CSUF Grants

State University Grant (SUG)

The State University Grant (SUG) program provides need-based awards to eligible undergraduate and graduate/post baccalaureate students who are California residents or otherwise determined as eligible, such as AB 540-eligible students. It is funded by the State of California and administered by the California State University. The grant is designed to pay either part-time or full-time  state tuition fees based on units of enrollment. Doctoral programs (EDD and Nursing) are not eligible for the State University Grant.

Eligibility and Enrollment Requirements

1. Complete the  FAFSA  or  CADAA  application by March 3^rd  priority deadline (extended to April 2, 2025 for 2025-26 Academic Year).
2. Submit all requested documents for verification by due date established on the Student's Center 'To Do List'.
3. Have a Student Aid Index (SAI) of:
   1. Undergraduate: $6,000 or less
   2. Post-Bacc: -$1,500
   3. Reminder: SAI limit is subject to change every academic year.
4. Continuing students must meet  Satisfactory Academic Progress.

Enrollment Requirements

• If a student is  enrolled in 7 or more units, there is no change to the SUG award, since the State Tuition Fee remains the same.
• If a student is  enrolled in 6 units, the amount of the SUG award is adjusted to reflect the half-time State Tuition Fee.
• If a student is  enrolled in less than 6 units, the student is not eligible for the SUG award.

Mini Census: The Office of Financial Aid will use student's enrollment at this date (typically the second week of the semester) to determine SUG eligibility as students will no longer have their tuition charges reduced. SUG will be adjusted to match tuition fee between mini census and university census.

An evaluation of final enrollment for a semester is at the University Census date (this is last day of the add or drop period by permission, which typically occurs on the fourth Friday of the semester).

What can impact SUG eligibility

• Students who are pursuing a  second bachelor’s, masters, or credential are not eligible  for the State University Grant.
  • This limitation applies to the completion of a previous degree received at CSU, Fullerton or any other college/university.
• Students who receive tuition/fee waivers, vocational rehabilitation or sponsored tuition/fee waivers  are not eligible.
• Recipient of the State University Grant in  one year does not guarantee the award for subsequent years  due to availability of funds.
• State University Grant awards are limited based on the number of units a student has earned and the published length of their academic program.
• Students enrolled in a stand-alone Certificate Program are not eligible to receive the State University Grant.

SUG for Undergraduate Students

Undergraduate Unit Limit

Students pursing their  initial  (first) Undergraduate degree are eligible to receive a State University Grant award up to the maximum  earned  units shown below.

Undergraduate Level	Maximum Earned Units for SUG Award
Freshmen Admits	150 units * (All future transfer earned units are counted)
Transfer Students - Transferring less than 75 earned units	150 units* (CSUF Earned Units + Transfer Earned Units)
Transfer Students - Transferring 75 or more earned units	75 units

* The following coursework is not counted toward the undergraduate unit limit:

1. Pre-Baccalaureate or Remedial coursework that does not carry baccalaureate credit.
2. Test credit (AP, IB, etc.) and Military credit.
3. Grades: F, WU, AU, NC, I, RP and W

SUG for Credential Students

Students pursing their  initial  (first) Credential are eligible to receive a State University Grant award  up to the length of their program  while enrolled as a Post-Baccalaureate Credential student. The maximum includes all earned units from a prior credential program and any applicable transfer units.

The maximum does not include any units completed in a non-credential post-baccalaureate degree program (Master's or Doctorate).

Disbursement Requirements for SUG

Career	Actual Units of Enrollment Requirement	Disbursed Amount
Credential	0-5 units of enrollment	Not Eligible
Credential	6 units of enrollment	Part-Time Tuition Fee *
Credential	7 or more units of enrollment	Full-Time Tuition Fee *

* Tuition Fee can be found on  Student Business Services .

SUG for Graduate Students

Students pursuing their  initial  (first) master’s have an earned unit maximum of 125% of the published unit requirement for their degree. To calculate 125% of your degree units, multiply the total units required for your degree by 1.25. Doctoral programs (EDD and Nursing) are not eligible for the State University Grant.

For the majority of Master's Degree at CSUF, students are eligible to receive a State University Grant award for a maximum of 37.5 total earned units.

How To Calculate SUG Maximum Unit Earned Eligibility for Your Master Program Example Chart

Units Requires for Degree	SUG Maximum Earned Unit Limit (125% of Units Required for Degree)
30 units	30 times 1.25 = 37.5 units
36 units	36 times 1.25 = 45 units
45 units	45 times 1.25 = 56.25 units
60 units	60 times 1.25 = 75 units

This maximum includes all earned units from the term of admission to a graduate degree program and any applicable transfer units. The maximum does not include units earned while classified as a Credential or Second-baccalaureate student.

Career	Actual Units of Enrollment Requirement	Disbursed Amount
Graduate	0-5 units of enrollment	Not Eligible
Graduate	6 units of enrollment	Part-Time Tuition Fee *
Graduate	7 or more units of enrollment	Full-Time Tuition Fee *

* Tuition Fee can be found on  Student Business Services.

SUG Living Expenses

Starting with the 2026-27 school year, undergraduate students with the highest financial need may receive a State University Grant (SUG) Living Expenses award of up to $800 per semester. Teaching credential, Masters, and Doctoral students are not eligible for this grant.

The specific details for the SUG Living Expenses award are being updated. In the meantime, please review the general eligibility requirements listed below.

To be eligible, students must:

• Must be a first-time freshman or a new transfer student
• Meet standard SUG (tuition) eligibility requirements
• Submitted FAFSA by March 3rd or CADAA by the March 2nd priority deadline
• Be a CA resident or CADAA AB 540 student  
• Have a Student Aid Index (SAI) of -1500

The standard SUG is designed specifically to cover the tuition fee. A student awarded a Cal Grant or a Tuition Fee Waiver which already covers the tuition is not eligible for the standard SUG (tuition), however, they may still be eligible for the SUG Living Expenses award to help with costs like housing, food, and books.

Disbursement Requirement: Students must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 units in the semester to qualify for the $800 amount.