Stanislaus State Scholarships

General Scholarship Information 

Stanislaus State offers an online scholarship application that allows students to conveniently search and apply for on-campus scholarships opportunities. Each academic year, students can complete a single application to be considered for a wide range of scholarships. Through the online system, applicants can upload required materials such as essays academic transcripts, and other supporting documents and monitor the status of their submissions. Applicants may also electronically request letters of recommendation using the online system. The Financial Aid and Scholarship Office will announce when the application period opens and encourages all eligible students to apply. 

• Stanislaus State administers approximately 180 scholarships for incoming and continuing and undergraduate and graduate students.
• Scholarships may be awarded based on:
  • Academic merit
  • Financial need (demonstrated by filing the FAFSA or the California Dream Act (CADAA) each academic year.
  • Major or field of study
  • Community service and leadership involvement 

Scholarship Application Timeline

• Application Opens - Nov. 1, 2025
• Application Deadline - March 2, 2026

Eligibility Criteria for Stan State Scholarships 

• Applicants must be fully matriculated Stan State students.
• Full-time enrollment is required for most scholarships unless otherwise specified:
  • Minimum 12 units for undergraduate and credential students
  • Minimum 8 units for graduate students
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 required (unless otherwise noted in individual scholarship criteria).
• Some scholarships may allow half-time enrollment to maintain eligibility. 

Scholarship Application Process

• Stan State uses an online scholarship application system to help students find and apply for scholarships with one application.
• The system automatically filters and matches students with scholarships based on eligibility.
• Students can review, apply, and upload required documents directly through the scholarship system.
• Access the online scholarship system: COMING SOON!

Completing the Scholarship Application 

• All students must complete a general scholarship application.
• Some scholarships may require additional documentation such as:
  • Essays
  • Letters of Recommendation
    • Must be from current or former teachers/faculty members unless otherwise noted.
    • Requested electronically through the online scholarship system.
  • Academic Transcripts or other supporting documents.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

• Scholarships recipients must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress to remain eligible.
• Review SAP policy 

Need- Based Scholarships

• Students applying for scholarships that require financial need must complete one of the following by the priority deadline:
  • FAFSA (Free Application Federal Student Aid), or
  • Dream Act Application (CADAA)
• 2026-2027 Priority Deadline: March 2, 2026
• Note: Being ineligible for Federal or State Aid does not disqualify students from non-need-based scholarships.

After You Submit Your Application

• Application review begins after the deadline (March 2, 2026).
• Award notifications begin in June and continue through the fall semester.
• Recipients will receive notifications through their Stanislaus State email.
• Students can log in anytime to check their application status.
• Recipients will be notified via email if a donor thank you letter is required.
  • Funds will not be released until a thank-you letter is received by the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office.
• Upload your thank-you letter using the "Thank You Letter" icon or use the link provided in your scholarship email notification.

Application, Selection & Disbursement 

Application Steps

• Select the Stan State Online Scholarship Application Link.
• Enter all required information.
• Complete all required fields and submit by deadline.

Selection Process

• Review committees evaluate eligible applicants.
• Selected recipients receive award notifications via your Stanislaus State email.
• Recipients must submit donor thank-you letters.
• Financial aid packages are updated to include award scholarships.
• Denial notifications are sent after Fall census for students not selected. 

Disbursement

• Scholarship begin awarding in June and continue through the start of fall semester.
• Disbursement occurs weekly, starting no earlier than two weeks before each semester begins.
• Student should regularly check their MyStanState portal account for:
  • Holds
  • To-Do List items that could delay disbursement

Important Reminders

• Applying for scholarships and financial aid is FREE. No payment is required to apply to receive information.
• The Financial Aid and Scholarship Office does not request or process information over the phone.

Scholarship Workshop

• 2026-2027 Workshop Schedule: Coming Soon

Contact Information

Phone: (209) 667-3336
Email: Scholarships@csustan.edu