Financial Aid & Scholarship Office

Rights and Responsibilities

You have the right to know

  • What financial aid programs are available at Chico State.
  • The application deadlines for each of the available programs.
  • The cost to attend Chico State (including fees, books, living expenses (food and housing), personal expenses, and transportation).
  • Your application will be evaluated using the same system of need analysis applied to all students.
  • How your financial aid was determined, including what resources (such as assets, earnings, parental contribution, etc.) were considered in the calculation of your expected family contribution (EFC).
  • What portion of your calculated financial need will be met.
  • How much of your financial aid is loan and how much is grant. If the award is a loan, you have the right to know the amount which must be repaid, the interest rate, the amount of each payment, the length of time you have to repay, and when repayment will begin.
  • How and when your financial aid will be disbursed.
  • The financial aid repayment and refund policy.
  • How the Financial Aid & Scholarship Office determines whether you are making satisfactory academic progress, and what happens if you are not.
  • There are lifetime limits on various aid sources.
  • The information pertaining to your financial aid is kept confidential.
  • You have the right to receive a full and clear explanation of financial aid decisions. You may appeal some decisions if you disagree with them.

You have the responsibility to:

  • Complete all applications and forms accurately.
  • Comply with all financial aid application deadlines.
  • Return any additional documentation and new information requested by the Financial Aid & Scholarship Office.
  • Provide correct information. Misrepresented information on financial aid applications and forms is a violation of federal law and may be considered a criminal offense.
  • Read and understand all documents you are asked to sign and keep copies for your records.
  • Accept responsibility for all agreements you sign.
  • Return any additional documentation and new information requested by the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office.
  • Notify the Financial Aid & Scholarship Office if you drop below full-time enrollment during any semester. Full-time enrollment is 12 units for undergraduates and eight units for graduates.
  • Notify the Financial Aid & Scholarship Office of increases in resources available to you, including scholarships, income, assets, parental contribution, and other benefits.
  • Seek advice from a tax professional to determine if any portion of grants, fellowships, or scholarships are considered taxable income.
  • Complete Loan Entrance Counseling and an electronic Master Promissory Note(opens in new window) if you are a first-time borrower of Federal Direct Loans.
  • Complete on–line Loan Exit Counseling before you graduate, transfer, or withdraw from Chico State, if you have borrowed a Federal Direct Loan.

Federal Work-Study

When you accept Federal Work-Study it is not a guarantee of employment. You must: 

  • Find a Work-Study job with assistance from the Student Employment Office. Be sure the necessary employee hiring forms are completed. 
  • Adhere to the arranged work schedule.
  • Correctly report the hours you work.
  • Remain enrolled to maintain eligibility.
  • Carefully monitor your earnings so you don’t exceed your award for the academic year.
  • Maintain satisfactory academic progress standards.