Wildcat Scholarships

California State University, Chico provides opportunities for scholarship awards to eligible students. New and continuing students are encouraged to apply by submitting the online Wildcat Scholarship Application. Scholarships are based on any or all of the following criteria:

• Educational and career objectives
• Scholastic achievements
• Financial need
• Involvement in school or community service
• Active affiliation with clubs and organizations
• Special qualifications (talent, obstacles overcome, relationships)

Wildcat Scholarships 101

2018-19 Wildcat Scholarship Application is CLOSED.

The Wildcat scholarship application opens January 2, 2018 and close on February 15, 2018. Mark your calendar to complete the FAFSA or CA Dream application by March 2, 2018. Scholarship recipients are selected in the spring for the following academic year.

March 2 - Supplemental information due for the Osher Reentry and the Crankstart Reentry Scholarship to be submitted by reentry students. 

March 30 - Scholarship deadline for students accepted for the RN/BSN for Fall 2018 cohort.

Eligibility

Applicants must be enrolled at CSU, Chico or must be regularly eligible for admission. New applicants to the University must have an admission application on file. Students enrolled only through Regional & Continuing Education's Open University are not eligible. All scholarships require that the recipients maintain full-time enrollment (12 units undergraduates and credential; 8 units graduates). All scholarships also require a minimum 2.00 GPA and many require a GPA of 3.00 or higher.

Need-Based Scholarships

Some scholarships require that recipients demonstrate financial need. In order to be considered for need-based scholarships, you must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Application no later than March 2, 2018 for the 2018-2019 academic year. If you are selected as a recipient of a need-based scholarship, your need will be verified, if selected for verification, prior to any funds being disbursed. Do not limit your opportunities by not completing the FAFSA or California Dream Application.

How to prepare for the online Wildcat Scholarship application

1) Wildcat scholarships require at least one letter of recommendation. You will need to enter the recommender’s name and email address when you apply; our office will send the request. Give the recommender as much time as possible. This process is a required part of the application. Read Online Letter of Recommendation Guidelines for instructions and exceptions. Your application will be considered incomplete without a letter of recommendation, art portfolio, or music/theatre audition/interview.

2) On the scholarship application you will be asked to identify specific major/career interests, relationship categories, and club, societies, or memberships which may relate to specific scholarships.  Any of the information you identify in the checkbox section of the application should also be described in your written statements. This provides extremely helpful information for scholarship committees and matching your application to scholarships.

3) You will be asked to complete 5 written statements to help the scholarship committees get to know you and provide information that will help us match you to specific scholarship opportunities. Remember to reference information you checked in the interest, involvement and relationship categories.

1. What are your educational and career goals?
2. What campus or school sponsored activities have you participated in during the past three years? Include names, dates of memberships, the number of hours involved, and offices held. Format in an easy-to-read list with descriptions.
3. What involvement have you had in community organizations or volunteer activities over the past three years? Include projects or events and your level of involvement. Format in an easy-to-read list with descriptions.
4. Explain how a scholarship will help you to fund your education. Include any information regarding exceptional hardships or obstacles you may have overcome in your pursuit of a college degree.
5. Describe any special talent you may possess or your proudest accomplishment.

4) We recommend you compose your written statements in a document editing program to easily proof and edit. Use proper grammar and capitalization. You can save your answers and then copy and paste in the application. Use single space.  Limited formatting is allowed to help with readability. Please limit each response to 300 words or less. If your answers are too lengthy they may not be read thoroughly. Easy readability is important.

5) Special department requirements:

• Music and Theatre majors require an audition or interview and should contact the Music and Theatre Department office.
• Majors in the Art and Art History department request a portfolio. Contact the department office.
• Civil Engineering majors require a supplemental application. Contact the Civil Engineering office.

18/19 Wildcat Scholarship Application is Closed.