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
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).
Fall 2026 Financial Aid Processing Update
We're preparing financial aid for fall as quickly as possible. Nationwide federal changes required significant updates to financial aid systems.
What you should do:
- Complete any To Do List items.
- Check your Chico State email.
- Accept your loans if needed. Borrow only what you need.
- Complete Entrance Counseling and your Master Promissory Note, if required.
We appreciate your patience as we work to ensure your financial aid is accurate and available as quickly as possible.
Important Federal Student Aid Changes (Effective July 2026)
Learn about changes to federal student aid under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. New loan limits and eligibility requirements take effect for the 2026–27 academic year. Some continuing students may qualify for legacy loan provisions. Watch the overview below to learn more.
Hot Topics!
- Email Verification Scam: Some of our staff and students have received a fake “EMAIL VERIFICATION” message, claiming to be from the Vice President of Information Technology, stating that their school email will be deactivated in 24 hours unless they respond immediately. If you receive a suspicious email like this, do not click any links, open attachments, or respond to the sender.
- Calculate Your Costs: Cost is only one of the things you consider when picking a college, but it is an important one. Use our new net price calculator(opens in new window) to understand the cost of attending Chico State.
- Financial Wellness: Check out this new CSU Financial Wellness webpage(opens in new window).
- Course Auditor: Financial aid can only pay for courses that are required for your graduation so Course Auditor checks the classes you register for against your Degree Progress Report (DPR). See Course Auditor FAQ (PDF).
Reach out for financial aid help
Call, Email or Visit
Summer Hours
Monday–Thursday
Phone: 530-898-6451
10 AM–4 PM
Lobby: Student Services Center 250
- Monday 8 AM–5 PM
- Tuesday–Thursday 10 AM–5 PM
Financial Aid Email: finaid@csuchico.edu
Scholarships Email: scholarships@csuchico.edu
Drop-In Zoom Advising
Summer Hours
Monday–Thursday
11 AM–12 PM
Schedule an Appointment
Appointments are available in person, by phone, or by Zoom.
Call 530-898-6451 to schedule.
Summer Appointment Hours
Monday–Thursday
- 10 AM–12 PM
- 1 PM–4 PM
Important Dates
- August 13 – 2nd tuition & fee payment deadline. Accept eligible aid to defer fees
- August 20 – Financial aid refunds begin
- August 24 – Fall semester begins
- Complete your To Do List to avoid delays
Award Guide
The award guide is a multi-page PDF document outlining everything you need to know regarding your financial aid.