Financial Aid & Scholarship Office

Department & Program Scholarships

Scholarships, Awards and Grants

Check with your department or program to determine if these scholarships are part of the Wildcat Scholarship application or if these opportunities have separate applications. Also, if your department is not listed here, do check with them to see if they offer scholarships.

Academic & Performance

Academic and Performance (A&P) Recruitment scholarships are merit or talent-based scholarships. The first time admit student recipients are selected by the Enrollment Management Committee and are not required to submit an online University Scholarship Application.

Athletics

Chico State is a member of the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA), NCAA Division II Athletic conference, and offers athletic grants-in-aid to selected athletic recruits. The grants-in-aid are subject to the financial limitations and rules imposed by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the CCAA. Financial aid, scholarships, specific outside resources and employment are considered in determining compliance with these limitations. For more information, contact Intercollegiate Athletics(opens in new window) at 530-898-6470.

Lt. Robert Merton Rawlins Merit Award 2024-2025 

Mrs. Fern Rawlins established the Lieutenant Robert Merton Rawlins Merit Award Scholarship endowment in 1981 in memory of her son Robert. Mrs. Rawlins had three sons, all of whom served in World War II. Two of her sons returned home. Tragically, her son Robert, an army pilot, was lost over Tokyo Bay while flying a B-29. He was awarded the Silver Star for his action, and he is recognized, along with other Chico State Alumni who lost their lives defending our country during WWII, on the bronze plaque near the flag pole on Kendall Hall Lawn.

Mrs. Rawlins had a keen interest in education and believed in rewarding merit and achievement. It was her wish to remember her son and his contributions by rewarding excellent students.

Chico State Faculty are invited to nominate students based on the following criteria:

  1. Seriousness of intent to obtain an education and to increase personal knowledge
  2. Ability to pursue a successful life in any chosen capacity
  3. Evidence of scholarship, extracurricular activities, and outstanding professionally-related and academic accomplishments

Letter of recommendation is required by the nominating faculty and shall provide evidence of all criteria mentioned above.

Student Eligibility Requirements (undergraduate and graduate students):

  • Must have successfully completed a minimum of twelve units at Chico State through fall 2023.
  • Spring 2024 - currently enrolled full-time (12 units undergraduate or credential, 8 units graduate).
  • Must enroll full-time for both the fall and spring semesters of the 24-25 award year
  • Students completing a bachelor's degree in spring 2024 are eligible if returning as a credential or graduate.
  • Must be nominated by a Chico State Faculty within their department and provide at least one recommendation letter. Optional: second letter may be from any staff or faculty. 
  • Former recipients of the award are not eligible; view the Lt. Robert Rawlins recipient list (PDF)

Nomination Process: 

Nominations are now completed online using our scholarship system. Invitation link for nominations and instructions will be sent to all college deans and administrators by March 13th, 2024. For detailed instructions to nominate your student(s), you may also contact the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office, 530-898-6444 or email us at scholarships@csuchico.edu.

Timelines for 2024/25 Nominations

Nomination Materials:

  • Student Nomination Form completed online
  • One Letter of recommendation by nominating Chico State faculty

 Due April 12th 

Recommendations from Deans and Administrators

 Due April 26th

University Scholarship Committee Reviews

Finalized by May 10th

Lt. Rawlins final selection and notification sent 

 *TBA 

*Nominees who are not selected may not necessarily be notified by this time. 

CSU Systemwide Scholarships- 2024-2025 Academic Year 

The CSU Systemize Scholarship Program offers financial assistance to help students across the CSU reach their goals. The scholarships offered include the CSU Trustees’ Award for Outstanding Achievement, which recognizes students with financial needs who epitomize superior academic performance, exemplary community service, and have achieved significant personal accomplishments. Through various endowed gifts and ongoing generous contributions from alumni and friends of the University, we are able to offer many other scholarships across the CSU system.

A summary of the systemwide scholarships and eligibility requirements is provided on the CSU Foundation(opens in new window) website. 

CSU Trustees' Award for Outstanding Achievement:

  • CSU Trustee’s Award for Outstanding Achievement(opens in new window)- Up to $18,000:  MUST be nominated by a faculty in your college. One final nominee will be submitted to the CSU Foundation. Supplemental materials will be requested from the selected nominees. 
    • Invitation link for nominations and instructions will be sent to all college deans and administrators by March 15th, 2024. For detailed instructions to nominate your student(s), you may also contact the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office at 530-898-6444 or email us at scholarships@csuchico.edu.

CSU Systemwide Scholarships:

Additional CSU Systemwide Scholarships with additional material required:

How to Apply:

Application Process for all CSU Systemwide Scholarships: All required applications must be submitted to the corresponding link by the end of the day on  May 6th, 2024.

For questions, contact the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office at 530-898-6451 or email scholarships@csuchico.edu.

Student Life and Leadership University Awards

Faculty and staff are encouraged to nominate student or student groups for awards and recognition. Awards may vary from $500 to $4300. 

College of Natural Sciences (NSC)

Floyd L. English Natural Sciences Scholarship

The generosity of Dr. Floyd L. English, an alumnus of California State University, Chico, and the Andrew Foundation makes it possible to award up to 15 scholarships to students majoring in programs in the College of Natural Sciences each year.

The Floyd L. English Natural Sciences Scholarship can now be applied through the Wildcat Scholarship Application(opens in new window). Applications are due by February 15th, the Wildcat Scholarship deadline. Two letters of recommendation are required.