Yes, submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid is the primary step for students seeking financial assistance to cover tuition and attendance expenses at California State University, Northridge. Qualifying students routinely receive financial aid packages consisting of federal Pell Grants, state-funded Cal Grants, institutional university grants, work-study opportunities, and federal student loans. These financial aid programs frequently cover or heavily offset the baseline cost of tuition for lower- and middle-income families.