Frequently Asked Questions

Application Questions

• Do I need to be admitted before I apply for financial aid?
  No, it is not necessary to be admitted before applying for financial aid. Submit the FAFSA or CADAA by the priority deadline filing date for the academic year you plan to enroll at Chico State. However, you will need to be admitted and registered in classes before you actually receive financial aid. Keep in mind that if you submit the FAFSA or CADAA after the priority deadline, there may be less financial aid available.
• How do I apply for financial aid?

  For each academic year you will need financial aid, you must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA). There is no cost to apply for financial aid using the FAFSA or CADAA, and it is the starting point for both federal and state aid.

  Undocumented students who meet the non-resident exemption requirements under AB 540 should file a CADAA (California Dream Act application). Eligible students will be considered for state administered financial aid, such as State University Grant, Cal Grant, and a loan. 

  Apply for Chico State Wildcat scholarships online. The application period for Wildcat scholarships is January 2 through February 15 for the next academic year.

• What is Chico State's School Code?
  The Chico State school code used on your FAFSA or CADAA is 001146.
• When do I apply for federal and state financial aid? Is there a deadline?
  Complete the 2025-26 FAFSA or CADAA as soon as possible and definitely before the priority deadline listed at top of this page. We will continue to accept applications after the priority deadline and distribute awards throughout the academic year or semester, depending on your enrollment. Please keep in mind that some funds are limited, and are awarded to eligible students on a first-come first-serve basis.
• Do I have to be a US citizen to receive financial aid?

  You must be one of the following to receive federal and state financial aid:

  • US citizen
  • US national (includes natives of American Samoa or Swain’s Island)
  • US permanent resident who has an I-151, I-551, or I-551C (Alien Registration Receipt Card)

  If you are not in one of these categories, you must have an Arrival–Departure Record (I-94) from the US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) showing one of the following designations in order to be eligible for federal and state aid:

  • Refugee
  • Asylum Granted
  • Indefinite Parole and/or Humanitarian Parole
  • Cuban–Haitian Entrant, Status Pending
  • Conditional Entrant (valid only if issued before April 1, 1980)

  If you are classified as an AB-540 student, you may be eligible for state financial aid. For more information, view AB 540 Dream Act.

  If you have a Notice of Approval to Apply for Permanent Residence (I-171 or I-464), you are NOT ELIGIBLE for federal and state financial aid.

  If you are in the United States on an F1 or F2 student visa, or on a J1 or J2 exchange visitor visa only, you are not eligible for federal or state financial aid. Also, persons with G series visas (pertaining to international organizations) are NOT ELIGIBLE for financial aid.

• What if my parents don't claim me as a dependent on their tax return, am I independent?

  No, according to US Department of Education guidelines, the following conditions do not qualify as criteria for independent status:

  • Parents refusing to contribute to the student's education
  • Parents unwilling to provide information on the FAFSA or documents for verification
  • Parents not claiming the student as a dependent for income tax purposes
  • Student demonstrating total self-sufficiency

  There are other circumstances that qualify for independent status; you can find more information about dependent or independent student status.

• If my parents are divorced or separated, whose financial information should be used?
  If your parents are divorced or separated, answer the questions about the parent who provides the greater portion of your financial support, even if you do not live with them. If this parent is remarried when the FAFSA or CADAA is completed, answer the questions about that parent and the stepparent.

General Questions

• How is financial aid determined?

  The basic financial aid formula is Cost of Attendance - Student Aid Index (SAI) = Financial Need

  Student Aid Index (SAI): When your FAFSA or CADAA is processed, a formula is applied to the information you provided. The formula result is the Student Aid Index (SAI). The SAI is an index used in determining the types and amounts of federal and state aid for which you qualify. A common misconception about SAI is that it equals the amount you will pay for college, but it is just an index.

  The SAI formula calculates the total financial resources of you and your parents (or spouse in some cases) then deducts the amount needed for your family's normal annual living expenses. The remaining amount may, in part, be allocated for college expenses and we use the SAI to determine your Financial Need. Need-based aid is offered based on your (or your family’s) financial need.

  For FAFSA applicants, most of the tax information used to calculate the SAI is transferred directly from the IRS into the FAFSA form if you provide your consent and approval. If you are not able transfer directly from IRS, your manually entered data will be used. For CADAA applicants, your manually entered data will be used.

  Your SAI will stay the same no matter which college you attend, because it is the product of a standardized formula. However, you may be eligible for different types and amounts of aid at different colleges, because each college has its own Cost of Attendance.

  Cost of Attendance (COA): Cost of Attendance, also known as the student budget, is based on the estimated cost of a typical student’s expenses for a nine-month academic year (fall and spring semesters). These budgets include direct university charges (tuition and fees, and on-campus housing and meals) and estimates of indirect expenses (transportation, books and supplies, miscellaneous living expenses, and off-campus housing, utilities and meals). Each college calculates its own student budget. Your estimated COA, or budget, will vary at Chico State depending on where you live: on-campus, off-campus, or with your parents/relatives. Your COA will also vary depending on if you are an undergraduate, graduate or credential student.

  Financial need will be different from one university to another because is the difference between what it costs to attend a particular university and what you and your family are considered able to pay toward the costs (SAI). You are usually eligible for financial aid equal to the amount of demonstrated financial need. Generally, the amount you receive in financial aid (including loans) cannot exceed the estimate of college costs.

  For more information click on Understanding Your Offer.

• When and how do I get my financial aid?

  Most funds are disbursed in one lump sum payment and the first possible disbursement of federal aid, state aid and scholarships is the Thursday prior to the first day of classes each semester: 

  • Fall 2025: First possible disbursement date is August 21
  • Spring 2026: First possible disbursement date is January 15

  You must be enrolled in classes, all your Student Center To-Do list items completed, and not have any holds for your financial aid funds to be disbursed. For Chico State scholarship funds to be disbursed, you must be enrolled full–time (12 units for undergraduate and credential students; 8 units for graduate students).

  Tuition fees, housing charges, and other financial obligations you owe to the University are deducted from your award and any remaining aid is disbursed to you. Parent applications for PLUS loans may designate who receives any disbursement - the parent or the student. 

  We strongly recommend students set up e-Refund (direct deposit) to receive their disbursements. Students who opt for e-Refund receive their disbursements directly into a designated account on the day of disbursement. You can enroll in e-Refund through the Financials section in your Student Center. If you do not choose e-Refund as your disbursement method, a check will be mailed when your disbursement is ready. Please note it can take up to one week to receive your check if it is sent through the mail.

• What if I haven’t received a financial aid offer yet?

  You must complete a FAFSA or CADAA for each academic year that you will need financial aid. Students are notified of financial aid offers by email.  

  If you filed a FAFSA or CADAA but have not received a financial aid offer by mid spring check your application to be sure you listed Chico State as a college you may attend. Also check our Financial Aid Offer webpage for more information. If you still have questions, reach out to the Financial Aid & Scholarship Office. 

• How does financial aid pay university tuition and fees?

  Financial aid recipients are required to pay the difference between all University Charges (including registration and tuition fees, on-campus housing and board plan) and pending financial aid. View your pending financial aid in the Financials section of your Student Center. Payment is due by the Registration & Tuition Fee Payment Deadline:

  • July 30, 2025 for Fall Semester 2025
  • January 8, 2026 for Spring Semester 2026

  If you have enough pending financial aid to cover your fees and charges for the semester, the balance due will automatically be deducted from your refund when your financial aid disburses. You must accept aid for it to be pending. You do not need to make a payment as long as you have sufficient pending aid to cover your charges.

• What if I'm receiving educational funding from a source other than financial aid (such as a private scholarship)?

  The Financial Aid & Scholarship Office is responsible for coordinating all student resources to prevent overawards. Federal and state regulations require the coordination of all financial aid awards with all resources including: external (private) scholarships and grants, fellowships, fee waivers including the Cal-Vet fee waiver, stipends, vocational rehabilitation and other educational benefits. All sources of aid cannot exceed your Cost of Attendance. You may be responsible for repayment of aid that you are no longer eligible for as a result of a third party resource.

  If you are expecting an external scholarship, a check will likely be mailed directly to the university. If a scholarship check is sent to you, please bring it to: Student Financial Services in the Student Services Center 230 or mail to: California State University, Chico, Student Financial Services, 940 W 1st Street, Chico, CA 95929-0242.

  Cal-Vet and other fee waivers, as well as stipends, will be reported by Student Financial Services to the Financial Aid & Scholarship Office for coordination with other aid. Other educational resources (such as Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits, Resident Assistant Benefits, AmeriCorps funds, etc.) will be reported to us when payment is received by the University, and also will be coordinated with your financial aid.

• How much does it cost to enroll in online courses?

  Regularly admitted, state support students, who wish to enroll in partial or fully online coursework would pay the standard tuition and registration fees. Most students would fall into this category. See Tuition and Registration Fees(opens in new window) for more information. 

  Students enrolled in a fully online, state support online degree completion program (see below) also pay standard tuition and registration fees.

  • BA in Humanities
  • BA in Liberal Studies
  • BA in Multicultural & Gender Studies
  • BA in Religious Studies
  • BA in Social Science (Multidisciplinary Studies Option)
  • BA in Social Science (Specialization Studies Option)
  • BA in Sociology

  Students enrolled in self-support, special session degree programs pay a per unit fee that varies per program. Special Session Degree Programs include:

  • Online MBA - $1,000 per unit*
  • Online BSBA - $525 per unit*
  • Online MS in Computer Science - $850 per unit*
  • RN-BSN Program - $450 per unit*
  • MS in Agricultural Education - $610 per unit*

  *Note: unit costs are for 2024-25

• My expenses have increased and/or my family’s income has decreased. Is there additional aid available to me?

  We have exceptional circumstances appeals available and we encourage you to read our appeals webpage for more information. To apply for an exceptional circumstances appeal log on to your Financial Aid Account. 

  If you are in need of food, please visit the Hungry Wildcat Food Pantry. The pantry will prepare to-go bags with food and/or hygiene products for you to pick up at the entrance of the pantry.

  We also encourage you to apply for Cal Fresh benefits. For additional information or assistance completing an application for Cal Fresh visit: calfreshoutreach.org.

• I decided not to attend Chico State or am changing my enrollment dates - do I need to notify the Financial Aid & Scholarship Office?

  Yes. Please complete and submit a Financial Aid Enrollment Update to notify our office if your enrollment plans have changed, or if you are graduating at the end of the fall semester so that we can adjust your financial aid appropriately.

Verification Questions

• Why do I need to create a Financial Aid Account
  The Financial Aid Account allows you to quickly complete your tasks by allowing you and your parent(s) to e-sign forms and upload documents via your electronic device. You will be directed to create an account if additional information is needed from you - instructions will be provided to you on your To Do List via your Student Center. Aid will not be disbursed until all your To Dos are completed and your file has been verified. You will also need to create an account if you are submitting an appeal. 
• Why have you requested tax information and/or other documents from me?

  The Department of Education or California Student Aid Commission may select you for verification. If so, we are required to verify certain information. Verification is like an audit, and information reported on your FAFSA or CADAA is compared with the your and/or parents’ tax information and other documents as needed. Watch for emails and return all requested items quickly, as financial aid will not be disbursed until verification is complete. If your file is selected for verification, you must complete the assigned tasks on your Financial Aid Account and Student Center To Do List before we can disburse aid to you. For the upcoming school year, please complete all required tasks by the June 1 priority deadline or as soon as possible to avoid disbursement delays.

  Upload all requested items ASAP, as aid will be held until verification is complete. Please double check your documents for accuracy and completeness before you upload them. 

Loan Questions

• I know I will need more money. Can I borrow more Federal Direct Loan?
  You may be eligible for additional Federal Direct loan if you have not met your annual and cumulative loan limits. For additional information, view Loan Limits. To apply for additional loan funds, submit an online Federal Direct Loan application (see Forms & Applications). Graduate students pursuing a Master’s degree may request a Graduate PLUS Loan. The parent of a dependent student may request a parent loan by applying online at Federal Student Aid.
• I applied for financial aid. Why was I only offered a loan?
  Loans are a type of financial aid that offers students low interest rate loans to help cover educational expenses. You are not required to accept the loan. If you need to borrow money, we do recommend these loans over private alternative loan options. You do not have to accept the full amount of your loans. If you do accept loans, accept subsidized loans first, if eligible, before accepting other loans  as this will save money. We strongly encourage you to only borrow as much as you need. 
• I applied for an Alternative Loan. When will I get it?
  We strongly encourage students to file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine their eligibility for federal student aid prior to applying for an alternative loan. Alternative loans take up to eight weeks to process and disburse approximately four weeks after certification. The first possible alternative loan payment for Fall 2024 is September 5 and Spring 2025 is January 30.

Scholarship Questions

• When is the application period for Chico State's Wildcat Scholarships?
  The 2025-26 Wildcat Scholarship Application is closed now (deadline was February 15, 2025.) It will open again next January.
• What other scholarships can I apply for?
  See our webpage on External Scholarships.
• How will I receive my external (private) scholarship?
  The turnaround time for complete processing of external scholarships is two to three weeks after we receive the check in our office. Once entered into a student's award, the scholarship is considered pending aid. We do not enter a scholarship as pending aid based on an award letter without receiving the check. Pending aid defers charges until the first disbursement, after which disbursements occur weekly as files are completed. After charges are paid, any money remaining will be disbursed. Please also see our webpage on external scholarships for additional information.

Parent Questions

• Is my student eligible for financial aid?

  Most students qualify for some type of financial aid, which may include grants and/or loans. See Steps to Financial Aid on our website: www.csuchico.edu/fa/steps

• When should students apply for financial aid?

  Your student should submit their financial aid application as soon as possible after it opens and definitely by the priority deadline. Some funds are limited and are awarded to eligible students on a first-come, first-served basis. Students should apply before the April 2 priority deadline. We do continue to accept applications after that and distribute awards throughout the academic year. Students need to apply every year. See Steps to Apply.

• Is there a deadline to apply for financial aid?
  Some funds are limited and are awarded to eligible students on a first-come, first-served basis. Students will want to apply before the April 2 priority deadline. We do continue to accept applications after that and distribute awards throughout the academic year.
• Is admission to college necessary to apply for financial aid?

  No. Students can submit their application before they are admitted. The 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and CA Dream Act Application (CADAA) should open in December. Students should apply before the April 2 priority deadline.

  • FAFSA: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
  • CADAA: https://dream.csac.ca.gov

  Students must apply for admission and be admitted in order to receive a financial aid offer. They must be enrolled in classes to receive financial aid. Note: financial aid offers are based on full-time enrollment. Students who attend less than full time may have their aid adjusted. 

• Can my student apply as independent on the FAFSA or CADAA if I do not claim them as a tax exemption?

  No, not unless your child meets one or more of the criteria to be considered independent for financial aid purposes. See Dependency Status: Are you independent or dependent? 

• When do students actually get their aid?

  Once students accept their financial aid, it disburses the Thursday before the beginning of each semester.  Financial aid is generally disbursed as one lump sum.

  In order for financial aid to disburse, students must complete all To-Do list items in their Student Center and their file must be complete.

  Wildcat Scholarship recipients must be enrolled full-time, which is 12 units for undergraduate and credential students and 8 units for graduate students enrolled in a master’s degree program.

• How do students receive their aid?

  Registration fees, housing charges, and other financial obligations owed to the University are deducted from the financial aid, and any remaining aid is refunded to the student. Parent applications for PLUS loans allow you to designate if the parent or the student is to receive the funds.

  Students: e-Refund (direct deposit) is recommended to avoid disbursement delays. Students may enroll in e-Refund by going to the “Financials” section of their Student Center.

  Parents—Direct Deposit: Complete a Parent PLUS Loan Direct Deposit form. If the student or parent does not enroll in direct deposit, a check will be mailed when the disbursement is ready. This may delay receipt of the funds.

• Can I talk to the Financial Aid & Scholarship Office about my student's financial aid?

  Yes, however federal law protects the privacy of student education records. For students 18 or older, our office must have official permission from your student to release any financial aid information. Your student can provide authorization for us to disclose information to you by completing these steps: 1) Log in to the Student Center; 2) go to Student Records section; 3) click the “Authorization to Release” link. With an access code provided by your student, you can talk to our staff directly about your student’s file. This procedure ensures compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)(opens in new window). Please note: due to federal regulations, we cannot share student federal tax information (FTI) even with your student’s authorization. 

• My student applied for financial aid. Why was a loan offered?

  Loans are a type of financial aid. Students may be offered loans to help cover educational and living expenses. The student has the right to accept, reduce, or decline any loan. If a student accepts loans, they should accept subsidized loans, if eligible, before accepting other loans  as this may save money. We encourage students to only borrow as much as they need. View responsible loan borrowing videos . 

• What if we have unmet need?

  The offered financial aid may not meet your unmet need. For additional aid, students may request an unsubsidized loan that may not have been included in the initial offer or perhaps was declined. Additionally, parents may request a PLUS loan (Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students). Check our loans webpages for Federal Direct Loan Limits (student loans) and information regarding PLUS Loans.

• Can I apply for a loan under my name to be used for my student’s education expenses?

  Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS loans) are federal direct loans that help parent borrowers pay college expenses for dependent students. Parents may borrow up to the cost of attendance, minus any other aid received by the student, including federal direct unsubsidized loans. Unlike student loan borrowers, parents must pass a credit check or have a qualified endorser to be approved for a PLUS loan.

• Why has Chico State requested tax information and other verification documents?

  The Department of Education or California Student Aid Commission may select you for verification. If so, we are required to verify certain information. Verification is like an audit, and information reported on the FAFSA or CADAA is compared with your and your the student’s tax information and other documents as needed. On the FAFSA, you and your student must consent to usage of the IRS Direct Data Exchange in order to be eligible for financial aid. Have your student watch for emails and return all requested items quickly, as financial aid will not be disbursed until verification is complete. See What is Verification?

• If I am divorced or separated, whose financial information should be used when completing the FAFSA or CADAA?

  If the parents are divorced or separated, answer the questions about the parent who provides the greater portion of the student’s financial support, even if the student does not live with them. If this parent is remarried when the FAFSA or CADAA is completed, answer the questions about that parent and the stepparent.

• Do students need to notify the Financial Aid & Scholarship Office if receiving funding from a source other than financial aid?

  Yes. It is a federal requirement to coordinate all financial aid, including external scholarships. The Financial Aid & Scholarship Office will coordinate fee waivers, stipends and third-party payments with the Student Financial Services Office.

  If your student has received an external (outside) scholarships, have them do the following in order to receive their scholarship funds:

  • Ask the organization awarding their funds to mail the check to: California State University Chico, Student Financial Services, 940 W 1st Street, Chico, CA 95929-0242
  • If they send or give it to your student, please submit it to Student Financial Services immediately.
  • The check will be entered into your student's financial aid award. Have them check their Wildcat email for notification of a change to their award.
  • External scholarships may take up to three weeks to process once the check is received.

  Pending Aid and Tuition Charges: The scholarship will be considered as “pending aid.” Pending aid defers university fee charges until the first disbursement. If your student would like the scholarship to defer your fees for fall, have them submit their scholarship checks by July 10.

  Disbursement: After all university charges are paid, any money remaining will be refunded to your student. First financial aid disbursement is the Thursday prior to the start of classes each semester.

• When should students apply for scholarships?

  Students apply for Wildcat Scholarships online. The application is open from January 2 through February 15 each year, for university scholarships to be awarded for the next academic year. Students must attend full time in order to be eligible for a Wildcat Scholarship. 

  For private scholarships, we advise students to begin researching scholarship opportunities as soon as they decide to apply to college. Students may find information through high school guidance offices, books on scholarships available in libraries, and private scholarship databases available on the internet. Our website gives advice on how to best use these scholarship sites, as well as tips on avoiding scholarship scams. Please note that legitimate scholarship foundations do not charge a fee,  nor can they guarantee that a student will receive a scholarship.

• Are there possible tax benefits related to a student’s education?

  There may be tax benefits for educational expenses that can help you. See IRS Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Education.