Scholarships

Welcome to the Scholarship Office

The Financial Aid & Scholarship Office at Chico State awards various types of scholarships to students in all academic programs. Scholarships are offered by various departments and organizations to students who meets specific eligibility criteria. Regardless of accomplishments or GPA, we encourage all students to apply for scholarships. 

Are you a scholarship administrator (Chico State Reviewer or Reference)? We are in the process of changing platforms and will provide the new link when it's available.

Students - here are some helpful videos about scholarships:

Application Dates and Deadlines

• 2026-27 Wildcat Scholarship Application: January 2 through February 15, 2026
• Letters of Recommendations deadline: February 20, 2026

FAFSA and Dream Act Application

• The 2026-27 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and CADAA (CA Dream Act Application) are open. Apply early and definitely apply before the March 2, 2026 deadline! 
• CADAA Applicants - If you aren't eligible to complete the FAFSA for federal aid, check here to see if you can submit a CADAA application.

Expand All Accordion Items | Collapse All Accordion Items

• What types of scholarships are available at Chico State?

  We process three types of scholarships:

  • Wildcat Scholarship - The application is available online from Jan 2 to Feb 15. Selected recipients are awarded for the upcoming academic year. Merit and need-based scholarships are both offered through the WildCat Scholarship.
  • Departmental - Check with your major department major every semester for scholarship applications and deadlines.
  • External - There are excellent privately funded scholarships available to students. Some resource and search engine is provided on our site.
    - Review resources and search engines provided on our external page
    - Search online, check with local businesses, schools and or other organizations
• How long does it take to process my scholarship check?

  External scholarships may take up to two weeks to process. Scholarships are typically disbursed at the beginning of the fall and spring semester unless otherwise specified by the donor. No disbursements will be made until we have received the funds from the donor.

• Can I use my scholarship money to pay my tuition fees?

  Once funds have been received, scholarship awards will apply to tuition fees and other obligations you owe to the University. However, if your scholarship award(s) do not cover your tuition fees, you are responsible for the balance of tuition fees owed.

• Where should my scholarship donor send my check?

  Mail or ship scholarship checks to the correct address below:

  Mailing Address (USPS Only):
  California State University, Chico
  Student Financial Services - 0242
  400 W 1st Street
  Chico, CA 95929

  Shipping Address (FedEx, UPS, GLS, etc.)
  California State University, Chico
  Student Financial Services - 0242
  388 Orange Street
  Chico, CA 95929

  • Make the check payable to Chico State
  • Enter the student’s name and student ID in the memo section of the check.
  • Provide any special awarding or eligibility instructions in a letter to accompany the check.
  • Provide contact information if we should need to contact you.
• If my scholarship donor sends me a check directly, what should I do with it?

  Mail your check to Student Financial Services or bring it to their office at Student Services Center room 242. They will process your scholarship. If you have cashed the check already, you will need to send us a copy of the award letter or an email reporting how much you received for the academic year.

• If my scholarship is going to pay my fees, can I get a fee deferment?

  Yes, a fee deferment may be applied if processed before fee deadline. Bring your scholarship check to Student Financial Services room 242. Or mail your check and award letter to: 

  California State University, Chico
  Student Financial Services - 0242
  940 W 1st Street
  Chico, CA 95929-0242