Financial Aid & Scholarship Office
Welcome! Our dedicated team is here to support you every step of the way - from applying for financial aid to maintaining your eligibility. Questions? Please reach out to us at 530-898-6451 or email finaid@csuchico.edu for help.
Our school code is: 001146. Be sure to list Chico State when completing the FAFSA(opens in new window) or CADAA(opens in new window).
Hot Topics!
- The Wildcat Scholarship deadline is February 15 - it's coming up fast! We've added more virtual workshops to help you out. Find the dates, times and zoom links on this flyer (PDF). Questions? Email scholarships@csuchico.edu or join a virtual Q&A session. Apply now for 2026-27 Wildcat Scholarships!(opens in new window)
- Submit your 2026-27 FAFSA/CADAA now! Need help? Stop by a drop-in workshop (PDF)—you can join at any point and stay as long as you need. File early and don't miss the priority deadline: March 2, 2026. Remember, you must apply for financial aid every year.
- Course Auditor FAQ: Course Auditor checks the classes you register for against your Degree Progress Report (DPR) to see if they count toward your degree. Financial aid can only pay for courses that are required for your graduation. See Course Auditor FAQ (PDF) for more information.
- For Staff - New Process: Payments to Students processing now utilizes Softdocs and is no longer submitted to the Financial Aid & Scholarship Office via a TDX ticket. Submit your payment form to us through this link: Softdocs Payments to Students
Reach out for financial aid help
Quick Questions
Note: Until the end of January we have expanded our open hours and are available Monday through Friday at the times listed below.
Phone 530-898-6451: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 AM - 4 PM
Lobby - Student Services Center 250: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 8 AM - 5 PM
Note: Resuming in February, we will be closed on Tuesdays for file processing
Financial Aid Email: finaid@csuchico.edu
Scholarships Email: scholarships@csuchico.edu
Zoom Drop-In with Financial Aid Advisor
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday: 11 AM to 12 PM
Wildcat Scholarship Virtual Q&A Workshops
Apply for Wildcat Scholarships between January 2 and February 15. Over 1.5 million awarded each year! Join us for a live Q&A session (PDF) to learn more and get your questions answered!
Mondays 5 PM - 5:30 PM: Zoom Link(opens in new window); Meeting ID: 821 4372 8182, Code: 625261
- Jan. 26
- Feb. 2
- Feb. 9
Thursdays 11 AM - 11:30 AM: Zoom Link(opens in new window); Meeting ID: 851 2866 5612, Code: 963916
- Jan. 29
- Feb. 5
- Feb. 12
Financial Aid Advisor Appointments
Note: Until the end of January we have expanded our open hours and are available for appointments Monday through Friday at the times listed below, however there are no appointments on the morning of January 15.
Appointments in person, by phone, or by Zoom - call 530-898-6451 to schedule.
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday: 9 AM to Noon and 1:30 - 4:30 PM
- last morning appointment starts at 11:30 AM
- last afternoon appointment starts at 4 PM
Important Dates & New Information
2026-27 FAFSA and CADAA are open. Priority deadline is March 2, 2026. Apply early!
Jan. 2 - Feb. 15: Wildcat Scholarship application is open.
Join Wildcat Scholarship Workshops (PDF):
- Mondays: Zoom link(opens in new window); Meeting ID: 821 4372 8182, Passcode: 625261
- Jan 26
- Feb 2
- Feb 9
- Thursdays: Zoom link; Meeting ID: 851 2866 5612, Passcode: 963916
- Jan 29
- Feb 5
- Feb 12
Join FAFSA/CADAA Workshops (PDF): in SSC 206
- Thurs. Feb. 5: 1 - 3 PM
- Mon. Feb. 9: 2 - 4 PM
- Wed. Feb 25: 2 - 4 PM
- Mon. Mar 2: 1-4 PM (priority deadline!)
Award Guide
The award guide is a multi-page PDF document outlining everything you need to know regarding your financial aid.