Mission and Goals

The Financial Aid & Scholarship Office (FASO) supports the mission and vision of Chico State in its student-centered approach by providing funds and financial guidance to enable student access to higher education.

Our Mission Statement

Through a sincere commitment to all students and their families, we strive to eliminate financial and other barriers to higher education. We make a conscious effort to reach out to those with exceptional economic and educational needs. We are dedicated to providing high-quality service in a fair, sensitive, and confidential environment to all individuals, regardless of background, culture, or lifestyle.

Objectives

To accomplish this mission, the FASO establishes the following program objectives:

• Process aid packages efficiently, in an accurate and timely way.
• Make timely disbursements of aid to all eligible students.
• Provide quality advising services by addressing individual student needs, responding to student inquiries in a timely manner, and providing quality publications.
• Use rationing devices to ensure limited, finite funds are provided to students who demonstrate the greatest financial need.
• Employ professional judgment to ensure access to financial aid in unusual cases.
• Comply with all federal, state, and local regulations, laws, and policies in the administration of financial aid and scholarship programs.

Financial Aid Principles

The Financial Aid & Scholarship Office at Chico State adheres to the Statement of Ethical Principles of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA), and the principles and practices as prescribed by the U.S. Department of Education, the California Student Aid commission, the California State College Chancellor’s Office, and Chico State policy in determining eligibility for federal, state, and private financial aid programs.

Financial Aid History and Scope

Chico State began participation in the federal student assistance programs in the early 1960’s. The University has participation agreements for the following programs:

Federal Grant Programs
Federal Pell Grant
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grant (TEACH)

Federal Work-Study Program

Federal Loan Programs
Federal Direct Loan Program

The University further participates in various state programs administered through the California Student Aid Commission and the CSU Chancellor's Office. These include:

California Student Aid Commission
Cal Grant
California Dream Act Application (CADAA)
Chafee Grant
Golden State Teacher Grant
Middle Class Scholarship

CSU Chancellor's Office
State University Grant
Educational Opportunity Grant
Graduate Business Grant (MBA Fees Grant)

Alternative Loans

In combination, the University processes federal Title IV, state, and university awards for approximately 11,500 students receiving over $130 million from all programs annually.