Credential Student Financial Information

The following information is provided as an overview to assist credential applicants to be aware of attendance costs and financial aid opportunities that may be available to them. For full details on financial information, please contact Financial Aid.

Website: Financial Aid
Email: finaid@csub.edu
Tel: (661) 654-3016

Regular hours: Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm
Phone hours: Monday - 8am-5pm, Tuesday-Friday, 9am-3pm
Summer hours (May 26-August 14): Monday-Thursday, 8am-5pm

Antelope Valley Campus: Financial Aid is only at the AV Campus once a month (usually the first Tuesday), appointments are on a walk-in, first come - first serve basis. Please verify with the AV Campus Front Desk, (661) 952-5000, prior to coming to campus to ensure Financial Aid will be in attendance.

Located:
Bakersfield Campus
Student Services Building #10
Office Suite: SA-114

Antelope Valley Campus
Bldg. 100, room 101

Education Costs

Prior to applying to a credential program, applicants are encouraged to become financially literate and investigate the costs of attending a credential program.

Financial Aid: Education Costs
Information on financial planning for the costs of attending CSUB.

Tuition/Fees: CSUB Catalog Schedule of Tuition and Fees or Student Financial Services Registration Fees
Prices for tuition and student fees

Please note: For tuition purposes a credential student is a student who has received admission to a credential program for their first preliminary credential. Applicants who need to take the prerequisite/foundation courses will have to pay the graduate student tuition.

Applicants applying for master's/credential, added authorization, or a service credential  will also be considered graduate students for tuition.

Program fees: coming soon

Summer Session

Summer session is hosted by Extended Education, a part of the Division of Extended Education and Global Outreach at CSU Bakersfield. Extended Education courses are usually not eligible for financial aid so please be advised that if you choose to take summer courses you may be paying out of pocket for the courses. 

In addition, applicants applying for Fall but choosing to complete foundation courses over the summer are not eligible for financial aid as they are not yet CSUB students until the term of their admission acceptance.

For more information on summer session and the summer schedule, visit Summer Session.
For more information on registering/fees for Extended Education courses, visit Extended Education Registration.

If you are a current CSUB student considering taking summer courses, visit Financial Aid: Summer Aid.

Financial Aid

The types of financial aid available to students pursuing a teaching credential are very specific and different from undergraduate or graduate aid types. Credential students are not considered graduates for Financial Aid purposes. Depending on your status you may be eligible for different types of aid such as: student loans, grants, scholarships, or a CSUB payment plan. Credential students are only eligible to receive aid for coursework that is required by the State of California to receive a teaching credential. Enrollment status will be based on enrollment in required courses only.

By census day of each term:

Credential Students

  • Full-time = minimum of 12 semester units
  • Half-time = 6 semester units
  • Less than half-time (TEACH only)
For more information on enrollment requirements, visit Financial Aid: Enrollment Requirements.

For complete information on types of aid, visit Financial Aid: Types of Aid.

Pell Grant: You must be pursuing your initial teaching credential in order to be eligible to receive a Pell Grant. Eligibility for the Pell Grant is limited to one year in the credential program, and is not added to a student’s award package until credential coursework is confirmed in early fall.
Note: Students have a lifetime Pell Grant limitation of 6 years, or 12 full-time equivalent terms. Students who have already received their lifetime maximum as an undergraduate, will not be eligible for the Pell Grant while in the credential program.

TEACH Grant: The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program provides grants of up to $4,000 per year to students who intend to teach in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves students from low-income families. Currently, the TEACH Grant is only available to credential students. If, after reading all of the information provided, you are interested in applying for the TEACH Grant Program, please contact the Financial Aid Office to schedule an appointment with a Financial Aid Counselor.

Cal Grant A and B recipients: Students who plan to enroll in a Teaching Credential Program (TCP) may be eligible to renew their Cal Grant award for an additional year. The additional year of payment is provided to students who are seeking an initial teaching credential and cannot be used for other graduate level courses of study. To review your Cal Grant information, go to Web Grants 4 Students. You will be required to complete a Request for Cal Grant Teaching Credential Program Benefits (G44).

The Segal AmeriCorps Education Award: Is a post-service benefit earned by individuals who complete an approved term of national service in AmeriCorps programs. The award may be used to pay educational expenses at eligible post-secondary institutions, including many technical schools and G.I. Bill approved programs, or to repay qualified students loans.  The dollar amount of the education award is equal to the maximum amount of the U.S. Department of Education Pell Grant and may change year to year.

CSUB Payment Plan: Contact Student Financial Services for terms and application.

CSUB Scholarships: Academic scholarships are considered "Gift-Aid" and are funded by corporations, non-profit organizations, and individual donors. Recipients are typically determined through a competitive application process based on academic achievement, financial need, and/or criteria established by the donor. To search and apply for scholarships, see these links: 

Many of the teacher residency programs offer stipends to qualified and admitted candidates. For more information on applying to a teacher residency, see these links:

Complete the FAFSA

For complete information on applying for Aid, visit Financial Aid: Applying for Aid.

To determine what aid may be available to you please complete either the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Cal DREAM Act.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

  • for US Citizens & eligible Non-Citizens
  • determines eligibility for federal aid
  • determines eligibility for state aid (if CA resident)
Financial Aid: Getting Started
CSUB School Code: 007993

Cal DREAM Act

  • for Non-Citizens who reside in CA
  • for AB540 eligible students
    • determines eligibility for state aid

Cal DREAM Act

Common questions students ask when completing the FAFSA as a credential candidate:

  • When you begin the school year, what will be your grade level?
    5th year/other undergraduate
  • When you begin the school year, what degree or certificate will you be working on?
    Teaching Credential (non-degree program)

  • At the beginning of the school year, will you be working on a master’s or doctorate program?
    No
The priority deadline is March 2 and funds are limited so students are encouraged to apply early.

The FAF​​SA, California Dream Act (CADA) and Cal Grant forms are available October 1 for the following fall semester. Cal Grant has a firm March 2 deadline, but the FAFSA and CADA are available until June 30.

Helpful Links

Tuition and Fee Information

Financial Aid