Financial aid award notifications are sent to CSN students who have a completed financial aid file, are enrolled, and have maintained satisfactory academic progress. Financial aid awards are made on a first-come, first-served basis.
To receive a financial aid offer, you must:
- Have a high school diploma or GED;
- Have a declared major in an approved degree or certificate program;
- Be enrolled in classes required for your declared major;
- Comply with the CSN Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy;
- Submit all required documents;
- Meet all other financial aid eligibility criteria.
Federal, state, and institutional financial aid is calculated based on courses that meet your declared program and do not cover courses outside your degree requirements. Please visit our homepage and click on “Important FA Dates” for the year you are attending to see each semester/term date for disbursement as well as other important dates that affect your academic career.
Communication Center for Notifications and Announcements
The Financial Aid Office’s primary method of communication is through the MyCSN Communication Center portal and email. The award letter can be viewed by logging into your MyCSN Student Center Portal.
After logging into MyCSN, please review the Finances section and click on “View Financial Aid”. Click on the column “Aid Year” to find your awards and scheduled disbursement dates for the semester/year. Students can also view their course eligibility and Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) status.
The Financial Aid Office begins disbursing financial aid approximately 7 days prior to the start of each semester. Financial aid payments will be applied to the accounts of eligible students. Any remaining balance is your responsibility to pay before the first day of the semester or your payment due date. Excess financial aid will be refunded to you within 14 days of the payment date unless you sign up for Direct Deposit on MyCSN. Paper check refunds are mailed to the permanent address you have on file with the Registrar's Office. Please remember to keep your mailing address current with the Registrar's Office.
Financial Aid Census Date (Impacts Pell Grants only)
The Pell Grant awards are based on students’ enrollment level (credits taken) on the census date. The census date is when the student’s enrollment is locked. The Pell Grant will be reviewed and adjustments will be made, if necessary, based on the student’s enrollment level. The students who enroll at the beginning of the semester and add courses after the census date should be prepared to pay for additional tuition & fee charges out of pocket.
**Please note: Pell Grant-eligible students who enroll in late-start course(s) for the first time (never before enrolled at CSN for the semester) may still qualify for the Pell Grant. The census date will be based on the date of enrollment or when CSN receives the student’s FAFSA, whichever is later.
See our Important Dates page to view CSN’s published Census Date.
SPECIAL NOTE FOR SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
Scholarship recipients must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress as stated by the specific scholarship received.
WITHDRAWAL AND RETURN OF TITLE IV FUNDS
- Please read the Withdrawal from Classes policy for more information regarding how withdrawing from classes affects your eligibility for financial aid.
- Please read the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy for more information regarding completion of degrees or certificates, 90+ credit hours, repeating courses, loan only, and the appeals process.