The California State University (CSU) system has adopted a new suite of financial aid technology aimed at removing administrative hurdles and making the admissions process more accessible for its more than 460,000 students.
CSU announced this week that all 22 campuses are now live with Ellucian’s Student Financial Success solutions, including Student Forms and Campus Communicator. The tools, powered by artificial intelligence, are designed to simplify financial aid processes and improve transparency for students navigating one of the most complex aspects of higher education: paying for college.
Ellucian, a higher education technology provider working with more than 700 institutions nationwide, says the platform addresses a persistent barrier to student success.
“Findings from Ellucian’s student survey last year emphasize the critical role financial stability plays in student success,” Laura Ipsen, president and CEO of Ellucian, said in a press release. “With 59% of students reporting financial stress as a reason they considered leaving college and only 21% confident in understanding their financial aid offers, there’s a clear need to reimagine financial aid delivery. The CSU’s implementation of Student Forms and Campus Communicator reflects their strong commitment to a more accessible and student-centered college experience.”
The adoption follows a pilot program across 11 CSU campuses that showed promising results. Student Forms automates key financial aid tasks such as processing FAFSA renewals, managing verification documents, and handling appeals, reducing paperwork and delays for both staff and students. The Campus Communicator tool enhances clarity by sending personalized financial aid updates and offer letters through email and text message, giving students timely, actionable information.
Noelia Gonzalez, systemwide director of Financial Aid Programs for the CSU Chancellor’s Office, said the changes are intended to break down financial barriers that too often prevent students from completing their degrees.
“At the CSU, ensuring our students have the financial support and clarity they need is central to our mission of student success,” Gonzalez said in the release. “Ellucian’s Student Forms and Campus Communicator tools helped to streamline financial aid processing and deliver significant benefits for students and staff during a pilot phase with 11 campuses. As a result, the CSU is now offering these innovative solutions across all campuses. This systemwide implementation represents a transformative step toward breaking down financial and administrative barriers, expanding opportunity, and ensuring that higher education remains accessible for California’s diverse student population.”
With this rollout, CSU joins a growing number of universities seeking to modernize financial aid services, a move advocates say is critical for student retention and equitable access to higher education.
