The following criteria must be met for a student to be eligible to participate in Federal Student Aid (FSA) ) at Columbia Southern University (CSU):

  • Be a regularly admitted student enrolled in an eligible program of study for the purpose of obtaining a degree
  • Be a U.S. citizen or national, or an eligible non-citizen (verification of eligible non-citizen status may be required)
  • Be qualified to study at the postsecondary level. You can show you are qualified to obtain a college degree by:
    • having a high school diploma or a state-recognized equivalent such as a General Educational Development (GED) certificate;
    • completing a high school education in a homeschool setting approved under state law (or—if state law does not require a homeschooled student to obtain a completion credential—completing a high school education in a homeschool setting that qualifies as an exemption from compulsory attendance requirements under state law).
  • Not be in default on a federal student loan or owe an overpayment on a FSA grant or loan
  • Not have borrowed in excess of the annual or aggregate loan limits for FSA
  • Meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards
  • Not be enrolled solely in remedial coursework
  • Not be currently enrolled in secondary school (high school)
  • Have a valid Social Security number (with the exception of students from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau);
  • Be enrolled at least half-time
  • Not be incarcerated
  • Certify that FSA will only be used for educational purposes
  • Demonstrate financial need to be eligible to receive need based funding
  • Be prepared to submit any requested documentation that supports information reported on the FAFSA or CSU application
  • Provide consent and approval to have your federal tax information transferred directly into your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form;

Eligible/Ineligible Programs

Columbia Southern University (CSU) participates in various state and federal funding programs. All funding programs require specific qualification criteria for program funding eligibility.

Federal Student Aid Eligible Programs

All CSU degree programs are eligible for Title IV Federal Student Aid (FSA) with the exception of the Associate of Arts in General Studies.

Funding Options

  • Title IV Federal Student Aid (FSA)
  • Veterans Affairs Benefits
  • DoD Military Tuition Assistance
  • Self-Pay (Out of Pocket)
  • Corporate Direct Billing