Graduate Students

Students pursuing a graduate degree are eligible for federal loan funds as well as Federal Work Study.  In addition, eligibility for the State University Grant, Graduate Business Grant, and the EdD Grant is determined by the FAFSA. 

In order to be eligible for funding through the FAFSA Application, you must meet the citizenship eligibility criteria for Federal Student Aid: 

• You must be a U.S. Citizen OR
• You must be an eligible non-citizen (i.e., Permanent Resident) 

PLEASE NOTE: Students who received a Social Security Number through the Deferred Action of Childhood Arrival (DACA), and who qualify for AB540, should complete the California Dream Act Application in order to be considered for state financial aid, as they are NOT Eligible for Federal Student Aid. 

In addition to citizenship status, you must meet the other general eligibility criteria for federal student aid.  Review the information from Federal Student Aid for details. 

Fact Sheets:   

• Federal Student Aid for Students in Adult Correctional and Juvenile Justice Facilities (PDF) 
• Federal Student Aid for Students Exiting Incarceration (PDF) 

All students pursuing a graduate degree (Master’s or Doctoral) are considered to be independent for financial aid purposes.  As a result, parent information does not need to be reported on the FAFSA. 

The FAFSA asks for important personal identification information as well as financial information. Details about the type of information, and documents needed to complete the application are available from Federal Student Aid. 

You may be able to have your tax & income information imported directly from the IRS into your FAFSA.  Learn more about providing financial information from Federal Student Aid.  

Transferring Tax Information from the IRS

Resources:  

• Filling out the FAFSA  
• The FAFSA Process (PDF)
• How to Transfer Tax Information into Your FAFSA

In order to complete and sign your FAFSA, you’ll need an FSA ID – which is a username and password combination that allows you to sign your FAFSA electronically.

You can get your FSA ID as you fill out the FAFSA, but getting an FSA ID before you begin the FAFSA could prevent processing delays, and it only takes a few minutes to apply. You can find out more information and apply for an FSA ID.   

Completing the FAFSA is not the last step; your FAFSA has to be processed, and then you get an Expected Family Contribution (EFC), which Cal Poly Pomona uses to figure out how much aid you can get. Find out more about what happens after you fill out the FAFSA, how to review your Student Aid Report and how to correct any errors.  

The EdD Program begins enrollment with the Summer term, which is considered to be part of the previous academic year.  Financial aid is available for the Summer – but requires having the prior year  FAFSA application on file with Cal Poly Pomona. 

Students in the EdD program must complete the following two FAFSA applications in order to be considered for financial aid for the full academic year: 

• 2021 – 2022 FAFSA (For Summer 2022) 
• 2022 – 2023 FAFSA (For Fall 2022, Spring 2023, and Summer 2023)

If you missed the Priority Filing Deadline (May 2, 2024 for the 2024-2025 year), you should still complete the FAFSA Application.  Although you have missed the opportunity to be considered for Cal Poly Pomona Grant funds for the upcoming year, you may still be eligible for a Federal Direct Loan (which requires completing the FAFSA). 

In addition to Direct Loans, some scholarships, or private loans may require you to complete the FAFSA application to be considered. 

You will have the opportunity to be considered for Cal Poly Pomona Institutional Grants next year – when you complete the FAFSA again (remember - you must complete a new FAFSA for each academic year).  The FAFSA becomes available every October 1st.  Be sure to complete the FAFSA prior to the Priority Filing Deadline, so that you can be considered for the full scope of funding available.