Latest Questions
Financial Aid
Why have you requested tax forms and a Verification Worksheet?
Why are there still items requested on my "To Do List," when I already submitted everything?
How does financial aid pay university fees?
What if I didn't hear about financial aid yet?
Can I get a TEACH Grant through Chico State?
Why have you requested tax forms and a Verification Worksheet?
We are required to verify the files selected by the federal processor. Verification is like an audit of your FAFSA. We compare the information you reported on the FAFSA with your and/or your parents’ federal tax return, a completed verification Worksheet, and other documents as needed.
If you have filed your 2010 IRS Federal Tax Return, you may update both parent and student 2011/2012 FAFSA financial information using the IRS data retrieval tool through www.fafsa.ed.gov "Link to IRS." If your file has been selected for verification, you will not be required to submit tax forms and schedules once our office receives the retrieved IRS information for student and parent.
Return all requested items ASAP, as aid will be held until verification is complete. Please double check your documents for accuracy and completeness before you submit them. For additional information, also see Verification.
Why are there still items requested on my "To Do List," when I already submitted everything?
It is normal for items to still appear as "requested" for as long as a month after you submitted them in person or by mail, due to manual steps in the scanning, linking, and review process and the large volume of documents we receive at this time of year. Your "To Do List" items will change to "received" when they have been electronically linked to your file. Items submitted by fax should automatically update your Student Center "To Do List" from "requested" to "received" within 72 hours.
After your file is completed, the items will clear from your "To Do List." Please do not resubmit your documents. Continue to check your Student Center for status changes and, possibly, additional information requests. Your file is not complete until all financial aid requests are removed from your "To Do List."
How does financial aid pay university registration and tuition fees?
All financial aid is posted to the student's account. Financial aid recipients are required to pay the difference between all University charges (including registration and tuition fees, on-campus housing and board plan) and pending financial aid. Payment is due by the Registration and Tuition Fee Payment Deadline:
July 28, 2011 for Fall Semester 2011
December 8, 2011 for Spring 2012
If your pending financial aid for the semester is sufficient to cover your fees and charges, the balance due will automatically be deducted from your refund when your financial aid disburses. If your file is complete and there are no items remaining on your "To Do List," the first possible disbursement for the fall term is the week of August 18. The fees box in the Finances section of your Student Center will continue to indicate tuition fees "Past Due" until your aid goes out. As long as you have sufficient anticipated aid to cover registration and tuition fees, no payments are necessary. All remaining aid, after charges and fees are deducted, will be disbursed to you via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) or a check that is mailed to you.
You will be charged a $25 late fee if your fees and charges are not paid by the Registration and Tuition Fee Payment Deadline. Additional late fees may be charged and holds may be placed during the semester if fees and charges remain unpaid.
What if I didn't hear about financial aid yet?
If you did not file a FAFSA for 2011-2012, then we do not yet have your application. You must complete a FAFSA for each academic year for which you will need financial aid. There is no cost to apply for financial aid using the FAFSA, and it is the starting point for both federal and state aid. You can still apply. The fastest, easiest way to apply for financial aid is to use FAFSA on the Web.
If you filed a FAFSA for 2011-2012 but did not include the CSU, Chico federal school code, you can add our school code to your FAFSA by going to www.fafsa.ed.gov and choosing Corrections to Your 2011-2012 FAFSA. Our FAFSA School Code is 001146. As soon as the federal processor has that information, they will transmit a copy of your FAFSA and we can process a financial aid offer for you. Please note: Students are notified of financial aid offers by e-mail. Please check your Wildcat e-mail account regularly.
Also see this Web site for Accepting or Declining Your Aid.
Can I get a TEACH Grant through Chico State?
The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program is available at CSU, Chico for 2011-2012 for selected postbaccalaureate programs and plans in education. It is NOT available to undergraduates. The TEACH Grant is actually a grant/loan combination that requires a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve (ATS), as the grant will convert to unsubsidized loan in the future if contracted teaching obligations are not met.
The TEACH grant is not included in 2011-2012 financial aid offers but can be offered retroactively to eligible students after the 2011-2012 academic year commences. Specific eligible education programs have been determined in conjunction with the College of Communication and Education. Click on our TEACH Grant Web page for additional information.
Please view Types of Aid for alternative aid sources, if necessary, or make an appointment with a financial aid advisor to discuss all options.
Loans
I know I will need more money. Can I borrow more?I applied for an Alternative loan. When will I get it?
I know I will need more money. Can I borrow more?Students may be eligible for an additional $2,000 in unsubsidized Stafford Direct Loan if they have not met their annual and cumulative loan limits and still have unmet need. For additional information, view Stafford Loan Limits. If you wish to apply for additional loan funds, submit a Federal Direct Stafford Loan application available on our Forms page.
I applied for an Alternative loan. When will I get it?
Students must complete a FAFSA and a Private Education Loan Applicant Self-Certification with the lender they have chosen before our office can provide institutional certification. This form is available through your lender or on our Forms page. The first possible disbursement date for fall semester alternative loans is August 25.
Scholarships
When is the application period for CSU, Chico scholarships?
When will 2011-2012 CSU, Chico scholarships be announced?
What other scholarships can I apply for?
How will I receive my external (private) scholarship?
When is the application period for the CSU, Chico scholarships?
The application window for 2011-2012 California State University, Chico scholarships is now closed. In order to be considered for 2011-2012 academic year CSU, Chico Scholarships, applications must have been submitted between October 1 and December 15, 2010 midnight Pacific Standard Time.
When will 2011-2012 CSU, Chico scholarships be announced?
Recipients of 2011-2012 CSU, Chico scholarships will be notified of their selection via e-mail through Fall 2011. At that time recipients can access their scholarship offer through the Finances section of their Student Center, and must accept or decline their scholarship offer.
What other scholarships can I apply for?
See our Web page on External Scholarships.
How will I receive my external (private) scholarship?
The turnaround time for complete processing of external scholarships is two to three weeks after we receive the check in our office. Once entered into a student's award, the scholarship is considered anticipated aid. Anticipated aid defers charges until the first disbursement, after which disbursements occur weekly as files are completed. After charges are paid, any money remaining will be disbursed. Please also see our Web page on external scholarships for additional information.
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