Middle Class Scholarship
FAFSA/CADAA Priority Deadline:
2026-27: The FAFSA and CADAA are now open! Apply early and definitely by the March 2, 2026 Priority Deadline.
2025-26: You can still apply for limited funding even though the California priority deadline has passed.
2025-26 Awards:
Middle Class Scholarships (MCS) have been disbursed for fall 2025 for all students who have a complete financial aid file. If you were expecting MCS but didn't receive it, check your To-Do list in the Student Center and complete any outstanding financial aid to-do items. If you have questions, contact our office at (530) 898-6451.
MCS is based on a complex formula including Cost of Attendance, other awards received, enrollment, and more. Since all these factors can significantly change in the first month of school, we want to make sure your award is accurate before releasing the funds in order to prevent repayments.
General Information:
MCS is for undergraduates and students pursuing a teaching credential who submit FAFSA(opens in new window) or California Dream Act Application(opens in new window) (CADAA) by the priority deadline above.
Middle Class Scholarship amounts vary according to each student’s eligibility. MCS is tied to a student's enrollment at University Census. There is not a separate application to apply for the Middle Class Scholarship - your FAFSA or CADAA also serves as your MCS application.
For 2025-26 the income limits are as follows:
- Dependent students and Independent students with dependents other than a spouse: $234,000
- Independent students:
- Single, no dependents: $136,000
- Married, no other dependents: $155,000
For 2025-26 the asset limits are as follows:
- Dependent students and independent students with dependents other than spouse: $234,000
- Independent students: $112,000
Chico State students must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Must submit FAFSA or CADAA by state deadline listed above
- Be a California resident
- Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or AB540 eligible
- Meet certain income/asset limits
- May receive up to 4 years, depending on education level when awarded
- Must be enrolled in at least half time
- Limited to undergraduate and teaching credential programs
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress
- Not be in default on a student loan
- Must not be incarcerated
Scholarship award amounts vary by student. Award amounts are based on the cost of attendance and the following program requirements:
- other available gift aid that the student is eligible for (i.e. federal, state, institutional or scholarship aid)
- a self-help student contribution of $7,898 (applied to all students)
- a parent contribution for dependent students with a household income of over $100,000.
These three factors collectively, are referred to as a students’ “available resources.” These amounts are deducted from the student’s total cost of attendance to determine the MCS award. Under this formula, award amounts will vary widely among students, with each student’s award reflecting their costs and available resources.
The final MCS award amounts for the year will be based on the number of students eligible for the Middle Class Scholarship statewide and the funding allocated by the State Budget.
Additional Information:
For additional information about this scholarship contact our office at (530) 898-6451 or check your WebGrants 4 Students account. The California Student Aid Commission contacts students via email so it is critical that you keep this information current on your WebGrants 4 Students account.