by our College Data Analytics TeamThe majority of college students don’t pay the full price for their education, as financial aid packages, including scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study opportunities, help to offset the costs.
Interested in understanding the financial aid resources available at CSUSM and your eligibility? Find the answers you seek below.
$9,272.00 is the typical California State University - San Marcos’s first year financial aid package. Approximately 83% of incoming freshmen obtain financial assistance, with the majority being offered as grants and scholarships.
Financial aid helps decrease the expense, or the “sticker” price of the school. But keep in mind that the only real discounts off the cost of college are in the form of grants and scholarships.
Worried about the student loans that might be part of a financing offer? View the average amount of debt per student at California State University - San Marcos.
Institutional scholarships and grants are financial aid awards given by colleges and universities to help students manage tuition costs and other education-related expenses. These awards, which do not need to be repaid, can be classified as merit-based or need-based. Students who excel academically, possess unique talents, or have specific skills can be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships. Factors such as high school performance, standardized test scores, or participation in extracurricular activities often contribute to eligibility for these scholarships. Need-based institutional grants, on the other hand, are awarded to students who demonstrate financial need. The amount given is generally based on the student’s family’s financial situation, aiming to cover the gap between the cost of attendance and the family’s capacity to pay. To assess a student’s eligibility for need-based grants, colleges and universities may rely on information from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or other financial aid forms. Institutional scholarships and grants are essential for students, as they can substantially lower college expenses and make higher education more affordable.
The following numbers apply to scholarships and grants largely offered by the school itself.
49% of new students (1043 total) were given scholarships at California State University - San Marcos, averaging $5,413.00 per student. This puts it in the top 50th percentile among colleges and universities nationwide.
As well as scholarships, 51% of first-year students (1084 total) got a federal grant, for about $5,234.00 per person.
The next table displays grant and scholarship distributions by family income for freshman students getting any kind of federally-funded Title IV aid, such as Federal PLUS loans.
| Income Level | Percent of Freshman | Average Assistance |
|---|---|---|
| Income 0-30k | 25.34% | $13,134.00 |
| Income 30k-48k | 14.36% | $12,183.00 |
| Income 48k-75k | 10.51% | $8,222.00 |
| Income 75k-110k | 6.15% | $4,092.00 |
| Income 110k + | 5.49% | $980.00 |
The table above displays students who are getting Title IV aid, federal aid from the government including loans, grants or work-study. Get more info on Title IV here.
83% of the 2131 undergraduates at California State University - San Marcos receive some sort of grant aid. This is a total of about 1579 students getting an average of $9,272.00 per person.
Check out the Tuition and Fees page or the Cost Per Credit Hour page to find out more.
References
More about our data sources and methodologies.