Frequently Asked Questions

Based on the updates to the 2024-2025 FAFSA, there has been a significant delay from the U.S. Department of Education and their ability to process the applications. This was resolved during the month of March and they have begun sending all processed applications to schools.

CGU has now begun receiving applications and are awaiting our ability to process each students Student Aid Index (SAI), formerly known as EFC, to determine any need based aid. We have begun contacting all students who require additional documentation to be submitted prior to determining their eligibility. Please monitor your email for any communications from the Office of Financial Aid.

We began awarding federal aid offers in mid-April for all incoming students to view their awards on their MyCGU student portal by May 1st. We have begun awarding continuing students and in hopes they may view their awards by May 30th.

We have been reassured that any new FAFSA submissions submitted from mid-April and beyond, will be processed within the 3-5 business day window our students previously experienced.

Yes. Many students who are not interested in loans do not submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid(FAFSA) and, therefore, are not considered for Federal Work Study, Federal TEACH Grant or need-based fellowships. We encourage all domestic students to submit a FAFSA at studentaid.gov. Please note that you must file a FAFSA each academic year.

All fellowship awards are based on the exact number of units that you enroll in. All fellowships are reviewed and adjusted after the add/drop period each semester. You may use the Fellowship Calculator to estimate what amount of fellowship you will receive in a given term.

Students must be enrolled in a minimum of four degree-seeking units or Doctoral Studies/Continuous Registration.

The student’s cost of attendance includes not only tuition and fees, but also living expenses, supplies and more while attending CGU. We adhere to guidelines established by federal government to determine the Cost of Attendance figures. Please note that the figures listed are not your actual costs and you are encouraged to seek assistance in establishing a student budget.

Eligible U.S. Citizens and permanent residents may qualify for up to $20,500 each year in Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans or up to $138,500 in their academic career. Additionally, students may qualify for a Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loan to cover expenses up to the Cost of Attendance.

You may contact your department representative, or the Assistant Director of Admissions, to discuss the level of your fellowship, but know that your level of fellowship is honored throughout your coursework as long as Satisfactory Academic Progress is maintained. You may apply for external scholarships through various search engines. You may seek campus employment through Handshake. Lastly, you may apply for a PLUS loan for Graduate Students on studentaid.gov.

A student’s financial aid application may be selected for review by the Federal Processor. If selected, the applicant must submit all requested documentation to the Financial Aid Office for review. This involves cross-checking information from all documentation (including the application) related to earned income, untaxed income, expenses, assets, liabilities and household size. This process is called Verification.

Loan disbursements begin one week prior to classes beginning and are applied directly towards any tuition charges. If a credit exists, then a refund may be generated by the Student Accounts Office within 10 business days. All fellowship disbursements occur after the add/drop date each semester and if a credit exists, then a refund will be generated within 10 business days. To determine if you will have a credit, please refer to your Invoice on your MyCGU Student Portal under My Bill. Please be sure to account for any fellowship adjustments based on your exact unit enrollment.