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 may not 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.
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 counseling and exit counseling are completed online. You will need your FSA ID to access entrance and exit counseling.
Student Loan Code of Conduct
Read our Student Loan Code of Conduct.
General Financial Disclosures
- Institutional and Financial Aid Information
- Applying for Federal Student Aid
- Verification Requirements
- Student Loan Information
- National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS)
- Federal Student Loan Repayment Example
- Entrance and Exit Student Loan Counseling
- Disbursement of Financial Aid
- Borrower Rights and Responsibilities
- Academic Year Definition
- Maintaining Eligibility for Federal Student Aid