Affording SFSU
We make a great education affordable. Learn how financial aid has helped SFSU students keep striving, thriving and accomplishing their goals.
Every undergraduate and graduate student in every program should apply for financial aid. There are many options tailored to different student backgrounds and financial situations. Many students get support from financial aid annually.
There is a reason SFSU is a Top 20 Affordable College with high return on investment by MSN.com and receives an A- Grade for Value by Niche.com.
- 82% of undergraduates receive financial aid
- 3 out of 5 undergraduates pay $0 out of pocket for tuition due to financial aid grants
- Cal Grant eligible first-time freshmen may be eligible for reduced-rate student housing
Hear from SFSU students.
Discover how financial aid has helped SFSU students and get some advice from your peers.
Christian Campos
Major: Urban Studies and Planning, B.A., Class of 2024
Type of financial aid: Grants and “lots of scholarships,” including the Willie L. Brown, Jr. Fellowship
“I want [prospective students] to know that it’s a real thing! A lot of people don’t think it’s a real thing when it comes to scholarships,” Christian says. He’s seen a lot of students skip applying for a scholarship because they don’t think they are going to get it. “Honestly, a lot of people have good chances of getting scholarships because there are so many.”
As a commuter student, Christian often took BART or the bus — both free for students as of fall 2024 — to get to campus. But sometimes he had to drive for work. Scholarships and grants helped him when finances were tight and enabled him to help his family with groceries.
He had support on campus. When he worked with the Metro program, they encouraged him to apply for more scholarships and assisted him with the process. Whenever he had questions, he was able to get help from the Financial Aid office and found their website informative.
Christian’s advice
I always tell students — and told myself when I was a student — apply to as many as you can and hope for the best.
Jazzmin Matthews
Major: Ethnic Studies, M.A., Class of 2025
Type of financial aid: Graduate State University Grant
“It means a lot to be able to have a program that’s pretty much paid off,” Jazzmin says about her grant, which significantly covers her academic expenses. She originally learned about financial aid and FAFSA when she was applying for community college as an undergraduate.
“In general, financial aid has really been a saving grace for me as someone who is and has been considered an independent student since I’ve been in school,” she adds.
A worker in the Financial Aid office, she says she’s always surprised when fellow students tell her they didn’t apply for support. Though the FAFSA may feel intimidating, the Financial Aid office and other campus resources are here to help, she says. Check out Financial Aid’s workshops, Zoom advising and social media and take advantage of other campus resources.
Jazzmin’s advice
Don’t be afraid to visit. It always helps to develop relationships with the folks at Financial Aid and counselors. That’s a starting point in terms of making it a bit less intimidating. We’re there to support the students.
Gabriel Neri
Major: Business Administration (general business), B.A., Class of 2028
Type of financial aid: Work study and subsidized and unsubsidized loans
“Financial aid has helped me out because it helps my family be able to pay off all of my college bills and stuff like that,” Gabriel Neri says, noting that three people in his family are currently in college.
His work study experience has been particularly fruitful. He used the University’s Handshake system to find a job with SFSU’s Human Resources team. It was a pretty straightforward process, he explains. He applied and did interviews just like any other job. The main benefit? Because it’s a work-study job, the earnings don’t reduce other types of aid.
“Work study has allowed me to gain valuable skills in a relevant work environment while also helping fund my college,” he adds.
Gabriel’s advice
Whatever type of degree you're pursuing, it's going to be costly. But there's stuff like financial aid that helps you get through that and achieve your goal and get what you came here for.