California State University, Long Beach Scholarships (2026–2027)
← Back to college scholarships hub • See California aid & Grants
Last Updated on October 6, 2026- Tuition, housing, and average family net price
- Automatic merit ranges and qualifier benchmarks
- Flagship and hidden-gem awards
- Honors and stacking strategy
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~45%
- Middle 50% ACT: N/A
- Middle 50% SAT: N/A
- Average GPA: 3.66
- Grades are the whole game. SAT and ACT scores are not used for admission at all. CSULB decides based on the coursework and grades your student self-reports on Cal State Apply, so enter every grade carefully.
- Where your student graduates from high school matters. CSULB gives “local preference” based on high school of graduation. The local area covers Long Beach Unified plus nearby districts like ABC, Bellflower, Compton, Downey, Huntington Beach, Los Alamitos, Norwalk-La Mirada, and Paramount, along with a handful of private schools. Local students who meet the minimums but miss their major are offered admission as undeclared.
- The major can be harder to get into than the school. CSULB admits by intended major, and popular majors are impacted. About 45% of roughly 88,000 first-year applicants were admitted for fall 2025.
- Out-of-state is not a disadvantage for getting in. Non-residents were admitted at about 47%, slightly higher than California applicants. The hurdle for out-of-state families is the price, not the admission.
- The application window is short. Cal State Apply takes submissions October 1 through November 30, and decisions roll out from mid-February through April.
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
📌 California State University, Long Beach at a Glance
- There is no merit money for grades or test scores. CSULB’s own Common Data Set reports zero students receiving institutional merit aid without financial need. A 4.0 does not trigger a scholarship here.
- March 2 is the real money deadline. Cal Grant, the State University Grant, and most campus aid depend on the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application being in by March 2. File late and CSULB says you may not be eligible for campus or state aid at all.
- Admission letters and scholarship deadlines overlap. Decisions arrive mid-February through April, while BeachScholarships closes in early March and the Honors round for the President’s Scholarship closes March 15. When the admission email lands, act that week.
- Outside scholarships can shrink state aid. If new money pushes your student past their need, CSULB typically cuts loans first, then the State University Grant or Cal Grant. The Middle Class Scholarship can also be recalculated after the fact.
- Out-of-state families pay full freight. CSULB is not in the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE), and non-residents add $471 per unit on top of California tuition.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes, for admission. California State University, Long Beach is test-optional for admission.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: N/A; SAT: N/A.
Average net price? About $10,607/year after aid.
Does this school use waivers/reciprocity? No broad regional reciprocity path.
CSULB President's Scholarships: https://www.csulb.edu/university-honors/presidents-scholarships
CSULB Long Beach College Promise: https://www.csulb.edu/long-beach-college-promise
CSULB Types of Aid: https://www.csulb.edu/financial-aid-and-scholarships/types-of-aid
Bob Cole Conservatory Scholarship Information: https://web.csulb.edu/colleges/cota/music/prospective-students/scholarship-information.php
CSULB Dream Success Center: https://www.csulb.edu/student-affairs/dream-success-center
CSULB Guardian Scholars: https://www.csulb.edu/student-affairs/guardian-scholars
BeachScholarships (CSULB): https://csulb.academicworks.com/
CSULB JPR Scholarships: https://www.csulb.edu/college-of-liberal-arts/journalism-public-relations/jpr-scholarships
CSULB Chicano and Latino Studies Scholarships: https://www.csulb.edu/college-of-liberal-arts/chicano-and-latino-studies/scholarships
CSULB Study Abroad Financial Aid and Scholarships: https://www.csulb.edu/international/csulb-study-abroad-programs/financial-aid-and-scholarships
CSULB Sally Casanova Program: https://www.csulb.edu/graduate-studies/sally-casanova-pre-doctoral-scholars-program
CollegeScorecard / Admissions: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/
💰 Cost of Attendance at California State University, Long Beach: 2026–2027 Rates
Figures verified against official sources in October 2026.
📅 Planning for 2027–2028? These are the 2026–2027 rates, the newest California State University, Long Beach has published. Colleges usually release next year's costs in the spring, and we update this page when they do.
Budgeting tip: costs typically rise 2% to 5% a year. For 2027–2028, plan on roughly $500 to $1,400 more than the in-state total below. $800 to $2,000 more than the out-of-state total below.
| Tuition & mandatory fees | $8,748 |
| Housing & meals (typical) | $18,554 |
| Total billed cost | $27,302 |
| Tuition & mandatory fees | $20,994 |
| Housing & meals (typical) | $18,554 |
| Total billed cost | $39,548 |
That is $12,246 more per year than California residents pay, before any waivers or scholarships.
Average federal net price: $10,607 per year. This is what first-time, full-time students who received grant aid paid after grants and scholarships, for in-state students only, based on the most recent federal data. It counts books and living costs, so it can run higher than the billed total above. Families who got no grants are not in this average, so many middle-income families pay more. New to Net Price & SAI? Read our guide.
Out-of-state families: this average does not include you. Run the college's own net price calculator for a number based on your situation.
About 73% of CSULB first-year students commute or live off campus. That changes the math a lot. CSULB’s own 2026-27 budget for a California student living at home is about $28,860 for the year, compared with $34,462 living on campus and $42,476 renting off campus with a roommate. Those totals include books, transportation, and personal costs, not just the tuition and housing bill shown above.
The CSU approved 6% tuition increases each year for five years starting in fall 2024. Housing and fees can move too. If your student is counting on Cal Grant or the State University Grant, those generally rise with tuition, but a family paying out of pocket should budget for a bigger bill each year.
What Families Actually Paid (by Income)
Average net price for in-state, first-time students who received aid, 2023-24 federal data.
| Family Income | Average Net Price per Year |
|---|---|
| $0 to $30,000 | $7,183 |
| $30,001 to $48,000 | $7,831 |
| $48,001 to $75,000 | $9,705 |
| $75,001 to $110,000 | $12,630 |
| $110,001 and up | $19,750 |
FAQ: Cost of Attendance at Cal State Long Beach
Is CSULB part of the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)?
No. CSULB is not one of the CSU campuses that offers the WUE discount, so students from other western states pay the full non-resident rate. If WUE savings matter to your family, several other CSU campuses do participate.
How much more do out-of-state students pay?
Non-residents pay $471 per unit on top of California tuition and fees. CSULB budgets that at about $12,246 a year, which puts a non-resident’s full on-campus cost of attendance around $46,708 compared with $34,462 for a California student.
Can an out-of-state student ever pay the in-state rate?
Sometimes. Students who attended a California high school for at least three years and graduated may qualify for the AB 540 exemption. There are also exemptions for some military families and dependents of California residents. These have to be requested through Enrollment Services, so ask early.
Can California families get tuition covered entirely?
Many do. Cal Grant and the State University Grant both pay the state tuition fee ($6,838 for 2026-27) for eligible students who file the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application by March 2. That covers tuition only. Campus fees (about $1,910), housing, food, and books are still on you or on other aid.
What does the average family really pay?
The federal average net price is $10,607 a year for in-state students who received aid. Families under $48,000 paid around $7,000 to $8,000, while families over $110,000 paid closer to $20,000. Use CSULB’s net price calculator for an estimate that fits your situation.
Is the $150 enrollment deposit required?
It is required to accept admission by May 1, but CSULB waives it for students with a Student Aid Index of 0 or below and for athletic scholarship candidates. You still have to accept the offer by the deadline even if the deposit is waived.
Does dropping a class change our aid?
Yes, and this one surprises families. Pell Grant and Cal Grant pay in full only at 12 or more units, and CSULB locks in the amount at census, about four weeks into the semester. Federal Direct Loans are also reduced for students enrolled less than full-time starting in 2026-27.
https://www.csulb.edu/financial-aid-and-scholarships/undergraduate-costs-0
https://www.csulb.edu/student-records/tuition-and-fees
https://www.csulb.edu/financial-aid-and-scholarships/types-of-aid
https://www.csulb.edu/admissions/first-time-first-year-student-application-process
https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=110583
https://www.calstate.edu/apply/Documents/WUE-Conference-Flyer.pdf
📅 CSULB Money Calendar (Fall 2027 Entry)
- October 1, 2026: FAFSA and California Dream Act Application open for 2027-28.
- January to early March 2027: BeachScholarships application window for fall awards (last cycle ran January 20 to March 2).
- February 1 to March 15, 2027: University Honors application, the only round with President’s Scholarship consideration.
- March 2, 2027: State priority deadline for the FAFSA or Dream Act Application. Cal Grant, State University Grant, and the Middle Class Scholarship ride on this date.
- Late March 2027: Financial aid offers go out to new students.
- Late summer to early fall: Middle Class Scholarship amounts are finalized, usually after classes start.
Parent rule of thumb: put March 2 on the fridge. At CSULB it matters more than any scholarship deadline.
Automatic Scholarships at CSULB: The Honest Answer
The Aid That Shows Up When You File On Time
| Program | Who Qualifies | What It Pays | How to Get It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cal Grant A or B | California residents who meet the state’s GPA and income rules | State tuition fee ($6,838 in 2026-27). Cal Grant B adds up to $1,648 for books and living costs | FAFSA or Dream Act by March 2 |
| State University Grant | California residents with financial need who don’t get a Cal Grant | Generally the full state tuition fee | FAFSA or Dream Act by March 2 (required, funds are limited) |
| Middle Class Scholarship | California residents in the middle-income range set by the state each year | Varies, fills part of the gap left after other grants | No separate application. Finalized in the fall |
| Federal Pell Grant | Undergraduates with financial need (FAFSA filers) | Set by the FAFSA. Paid in full only at 12+ units | FAFSA |
| California Chafee Grant | Current or former foster youth under 26 | Up to $4,500 a year | Separate Chafee application with the state |
| Dream Service Incentive Grant | Dream Act filers with Cal Grant B eligibility | Up to $4,500 a year for 150 service hours per semester | State DSIG form after securing a volunteer role |
This institution does not offer designated Automatic Merit scholarships at this time.
Note: Cal Grant and the State University Grant both pay the same tuition bill, so students usually get one or the other, not both. Pell and Cal Grant pay in full only at 12 or more units, and CSULB locks in the amount at census, about four weeks into the semester.
Automatic Aid FAQs (Cal State Long Beach)
Does CSULB give automatic scholarships for a high GPA or test scores?
No. There is no GPA or score threshold that triggers money at CSULB. The money that arrives without a separate application is need-based state and federal aid.
Will SAT or ACT scores help my student get money?
No. CSULB doesn’t use test scores for admission or scholarships. If your student is admitted, scores can be sent for possible English or math placement, and that’s it.
What happens if we miss March 2?
CSULB says students who file after the priority date may not be eligible for CSULB or California state aid, though federal aid like Pell is still possible. The State University Grant specifically requires filing by March 2.
When does the Middle Class Scholarship show up?
Later than everything else. The state finalizes it in late summer, and CSULB says it usually lands after fall classes have started. It can also be recalculated if your student picks up other aid, so don’t build your fall budget around it.
Are there automatic awards for out-of-state students?
No. Cal Grant, the Middle Class Scholarship, and CSULB’s own grants are for California residents only. Out-of-state students should look at the President’s Scholarship, music scholarships, and athletics, covered in the next section.
Can undocumented or AB 540 students get this aid?
Yes. Students who file the California Dream Act Application instead of the FAFSA can be considered for Cal Grant, the State University Grant, and the Middle Class Scholarship. They can’t receive federal aid like Pell.
https://www.csulb.edu/financial-aid-and-scholarships/types-of-aid
https://www.csulb.edu/enrollment-services/key-dates-and-deadlines
https://www.csulb.edu/sites/default/files/2026/documents/CDS%202025%20-%202026%20%28PDF%29_0.pdf
🏆 Flagship Scholarships (Competitive Scholarships)
✅ Can You Stack Scholarships at CSULB?
| Aid Type | Stacks? | Parent Translation |
|---|---|---|
| President’s Scholarship | With state aid, up to cost | The package targets tuition, housing, and books, so other aid aimed at those same costs can shrink it. |
| Cal Grant and State University Grant | One or the other | Both pay the same tuition bill. If a Cal Grant comes through later, CSULB swaps it in and cancels the SUG. |
| BeachScholarships awards | Usually | If a new award pushes your student past their need, CSULB cuts loans first, then SUG or Cal Grant. |
| Middle Class Scholarship | Can be recalculated | New scholarships after the MCS is awarded can reduce or cancel it. |
| Music scholarships | Yes, with conditions | Renew for four years only if your student files BeachScholarships and the FAFSA every year and stays a music major. |
If your student is chasing big competitive packages, keep expectations realistic. CSULB’s President’s Scholarship takes 25 students a year, and outside of music and athletics there isn’t a second tier of large merit awards. The strength of CSULB is a low sticker price plus strong state aid, not a deep merit pool.
❓ Flagship and Competitive Scholarship FAQs
How does my student apply for the President’s Scholarship?
Apply to CSULB by November 30, then submit the University Honors Program application between February 1 and March 15. That first Honors round is the only one with President’s Scholarship consideration. There is no separate scholarship form.
How many President’s Scholarships are awarded?
CSULB selects 25 incoming Scholars a year, with about 85 enrolled across all classes at any time.
Does the President’s Scholarship cover full tuition?
It used to be described as a full scholarship. Today CSULB describes it as an individualized package that combines tuition waivers, campus housing allowances, and textbook subsidies for up to four years. Read the award letter closely to see exactly what your student’s package covers.
Can out-of-state students win it?
CSULB says President’s Scholars come from across California and the country. Because packages are individualized, out-of-state families should confirm whether the award touches the $471-per-unit non-resident tuition.
How do music scholarships work?
The Bob Cole Conservatory awards more than $400,000 a year through over 40 named scholarships, ranging from partial to full tuition. Your student’s admission audition is also the scholarship audition, and awards can renew for eight semesters.
What about athletic scholarships?
CSULB fields 18 NCAA sports. Athletic aid is arranged through each team, so the first step is contacting the coach.
What should students prepare for these applications?
The Honors application needs a two-part personal statement and a recommendation. Families can use our Essay Toolkit and Brag Sheet Builder to get organized early.
https://www.csulb.edu/university-honors/presidents-scholarships
https://www.csulb.edu/university-honors/scholarship-faqs
https://www.csulb.edu/university-honors/application-process
https://web.csulb.edu/colleges/cota/music/prospective-students/scholarship-information.php
https://www.csulb.edu/financial-aid-and-scholarships/scholarships
University Honors Program at Cal State Long Beach
CSULB runs a University Honors Program, not a separate Honors College. It’s built for students who want smaller classes and a real research or creative project before they graduate. Admission is separate from getting into CSULB, and the timing of your student’s application decides whether they’re considered for the President’s Scholarship.
- Minimum GPA: 3.5 cumulative (the director can consider special cases)
- Round One (with President’s Scholarship consideration): February 1 to March 15. Requires a recommendation.
- Round Two (Honors only): April 1 to May 1. No recommendation needed, no President’s Scholarship.
- What to have ready: CSULB ID number, unofficial transcripts in PDF, and a personal statement of about 500 words.
Honors Program Scholarships
This institution does not offer designated Honors College scholarships at this time.
Honors membership itself does not come with a scholarship. The money tied to Honors is the President’s Scholarship, which is drawn from the Honors applicant pool and is covered in the Flagship section above.
- Priority registration and smaller classes, which matter at a campus of about 40,000 students.
- Proactive, individualized advising through the Honors office.
- Honors House: new Honors students who get on-campus housing and choose Honors as their first preference are placed in Los Cerritos Residence Hall, subject to space.
- A senior research or creative project with a faculty mentor, which is great preparation for grad school applications.
Honors Program FAQs (Cal State Long Beach)
Is Honors admission automatic for high GPAs?
No. Students must submit a separate Honors application with a personal statement. A 3.5 GPA makes your student eligible to apply, not guaranteed a spot.
What does the personal statement ask?
It has two parts. Your student explains why they want a program that requires an undergraduate research or creative project, and how their background shaped their choice of major or intellectual interests.
Can current CSULB students join Honors later?
Yes. Continuing students can apply in either round, but they are not eligible for the President’s Scholarship.
Should my student apply in Round One even without a President’s Scholarship shot?
Yes. Round One is the only path to the President’s Scholarship, and applying early costs nothing extra beyond lining up a recommender.
Is Honors worth it if there’s no guaranteed money?
For many students, yes. Priority registration alone can help a student graduate on time at a large campus where only 38% finish in four years, and the research project stands out on grad school and job applications.
https://www.csulb.edu/university-honors/application-process
https://www.csulb.edu/university-honors/presidents-scholarships
https://www.csulb.edu/financial-aid-and-scholarships/scholarships
https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=110583
⭐ College Specialty
Cal State Long Beach is one of the largest universities in California and a federally classified R2 research university (doctoral, high research activity). It’s a career-focused school with a big footprint in Southern California’s economy. Graduates feed straight into aerospace, healthcare, teaching, business, and the arts across the LA and Orange County region.
Aerospace Engineering: U.S. News ranks CSULB’s aerospace program No. 3 in the country among schools without engineering doctorates. Long Beach calls itself “Space Beach,” with rocket and space-station companies headquartered nearby. CSULB students design and launch liquid-fueled rockets through the Beach Rocket Lab and built a satellite selected for NASA’s CubeSat Launch Initiative. The engineering college enrolls about 5,000 students.
- Business: CSULB’s largest single degree. Business makes up about 17% of bachelor’s degrees, more than 1,300 graduates a year, with strong pipelines into regional finance, accounting, and management jobs.
- Health and Human Services: About a quarter of all CSULB students are in this college, which includes nursing, kinesiology, speech-language pathology, health care administration, and a Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
- The Arts: The College of the Arts houses the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music, plus Dance, Cinematic Arts, Design, and the School of Art. Visual and performing arts account for about 9% of degrees, unusually high for a public university.
- Education: One of California’s major teacher pipelines, with credential programs and dozens of donor scholarships for future teachers.
- Sciences: Biology, marine biology, and biochemistry are large programs, and the university’s research status opens undergraduate lab opportunities.
🔗 Official Cal State Long Beach Links
Use CSULB’s official pages below to double-check deadlines, costs, and scholarship rules before your student applies. Dates and award amounts can change each year, and these pages always have the final word.
-
First-Year Application Process:
https://www.csulb.edu/admissions/first-time-first-year-student-application-process -
Local Preference Admission (High School List):
https://www.csulb.edu/admissions/local-preference-admission-consideration -
Key Dates and Deadlines (Admissions, Aid, Scholarships):
https://www.csulb.edu/enrollment-services/key-dates-and-deadlines -
Financial Aid and Scholarships:
https://www.csulb.edu/financial-aid-and-scholarships -
Types of Aid (Cal Grant, SUG, Middle Class Scholarship):
https://www.csulb.edu/financial-aid-and-scholarships/types-of-aid -
Undergraduate Cost of Attendance:
https://www.csulb.edu/financial-aid-and-scholarships/undergraduate-costs-0 -
Tuition and Fees (incl. Non-Resident Tuition):
https://www.csulb.edu/student-records/tuition-and-fees -
Net Price Calculator:
https://app.meadowfi.com/csulb -
BeachScholarships Portal:
https://csulb.academicworks.com/ -
University Honors Application:
https://www.csulb.edu/university-honors/application-process -
President’s Scholarships:
https://www.csulb.edu/university-honors/presidents-scholarships -
Common Data Set 2025-2026:
https://www.csulb.edu/sites/default/files/2026/documents/CDS%202025%20-%202026%20%28PDF%29_0.pdf
✅ Wrapping It Up
Here’s the straight version of Cal State Long Beach. It’s not a merit-scholarship school. Your student’s 4.0 won’t unlock a discount here, and test scores don’t count for anything. What CSULB does have is one of the lowest price tags of any big research university in the country, and a state aid system that can cover tuition entirely for many California families who file by March 2.
For California students, especially those coming from Long Beach-area high schools with local preference, The Beach can be a remarkable deal. That’s even more true for a student who lives at home, chases a major like aerospace engineering or nursing, and fills out BeachScholarships every spring. For out-of-state families, the math is tougher. There’s no WUE discount and almost no merit to soften the non-resident bill unless your student lands a President’s Scholarship, a music award, or an athletic spot.
The families who do best here treat spring of senior year like a sprint: FAFSA or Dream Act by March 2, BeachScholarships the moment the portal opens, and the Honors application by March 15 if your student is a top student. Get those three right and CSULB becomes very hard to beat on value.
Most families build a college list first and think about scholarships second, which is backwards. This free four-part series shows you where the money actually comes from, and how to build a list around it. After the series, about once a month, sometimes twice during application season. No drip funnels, no affiliate pitches, and we never sell your information. Unsubscribe anytime.Your kid did everything right. That does not mean the money follows.
Leo is a parent who went through the college money maze with his own daughter and built CollegeReadyParent so other families don’t have to guess. Every number on this page is checked against the college’s own sources. No paywall, no lead generation. More about Leo →