Aid Programs: Prospective Graduate Students
Costs | Aid Programs | How to Apply for Aid (FAFSA) | How to Apply for Aid (DREAM) | After you Apply
The Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships at Cal Poly Pomona is your main resource for questions related to paying for your education. We oversee the awarding and distribution of loans, grants, work-study funds, and coordination with other aid – such as scholarships.
The types of financial aid available to students pursuing a graduate degree are very specific and different from undergraduate or credential aid types.
- Students who are pursuing a second Master’s or second Doctoral Degree are only eligible for scholarships, federal loans or private education loans.
- Students who are conditionally admitted to a graduate program are only eligible for private education loans.
- Students who are pursuing a graduate degree through the Cal Poly Pomona College of Extended University are only eligible for scholarships, federal loans or private education loans.
Scholarships are available to FAFSA and DREAM Applicants.
Scholarships are considered gift-aid: They don't need to be repaid! There are thousands of them, offered by schools, employers, individuals, private companies, nonprofits, communities, religious groups, and professional and social organizations.
A scholarship might cover the entire cost of your tuition, or it might be a one-time award of a few hundred dollars. Either way, scholarships are worth applying for as they can help you cover your educational costs, and reduce your dependence on loans.
Our Scholarships page is your resource for information on a variety of Cal Poly Pomona and outside scholarship opportunities.
Cal Poly Pomona Grants are available to FAFSA or DREAM Applicants.
Students enrolled in programs offered through the College of Professional and Global Education (CPGE) are not eligible for Cal Poly Pomona Grants (including the State University Grant).
State University Grant (SUG)
The State University Grant pays the Systemwide (State) Tuition Fee; you must be enrolled at least half-time in order to receive the grant. If you will be receiving another financial aid award designated to pay your tuition fee (Scholarship, tuition/fee waivers, vocational rehabilitation, etc.) you may not be eligible to receive a SUG. The State University Grant is available only for your initial graduate degree.
More information about the State University Grant and eligibility criteria is available on our Understanding State University Grant Eligibility page.
NOTE: EdD Students
Students enrolled in the EdD program are not eligible to receive funding through the State University Grant (SUG), as the “State Tuition Fee” (SUF) is not assessed to students in this program (SUG only gets applied towards the State Tuition Fee). Please review the Degree Program Specific Grants for information on available grants for this program.
Degree Program Specific Grants are available to FAFSA Applicants and DREAM Applicants.
There are a few Cal Poly Pomona grant programs available for students who have been admitted to specific programs. Eligibility for these Degree Program Specific Grants is based on Cal Poly Pomona admission, program admission, CA residency, and financial need.
Students enrolled in programs offered through the College of Professional and Global Education (CPGE) are not eligible for the program specific grants listed below, including the Graduate Business Grant.
Graduate Business Fee Grant
Available to students in the following programs:
- Master of Business Administration
- Master of Science in Accountancy
- Master of Science in Information Security
The Graduate Business Fee Grant assists eligible students in meeting the cost of the Graduate Professional Fee assessed by California State University professional business graduate programs. The per-unit fee ($270 per unit) is charged for required courses taken by graduate students enrolled in fee-authorized State-Supported Professional Business Graduate Programs (MBA, MSA, MSIS).
Education Doctorate Grant (EdD Grant)
Available to students in the following program:
- Education Doctorate (EdD Program)
The Education Doctorate Grant program was established in 2007 in the interest of equity to students enrolled in the EdD program, as these students are not eligible for SUG funding. The EdD Grant provides students enrolled in the EdD program access to grant funding similar to that of all other CSU students who demonstrate financial need (based on the FAFSA or DREAM application). Awarding of the EdD Grant occurs at the end of the spring semester, with funds applied retroactively.
Direct Student loans are available to FAFSA filers.
Direct Unsubsidized Loans
Graduate Students are eligible for unsubsidized federal loans. The Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan is a government insured, low interest loan for eligible graduate students. If you borrow an Unsubsidized Loan, you are responsible for paying the interest from the time loan funds are released until the loan has been repaid in full. For current interest rate and origination fee information please visit the Federal Student Aid website.
Graduate PLUS Loans
The Graduate PLUS Loan is an additional loan available for those graduate students who need additional funds, beyond the Unsubsidized Loan, to cover their remaining education costs. Unlike the Unsubsidized Loan, PLUS Loans require credit approval.
Graduate PLUS Loans are not included in your initial financial aid package. The loan is not added to the aid package until the request has been processed and Cal Poly Pomona receives notification that you have been credit approved. For current interest rate and origination fee information please visit the Federal Student Aid website for Graduate PLUS Loans.
Fact Sheets
Federal Direct Loans: Basics for Students (PDF)
Federal Work-Study is available to FAFSA applicants only
Federal Work-Study (FWS) is a federally funded program that provides the opportunity for employment to students with the highest financial need. In order to be considered for Federal Work Study you must indicate you are interested in Federal Work Study on your FAFSA, and must have filed by the March 2nd priority filing deadline.
Work experience is not required to secure a FWS position. The money earned is yours to use for out-of-pocket expenses, such as travel, books, and personal care items. Cal Poly Pomona students typically work 10-12 hours per week. Work-study funds do not reduce your bill with the university.
Review our Federal Work Study page for more information about the Federal Work Study program at Cal Poly Pomona.
Student Employment & Other Options
Some students find jobs that are not part of the Federal Work-Study program. A part-time job can be a great experience even if you are not eligible for Federal Work-Study positions.
Visit the Cal Poly Pomona Career Center for more information.
Fee Waivers are authorized by the California Legislature or the CSU Board of Trustees and may reduce the cost of attendance for eligible students. If you will be receiving a tuition or fee waiver, you must notify our office as we are required to coordinate the waiver with your other financial aid.
The Cal Grant, Middle Class Scholarship, State University Grant (SUG), and most Tuition Fee Waivers are considered fee-paying resources and cover the exact same tuition/fees. Therefore, students are only eligible to receive one during a period of enrollment. students who have been awarded both a tuition-paying grant (SUG, Cal Grant, MCS) and a Tuition Fee Waiver will have the tuition paying grant cancelled or returned to the California Student Aid Commission. Additional financial aid may also be affected by the waiver, up to the amount of the waiver, including grants and loans.
Approved Fee Waivers Can Only Be Applied to State-Funded Courses
Approved Waivers are only applicable for state funded courses during the Regular Academic year (Fall and Spring terms). Fee Waivers cannot be applied to courses that are offered through CPGE (Open University, Extension Programs) - including Summer.
Below is information about the most frequently used waivers. More information about Tuition and Fee Waivers is available from the CSU Chancellor’s Office.
Cal Vet Tuition Fee Waiver for Veteran Dependents
This is a waiver that covers the systemwide tuition fee at Cal Poly Pomona. The Waiver does not cover the mandatory (auxiliary) campus fees which include student union fees, student health service fees, among many others.
If you are eligible for this waiver, you will not be eligible for California State aid (State University Grant).
For more information, contact your local County Veterans Service Office. You can also contact Samuel Kim, the VA Certifying Official for Cal Poly Pomona.
CSU Fee Waiver and Reduction Program
The California State University (CSU) Fee Waiver and Reduction Program (Fee Waiver) is a program designed to reduce or waive state fees for eligible employees to take classes at a CSU campus in order to improve current job skills/abilities (work-related training) or to obtain the education needed to pursue CSU career goals (career development).
Employees eligible to participate in the Employee Fee Waiver & Reduction Program may transfer their fee waiver benefit entitlement to an eligible dependent (spouse, domestic partner, or dependent child).
A Fee Waiver application must be submitted for each semester participation is requested in the program for both new and continuing participants. Applicants are responsible for reapplying each semester.
Approved Fee Waivers Can Only Be Applied to State-Funded Courses
Approved CSU Fee Waivers are only applicable for Regular Academic Session (state-funded) courses and cannot be applied to courses that are Open University/Extension Programs.
Fee Waiver Submittal When Enrolling at Cal Poly Pomona
If you (or your eligible dependent) are enrolling at Cal Poly Pomona, the timelines to submit your completed Employee/Dependent Fee Waiver forms to our campus are listed on the benefits website.
Review Cal Poly Pomona’s Educational Benefits page for more information about the Employee Fee Waiver and Dependent Fee Waiver.