Financial Aid & Scholarship Office

Disbursement FAQs

How will I be notified of my financial aid offer?

How often will I receive my financial aid?

How do I view my financial aid offer?

Why can't I see my financial aid offer?

When will financial aid funds be disbursed?

How will I receive my financial aid disbursement?

How will I know if I have to pay fees?

Who do I contact if I have a question regarding tuition, fees, or housing?

What if I can't complete my financial aid file and clear my holds in time to receive a disbursement before the semester begins?

What if I take fewer than full-time units?


How will I be notified of my financial aid offer?
You will receive a Wildcat email with a link to your financial aid offer. Nationwide the FAFSA/CADAA and financial aid processes have had a major revamp for 2024-25. We are hoping to get 2024-25 financial aid offers out in April 2024, but due to the extensive changes offer letters may be delayed.

How often will I receive my financial aid?
Most funds are disbursed in one lump sum payment and the first possible disbursement of federal aid, state aid and scholarships is the Thursday prior to the first day of classes each semester. After that, if you receive additional financial aid it will is disbursed on a Thursday, as disbursements continue throughout the semester on Thursdays. 

How do I view my financial aid offer?
Follow the link on the Wildcat email for your financial aid offer. Also, log into the Student Center via your Portal account. Select ‘View Financial Aid’ under the ‘Financials’ section. To accept or decline your aid, select ‘Accept/Decline’ Awards.

Why can’t I see my financial aid offer?
Financial Aid is offered to newly admitted students once we have received a FAFSA/CADAA. For continuing students, your aid is offered once all required tasks and To Do List items have been completed, holds have been cleared, and your file has been reviewed. You may not have received a financial aid offer if you are not currently meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress.

When will financial aid funds be disbursed?
There are three steps to follow after you view your award offer:

  1. Accept your financial aid award via your Student Center. 
  2. Complete financial aid To Do List items and resolve any holds posted in your Student Center.  
  3. Enroll in your courses. To receive the maximum amount of aid offered, students should enroll full-time (12+ units for Undergraduates and Credential students or 8+ units for Graduate students).

We will verify your file within 8 weeks after you have submitted all required documents. If you submitted all required documents and completed all tasks by June 1, you should expect your aid to disburse on the following dates:

Fall 2023: First disbursement date is August 17
Spring 2024: First disbursement date is January 18

Financial aid refunds are sent via e-Refund (direct deposit) or by check. Tuition and on-campus housing fees will be deducted from your financial aid before a refund is sent. We recommend that you set up e-Refund to avoid disbursement delays. Enroll in e-Refund via your Student Center.

How will I know when the review is complete?
We will send an email to your Wildcat email once we have completed the review of your file.

How will I receive my financial aid disbursement?
If you submitted all required documents and completed all tasks by June 1, you should expect your aid to disburse on the following dates:

Fall 2023: First disbursement date is August 17
Spring 2024: First disbursement date is January 18

Financial aid is generally disbursed in a lump sum for students who have a remaining financial aid balance after total charges for the semester are paid. Federal Direct Loans will generally disburse along with your other financial aid. We recommend setting up e-Refund, which is the most secure and efficient way to receive funds. If you choose to receive your disbursement by mail, make sure you have correct address information on file. Students may use their Student Center to update their contact information.

How will I know if I have to pay fees?
Access your Student Center and scroll down to the Financials section to view your account and your financial aid. Select "What I Owe" which will display your pending financial aid on your student account summary. Any financial aid or other payments greater than your total charges will be refunded to you. If your total charges are more than your pending financial aid, you must pay the balance due by the Registration & Tuition Fee Payment Deadline. 

Download the My Chico State mobile app from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store for easy and convenient access to your financial aid information. 

Who do I contact if I have a question regarding tuition, fees, or housing charges?
Student Financial Services (SFIN) serves as cashier for payment of tuition fees, housing charges, and all other university charges. Answers to questions about fee payment deadlines, tuition fee amounts, payment methods, and details about refunds are available through their office located in the Student Services Center room 230. SFIN disburses financial aid funds awarded by the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office.

What if I can't complete my financial aid file and clear my holds in time to receive a disbursement before the semester begins?
If you are not receiving a disbursement at the beginning of the semester, you need to confirm through your Student Center that you have accepted enough pending financial aid to pay fees in the future. If not, you must pay the difference by the registration fee payment deadline. Students who fail to pay fees or do not have sufficient financial aid to pay fees will be assessed a $25 late fee, will not be able to add classes during registration add/drop period, and may have classes dropped for non-payments. Keep in mind that if your file is not complete by the fee payment deadline, your estimated financial aid offer may change as a result of verification. If your financial aid package changes, you are responsible for paying the difference as soon as possible.

What if I take fewer than full-time units?
Your financial aid offer will be based on full-time enrollment, even if you indicated on your FAFSA that you plan to enroll in fewer units. Financial aid funds will be disbursed based on your actual enrollment. At University Census, the fourth Friday of each semester, your financial aid award may be reduced if you are enrolled less than full-time.