Financial aid can be complicated, even if you’ve been through the process before. That’s OK—we’re here to help, from completing your aid applications to going through the details of your financial aid offer. Give us a call or send an email, and we’ll answer any of your questions.
Open Hours
Weekdays (M,W,Th,F), closed Tuesdays
Phone: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Lobby: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Location: Student Services Center 250
Phone: 530-898-6451
Our business is changing lives—a commitment that begins by helping you pay for a Chico State education. In 2022–23, we distributed $131 million in aid to more than 10,000 students, or about three-quarters of our student body. That assistance helps ensure you won’t be saddled with debt after graduation.
Applying for financial aid is free and opens the door to grants, scholarships, and low-interest loans. Start the process by completing either the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA), using school code 001146.
When I was given a scholarship, a huge wave of anxiety was lifted off my shoulders. Knowing I have my basic needs met gives me the freedom to dream big.
Financial aid can play a huge part in making your college ambitions come true. But not all aid is the same. For example, scholarships and grants do not need to be repaid, while loans do. Learn more about the different types of aid.
Every year, nearly 1,000 new and returning full-time students earn Wildcat Scholarships. These awards consider a range of criteria, including scholastic achievement, financial need, school and community service, and more. Don’t miss out—even if you don’t think you’ll qualify, we encourage all students to apply. Application for the 2025–26 Wildcat Scholarships opens in January 2025.
The total cost of attending Chico State includes expenses such as housing, food, textbooks, and travel back and forth to campus. A Federal Work-Study job can help cover these costs. If offered work-study, you can apply for campus work-study jobs, working up to 20 hours a week during the academic year.
Loans can cover the gap between the scholarships, grants, and other aid you receive and the amount you can pay out of pocket. You must start repaying student loans after leaving school, regardless of whether you graduate. Both federal and private loans are available. Federal loans have the lowest rates, which cost less in the long run.
When you submit your FAFSA or CADAA, you may be considered for the Middle Class Scholarship. It is open to California residents who meet academic, financial, and other requirements.
Veterans, active service members, students with disabilities, foster youth, first-generation students, and many others may qualify for financial aid assistance.
Our staff can help you navigate the financial aid process, or you can turn to these resources to get started. Join us on Zoom for a workshop, watch videos on completing your application, get answers to frequently asked questions, and more.
Financial aid can be complicated, even if you’ve been through the process before. That’s OK—we’re here to help, from completing your aid applications to going through the details of your financial aid offer. Give us a call or send an email, and we’ll answer any of your questions.
Open Hours
Weekdays (M,W,Th,F), closed Tuesdays
Phone: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Lobby: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Location: Student Services Center 250
Phone: 530-898-6451
We acknowledge and are mindful that Chico State stands on lands that were originally occupied by the first people of this area, the Mechoopda, and we recognize their distinctive spiritual relationship with this land, the flora, the fauna, and the waters that run through campus. We are humbled that our campus resides upon sacred lands that since time immemorial have sustained the Mechoopda people and continue to do so today.