Money Matters Fall 2012

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New college students have a lot to learn about life on their own. They face many simultaneous challenges, learning to live independently as they adjust to new lifestyles and campus patterns of living and learning. Many college freshmen - and some transfer students as well - will deal with day-to-day costs they never before had to handle themselves. We recommend that students utilize CashCourse, a tool available through our website, to learn about budgeting and money management skills.

The Financial Aid and Scholarship Office at Chico State projects the average undergraduate student's costs for the 2012-2013 academic year to be approximately $23,444 for an undergraduate living on-campus and $23,190 for an undergraduate living off-campus. This estimated Cost of Attendance for the 9-month academic year breaks down as follows:

*non-resident tuition is an additional $372 per unit. 

The CSU makes every effort to keep student costs to a minimum. Fees listed in published schedules or student accounts may need to be increased when public funding is inadequate. Therefore, CSU must reserve the right, even after initial fee payments are made, to increase or modify any listed fees, without notice, until the date when instruction for a particular semester or quarter has begun. All CSU listed fees should be regarded as estimates that are subject to change upon approval by The Board of Trustees.

Note: The budget listed above reflects the estimated amount of undergraduate fees/tuition based on full-time attendance during 2012-13. Other costs listed are averaged and will vary by student.

File a FAFSA:

We encourage all students, regardless of family income, to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Even those students who don't qualify for need-based aid are usually eligible for federal loans that have student-friendly terms and low interest rates. Chico State participates in the Federal Direct Student Loan Program which provides long-term, low-interest loans, called Stafford loans. The loans are borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education, with the loan proceeds delivered through CSU, Chico. CSU, Chico also administers federally backed loans to parents, called PLUS Loans, that are usually a better alternative to private lending.

Financial Aid and Payment of University Charges:

Payment for Fall 2012 is due by July 26, 2012. Financial aid recipients are required to pay the difference between all University charges (including tuition fees and on-campus housing and meal plan) and pending financial aid. Fees due and financial aid awards are posted to the student's account maintained by the Student Financial Services Office.

If pending financial aid for the semester is sufficient to cover the fees and charges, the balance due will automatically be deducted from your disbursement..All remaining aid, after charges and fees are deducted, will be disbursed to the student. The university's preferred method for disbursing funds is via electronic transfer, known as EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer). and any remaining amount is deposited directly into your checking account. Students enroll in EFT through their Student Center by clicking on the "Enroll in Direct Deposit" under the Finances section.

Financial aid and scholarships are disbursed once a week throughout each semester. If the student's file is complete and there are no items remaining on their "To Do List," the first possible disbursement for the fall term is the week of August 23, 2012.
Disbursement is contingent on the student's financial aid file status and enrollment.

Questions:

Parents may wish to contact us directly if their student has submitted an Authorization to Release Information, an electronic form available on our Web site. This allows our personnel to speak directly to a parent about their student's financial aid file, and assures compliance with the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

Financial Aid advisors are available by appointment (phone or in-person) to help with general financial aid inquiries, questions about loans, special problems, technical questions, appeals, and budgeting. Students may call our office at 530-898-6451 to set up an appointment. Customer service representatives are available by phone and at our walk-up windows for financial aid questions, to accept forms and documents, and to schedule appointments.

We hope that your student will love Chico State and will have an academically successful and rewarding school year. Congratulations for bringing them this far!