Maximum Unit Appeal
To meet federal and state satisfactory academic progress requirements, you are expected to complete a degree program within a maximum allowable time frame. Undergraduates who have attempted 180 units, and post-baccalaureate students who have attempted 60 post-baccalaureate units are ineligible for all types of financial aid including grants, work–study, and loans. If you have reached a unit limit and would like to be considered for financial aid funding, please complete a maximum units appeal. Step-by-step instructions are listed below.
Non-fundable coursework:
Students are generally not funded for second majors, minors, options, or courses for personal enrichment or GPA improvement unless they can prove the courses are necessary for future employment and submit supporting documentation.
Prerequisites for credential or graduate programs are generally not funded for undergraduates who have exceeded the maximum time frame unless the courses also meet major or general education requirements.
Repeating coursework a second time after passing with a D or better cannot be funded.
You must submit an appeal no later than three weeks before the semester ends in order to be reinstated for aid that semester.
Step by Step Instructions
Students filing a 2024-25 FAFSA or CA Dream Application must use the 2024-25 Appeal. Click the drop down box below for step by step instructions on how to complete your appeal.
- Step-by-Step Instructions for Maximum Unit Appeal If you are requesting an appeal, follow the instructions below. If an appeal was assigned to you, start at step 5.
- Log in to your Financial Aid Account. If you have not logged into your Financial Aid Account before, you will need to create an account. Be sure to enter your name exactly as it appears on your FAFSA or CADAA.
- Click on the red "Manage Requests" button at the top right corner of the screen, then click the plus sign to the right of "Maximum Unit Appeal"
- Enter a short one-sentence reason for your appeal, then click submit
- You will see the message "Your request has been successfully created!" Click Ok
- Under "Needs Action" click the "Maximum Unit Appeal" box
- Click the red bar with the words "Maximum Unit Appeal"
- To the right of the first red circle click "Fill Out"
- Follow the instructions to complete the form
- On the Circumstances & Statement page complete the following:
- Statement
- Degree objective and major or program of study
- Semester and year you anticipate graduating
- Answer Yes or No to "Have you applied for graduation?"
- Read information about the Program Plan requirement
- Answer Yes or No to "Do you have additional information or supporting documentation?"
- Click Next, enter your e-sign password and click E-Sign
- You will see a box with "Success". Read the message and click "Ok"
- Download and complete the Max Unit Program Plan and take it to your academic/major advisor for signature. Upload your completed and signed Program Plan. If you are not able to get your advisor's signature, we will accept an email from you advisor.
- If you clicked the box stating you have supporting documentation to upload, there will be a task below the Program Plan that allows you to upload your supporting documentation. If you checked "yes" in error you can go back in to your appeal by clicking "fill out" and click "no" to the supporting documentation question.
- Finish your appeal by clicking the “submit” button at the bottom
Appeals will be reviewed in the order received. You will receive notice of our decision in your Chico State email.
Call us at 530-898-6451 if you have any questions.