Search Early — Search Often
Application Process
Search
Select major and class level from drop-down menus
Search for SDSU Scholarships by selecting your class level and your major or credential from the drop-down menus on the scholarship search page.
Search again by selecting your class level and “All majors” for scholarships available to any major.
Select
Read eligibility requirements
Eligibility requirements are provided through the scholarship search. Once you have selected your class level and major from the drop-down menus on the scholarship search page, a list of scholarships will appear.
Once you click into the specific scholarship, details of application and eligibility requirements are listed. Please read all the information provided for each scholarship carefully!
If you do not submit all of the application materials and meet the eligibility requirements, your application will not be sent for committee review. For example: If the scholarship requires applicants to be biology majors and that is not your major, you do not meet the eligibility requirements for that scholarship.
Prepare your essays
All SDSU scholarships available through the scholarship search require you to submit an essay online. Review the scholarship’s requirements for the essay topic that may be unique to the scholarship.
- Prepare your essay for each scholarship in a word processing application before beginning the online application process.
- Make sure your essay meets and does not exceed the word count specified in the application requirements.
- Do not double space your essay or it will not fit into the online application essay text box.
- After you are satisfied with your essay, copy it from your word processing application and paste it into the online application essay text box. Proofread it again.
Review Essay Writing Tips for more information and example essays.
Return to SDSU Scholarship Online Application Process Flow.
Apply Online
All current and prospective San Diego State University students, regardless of nationality, citizenship, residency status, area of study, class level or grade point average, are encouraged to apply for as many scholarships as possible.
Submit your application and essay online
After you review each scholarship’s application requirements carefully, access the online application at the end of each scholarship’s requirements by clicking on the Apply Online link.
Apply using your SDSU RedID number* and WebPortal password.
Submit a separate online application and essay for each scholarship. Submit any additional application materials, if required, to the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships by the scholarship’s deadline.
*Prospective students receive a RedID number and WebPortal instructions within five days of applying for admission. You may apply for an SDSU scholarship before you are admitted to the university but you must be admitted and enrolled to receive the funds.
Additional application materials
Some scholarships require additional application materials, such as a letter of recommendation or a resume. To submit these types of materials—
- Print a copy of the cover sheet provided by the online application.
- Prepare the documents and make sure that each is labeled with your name, RedID number and the name of the scholarship.
- Submit the materials to the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships by the scholarship’s deadline.
Return to SDSU Scholarship Online Application Process Flow.
Deadlines
The majority of SDSU scholarships available through the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships’ Web site begin accepting applications in mid-August.
The search and application process is available all year with various deadlines depending on the major and the academic year for which the scholarship will be awarded.
Please read each scholarship's requirements carefully to determine the application deadline for that particular scholarship. Most scholarships have one of three major deadlines.
| Application Deadlines | Award Period |
|---|---|
| 4:00 PM Pacific Time October 12, 2012 |
Academic Year: 2012 - 2013 |
| 4:00 PM Pacific Time February 8, 2013 |
Academic Year: 2013 - 2014 |
| 4:00 PM Pacific Time May 10, 2013 |
Academic Year: 2013 - 2014 |
Check your status using AidLink
Check the status of your scholarship applications using AidLink, the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships’ secure Web site (available from the scholarship or financial aid home pages).
You establish an AidLink account automatically when you apply for at least one SDSU scholarship. You may already have an AidLink account if you used the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply for financial aid.
Login to your AidLink account using your SDSU RedID and SDSU WebPortal password and select the appropriate academic year.
How to Use AidLink - watch this short video.
Check your AidLink account regularly for important messages and the status of each of your scholarship applications.
- If your application is incomplete, you are able to view the action you need to take to complete it before the deadline.
- Through AidLink, you will also know if you were selected for an award.
Return to SDSU Scholarship Online Application Process Flow.
Applicant Selection
Eligibility verified
The application materials you submit for SDSU scholarships are reviewed carefully by the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships to ensure that you meet the specific scholarship’s requirements.
If you do not meet the application and eligibility requirements, your application will not be sent for committee review. For example: If the scholarship requires applicants to be biology majors and that is not your major, you do not meet the eligibility requirements for that scholarship, and your application will not be sent for committee review.
Committee review
Once your application has been reviewed for completeness and eligibility by the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships, it is sent to the scholarship’s committee for review and consideration.
The scholarship’s committee is typically composed of university faculty and/or staff from the academic program or campus organization most closely affiliated with the scholarship. For example: Applications submitted for a biology scholarship will be reviewed by biology faculty members.
The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarship’s staff members are NOT a part of any scholarship committee.
Committee recommends
Once the scholarship committee finishes reviewing the applications, it submits award recommendations to the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.
Eligibility confirmed
The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships confirms the eligibility of the students recommended to receive the scholarships before notifying each recipient.
Return to SDSU Scholarship Online Application Process Flow.
Applicant Notification
If selected, the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships will notify you by e-mail and through your AidLink account.
Your Scholarship Summary in your AidLink account will indicate next to each scholarship if you are "awarded," "not eligible," or "not selected."
Check your status on AidLink regularly.
Receiving Funds
Thank You Letter
Scholarship recipients must submit a thank you letter for each scholarship awarded by San Diego State University. If you receive multiple scholarships, you must submit an individual thank you letter for each award.
Your scholarship award notification letter on AidLink provides instructions for composing and submitting your thank you letter. Your thank you letter must be submitted by the deadline given in your award notification letter or the scholarship award may be rescinded.
Review Thank You Letter Tips for more information and sample letters.
Receiving your award
The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships will verify you are eligible to receive the scholarship when it is recommended by the scholarship’s committee and again just prior to releasing the funds for disbursement for the academic year for which it is awarded.
Current academic year awards
If your scholarship award is for the current academic year, the OFAS will authorize release of your funds once you submit your typed and signed thank you letter and meet any other requirements specified in your scholarship award letter that you access through your AidLink account.
Next academic year awards
If your scholarship award is for the next academic year, funds will not be released until you have submitted your typed and signed thank you letter and are enrolled in classes.
Also, you must continue to meet the scholarship’s class level, grade point average (GPA), academic major and any other requirements specified in the scholarship’s requirements or in your scholarship award letter. For example: If your awarded scholarship requires that you have a 3.00 GPA and by the new academic year, your GPA is now 2.8, you are no longer eligible for the scholarship. Changing your major could also affect your eligibility.
Student Account Services
Once the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships verifies your eligibility to receive the scholarship funds Student Account Services is notified.
The funds will be applied to any outstanding debt you may have such as registration fees or on-campus housing costs. Any balance will be released by Student Account Services to you.
They will send you and e-mail message when they release your funds to pay university charges or directly deposit funds to your designated bank account.
Note: Direct deposit is the only way to receive financial aid and scholarship funds that are available to you after your awarded funds have paid your university charges of registration fees, nonresident tuition and on-campus housing.
Sign up online at Student Account Services.
Holds
Routinely check your status through AidLink so that you do not experience any delays in receiving your scholarship funds. Holds can be placed for several reasons. Some of the most common holds are due to changes in your eligibility.
For example:
- Thank you letter not submitted by you
- Less than full-time enrollment
- Decrease in GPA
- Change in major
You may need to submit your thank you letter(s) or simply enroll in more units. In your AidLink account, check Your Scholarship Summary and the sections for Messages and Holds. Or, contact a scholarship counselor at the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships at 619-594-6323.
Return to SDSU Scholarship Application Process Flow Chart