Scholarships Home

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)? Click to access Scholarship  Award Management(opens in new window).

Students - here are some helpful videos about scholarships:

Application Dates and Deadlines

• 24-25 Wildcat Scholarship Application: Jan 2, 2024, to Feb 15, 2024
• Letters of Recommendations deadline: February 20th, 2024

FAFSA and Dream Act Application

• The 2023-24 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Dream Act Application(opens in new window) are available to apply online. 
• 2024-25 FAFSA and CADAA available in December. Priority deadline for 2024-25 is April 2, 2024.

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• 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.
  • Departmental - Check with your major department major every semester for scholarship applications and deadlines.
    - Review resources and search engines provided on our external page
    - Search online, check with local businesses, schools and or other organizations
  • External - There are excellent privately funded scholarships available to students. Some resource and search engine is provided on our site.
• 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 scholarship checks to:
  California State University, Chico
  Student Financial Services - 0242
  940 W 1st Street
  Chico, CA 95929-0242

  • Make the check payable to CSU, Chico
  • 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 and we 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 process 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