Applying for Undergraduate Financial Aid (FAFSA)

Eligibility Requirements

To be considered for federal, state, and institutional aid at Saint Mary's College of California, you must meet the following criteria:

1. Submission of Financial Aid Applications: All financial aid applications should be filed by the priority deadlines (March 1st for new students and April 2nd for continuing students). 
2. Enrollment Status: You must be an admitted, readmitted, or currently enrolled student in a degree program at the college. Please note that this requirement must be fulfilled before notification of awards can be made.
3. Citizenship or Eligible Non-Citizen: You must be a citizen or eligible non-citizen of the United States. Federal and state funds are also restricted on a similar basis.
4. Full-Time Enrollment: You must be registered on a full-time basis to be considered for all types of aid. Students who register less than full-time, but at least half-time, will only be considered for federal loan and grant programs. Students enrolled less than half-time may be eligible for the federal Pell Grant only.

Please also visit our FAFSA Changes Overview page for any updates related to the new FAFSA starting in 2024-2025.

Fill Out the FAFSA

To be considered for all available forms of financial aid, a student applying for aid for the academic year will need to complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). 

FAFSA INFORMATION

• The FAFSA online form will require basic financial information about the student and their family. There is no charge to process this form. Saint Mary's FAFSA school code is 001302. Please complete FAFSA.
• Our priority deadline is March 1 for new students and April 2 for continuing students.
• Some families will be selected for FAFSA verification process. The FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS), received by students when completing FAFSA, will indicate if student selected for verification process. Any changes are made may affect the student's eligible aid.
• The GPA Verification Form, required by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) for students applying for the Cal Grant programs, will be available in high school guidance offices and online. Please see Cal Grant GPA verification process.

If have questions or need assistance with the FAFSA, the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) offers 'Cash For College' Workshops for students and families.

In accordance with Saint Mary’s College of California policy:

• Freshmen who matriculate at the college are eligible for four years of Saint Mary’s aid.
• Transferring students will have their eligibility determined based on their year of entry. For example, a student transferring in as a sophomore will have three years of eligibility, as a junior will have two years, and so forth.
• Cal Grant is available for a maximum of four years per eligibility determined by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC). Therefore, students who continue enrollment after four years will only be considered for federal aid (Pell Grant and student loans) based on lifetime aggregate limits.