Financial Aid and Scholarships - Fresno, California

Elljah Ortiz

The worst experience I’ve ever had Everyone in the building has no idea what they’re doing. They rather put you on hold and talk to each other and actually go to work on top of that. They will waste your time by bringing you in with all your documents telling you everything is OK just call you back in two weeks later and demand different documents when they’ve already approved you to be OK. Honestly, at this point just get AI to do their jobs.

Brody A

Hold time always 20+ minutes and staff is always rude and unprofessional. Can never get any issues resolved without a huge hassle. Complete joke.

Rosa Gutierrez

After around a 20-minute wait, I was able to connect with a representative. I proceeded to describe my dilemma, and they informed me that the individual responsible for handling it was now in a meeting. However, they assured me that this person would contact me before the end of their business hours. I received a callback, during which they assisted in resolving my issue and facilitated my connection with student accounts for additional assistance.

Bryan Estrada

My experience with Fresno states financial aid department has been very discouraging. Every time I call, it is so challenging getting ahold of someone there. Expect to wait well over an hour every time (I give up after that). Even tried their online self scheduling call back service, but it does not work. Email may be the best way to get ahold of them, but even then they advise you to come on in. A disservice to those students/parents that have to work full time job and have to take time off work just for a 15 minute visit that could’ve taken a shorter amount of time via phone. Please work on improving this process for the current students at Fresno state.

Sunny Romerowo

Financial aid needs to fix their system ASAP. I don't mind having to wait long for calls, but the only helpful thing they've done is given me fee deferments... but then they don't tell me when those deferments end and I cant find out where to find the end date online. I have no idea when I'm getting aid. On the FAFSA website I'm supposedly getting a lot but then Financial aid keeps asking me for more information. I've given them my parents tax information in like 3 different ways now. Also, after I would complete 1 form they take 3 weeks to process it and verify it and then give me ANOTHER form.
Here's a suggestion to the staff at the financial aid office: Give us every single form we need to complete right off the bat, not one form at a time. Then tell us EXACTLY what information we're missing, and don't be vague about it. Also, teach the students some customer service. I needed to ask a question last time I spoke to someone after they gave me a fee deferment and they just hung up on me. What the hell was that about? I wasn't done talking and they hung up without saying bye or anything. I was being polite the entire time. damn.

Update: I found out how to fix my problem; if you are having issues with their system, PLEASE go in person. Please. You will not get the answers you need through the phone clerks or the front desk people. You need to make an appt or walk in and talk to one of the people upstairs. This was the only way I could get help for my issue, especially since they couldn’t even see my issue on their end until I went in person and showed them. Giving them 2/5 stars now but only bc the lady I spoke to was very nice and helpful. Other than that though, their system is finicky and sucks.

um 45

Seriously the reason why they are rated lower stars is because the people who call here don’t explain what they want. yes they will be busy and the phone call log is full. But did you look at the day and the month? Expect 200,000 more students to call and ask the same about their financial aid. Instead of being mad on why the call log if full beware their other people in your position. Or if your really upset go to their office and talk in-person. Better yet if you so concerned look at their social media page they literally say follow them to keep up. If not set a appointment and wait for a call back. Btw they have a Q&A for your exact questions on Instagram.

Felix Martinez

I had an issue with one of my disbursements, and when I spoke to one of the assistance, she provided me excellent service. Although she wasn’t able to specifically resolve my issue, she went out of her way to speak to somebody to ensure that my issue was resolved promptly.

Adam Perez

Horrible customer service. They are not good with communication to their students. Many were left in distress due to them sending a message that we would be kicked out of classes if we didn't pay tuition on time even though they had not dispersed out loan money or given us a deferment. They also have no clue where/when the dispersement of money will occur. The grad coordinator for this is also horrible and never can give an answer about grants or loan money. Phone calls take 3-4 hours to get a hold of someone and in the end nothing is resolved. Fresno state really needs to work on their professionalism and duty to the students in this department.