The maximum Pell Grant award for the 2022-2023 academic year is $6,895.
The Cal Grant is a state-funded grant program for California residents who meet certain income and academic requirements. The maximum Cal Grant award for the 2022-2023 academic year is $13,080.
The SJSU Grant is a university-funded grant program for SJSU students who meet certain financial need and academic requirements. The maximum SJSU Grant award for the 2022-2023 academic year is $1,000.
Scholarships
Scholarships are free money that does not have to be repaid. SJSU offers a variety of scholarships, including merit scholarships, need-based scholarships, and athletic scholarships.
Merit scholarships are awarded to students based on their academic achievement or other accomplishments. Need-based scholarships are awarded to students based on their financial need. Athletic scholarships are awarded to students who participate in intercollegiate athletics.
Loans
Loans are borrowed money that must be repaid. SJSU offers a variety of loans, including federal student loans and private student loans.
Federal student loans are loans that are made by the U.S. Department of Education. Federal student loans have low interest rates and flexible repayment options.
Private student loans are loans that are made by banks or other private lenders. Private student loans have higher interest rates and less flexible repayment options than federal student loans.
Work-Study Programs
Work-study programs allow students to earn money to help pay for college expenses. SJSU offers a variety of work-study programs, including on-campus jobs and off-campus jobs.
On-campus jobs are jobs that are located on the SJSU campus. Off-campus jobs are jobs that are located off the SJSU campus.
How to Apply for Financial Aid
To apply for financial aid, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is a form that collects information about your family’s income and assets. The FAFSA is used to determine your eligibility for federal and state financial aid.
You can complete the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.gov. The FAFSA is available on October 1st for the following academic year.
Tips for Getting Financial Aid
Here are some tips for getting financial aid:
- Apply for financial aid early. The earlier you apply for financial aid, the more likely you are to receive it.
- Complete the FAFSA accurately and completely. Make sure that you answer all of the questions on the FAFSA accurately and completely.
- Provide all of the required documentation. If you are asked to provide documentation, such as a tax return or a bank statement, be sure to provide it promptly.
- Follow up with the financial aid office. If you have any questions about your financial aid, be sure to contact the financial aid office.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Here are some common mistakes to avoid when applying for financial aid:
- Not applying for financial aid. Many students do not apply for financial aid because they think they will not qualify. However, many students who qualify for financial aid do not apply for it.
- Applying for financial aid late. The earlier you apply for financial aid, the more likely you are to receive it.
- Not completing the FAFSA accurately and completely. Make sure that you answer all of the questions on the FAFSA accurately and completely.
- Not providing all of the required documentation. If you are asked to provide documentation, such as a tax return or a bank statement, be sure to provide it promptly.
- Not following up with the financial aid office. If you have any questions about your financial aid, be sure to contact the financial aid office.
Additional Resources
Tables
Table 1: Grants
| Grant | Maximum Award |
|---|---|
| Pell Grant | $6,895 |
| Cal Grant | $13,080 |
| SJSU Grant | $1,000 |
Table 2: Scholarships
| Scholarship | Criteria |
|---|---|
| Merit scholarship | Academic achievement or other accomplishments |
| Need-based scholarship | Financial need |
| Athletic scholarship | Participation in intercollegiate athletics |
Table 3: Loans
| Loan | Interest Rate | Repayment Options |
|---|---|---|
| Federal student loan | Low | Flexible |
| Private student loan | High | Less flexible |
Table 4: Work-Study Programs
| Program | Location |
|---|---|
| On-campus job | SJSU campus |
| Off-campus job | Off SJSU campus |
