Career Development (DEV) Option

Select this option when admitted to a CSU towards a degree or academic goal. Submit one form--fee waiver app--each term. 

To be eligible for the Career Development Option, employees first need to apply through Cal State Apply, be accepted and become a student working toward a degree, credential, or certificate. Depending on operational needs and the CBA, the supervisor may approve one (1) class to be taken on State time.

First-time Career Development Employee

0. Prepare

• Optional: meet with the fee waiver program coordinator to understand your options and fees
• Explore CSU Campuses(opens in new window) and CSU Degrees(opens in new window)
• Investigate Majors/Careers(opens in new window), take a Career Assessment(opens in new window) and talk to an academic advisor

1. Apply for Admission

• Apply to be admitted through Cal State Apply(opens in new window). (Please note that the CSU deadlines(opens in new window) apply to employees, and that you will need to pay a $70 application fee.) 
  • Second Bachelor degree-seeking employees that wish to submit a CSU application for Chico admissions, should contact Melanie Manes first.
  • Graduate Students follow the Graduate Studies Admissions Process by the posted application deadline. Even as an employee, you will need to meet Graduate Studies requirements.

2. Submit Employee Fee Waiver Forms

• Submit a Employee Fee Waiver (Tuition Reduction) Application(opens in new window) (PDF) through Adobe Sign to Human Resources.
  
  • Human Resources will send a copy to Undergraduate or Graduate Admissions.
  • Undergraduate Admissions or Graduate Admissions will contact the employee. The employee will receive standard admission communications regarding their application status. If admitted, the employee will receive additional communications regarding important dates and deadlines, along with any steps to follow.
• Submit fee waiver forms PRIOR to the fee waiver deadline(opens in new window).

3. Pay Fees

• Pay fees at Student Financial Services Center (SSC), room 230. Tell them you are participating in the employee fee Waiver program so they can code the payment properly.

4. Register for classes

• You will receive an "Invitation to Register" in your student wildcat (@mail.csuchico.edu) email account or work email. You may choose to forward your Wildcat email account(opens in new window) to your work (MS Exchange) email account.
• Review information about registering for classes and fee payment deadlines. 

5. Be timely and review your Portal

• Do all of the above before the fee waiver deadlines(opens in new window) and financial deadlines(opens in new window). Classes may be dropped and/or an overdue payment fee (non-refundable) may be assessed if your fees and forms are not received by the deadlines.
• Check the Portal(opens in new window) online to review courses and your student financial aid record via the Student Center(opens in new window).

Graduate

(Has a degree and taking grad courses = grad admit)

Returning Career Development Employees

Each semester, submit an Employee Fee Waiver (Tuition Reduction) Application(opens in new window) (PDF) through Adobe Sign to Human Resources. A copy will be forwarded to Undergraduate Admissions or Graduate Studies

Had a break in enrollment?

• For Undergraduate students, contact Admissions for re-submission to the University.
• Graduate Students utilizing the Career Development Fee Waiver option are not required to maintain continuous enrollment for each semester of their program. They may submit an application, via Cal State Apply(opens in new window) by the posted application deadline, to reactivate their student status. Also, contact the Graduate Admission Coordinator for assistance.

Employees Changing, Adding or Deleting Courses

• Submit a revised Fee Waiver Application for Employees(opens in new window)(opens in new window) through Adobe Sign. Check the box under the “Course information and Release time” section, indicating you are submitting a revised application.