Latest Questions

Financial Aid

What if I didn't get my financial aid yet?

If you applied for financial aid and did not receive a disbursement yet, check your Student Center for “To Do List” and “Holds” to make sure you have submitted all requested documents. Files are completed according to the date order by which we receive all requested information. If you paid your fees in order to maintain enrollment, the fall financial aid for which you are eligible will be refunded to you after your file is completed. If you have unpaid charges on your university account, your current classes will not be affected, but your ability to register for Spring 2009 classes will be delayed until the charges are paid. Spring registration begins October 13. You may pay "out of pocket" to prevent this delay. If you do this, the fall financial aid for which you are eligible will be refunded to you after your file is completed.

The Financial Aid and Scholarship Office is working overtime to try to complete as many files as possible in order to assist students with their academic goals.

If you did not file a FAFSA for 2008-2009, then we do not yet have your application. Please see question below, "Can I still apply for financial aid?"

Why are there still items requested on my "To Do List" for 08/09, when I already submitted everything?

We know it's frustrating, but it is normal for items to still appear as "requested" after you submitted them. Because of the volume of the documents we handle on a daily basis, it takes several weeks to scan and link your documents to your file. In the next several weeks, your "To Do List" items should change to "received." After your file is completed, the items will be removed from your "To Do List." Continue to check your Student Center throughout this process for changes and, possibly, additional information requests.

Can I still apply for financial aid?

You can still apply for financial aid. The fastest, easiest way to apply for financial aid is by completing the Free Application for Student Aid, also known as the FAFSA. For additional information, read How to Apply for Financial Aid.

Can I drop a class without it changing my aid?

Financial aid is determined by need and by enrollment. To receive federal and/or state aid, you must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 units for state aid, federal loans and Work-Study. Financial aid is offered based on full-time status. By law, financial aid disbursements must be adjusted for enrollment, or number of units.

After University census (September 19), financial aid awards were revised to match eligibility based on the actual number of units in which students are officially enrolled. Awards may have been reduced for students enrolled in fewer than full-time units (12 for undergraduate and credential students; 8 for master’s degree students). Students, who have not received their fall financial aid because their file is awaiting vertification, may find their awards adjusted for both need (as determined by EFC) and enrollment.

Students who may drop units after University Census should be aware of Satisfactory Academic Progress policies.

When will I receive my ACG Grant? It's in my award (or I think it should be) and I haven't gotten it.

ACG Grants will disburse on a rolling basis throughout October. This is a manual process that requires official enrollment data provided by University Census and individual file review for federal eligibility guidelines. Please continue to check your Student Center, and postpone any questions to the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office until later in the month.

When will I receive my SMART Grant? It's in my award (or I think it should be) and I haven't gotten it.

SMART Grants will disburse on a rolling basis later in the semester. This is a manual process that requires official enrollment data provided by University Census and individual file review for federal eligibility guidelines. SMART Grants cannot be awarded if there are incomplete grades, and also require verification of units earned and specific course enrollment for the eligible majors. Please continue to check your Student Center, and postpone any questions to the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office until later in the term. Updates will be available here as we have more information.

What is the TEACH Grant all about?

Although the U.S. Department of Education included a question on the 2008-2009 FAFSA about the new Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program, it is not yet available at CSU, Chico. The TEACH Grant is actually a grant/loan combination that will require serious thought by students, as the grant converts to unsubsidized loan in the future if contracted teaching obligations are not met. Federal Student Aid has provided a Web site at http://www.teachgrant.ed.gov that includes preliminary information about TEACH.

The TEACH grant is not included in 2008/2009 estimated financial aid offers. Please check our Web site periodically for updates on TEACH. Also view Types of Aid for alternative aid sources, or make an appointment with a financial aid advisor to discuss other options.

Also see the new U.S. Department of Education Web site for TEACH.

How do I get direct deposit for my financial aid?

We highly recommend using direct deposit, called Electronic Fund Transfer. For EFT, download a form at Student Financial Services and follow the directions to submit it, along with a voided check from your bank account.

Loans

Is there anything special I have to do to receive the loan(s) I accepted?

If you are a first-time borrower of a Stafford Direct Loan (subsidized and unsubsidized), you must complete two steps after accepting your loan: (1) a Stafford Master Promissory Note (MPN) and (2) Loan Entrance Counseling. Check your To Do List on your Student Center for these items. Both processes may be completed online through the "Quick Links" available on our Web pages. At this time of year, when demand is heaviest, it may take 4-6 weeks to complete the entire process from submitting application to receiving funds.

If you are a Federal Perkins Loan first-time borrower, you must complete the Federal Perkins Electronic Promissory Note, which may be accessed online through the "Quick Links" available on our Web pages. Check your To Do List on your Student Center for this item.

Are you waiting for Alternative (private) loan certification?

If you have applied for an Alternative loan and are awaiting certification, there are two things you can do to make sure this happens in a timely fashion. First, make sure you have accepted any outstanding financial aid offer, as this may affect your loan status. Second, if your financial aid file is pending verification, send in all requested documents ASAP so that your eligibility can be determined. Because of the various processing requirements, the timeline for receiving an Alternative loan is 6-8 weeks from date of application.

Scholarships

How do I apply for a CSU, Chico Scholarship?

Apply now. The application period for 2009-2010 CSU, Chico Scholarships is October 1 through December 15, 2008. University Scholarship recipients are selected in the spring for the following academic year. In order to be considered, applications must be received by December 15, 2008 midnight Pacific Standard Time. Click here for complete information and a link to the online CSU, Chico Scholarship Application.