Notice of Availability of Institutional and Financial Aid Information

CSU offers financial aid resources to assist students in funding their college education. Financial aid is available in the form of grants, scholarships and/or loans. A federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid. Pell Grants are awarded to students who demonstrate financial need and who have not yet earned a bachelor or professional degree. Direct loans are low-interest loans that assist students and parents in paying for post-secondary education. The lender is the U.S. Department of Education rather than a bank. Federal student aid is awarded based on the results of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Paper copies of this information are available from the Office of Financial Aid, which can be contacted at 800-977-8449 Ext. 6530 or financialaid@columbiasouthern.edu.

Refund Policy and Requirements for Withdrawal and Return of Federal Financial Aid

Institutional Refund Policy

Contact: Director of Student Accounts
Email: studentaccounts@columbiasouthern.edu
Phone: 877-323-4472

Student Withdrawal Policies

Contact: Registrar
Email: registrar@columbiasouthern.edu
Phone: 800-977-8449 Ext. 6526

Return of Title IV Policy

Contact: Director of Financial Aid
Email: financialaid@columbiasouthern.edu
Phone: 800-977-8449 Ext. 6530

Cost of Attendance

Contact: Director of Financial Aid
Email: financialaid@columbiasouthern.edu
Phone: 800-977-9449 Ext. 6530

The cost of attendance (COA) is an estimate of a student’s educational expenses to attend CSU. At CSU, the COA includes direct costs for tuition and fees and indirect costs for room, board, and personal expenses. These estimates are based on the national average and not intended to meet the actual living expenses for all students. View a complete list of all student fees.

Assistance in Obtaining Institutional or Financial Aid Information

Columbia Southern University
Office of Financial Aid
21982 University Lane
Orange Beach, AL 36561

Phone: 800-977-8449 Ext. 6530
Email: financialaid@columbiasouthern.edu

Types of Federal Student Aid Available

CSU participates in the following federal student aid programs:

  • Federal Pell Grant
  • Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford Loans
  • Federal Direct PLUS Loans

Institutional Scholarships

Contact: Scholarship Liaison
Email: scholarships@columbiasouthern.edu
Phone: 888-785-3006

CSU recognizes the importance of a quality education and is dedicated to helping students find a way to achieve their higher education goals. In addition to offering federal student aid, CSU offers several scholarships that are awarded on an annual basis. The actual award criteria are established annually and based on the availability of scholarship funds.

Federal Student Financial Aid Penalties for Drug Law Violations

A conviction for any offense, during a period of enrollment for which a student was receiving Title IV, HEA Program (federal) funds, under any federal law involving the possession or sale of illegal drugs may result in the loss of eligibility for any Title IV, HEA grant, loan or work-study assistance (HEA Sec. 484(r)(1)); (20 U.S.C. 1091(r)(1)). View CSU’s Drug Convictions Policy.

Preferred Lender List and Arrangements

CSU does not recommend, promote or endorse lenders for private education loans.

Entrance and Exit Loan Counseling for Student Borrowers

Entrance counseling is required before you can receive your first Direct Subsidized Loan, or Direct Unsubsidized Loan as an undergraduate, or your first Direct PLUS Loan as a graduate/professional student. Exit counseling is required when you graduate, leave school, or drop below half-time. Exit counseling provides important information you need to prepare to repay your federal student loan(s). Entrance and Exit counseling are completed online. You will need your FSA ID to access entrance and exit counseling. An entrance and exit counseling demo is available online.

Student Loan Code of Conduct

Read our Student Loan Code of Conduct.

General Financial Disclosures