What is the goal of financial aid?

Mission

The mission of the Office of Financial Aid is to increase opportunities for student access to and success in higher education by helping students and their families seek, obtain, and make the best use of all financial resources.

Índice Show

Our Mission Statement
Financial Aid Principles
Financial Aid History and Scope
Why do we need financial aid?
What is the purpose of the financial aid office?
What is a financial aid plan?

Through financial literacy and guidance, we support incoming students in making a successful transition to college. Furthermore, we contribute to the University’s retention efforts by providing on-going assistance to our continuing students to help make their academic endeavors attainable.

While complying with Federal, State, and Institutional regulations and guidelines, we ensure equity and consistency in the delivery of funds to students.

Goals

Provide courteous and efficient service and financial aid support to students, faculty, administrative and auxiliary services to foster institutional effectiveness.
Assist qualified students in meeting their educational goals through effective utilization of scholarships and dissemination of scholarship retention information.
Stimulate and promote valuable work experiences beneficial to the student, University, and the community.
Distribute available financial assistance to as many eligible students as possible; many of whom might otherwise be unable to attend the University.
Further the University’s recruitment and retention efforts through participation in a variety of service activities involving students, families, faculty, staff, and members of the community.

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The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships is committed to supporting the University’s strategic directions including focusing on recruitment, retention, graduation, and employability through efficient delivery of student aid. The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships assists students in pursuing their educational goals by educating students, parents and the community about federal, state, institutional and private aid opportunities, which allows students to focus on academic success by removing financial barriers.

Goals

Package financial aid to support the University's mission to recruit and retain a high quality, diverse class.
Maximize sources of governmental, institutional, and private funding for students.
Provide personalized, timely, quality service to our customers and each other.
Educate the public and policy leaders about student funding needs.
Promote effective student money and debt management.
Expand and enhance opportunities for student employment.
Manage our office with integrity and fiscal responsibility.

The Financial Aid and Scholarship Office (FASO) supports the mission and vision of Chico State in its student centered approach, and by providing funds and financial guidance to enable student access to higher education.

Annual Reports - Enrollment Management Services

Our Mission Statement

Through a sincere commitment to all students and their families, we strive to eliminate financial and other barriers to higher education. We make a conscious effort to reach out to those with exceptional economic and educational needs. We are dedicated to providing high-quality service in a fair, sensitive, and confidential environment to all individuals, regardless of background, culture, or lifestyle.

Objectives

To accomplish this mission, the FASO establishes the following program objectives:

Process aid packages efficiently, in an accurate and timely way.
Make timely disbursements of aid to all eligible students.
Provide quality advising services by addressing individual student needs, responding to student inquiries in a timely manner, and providing quality publications.
Use rationing devices to ensure limited, finite funds are provided to students who demonstrate the greatest financial need.
Employ professional judgment to ensure access to financial aid in unusual cases.
Comply with all federal, state, and local regulations, laws, and policies in the administration of financial aid and scholarship programs.

Financial Aid Principles

The Financial Aid and Scholarship Office at CSU Chico adheres to the Statement of Ethical Principles of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA), and the principles and practices as prescribed by the U.S. Department of Education, the California Student Aid commission, the California State College Chancellor’s Office, and Chico State policy in determining eligibility for federal, state, and private financial aid programs.

Financial Aid History and Scope

Chico State began participation in the federal student assistance programs in the early 1960’s. The University has participation agreements for the following programs:

Federal Grant Programs
Federal Pell Grant
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grant (TEACH)

Federal Work-Study Program

Federal Loan Programs
Federal Direct Stafford Loan Program
Federal Perkins Loan Program

The University further participates in various state programs administered through the California Student Aid Commission and the CSU Chancellor's Office. These include:

California Student Aid Commission
Cal Grant
Chafee Grant
Middle Class Scholarships

CSU Chancellor's Office
State University Grant
Educational Opportunity Grant
Graduate Business Grant (MBA Fees Grant)

Alternative Loans

In combination, the University processes federal Title IV, state, and university awards for approximately 11,500 students receiving over $130 million from all programs annually.

Why do we need financial aid?

Financial aid helps students and their families pay for college. This financial assistance covers educational expenses including tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and transportation. There are several types of financial aid, including grants and scholarships, work study and loans.

What is the purpose of the financial aid office?

A Financial Aid Office is the office at a college or career school that is responsible for preparing and communicating information on financial aid. This office helps students apply for and receive student loans, grants, scholarships, and other types of financial aid.

What is a financial aid plan?

Financial aid is any form of funding that helps a student pay for college, such as a Pell Grant or merit-based scholarship. By Farran Powell, Emma Kerr, and Sarah Wood. | Dec. 9, 2021.