• How much does it cost to attend college?
• Is there any way that I can pay fees by installment?
• How can I get help with the admission fee?
• Can I get financial aid for a study-abroad program?

How much does it cost to attend college?

The cost will vary depending on the college or university attended. For 2008-09, California residents attending a California State University (CSU) campus as an undergraduate will pay the State University Fee of $3,048 for the academic year (nine months). Students will also pay an average of $786 in miscellaneous campus fees for average total fees of $3,834 (actual campus fees vary by campus).

Students enrolling at the CSU who are not U.S. citizens or California residents must also pay nonresident tuition up to $10,170 per academic year, which is $339 for each semester unit, or $226 for each quarter unit, in which they enroll. This tuition charge is in addition to the State University Fee.

Since CSU campuses are public universities receiving support from the state and its taxpayers, resident student fees are lower than the fee and tuition charges at independent and private institutions. This public subsidy helps to ensure that student fees at the CSU are kept as low as possible while permitting the CSU to offer access to a quality postsecondary education to as many state residents as possible. Student fees are higher at the CSU than at community colleges but are less than those charged by the University of California.

The estimated average cost of books and supplies is $1,533 for 2008-09. Fees, together with books and supplies, are considered direct educational expenses and average $5,367 at CSU campuses for 2008-09.

Students also have expenses for food and housing, transportation, and other miscellaneous personal expenses while attending college. These expenses vary depending on where the student lives while attending college - at home with parents, in a campus residence facility, or in an off-campus residence facility, typically a shared apartment. These costs also vary depending on where in the state the student's college residence is located. Since the CSU has twenty-three (23) campuses throughout the state, the variation in living costs can be significant. The following table indicates average cost of attendance allowances, for financial aid purposes, for living expenses, as well as fees and books, for the 2008-09 academic year.

ESTIMATED AVERAGE 2008-2009 ACADEMIC YEAR EXPENSES
	Commuting from home	Living in campus housing	Living away from home/off-campus
State University Fee*	$3,048	$3,048	$3,048
Miscellaneous Fees	786	786	786
Books and Supplies	1,533	1,533	1,533
Meals and Housing	3,950**	9,321	10,165
Transportation	1,161**	1,040	1,255
Miscellaneous Personal	2,459**	2,388	2,466
TOTAL	$12,937**	$18,116	$19,253

*

$3,048 is the amount undergraduates enrolled in more than six units pay; undergraduates in six or fewer units pay $1,770. Graduate and postbaccalaureate students enrolled in more than six units pay $3,756 and those in six units or fewer pay $2,178. Students enrolled in teaching credential programs for a Multiple Subject, Single Subject, or Special Education credential pay $3,540 if they are taking more than six units and $2,052 if they are taking six or fewer units.

**

The cost for meals, housing, and personal expenses for students who continue to live with parents or relatives are not expected to increase because of college attendance. Transportation expenses for commuting students will vary depending on the type of transportation used and the distance traveled.

Is there any way that I can pay fees by installment?

Yes. All CSU campuses offer either an installment payment fee plan or allow students to use a credit card to pay for fees.

How can I get help with the application fee?

In case of financial hardship, campuses allow a limited number of application fee waivers for residents of California. If you file the admission application via CSUMentor, the fee waiver request is included in the online system as part of the application process. You will be notified at the time you apply online if you qualify for the fee waiver. In situations where the online application is unable to determine your eligibility for a fee waiver, you will need to submit the - Request for Application Fee Waiver directly to the campus admission office(s). The campus will inform you if you do not qualify for the fee waiver. Only California residents are eligible for application fee waivers.

Can I get financial aid for a study-abroad program?

Federal student financial aid funds can be awarded to study-abroad programs provided that the courses are accepted for credit in your program. If the study-abroad program is not a part of your home institution (the institution that will grant your degree or credential), a consortium or contractual agreement may be required between the two institutions. Basically, the home institution must determine that the courses offered by the study-abroad program are acceptable in terms of meeting academic standards and being an acceptable substitution for the home institution's instruction. If you are interested in study-abroad programs you should request information on financial aid from the program and should consult with the financial aid office at your home institution as well.