The Office of Financial Aid awards Federal Student Aid (FSA) based on the results of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). 

The 2024–25 FAFSA form expands eligibility for federal student aid, including Pell Grants. An estimated 7.3 million students from low-income backgrounds will be eligible to receive Federal Pell Grants due to updates to student aid calculations. Plus, applicants will be able to skip as many as 26 questions, depending on their individual circumstances. Some applicants could answer as few as 18 questions, which could take less than 10 minutes.

When you submit your completed 2024–25 FAFSA form, you’ll get an email confirming that FSA received your form with preliminary information related to your eligibility for federal student aid. This will include your estimated Student Aid Index (SAI) and estimated eligibility for Federal Pell Grants.

In one to three days, your form will be processed and made available to CSU and any other schools you included on your FAFSA . Once we receive your FAFSA information, we will review it and reach out to you with next steps. Until CSU receives your FAFSA, we won’t be able to answer questions about your aid eligibility or status.

Once your form is processed, you can also view your FAFSA Submission Summary on StudentAid.gov. The FAFSA Submission Summary will provide your official SAI calculation and Federal Pell Grant eligibility.

 Students at CSU are awarded Federal Student Aid up to the Cost of Attendance, based on full-time attendance, unless indicated otherwise by the applicant on the Estimated Financial Aid Form required in the awarding process.

Students should monitor their email for important updates from the Office of Financial Aid to prevent a delay in the awarding process. All required documentation must be on file prior to a student receiving Federal Student Aid.

Students will automatically be awarded any Federal Pell Grant funds they are eligible to receive based on the results of the FAFSA. Students interested in receiving Federal Student Loans will also need to complete Entrance Counseling and sign a Master Promissory Note.

Once a student is awarded Federal Student Aid, they will be sent an email notification prompting them to log into the myCSU Student Portal to review their award. If a student wishes to decline any portion of the award, they may do so by contacting the Office of Financial Aid at financialaid@columbiasouthern.edu.

Admission Status

In order to be eligible to receive Federal Student Aid a student must be a regularly admitted student in an eligible degree program. Students admitted with a Conditional Status may receive federal student aid up to 12 credit hours as an Undergraduate and 6 credit hours as a Graduate student.

Attendance Requirement

CSU is a not required to take attendance; however, prior to receiving FSA disbursements, CSU will verify participation in each registered course at the end of Week 1 (census date) in the term. The discussion board posting or Unit I assignment must be submitted to verify attendance and all Unit I assignments are due by the end of Week 1 to receive credit. Students who choose not to attend the first week will be institutionally dropped from the course and receive a grade of DN for the course. Students will be awarded based on actual scheduled hours in which attendance was verified. As a result, students choosing to attend half-time may have an adjustment made to their Federal Student Aid award at the end of Week 1 in the term.

Enrollment Status

Undergraduate students are considered full-time if enrolled in 6 credit hours in the term and half-time if enrolled in 3 credit hours in the term. Graduate students are considered full-time if enrolled in 3 credit hours in the term.

Academic Year Requirements

CSU defines its academic year for undergraduate students as 24 credit hours of completion and 36 weeks of instruction. CSU defines its academic year for graduate students as 12 credit hours of completion and 36 weeks of instruction.

Award Adjustments

If a financial aid award has to be adjusted for any reason during the academic year, the student will receive an email notification from the Office of Financial Aid prompting them to log into the myCSU Student Portal to review the revised award. If the student wishes to decline any portion of their revised award, they may do so by contacting the Office of Financial Aid at financialaid@columbiasouthern.edu.

Remaining Eligible for Federal Student Aid

In order to continue to receive Federal Student Aid to attend Columbia Southern University, it is important that a student remains eligible. Students will need to continue to meet the basic eligibility requirements, maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress and fill out the FAFSA each year.

Professional Judgment

The Office of Financial Aid currently reviews students on a case-by-case basis if they are experiencing unusual circumstances which may not accurately be reflected on their current financial aid application. This process is known as professional judgment. All requests for a professional judgment must be submitted in writing to the Office of Financial Aid at financialaid@columbiasouthern.edu. All outcomes will be communicated to the student/prospect via email within 14 days of receipt of all applicable supporting documentation.

Please keep this additional information in mind:

Personal Computer Funding

The Office of Financial Aid may be able to provide additional FSA funding for the purchase of a personal computer.  Interested students should contact the Office of Financial Aid at financialaid@columbiasouthern.edu.  A receipt or bill of sale for the purchase will be requested.  This should indicate the date of purchase, place of purchase, and detail that the purchase was for a personal computing equipment.

  • The limit per request is capped at $800
  • All requests are subject to a students available funding eligibility (e.g. if you have already borrowed the maximum amount of loans you are eligible for in the Academic Year, additional funding will not be available.)
  • Funding may be disbursed over several terms and not in a lump sum.  
  • Processing of funding is subject to standard processing times for both Columbia Southern University and the Department of Education. 

Military Students Applying for Financial Aid

Military Tuition Assistance (TA) is an education benefit paid to eligible members of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard. TA provides funding to students up to $250 per credit hour and up to $4,500 per fiscal year. Students using TA may also apply for FSA. FSA eligibility will be dependent upon the student’s cost of attendance and demonstrated financial need.