Presidential Academic Excellence Scholars (PAES)
PAES is a program for incoming freshmen students.
Beginning with the Fall 2021 semester, CSUSB transitioned its Presidential Academic Excellence Scholarship (PAES) to a new, fuller model. Historically open only to San Bernardino county high school graduates, the new CSUSB Presidential Academic Excellence Program is open to students from both San Bernardino and Riverside high schools who demonstrate academic excellence in high school and who are admitted to CSUSB.
The CSUSB Presidential Academic Excellence Program is a competitive program welcoming 20 new students annually. Invitations to apply to the program are made after students receive their CSUSB admission.
This exceptional community experience provides students with supplemental mentoring and engagement opportunities specific to the Presidential Academic Excellence Program. Additionally, PAES Scholars participate in a four-year leadership development program that connects them with area leaders and prepares them for successful futures. These opportunities are intentionally crafted to support students' career and educational goals beyond the bachelor’s degree while providing a way for students to give back to the CSUSB and Honors community.
The CSUSB Presidential Academic Excellence Program supports 4 years (8 semesters) of enrollment toward a bachelor’s degree. In the current proposal for the program participants in the program would receive:
- A scholarship to support any unmet tuition and mandatory fees beyond what is covered by Federal and State grants, tuition waivers or any other tuition paying programs
- An annual scholarship for additional educational expenses, including books and other needs
- A one-time award to support a student’s participation in an unpaid leadership, academic or career related internship
- A scholarship to cover the cost of a double occupancy room and a full meal plan for students who live in the Honors Residential Scholars community during their first year at CSUSB
Criteria for consideration for the CSUSB Presidential Academic Excellence Program:
- Planned graduation from a San Bernardino or Riverside County high school. Students who live in the counties, but who attend high schools out of county will be considered on a space available basis.
- Completion of a CSUSB application as a first time freshmen by the priority application deadline (November 30)
- Admission to CSUSB
- Submission of the CSUSB Presidential Academic Excellence Program application by March 1
- Submission of a FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application by March 2
- This is a requirement regardless of expected aid from Federal or State entities
- Acceptance of the Presidential Academic Excellence Program by April 15
- Confirmation of attendance to CSUSB by May 1
- Confirmation of attendance is indicated by the payment of the CSUSB Enrollment Confirmation Deposit
Students admitted to the CSUSB Presidential Academic Excellence Program who do not commit to the program by April 15 will lose their place in the program and students from the waitlist will be invited to join.
Students admitted to the CSUSB Presidential Academic Excellence Program will be automatically enrolled in the University Honors Program. Students must maintain eligibility for the University Honors Program and complete a minimum of 30 units per academic year to continue to participate in the Presidential Academic Excellence Program and receive the scholarship.
To qualify for the PAES award, students must complete six steps:
Step 1: Apply to Cal State San Bernardino October 1 – November 30 at calstate.edu/apply
Step 2: Complete your FAFSA Application or CA Dream Act Application.
Step 3: Pay your enrollment confirmation deposit through your MyCoyote account
Step 4: Send a final transcript to the Office of Admissions and Student Recruitment
Step 5: Sign up for and attend orientation
Step 6: Enroll and attend your first semester of classes
PAES (through the Fall 2020 cohort)
Before its revision in 2021, the President’s Academic Excellence Scholars award recognized students from San Bernardino County who graduated in the top 1% of their high school class. The PAES award was founded by former president Al Karnig and has recognized those most high-achieving students for 22 years.
Students receiving the PAES award received funding that covered unmet need related to tuition and fees associated with attending CSUSB. In other words, any tuition or fee costs not paid by state or federal aid was paid by CSUSB. In addition, PAES scholars received a supplemental award to cover the expense of living on the Residential Honors Scholars floor during their first year. Additionally, PAES recipients were automatically admitted to the University Honors Program with no application necessary.