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University Legacy Scholarship

THE 2024-2025 UNIVERSITY LEGACY SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

A merit-based scholarship recognizing academic performance and leadership

The University Legacy Scholarship at the Cal State San Bernardino, Palm Desert Campus provides an opportunity for outstanding graduating high school seniors attending high schools in the Coachella Valley to compete for an academic scholarship to attend the CSUSB Palm Desert Campus. The University Legacy Scholarship is up to $7,425 per year (currently the cost of tuition and standard fees, net of financial aid) for four academic years, leading to a baccalaureate degree.

A scholarship application must be submitted online from October 1, 2023 through 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 31, 2024.  In addition to the application, a cover letter, unofficial copy of the high school transcript (including class ranking) and two letters of recommendation must be supplied to complete the application process. Please have all of these documents ready to attach to this online application.

To be considered for this award, applicants must apply and be admitted to CSUSB. In addition, applicants must complete the FAFSA or the California Dream Act Application.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Additional information about the University Legacy Scholarship application process may be directed to Michelle Newman, Philanthropic Support Associate.

Scholarship Selection Criteria

Scholarship recipients must demonstrate a genuine enthusiasm for and commitment to their undergraduate degree at CSUSB Palm Desert Campus. The scholarship selection committee will evaluate applicants on three measures:

  1. Academic and scholarship performance measured by cumulative GPA (3.5 minimum on the 4.0 scale, sophomore to junior years) and class ranking.
  2. Leadership potential demonstrated by previous leadership experiences and community service.
  3. Financial need based upon the FAFSA or the California Dream Act Application.

Scholarship Renewal Criteria

  1. Maintenance of a minimum 3.5 GPA in all classes taken at the CSUSB and CSUSB Palm Desert Campus;
  2. Enrollment as a full-time student each semester (minimum of 12 units per semester) or completion of 36 semester units during the academic year;
  3. Demonstrated leadership on the CSUSB Palm Desert Campus;
  4. Commitment to community service by engaging in an average of 20 hours of community service per semester either on- or off-campus; and
  5. Continuing as a student “in good standing” at the end of each semester.
Personal Information
Cover Letter

Attach a cover letter that addresses the following:

  1. How the CSUSB Palm Desert Campus will meet the applicant’s academic goals;
  2. A description of the applicant’s personal and professional goals;
  3. How this scholarship will make a difference in achieving the applicant’s educational and personal endeavors; and
  4. How the applicant expects to contribute to the university community.
One file only.
100 MB limit.
Allowed types: gif, jpg, png, bmp, eps, tif, pict, psd, txt, rtf, html, odf, pdf, doc, docx, ppt, pptx, xls, xlsx, xml, avi, mov, mp3, ogg, wav, bz2, dmg, gz, jar, rar, sit, svg, tar, zip.
Applicant History

Attach a one-page description about the applicant’s history of:

  1. Leadership activities,
  2. Social and community service, and
  3. Clubs and organizational involvements.
One file only.
100 MB limit.
Allowed types: gif, jpg, png, bmp, eps, tif, pict, psd, txt, rtf, html, odf, pdf, doc, docx, ppt, pptx, xls, xlsx, xml, avi, mov, mp3, ogg, wav, bz2, dmg, gz, jar, rar, sit, svg, tar, zip.
Transcript

Attach a copy of the applicant’s high school transcript (9th through 11th grades) that includes the 12th grade courses in which the applicant is enrolled and class ranking. If this information is not available, provide documentation of all requested information.

Maximum 3 files.
100 MB limit.
Allowed types: gif, jpg, png, bmp, eps, tif, pict, psd, txt, rtf, html, odf, pdf, doc, docx, ppt, pptx, xls, xlsx, xml, avi, mov, mp3, ogg, wav, bz2, dmg, gz, jar, rar, sit, svg, tar, zip.
Letters of Recommendation

Attach two (2) letters of recommendation:

  1. One letter of recommendation must be from a teacher/instructor from the applicant’s high school; and
  2. One letter of recommendation from another community leader familiar with the applicant, e.g., club advisor, coaches, employer.
Maximum 2 files.
100 MB limit.
Allowed types: gif, jpg, png, bmp, eps, tif, pict, psd, txt, rtf, html, odf, pdf, doc, docx, ppt, pptx, xls, xlsx, xml, avi, mov, mp3, ogg, wav, bz2, dmg, gz, jar, rar, sit, svg, tar, zip.

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application . The Federal School Code for CSUSB is #001142. Applicants must complete and submit a current FAFSA or California Dream Act Application prior to submitting the University Legacy Scholarship application.

Certify that you have completed the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application

Electronic filers must assure that all supporting documentation is attached to the online application before completing the final submission. Incomplete applications will not be considered.