September 14, 2023 - Update on CSU Approved Tuition Increase (student message)

Dear students,

As you are likely aware, the CSU Board of Trustees approved a plan yesterday afternoon to increase tuition over a 5-year period beginning in the 2024-25 academic year. Though I am not a Trustee, I was in Long Beach for the Board's meeting and heard feedback from students across the CSU system including from Chico State. It was powerful and meaningful.

While 60 percent of students CSU-wide will not be affected because their tuition is covered by grants, waivers, and other programs, that still leaves many students—including many on our campus—who are affected. I understand that many of you are not happy right now, and I know an increase in the cost of attending our University has real impacts on students and families. I hope you understand that no administrator at Chico State, nor across the system, wants to increase the cost to attend the CSU. I am confident this is not something the Board would have done unless members truly felt they had to.

The details of the increase, including how much tuition will go up and how the increased revenue will be spent, can be found here(opens in new window).
For any student who is currently struggling financially, I encourage you to reach out to the Chico State Financial Aid and Scholarship(opens in new window) office and to Basic Needs(opens in new window).

I also encourage you to consider the reasons this is happening. On this campus and across the system, the costs to provide the services and education students need and deserve have exceeded our revenues. If this continues, it will be very difficult for the University to meet our mission. We will continue to advocate for funding to support our outstanding students as well as our faculty and staff.

Thank you for choosing Chico State. Our commitment to you continues to be to provide all students with a high-quality education and dynamic collegiate experience that is affordable.

I know we can achieve that goal.

Thank you,
Steve Perez