🎓 California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) Scholarships & Aid (2025–2026)
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- Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
- Automatic and competitive scholarship options through CSULB and the CSU system
- How Cal Grant and Middle Class Scholarship reduce tuition for California residents
- Honors, departmental, and donor-based scholarships that reward strong academics
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~47.5%
- Average Weighted GPA (Admitted): 3.93
- Test Policy: Test-free (no SAT/ACT considered)
- Average Net Price: $9,731 (after aid, federal data)
Sources: CSU system data, College Board BigFuture, and institutional reports (2025–26).
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
CSULB at a Glance
Last verified: October 15, 2025
CSULB remains one of California’s most popular and affordable public universities—especially for in-state families combining Cal Grant, Middle Class Scholarship, and campus-based awards. The majority of aid packages blend state and institutional funds, creating strong value for students from diverse income levels.
While out-of-state tuition is higher, nonresident students can compete for limited merit and donor scholarships. CSULB’s academic strengths in art, business, engineering, and the sciences make it a solid return on investment within the CSU system.
FAQ
Is CSULB test-optional? No — it’s test-free. SAT and ACT scores are not used for admissions or scholarships across the CSU system.
Can Cal Grant and campus awards stack? Yes. Students may combine Cal Grant, Middle Class Scholarship, and CSULB institutional aid, subject to cost-of-attendance limits.
Are there full-ride scholarships? Full-ride awards are rare, but Cal Grant and Middle Class Scholarship can cover full tuition for qualifying California residents.
Does CSULB offer automatic merit aid? A few GPA-based awards exist, but most scholarships are competitive or tied to specific colleges and departments.
CSULB Financial Aid & Scholarships (overview): https://www.csulb.edu/financial-aid
BeachScholarships (campus & donor awards): https://csulb.academicworks.com/
CSU test-free policy (SAT/ACT not considered): https://www2.calstate.edu/apply/eligibility/Pages/sat-act-exam-information.aspx
Cal Grant (CSAC): https://www.csac.ca.gov/cal-grant
Middle Class Scholarship (CSAC): https://www.csac.ca.gov/mcs
University Honors (CSULB): https://www.csulb.edu/university-honors
College Board BigFuture — CSULB profile: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/colleges/california-state-university-long-beach
College Scorecard — Net price reference: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/
CSU Application (Cal State Apply): https://www.calstate.edu/apply
💰 Cost of Attendance at California State University, Long Beach (2025–2026)
These are the estimated annual costs for a full-time undergraduate living on campus before any financial aid or scholarships are applied. CSULB remains one of the CSU system’s best values, especially for in-state students eligible for Cal Grant or Middle Class Scholarship.
| Category | In-State (CA Resident) | Out-of-State (Nonresident) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees | $8,312 | $21,632 |
| Housing & Meals | $16,666 | $16,666 |
| Estimated Total (On-Campus) | $24,978 | $38,298 |
Why we only show tuition & housing here: Books, transportation, and personal expenses are federally defined allowances that vary by student. They’re helpful for budgeting but don’t change the residency comparison shown above.
❓ Cost & Residency FAQs
Who qualifies for in-state tuition?
California residents and certain undocumented students who meet AB 540 criteria qualify for in-state rates.
How much more do nonresidents pay?
Roughly $13,000–$14,000 more per year than California residents.
Are there out-of-state discounts?
No — CSULB does not offer WUE or regional tuition waivers. Out-of-state students can only reduce costs through need-based or merit aid.
What’s included in “average net price”?
It reflects what families actually paid after grants and scholarships, excluding loans or work-study earnings.
CSULB Cost of Attendance (budgets & allowances): https://www.csulb.edu/financial-aid/cost-attendance
Tuition & Mandatory Fees (CSULB): https://www.csulb.edu/student-records/tuition-and-fees
CSU system tuition & nonresident per-unit charge: https://www2.calstate.edu/attend/paying-for-college/tuition
Housing & Dining Rates (CSULB Housing): https://www.csulb.edu/housing
FAFSA/CADAA dates & aid info (CSULB Financial Aid): https://www.csulb.edu/financial-aid
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
CSULB does not offer automatic, GPA/test-based institutional scholarships like some universities. Most awards require a separate application via the BeachScholarships portal or the University Honors Program. The main state-funded “automatic” aid is the Middle Class Scholarship, awarded by the California Student Aid Commission to eligible families.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Middle Class Scholarship (State of California) | Varies — typically $1,000–$5,000/year | California residents with income/asset levels up to ~ $217,000; must file FAFSA or CA Dream Act by state deadline and meet CSAC rules. | No (automatic if eligible) | Yes (up to 4 years, must remain eligible and enrolled 6+ units) | Middle-income CA residents who file on time and meet all state requirements. Amount depends on other aid. | March 2 (FAFSA/CADAA deadline) |
Note: This is a state-funded award. For CSULB-specific scholarships, use the BeachScholarships portal (open Jan–Mar for following year; rolling deadlines for some programs). Cal State Long Beach does not offer automatic merit tiers.
❓ Automatic Merit FAQs
How do I get the Middle Class Scholarship?
File your FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application by the March 2 state deadline and meet California Student Aid Commission eligibility criteria.
Does CSULB give automatic merit aid based on GPA/test scores?
No—merit aid at CSULB is competitive or departmental. All institutional awards require an application via BeachScholarships or Honors.
What is BeachScholarships?
CSULB’s online portal for internal scholarships. Complete one general app to be considered for dozens of scholarships across campus—just make sure you submit before each year’s March deadline!
🏆 Competitive Scholarships
CSULB’s flagship merit award is the President’s Scholarship, awarded to a select group of top students through the University Honors Program. It offers full tuition and additional benefits but is highly competitive and has special application steps.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| President’s Scholarship |
Individualized award for up to 4 years: • Tuition waiver • Campus housing allowance • Textbook/course subsidy |
New first-year or transfer applicant Must apply to University Honors Program (Feb 1–Mar 1 first round) FAFSA or CA Dream Act required for final consideration |
Yes — the Honors application admits you to Honors and the President’s Scholarship pool. 1 letter of recommendation required by March 1 |
Yes — up to 4 years Must stay in Honors and maintain at least 3.0 GPA with active Honors coursework each year |
Students with GPAs typically 3.8–4.0 (unweighted), leadership/service, and excellent Honors essays. Both in-state and transfer students are eligible; applicant pool is state/national caliber. | March 1 (Honors application + recommendation) |
❓ President’s Scholarship FAQ
Do I need a separate application?
No extra app is needed—complete the University Honors first-round application (Feb 1–Mar 1) with one recommendation for full scholarship consideration.
What are the key deadlines?
Apply to CSULB via Cal State Apply by Nov 30, then Honors by March 1 (first round). Second-round applicants (March 15–May 15) are not considered for the scholarship.
Are transfer students eligible?
Yes. The program is open to new first-year and transfer students who meet the eligibility and deadline requirements.
How competitive is it?
Very—selective academic record (~3.8+ GPA), leadership, strong essays, and meaningful engagement are typical for recipients.
How do renewals work?
Students can renew the scholarship for four years by maintaining Honors good standing (3.0+ GPA), completing Honors curriculum, and staying engaged with program requirements.
Can this stack with other aid?
The package covers tuition and housing. Stacking with Cal Grant, Pell, or need grants is possible in some cases, but state/federal awards may be reduced. Always consult Financial Aid for your scenario.
GPA/test bands are general indicators—CSULB does not publish fixed minimums for President’s Scholarship consideration.
🎖️ Honors College
CSULB’s University Honors Program (UHP) is a small, campus-wide honors experience with seminars, senior thesis/project, dedicated faculty mentorship, and access to exclusive merit aid, including the President’s Scholarship.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| President’s Scholarship (via University Honors Program) |
Up to 4 years: • Tuition waiver • Housing allowance • Books/course‑materials subsidy |
New first‑year or transfer, admitted to CSULB; must apply to University Honors Program by March 1 (first round); complete FAFSA or CA Dream Act by March 2. |
Yes — Honors application is required; doubles as scholarship application. First round: Feb 1–Mar 1; decisions in April. |
Yes — up to 4 years with Honors good standing (≥3.0 GPA, timely program progress) |
• ~3.8–4.0* GPA or top-10% profile • Advanced coursework and major rigor • Leadership/service and strong writing • Outstanding essays and Honors fit |
March 1 (Honors application) March 2 (FAFSA/CA Dream Act) |
*CSU is test-free for admission; SAT/ACT is not considered. GPA ranges are estimates based on recent cohorts, as CSULB does not publish a minimum for the President’s Scholarship.
❓ University Honors Program FAQ
Is admission to Honors automatic?
No. Submit the Honors application in the first round (Feb 1–Mar 1) for President’s Scholarship consideration; second round is for Honors only, space permitting.
Do test scores help?
No. The CSU is test-free for admission; scores, if submitted, are used only for placement.
Can transfers apply?
Yes. High-achieving new transfer admits are eligible, and may be considered for the President’s Scholarship if they meet deadlines.
Does Honors add time to graduation?
No. The Honors curriculum is designed to integrate with a standard four-year plan, including the thesis/project.
Can the President’s Scholarship stack with other aid?
Usually, the package includes both a tuition waiver and housing stipend. Stacking with tuition-based awards may be limited, so confirm with Financial Aid once you receive an award.
What is required to renew the scholarship?
Remain in Honors, make required progress including the thesis/project, and keep a 3.0 or better GPA each year.
⭐ College Specialty
- #1 in the U.S. for Social Mobility among national universities (U.S. News & World Report, 2024).
- Top Gets in Engineering (non-PhD institutions) — undergrad #20 nationwide; civil engineering #8, computer engineering #10, electrical engineering #12 (U.S. News).
- Exceptional diversity and inclusion metrics — ranked #6 in the nation for awarding engineering degrees to Hispanic students; #5 for female tenure-track engineering faculty; #3 nationally for minority engineering degrees.
- Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) excellence — ranked #11 of 377 Best HSIs and #14 of 181 Best AANAPISI schools (Niche).
- Top-ranked programs by College Factual:
- Consumer Sciences: #1 of 31
- Health Sciences & Services: #2 of 231
- Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies: #3 of 47
- Computer Engineering Technology: #4 of 22
- Textile & Apparel Studies: #8 of 51