The California State University, San Bernardino Palm Desert Campus (PDC) is proud to announce the distribution of more than $150,000 in scholarships for the 2025-26 academic year.

This significant investment in student success reflects the university’s ongoing commitment to academic excellence and access to higher education for all. It also empowers students to pursue their goals while easing the financial challenges of earning a degree.

This year, PDC awarded scholarships to more than 60 deserving students across various disciplines. These scholarships recognize not only academic excellence, but also community involvement and dedication to personal growth.

In addition to financial assistance, scholarship recipients gain access to a range of resources designed to enhance their academic experience, including mentorship opportunities, peer tutoring and career development workshops.

A few scholarship recipients from the CSUSB Palm Desert Campus share their thoughts about what receiving a scholarship means to them:

“This scholarship has made a significant difference in my life by easing the financial strain of educational expenses. As a full-time student who is also balancing family responsibilities, this scholarship allows me to focus on my studies and engage in learning opportunities that are essential for my growth and preparation for graduate school.” – Divina Portillo, psychology major, recipient of the John J. and Sheryl Benoit Endowed Scholarship

“I hope to continue creating inclusive and safe spaces for those in the LGBTQQIA community, especially in the field of social work. Receiving a scholarship has given me a bit more peace of mind financially, and it will help cover anything I will need this upcoming academic year, especially since senior year can be costly with graduation-related costs.” -Adriana Banda, sociology and social work major, recipient of the John Steven Peterson Endowed Scholarship

“With one semester left, I am on track to officially earn my degree. I will soon begin my journey as a teacher, a career I am incredibly passionate about. The generous support of this scholarship helps me ease the financial burden during this important final stretch, allowing me to focus on completing my credential requirements. I plan to use the scholarship funds to support costs related to credentialing and to begin preparing materials for my future classroom.” -Jonathan Lopez, liberal studies major, recipient of the Linda Simmons Endowed Scholarship

PDC is dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive learning environment, and these scholarships are a testament to that commitment. With a focus on equity and opportunity, CSUSB aims to empower students from all backgrounds to thrive in their educational journeys.

PDC offers a wide variety of scholarship opportunities and encourages both new and continuing students to apply.

For more information about supporting scholarship programs at the CSUSB Palm Desert Campus, contact Adolfo Velazquez, director of community engagement and philanthropy, at Adolfo.Velazquez@csusb.edu or (760) 341-2883, ext. 78116.

About the CSUSB Palm Desert Campus: The CSUSB Palm Desert Campus is dedicated to providing a transformative educational experience in the Coachella Valley. With a focus on academic excellence and community engagement, the campus offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs designed to meet the diverse needs of its students and the region.

For more information about the CSUSB Palm Desert Campus, contact Mike Singer in the Office of Marketing and Communications at msinger@csusb.edu or (760) 341-2883, ext. 78107, or visit the PDC website at www.csusb.edu/pdc.