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.
- Adventure Outings
- Agriculture
- Art Department
- Art & Art History
- Biological Sciences
- CSU System-Wide - also, see below
- Child Development
- Civil Engineering
- Comparative Religion & Humanities
- Computer Science
- Economics
- Education
- Electrical & Computer Engineering
- Engineering, Computer Science & Construction Management
- English
- Geography & Environmental Studies
- German
- Graduate Equity Fellowship Program
- History
- Humanities and Fine Arts
- Kinesiology
- Language and Cultures
- MBA
- Mathematics & Statistics
- Mechanical & Mechatronic Engineering & Advanced Manufacturing
- Multicultural & Gender Studies
- Music, Theater & Dance
- NCAA/Student Athletes - see below
- Natural Sciences also, see below
- Non-Resident Scholarship (Western Undergraduate Exchange)
- Nursing Scholarships
- Nutrition & Food Science
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Political Science & Criminal Justice
- Public Health & Health Services Administration
- Psychology
- Recreation, Hospitality and Parks
- Religious Studies
- Science Education
- Social Science
- Sociology
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:
- Seriousness of intent to obtain an education and to increase personal knowledge
- Ability to pursue a successful life in any chosen capacity
- 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.
Nomination Materials:
| Due April 12th |
Recommendations from Deans and Administrators | Due April 26th |
University Scholarship Committee Reviews | 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:
- Fly Fishers Club of Orange County Marine Studies Scholarship Fund(opens in new window)- One $3,000 scholarship: Marine studies (Marine Science Dept.).
- Hampton Scholars Scholarship(opens in new window)- Four $5,000 scholarships: graduates from the California Academy of Math and Science High School who are studying at any CSU campus.
- Richard Leffingwell Scholarship(opens in new window)- Two $3,500 scholarships: Business and economics and veterans.
- Robert D. & Dorothy W. Talty Endowment(opens in new window)- One $7,000 scholarship: Majors: engineering, physics, chemistry, biology, and computer sciences.
- Robert M. Odell Endowed Scholarship in Public Administration(opens in new window)- Four $2,500 scholarships: Public administration majors.
- William & Janet Lahey Art Education and Visual Arts Scholarship Endowment(opens in new window) - Two $10,000 Scholarships: Education/high school single subject teaching credential.
- Wilson C. Riles Education Scholarship- (opens in new window)Three $2,500 Scholarships; students currently enrolled in a teacher credential program.
- CSU Systemwide Scholarship Application Link: https://csuchico.academicworks.com/opportunities/20162(opens in new window)
Additional CSU Systemwide Scholarships with additional material required:
- Jim Sanders Media and Leadership Scholarship-(opens in new window) One $2,500 scholarship: Journalism, media, and communication majors
- Jim Sanders Media and Leadership Scholarship Application link: https://csuchico.academicworks.com/opportunities/20188(opens in new window)
- Glenn and Dorothy Dumke Fellowship- (opens in new window)One $1,600 scholarship: History, economics, public administration, public policy, political science, and library science.
- Glenn and Dorothy Dumke Fellowship Application link: https://csuchico.academicworks.com/opportunities/20186(opens in new window)
- Howard C. Christiansen Endowed Scholarship(opens in new window)—Six $5,000 scholarships for undergraduate or graduate students in any engineering major field.
- Howard C. Christiansen Endowed Scholarship Application Link: https://csuchico.academicworks.com/opportunities/20192(opens in new window)
How to Apply:
- A link to our online system for students to complete all required materials electronically. Based on scholarship criteria, some scholarships have individual links.
CSU Systemwide Scholarship Application links 24-25
CSU Systemwide Scholarships
https://csuchico.academicworks.com/opportunities/20162(opens in new window) Jim Sanders Media and Leadership Scholarship https://csuchico.academicworks.com/opportunities/20188(opens in new window) Glenn and Dorothy Dumke Fellowship
https://csuchico.academicworks.com/opportunities/20186(opens in new window)
Howard C. Christiansen Endowed Scholarship
https://csuchico.academicworks.com/opportunities/20192(opens in new window)
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.