Complete the application online.

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online. CSU’s school code is 003419.

• Both new and returning students can complete the FAFSA by visiting FAFSA’s website above.
• New applicants must apply for a Federal Student Aid ID and password to sign the FAFSA online. If you are a dependent student, your parent will also need to apply for a FSA ID and password.
• Charleston Southern is a Military Friendly School and a Yellow Ribbon participant. In order for CSU to accept your Yellow Ribbon application, you must complete a FAFSA each year. The FAFSA will be available every October 1. You will use your prior year taxes. (Example:  for the 2019-20 year you will use your 2017 Tax Information).
• You must complete the FAFSA in order to be considered for federal, state, or institutional financial assistance programs.
• You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien in order to complete the FAFSA. International students do not complete the FAFSA.

Federal Verification Process

The U.S. Department of Education randomly selects FAFSA applications for verification each year. Charleston Southern University’s policy is to complete verification of all applicants selected and those with incomplete, erroneous, or conflicting data. You will be notified by email of the documents needed to complete the verification process.

You will be directed to go to your Financial Aid LIVE account to retrieve, complete, and upload documents to the financial aid office. For security purposes, please do not send documents to us via email.

We will review your FAFSA along with your documentation and notify you if additional information is needed. We encourage you to submit all documents no later than July 15^th, so we may have your financial aid finalized before classes begin.

All students are required to complete the Student Release Authorization Form (FERPA) online. This allows you to give CSU permission to discuss educational records with parents, spouses, employers and yourself. Once accepted to CSU, the FERPA can be completed from your MyCSU account through the Student tab. You must list yourself first on the FERPA, as well as anyone you wish to allow permission to discuss your educational records. You and anyone listed on your waiver must provide at least one question and answer that was created by you in order for your information to be discussed over the phone.

Once you have completed the FAFSA and been accepted to CSU, you are able to view your up-to-date financial aid (if awarded), missing documents, special messages, etc. by accessing your Financial Aid LIVE through your MyCSU account. It is recommended that you submit all the forms and documents prior to the start of each term to ensure your financial aid will be in order when the semester starts. The deadline for submitting documents to the Financial Aid Office is July 15^th.

• MyCSU – Financial Aid LIVE
• On the CSU home page, you will log into MyCSU with your ID Number and CSU Pin Number. Once logged-in you will go to the Financial Aid tab. Click on View my Financial Aid LIVE to see live, up-to-date information.
• Missing Documents can be downloaded by visiting the documents tab in your Financial Aid LIVE account. Please see specific directions for completing and submitting documents on this tab.
• View important messages tied to your awards.
• View financial aid awards divided by semester.

Financial Aid is awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis. Once your financial aid has been processed, you will receive an email directing you to view your Financial Aid LIVE (located under MyCSU). You will then Accept or Decline any offers of Direct Loans or Federal Work Study. All scholarships and grants are automatically accepted for you. Any revisions or updates to the awards will be sent by email to your CSU BUC Mail and can be viewed on your Financial Aid LIVE.

If you wish to change your housing status, registration status or notify the Financial Aid Office about a change in a Parent PLUS loan, Alternative Loan or Graduate PLUS loan, you will be required to fill out an “Award Update Form.” This document can be downloaded from your Financial Aid LIVE account.