In This Section

Students are at the heart of all that we do at California Baptist University, which is why we have chosen to hold the line with tuition costs as much as possible despite its steady increase at many colleges and universities around the country. By keeping tuition costs reasonable and connecting students with financial aid opportunities, more students can access the tailored and purpose-driven education CBU offers.

Appointments

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

Did you know?

Online students do not pay the same price as traditional on-campus undergraduate students. See the chart below for unit and semester costs.

Financial Aid Offers

Accepting Your Financial Aid Offer

  • 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)

The FAFSA is required for state, federal, and some institutional aid. A new or renewal FAFSA must be completed each academic year. To fill out the FAFSA, you will need both parent and student demographic and financial information.

The FAFSA produces a Student Aid Index (SAI), which is used to calculate financial aid eligibility. Your SAI is not the amount your family will pay or the amount of aid you’ll receive—it’s a calculation reference.

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

Financial Aid Adjustments

A student’s financial aid may be affected if the student withdraws, drops, stops attending, is determined to have never attended, or does not begin attendance in all enrolled classes. Some of the federal aid programs this may affect are:
  • Direct Unsubsidized & Subsidized Loans
  • Direct Parent or Graduate PLUS Loans
  • Pell Grant
  • SEOG Grant
  • Cal Grant
The Last Day to Drop a Class with a Refund

The last date to drop a class is the date in the semester when the Financial Aid Office is required to evaluate your Federal Aid eligibility based on your enrollment status, established eligibility, and classes you began attendance in as of that date. If your Pell Grant or other federal aid does not match eligibility requirements, your award will be adjusted per federal regulations.

Please refer to the semester’s academic catalog to determine the specific 'last day to drop a class with a refund' date.

After the Last Day to Drop a Class with a Refund

Any classes added after the last day to drop a class (as determined by your first session of attendance in the semester) will not count toward your Federal Pell Grant eligibility, regardless of start date. If you drop, withdraw from, or do not begin attendance in registered classes, your financial aid award will be adjusted. All awards listed on InsideCBU are subject to change.

More details regarding the attendance and withdrawal process can be found here.

Withdrawal and Return of Title IV Aid

Withdrawal from the university (all classes) during any semester- official or unofficial- may require the return of federal and state financial aid, and the reduction or loss of some institutional aid.

A calculation will determine the amount of Title IV aid earned (Pell Grant, FSEOG, Direct Loans, Perkins Loans, PLUS Loans) based on attendance up to the withdrawal date. The student is responsible for any resulting balance owed.

The official withdrawal process begins with contacting your Student Success Coach, Academic Advisor, or Admissions Counselor. Ceasing to attend class without proper notification results in an unofficial withdrawal, and aid recalculation will still occur.

More details can be found here.

All students must complete the FAFSA to receive federal or state financial aid.

Institutional aid is restricted for online students due to the reduced cost of tuition. However, there are still scholarship opportunities available:

  • Federal Aid
  • State Aid
  • Preferred Partnerships
  • Private Scholarships

Please click here for more information on Grants and Scholarships.
Please click here for more information on Educational Loans.

Graduate students may qualify for limited grants and scholarships based on their program, financial need, or academic achievement. Availalbe aid would include:
  • Preferred Partner Scholarship
  • Lancer Loyalty Grant
  • Teach Grant (Teaching Credential Program)
  • Federal and Private Loans
Please click here for more information on Grants and Scholarships.
Please click here for more information on Educational Loans.

Both undergraduate and graduate online students may qulify for a Preferred Partner Scholarship.

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 Admissions Counselor.

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.