Middle Class Scholarship
2025-26 Awards:
Middle Class Scholarships (MCS) for spring 2026 have been disbursed for all students who have a complete financial aid file.
If you were expecting an MCS award but didn't receive it, here are a few things to check:
- Make sure you meet the income and asset limits below.
- Confirm you submitted your 2025-26 FAFSA or CADAA by the April 2, 2025 deadline.
- Log in to your Student Center and check your To-Do list. Any outstanding financial aid to-do items must be completed before MCS can be awarded.
Still have questions? We're here to help! Contact our office at
2026-27 MCS Estimates:
If you qualify for Middle Class Scholarship (MCS)(opens in new window) there will be an estimate of your Middle Class Scholarship (MCS) award on your financial aid offer(opens in new window). Your actual MCS award may change once the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) finalizes your eligibility and state funding levels. MCS is a state-administered program, and eligible students are awarded using the same statewide formula, regardless of which CSU or UC they attend. Award amounts may also be adjusted if your enrollment, other financial aid, or eligibility changes. Because campuses may use different cost of attendance assumptions and estimating methods when preparing financial aid offers, your estimated MCS amount may vary from one school to another.
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 California priority deadline.
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 priority deadline
- 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