Rights and Responsibilities

You have the right to:

• Know what financial aid programs are available at Chico State.
• Receive accurate information about procedures, deadlines and eligibility for each of the available programs.
• Accept, reduce, or decline loans and Federal Work-Study offered to you.
• Know the cost to attend Chico State (including tuition and fees, books, food and housing, personal expenses, and transportation).
• Know that your application will be evaluated using the same system of need analysis applied to all students.
• Know how your financial aid was determined, including how information reported on your FAFSA or CADAA is used to determine your eligibility for financial aid.
• Know what portion of your calculated financial need will be met.
• Receive information regarding loan terms and conditions (interest rates, amounts, repayment terms, grace periods).
• Know the consequences of loan defaults and options for forgiveness/discharge. 
• Know how and when your financial aid will be disbursed.
• Know the financial aid repayment and refund policies.
• Understand how the Financial Aid & Scholarship Office determines whether you are making satisfactory academic progress, and what happens if you are not.
• Know about any annual, aggregate, or lifetime limits that apply to your financial aid.
• Know the information pertaining to your financial aid is kept confidential.
• Receive a full and clear explanation of financial aid decisions. You may appeal some decisions if you disagree with them by making an appointment with a supervisor.

You have the responsibility to:

• Complete all applications and forms accurately.
• Provide accurate and truthful information, and carefully review your application to make sure everything is correct. Giving false or misleading information on financial aid applications or forms is against the law and may have serious consequences.
• Be sure to meet all financial aid application deadlines.
• Promptly submit any additional documentation or new information requested by the Financial Aid & Scholarship Office.
• Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).
• Read and understand all documents and agreements you sign and keep copies for your records. Accept responsibility for all agreements you sign.
• Seek advice from a tax professional to determine if any portion of grants, fellowships, or scholarships are considered taxable income.
• Complete Loan Entrance Counseling(opens in new window) and a Master Promissory Note(opens in new window) if required.
• Complete Federal Direct Loan Exit Counseling(opens in new window) if you graduate, withdraw, leave Chico State, or drop below half-time enrollment and have borrowed a Federal Direct Loan.
• Repay all student loans borrowed. 
• Report changes in enrollment status, contact information or financial situation. 

To earn Federal Work-Study, you must:

• Find a Work-Study job through the Handshake link on the Career Center & Student Employment website. 
• Apply for and be hired in a Federal Work-Study job.
• Correctly report the hours you work.
• Remain enrolled to maintain eligibility.
• Carefully monitor your earnings so you don’t exceed your award for the semester or academic year.
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress standards.