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Wayfinders at Fresno State

Fees and Expenses

Please note that all financial information listed below is subject to change.

Estimated Annual Cost for Regional Center Clients

Below is an estimate of the annual costs associated with a student attending Wayfinders. This estimate is based on the following:

  1. The student is a Regional Center Client and the Regional Center has agreed to provide funding for the Independent Living Support and Community Activity Support the student will receive while at Wayfinders. Please contact your Regional Center to see if your student meets their funding criteria. 
  2. The student is only taking 6 units per semester. If the student wishes to take additional units, the cost per unit is $310.00.
Independent Living Support Paid by Regional Center
Community Activity Support Paid by Regional Center
Student Fees - Paid to Wayfinders $1,072
Deposit, Application, Rent, and Utilities - Paid to Palazzo $8,075 - $9,340 + electricity usage
Groceries, Entertainment, Personal, Etc. $6,325*
Books and Supplies $500
Total Estimated Annual Cost: $15,972 - $17,237+

Estimated Annual Cost for Private Pay

The following is an estimate of the annual costs associated with a student attending Wayfinders. The estimate is based on the following:

  1. The student is not a Regional Center client, or the student does not meet the Regional Center's criteria for funding. 
  2. The student is only taking 6 units per semester. An additional $310/unit will be the responsibility of the student and/or family to pay if the student takes more than 3 units per semester. The Independent Living Support price only an average and is subject to student assessment/support needs.
Independent Living Support - Paid to Wayfinders $30,325 (This is an average and is subject to the student's individual assessment/support needs)
Community Activity Support - Paid to Wayfinders $26,384.71
Student Fees - Paid to Wayfinders $1,072
Deposit, Application, Rent, and Utilities - Paid to Palazzo $8,075 - $9,340 + electricity usage
Groceries, Entertainment, Personal, Etc. $6,325*
Books and Supplies $500
Total Estimated Annual Cost: $72,681.71 - $73,946.71+

 

*Students are expected to budget and buy groceries weekly for their cooking workshops. Students are encouraged to pack lunches and snacks daily but if the students choose to eat on campus, or spend more on entertainment, this may increase the Groceries, Entertainment, Personal, etc. amount shown above.  

Financial Aid

Wayfinders is a certified Transition Program. This allows Wayfinders students to apply for federal financial aid. To learn more, or to apply for financial aid, please visit the FAFSA website. We recommend submitting the FAFSA prior to the March 2 priority consideration deadline for California. Questions regarding Financial Aid should be directed to Fresno State's Financial Aid Office.

Wayfinders Assistance Grant (WAG)

The Wayfinders Assistance Grant (WAG) is a resource for current Wayfinders students experiencing unanticipated financial roadblocks that can impact program completion and well-being. WAG was established through generous contributions from the community and private donors. The amount of a single award may be between $50 and $15,000 per academic year and is based on need as verified by the Financial Aid Office according to the student's FAFSA. WAG is not a loan and does not need to be repaid.

    Essential to the Application Process:

  • Currently attending Wayfinders and making Satisfactory Progress toward a Wayfinders certificate of completion.
  • Currently enrolled in a minimum of 6 units at Fresno State.
  • Applicant must have submitted a FAFSA (see Financial Aid section above) for the same academic year for which they are applying for the WAG.
  • Adhering to the University Code of Conduct and acts as a model Wayfinders student with minimal negative Behavior Event Records (BERs.)
  • Provide a detailed itemized list of how funds will be utilized. 

Application Steps:

  • Application must be completed online and provide a comprehensive description of unanticipated circumstances and financial need and upload qualifying examples. Applications must be received no later than the 4 week of the Spring semester during the academic year of which a student is applying. For example, if applying for the 2022-2023 academic year, you must submit your WAG application no later than the 4 week of the Spring 2023 semester. 
     

Qualifying Examples

  • Utilities/Rent
  • Medical expenses
  • Student and Program Fees
  • Books/Course Materials/Technology
     

Process:

  • Once the application is submitted, the WAG review comittee will review the application for eligibility and the student may be contacted if any additional information is needed.
  • The student will be notifified whether or not they are eligible for an award. If eligible, the student will also receive information about how they will receive the funds.

 

For questions about financial information, please contact:

Mackenzie Burke
Administrative Coordinator
mackenzieb@csufresno.edu
559.278.0503