SERSCA Program

SERSCA Undergraduate Assistantships (UGA) promote student engagement in research, scholarship, and creative activity by funding awards for undergraduate students to work with faculty on research, scholarship, or creative projects.

If you need assistance completing the application or have questions, contact SERSCA@csustan.edu.

What Is the Award?

• Value is $2,000
• Equivalent to about 100 hours of student work
• Paid assistantship under faculty supervision

Who Can Apply?

• Be currently enrolled as an undergraduate student at Stan State
• Have a faculty sponsor; faculty must be employed at Stan State throughout the project
• Be eligible to work in the United States

Full-time Stan State employees are not eligible.

Rules and Limits

• Students may receive one UGA award per academic year
• Faculty may sponsor only one student per year, either one GA or one UGA

Program Requirements

• Regular check-ins between the student and faculty sponsor
• The student must submit a final report by June 1, 2026

Faculty Sponsor Role

• Meet regularly with the student to track project progress
• Monitor the student’s hours and work schedule
• Ensure monthly reporting of hours worked
• Notify SERSCA of any issues or changes
• Supervise the project until it is completed

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through InfoReady and include two parts.

Part 1: Student Application

• Plan and discuss the project with your faculty sponsor
• Submit your application in InfoReady

Part 2: Faculty Sponsor Review

• The faculty sponsor completes additional questions
• The faculty sponsor must submit by the deadline for full consideration

Important Dates

• Application due: September 8, 2025, noon PST
• Award notification: September 29, 2025
• Estimated start: Early October, after official hiring
• End date: May 29, 2026

How Applications Are Reviewed

• Clear and well-written application
• How the project connects to your academic and career goals
• Importance of the experience for your development
• Expected project outcomes, such as:
  • Capstone or senior thesis progress
  • Conference presentation
  • Publication
• Strong mentorship plan and realistic work schedule

What Happens After You Are Selected

• You will receive an email if selected
• Additional hiring paperwork is required, including proof of U.S. work eligibility
• You cannot begin work until Faculty Affairs sends an official start letter
• Every UGA project must end by May 29, 2026
• Some students may start in fall and others in spring, but all must wait for official approval
• You will enter your monthly hours into the payroll system to be approved and paid by the University
• You will not be paid for hours exceeding your $2,000 award
• You will not be paid for hours not worked at the end of your award, sometimes referred to as leftover hours

We encourage you to attend the UGA Welcome Zoom when you are awarded so you understand the process and do not miss a paycheck.

The purpose of the Graduate Assistantship (GA) position is to provide opportunities to engage in meaningful discipline-based activities related to teaching, research, and professional development. Students apply with a faculty sponsor for employment awards that allow them to work side by side with faculty in teaching, research, and other scholarly endeavors.

This year’s competition will be highly competitive, as only four Graduate Assistantships will be awarded. Faculty may sponsor only one student assistant.

If you have questions or need assistance completing the application, contact SERSCA@csustan.edu.

What Is the Award?

• $2,000
• About 95 hours of work
• Paid at roughly $21 per hour

Who Can Apply?

• Be a currently enrolled graduate student at Stan State
• Be active in your program for fall 2025 and spring 2026
• Have a faculty sponsor
• Not be a full-time staff member at Stan State

Faculty Sponsor Requirements

• Be employed at Stan State during the full project
• Meet regularly with the student
• Oversee the student’s schedule and progress
• Inform SERSCA if there are issues or changes

Rules and Limits

• Students may receive only one GA award per year
• Faculty may sponsor one student per year, either one GA or one UGA
• A final report is required by June 1, 2026
• Regular check-ins with the faculty sponsor are required

How to Apply

Apply through InfoReady and include two parts.

Part 1: Student Application

• Work with your faculty sponsor to plan the project
• Submit your portion in InfoReady

Part 2: Faculty Sponsor Review

• The faculty sponsor answers a few questions
• The faculty sponsor must submit by the deadline for full consideration

Deadlines and Notifications

• Applications are reviewed by the SERSCA team
• Results will be emailed to all applicants
• Award winners announced on September 29, 2025
• Work cannot start until you receive an official appointment letter
• All projects must be completed by May 29, 2025

How You Will Be Evaluated

• Clear and thoughtful project plan
• How the project supports your goals
• Expected outcomes, such as a thesis, conference presentation, or publication
• Strong mentorship and work plan
• Priority given to first-time applicants

SERSCA Mini-Grants promote student engagement in research, scholarship, and creative activity by funding project needs, including equipment, materials, and supplies. Mini-Grant funds cannot be applied towards travel costs. All Undergraduate, Graduate, and Postbaccalaureate students currently enrolled at Stanislaus State are eligible to apply. All applicants must be nominated by a faculty sponsor.

Mini Grants will be awarded until funds are exhausted.

• All available Mini Grant awards have been distributed as of 9/23/2025.
• 0 Mini Grants remaining for Graduate Students as of 9/5/2025
• 0 Mini Grants remaining for Undergraduate Students as of 9/23/2025

SERSCA Travel Grants promote student engagement in research, scholarship, and creative activity by funding travel for undergraduate and graduate students to present their RSCA at professional conferences, exhibits, or other professional venues. Awards are also available for attendance or participation at professional conferences, exhibits, or other professional venues.

• Presentation travel grants - maximum of $1,200
• Attendance travel grants - maximum of $800

All travel is subject to campus travel policy and institutional approval.

All Travel Grants have been awarded for the 2025-26 AY. 

The Graduate Student Mini-Grant provides flexible funding to support Graduate Students' research, creative work, and overall academic success. Each approved applicant will receive $250. 

Eligibility Requirements:

• Be a graduate degree-seeking student
• Be enrolled in a minimum of 3 units
• Be nominated by a faculty sponsor
• Incoming graduate students may apply, but funding will be contingent upon acceptance, enrollment, and ongoing funding

For more information and to submit an application, please visit InfoReady. Applications open on April 17, 2026.

This funding is offered by the Provost's Office, not the SERSCA Program.