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Scholarships

General Scholarship Information

At CSUSB, we offer various scholarships to help our students achieve their academic goals. These scholarships are made possible through the generosity of our donors and partnerships with outside agencies committed to fostering higher education and supporting students' paths to success.

The CSUSB Scholarship Portal allows students to easily apply for multiple campus-based scholarships through a single application. The Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships oversees the scholarship application and awarding process, working closely with various colleges, departments, organizations, and external agencies to select recipients.

 

Additional Scholarship Resources

Listed below are some additional websites that may be of interest to learn more about scholarships and grants:

  • The Federal Trade Commission (FTC): Offers information on scholarship scams and tips on how to avoid them.
  • National Association of Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA): Provides consumer scholarship tips and advice. 
  • Federal Student Aid: The most significant source of student aid in the U.S., offering over $40 billion annually in grants, loans, and work-study assistance. This website supports every stage of the financial aid process, whether you are enrolled or preparing for life after graduation. 
  • Scholarship Search Center: A helpful resource for finding various scholarship opportunities. 
  • Grants & Scholarships: Provides detailed information on available grants and scholarships. 
  • ScholarShare: Tax-Advantaged Savings Plan for higher education
  • AmeriCorps: Provides education awards to members who complete their service, which can be used to pay for tuition, student loans, or other educational expenses

 

FAQs

What types of scholarships does CSUSB offer?

CSUSB Scholarships

CSUSB offers a variety of scholarship opportunities through its colleges, departments, student organizations, and external partners. These scholarships are typically awarded for the upcoming academic year.

Students must first be admitted to CSUSB to apply for scholarships through the CSUSB Scholarship Portal.

Scholarship awards are often based on one or more of the following criteria:

  • Academic and career goals
  • Scholastic achievements and performance
  • Financial need, as determined through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA)
  • Involvement in school or community service
  • Participation in campus clubs, organizations, or other activities
  • Special qualifications such as talent, obstacles overcome, or unique experiences

Eligibility will be verified prior to the disbursement of scholarship funds.

If you need assistance with writing your personal statement or scholarship application, the CSUSB Writing Center offers appointments to help students with their writing needs. For more information and to schedule an appointment, please visit https://www.csusb.edu/writing-center.

Where to Send Your Scholarship Check

To ensure that your scholarship funding is correctly applied to your student account, the donor or scholarship provider must send the check to the correct office.

All scholarship checks should be mailed to the following address:

California State University, San Bernardino

Student Financial Services

University Hall, Room 035

5500 University Parkway

San Bernardino, CA 92407

Ensure the scholarship check includes your full name and student ID number.

Please ensure that the check is made payable to California State University, San Bernardino and that your name and CSUSB Coyote ID number are included in the memo section. Additionally, the check should specify the semester for which the funds should be applied (e.g., Fall, Spring, or both) and any enrollment requirements (such as full-time or half-time status).

Coordination of Scholarships and Other Financial Aid

The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships at California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) is responsible for managing and coordinating all financial resources for students. Federal and state guidelines require that all financial aid, including internal and external scholarships, grants, fellowships, stipends, fee waivers, and other educational benefits, be coordinated to ensure compliance with regulations.

The student's total financial assistance from all sources must not exceed the CSUSB annual Cost of Attendance (COA). In addition, most federal and state grant programs, along with CSUSB's awards, require that there be unmet financial need. To meet these requirements, all forms of financial aid, including outside scholarships, third-party payments, and tuition fee waivers, need to be coordinated with the student's overall aid package.

When the Office of Financial Aid is informed of additional resources or aid, this funding will be reflected in the student's financial aid record, and necessary adjustments to current aid will be made. If any adjustments to aid are needed, they will be handled in a way that is most beneficial to the student.

For more information, please review the Terms and Conditions of Award on the Prospective and Current Student tab on the Financial Aid website.

Do Scholarships have to be repaid?

No.  Scholarships do not have to be repaid.

What criteria is taken into account for scholarships?

Scholarships are granted based on factors such as academic achievement, leadership qualities, talent, and contributions to the community. Some scholarships also take financial needs into account. We recommend carefully reviewing the specific criteria outlined in the application description.

Can I apply for, or am I eligible for, scholarships if I have not been admitted to CSUSB?

You can apply for scholarships, but your application will only be reviewed if you are accepted and meet the specific eligibility requirements. While new students don't need to be admitted to apply, you must have submitted an application and have a student ID to apply.

Can I apply to more than one scholarship?

Yes. You may apply to as many scholarships as you are eligible for. The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships will coordinate any scholarships with grants and loans. Sometimes additional documentation may be required, and loans and grants may need to be adjusted. Please refer to Terms and Conditions of Award on our website.

Do I need to be a California Resident or U.S. citizen to apply for CSUSB scholarships?

No, international students and Dreamers are encouraged to apply!

How will I be notified if I am selected to receive a scholarship?

You will be notified via MyCoyote email if you are selected to receive a scholarship. The email will include details about the disbursement schedule and other essential information. The timing of the notification will depend on the scholarship's application deadline and committee review timeline.

Do I need to report my Outside Scholarship(s) to CSUSB?

Yes, all scholarships must be reported to the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships, including those paid to you directly. Outside scholarships are considered resources that may affect your financial aid package. For additional information, please refer to the Terms and Conditions of Award.

How do I apply my AmeriCorps funding?

To apply for your AmeriCorps funding, you must submit a certification request for the specific semester through AmeriCorps. CSUSB will review and certify these requests within 2-3 weeks, and once processed, the requested amount will appear as anticipated aid on your student account. AmeriCorps funding is disbursed in two payments for each term—one at the beginning of the semester and the other at the midpoint of the semester

 

Learn More About Scholarships