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Graduate/Doctoral Financial Aid

California Baptist University's team of graduate financial aid counselors are committed to helping you find and secure the resources you need to finance your educational endeavors.

In This Section

With competitively priced tuition and various financial aid opportunities, pursuing a graduate degree at CBU can be a valuable investment in your future.

Appointments

Have questions about your Financial Aid Offer or want to speak to a Financial Aid Representative?
Visit our Appointments Page

CBU offers a multitude of scholarship and grant opportunities to make the cost of attendance more affordable. Check out these academic scholarships available for incoming students along with other financial aid opportunities! View all scholarships and grants.

Financial Aid Offers

Accepting Your Financial Aid Offer

For your 25/26 Financial Aid Offer please:

For your 26/27 Financial Aid Offer please:

  • For your 26/27 Financial Aid Offer please:

    • Log into LancerLink
    • Click Student Financial Services on the top bar
    • Click the link on the My Financial Aid Card

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

All graduate students are required to complete the FAFSA in order to receive federal or state financial aid.
A new or renewal FAFSA must be completed each academic year.

Graduate students can qualify for up to $20,500 in unsubsidized loans.

Graduate students must be continually enrolled in at least half time (5 units) of degree-applicable classes to remain eligible for federal aid.

If selected for verification, additional information must be submitted to CBU via Student Forms online. Verification ensures accuracy of FAFSA data.

Click Here to complete the FAFSA.

Click Here for Student Forms and to complete Verification.

 

Golden State Teacher Grant

The Golden State Teacher Grant (GSTG) assists students pursuing a preliminary teaching or pupil personnel services credential. Awards are subject to funding availability and processed on a first-come basis. Visit gstg.csac.ca.gov for more information.

Payment Contingency:
 The Golden State Teacher Grant awards are subject to the availability of funds. They are processed on a first-come, first-served basis for eligible applicants who have submitted a signed Service Agreement (SA). In the event of insufficient funds, the last grant recipient may receive a partial award of the remaining funds.

To learn more about the GSTG please visit our Scholarships and Grants page.

Budget Add-On

Students needing additional aid beyond their budget can submit the Budget Add-On form on Student Forms. Supporting documentation is required. Not all applications are approved.

Withdrawal and Return of Title IV Aid

Withdrawal during any semester may require the return of federal and state financial aid. A calculation will determine Title IV aid earned based on attendance days. Students are responsible for any resulting balance owed. Contact your Student Success Coach, Academic Advisor, or Admissions Counselor to begin the withdrawal process.

Maintaining and Deferring Aid

A new FAFSA must be submitted after October 1 each year. Loan deferment typically occurs automatically when enrolled at least half time (5 units). If your lender continues collection attempts, contact the Registrar for verification assistance.

Refunds are mailed by Student Accounts approximately two weeks after disbursement, assuming enrollment and documentation are complete.

Financial Aid Options

The federal government does not currently offer grants for master’s degree students. Additional options include: CBU provided scholarships, private scholarships, and educational loans.

To qualify for the Preferred Partnership program, your employer must be a current partner and you must be accepted to an academic program.

For more information and a list of our preferred partnerships please click here or speak to your Graduate Admissions Counselor.

The Lancer Loyalty Grant is an exclusive benefit for CBU Alumni desiring to advance their education at CBU. The Grant, ranging from $500 to $3000 is awarded based on academic merit, financial need, and the specific graduate program selected.

Please contact your Admissions Counselor for more information.

Scholarships that are generously provided by CBU donors and alumni for students who have completed one year of study, and will be continuing their undergraduate or graduate studies next academic year. For more information please click here.

Private scholarships are those offered from organizations, foundations or companies, usually not affiliated with a university. CBU student have have access to our outside scholarships resource Scholarship Universe.

To learn more about Scholarship Universe please click here.

Most graduate students use federal or private loans to help fund their education.
Please click here for more information on Educational Loans.

The Graduate PLUS Loan is no longer available to new students starting in Fall 25. For more information on Graduate PLUS Loan Changes please click here. 

Credential Program vs Master's Program Financial Aid

Post-Bachelor’s students pursuing only credentials qualify for undergraduate-level aid (up to $12,500 combined loans, Pell/Cal Grant eligibility as applicable). Master’s-level students qualify for up to $20,500 in unsubsidized loans and may also apply for Grad PLUS Loans.

1. Post Bachelor’s Degree students and Non-Master’s degree students who only want the credential and do not want to be enrolled in the Master’s Program:

  • Receive undergraduate level loans up to: $5,500 subsidized and $7,000 unsubsidized (depending on eligibility)
  • Parent PLUS Loan (eligibility based students dependency status and credit decision)
  • Cal Grant for Teaching Credential (must have received CAL Grant as an undergrad)

2. Master’s Degree students in a graduate program with or without Teaching Certification:

Special Circumstance Petition

Sometimes your FAFSA doesn't fully reflect your current financial situation. If your family has experienced a significant change in income or other special circumstances you may be eligible for a Special Circumstance Petition.
This process allows our Financial Aid Office to review your situation and determine if your aid can be adjusted based on more accurate or current information.
For more information please look for Special Circumstance Petition option on the Financial Aid Office Card from LancerLink.

Forms and Policies

Please click here for a list of forms and policies.