Who funds scholarships?

What is the difference between grants, work-study, loans, and Scholarships?

I received a letter/flyer/email offering me a scholarship search and guaranteeing a scholarship for a small fee. Should I take advantage of this?

What are my chances of receiving a scholarship?

Is there a limit to how many scholarships, or how much scholarship money I can receive in a year?

Does receiving a scholarship affect other financial aid?

Do I have to report receiving a scholarship to anyone?

How do I request verification of enrollment for an outside scholarship?

My donor needs to know where to send my scholarship check. What do I tell the donor?

Can my fees be deferred with a scholarship?

Who funds scholarships?

Funding for scholarships comes from various sources, including private individuals, businesses, professional and trade associations, community organizations, university support groups, and SDSU alumni. Scholarships are established as a way for donors to express their support for higher education.

What is the difference between grants, work-study, loans, and scholarships?

A student who receives a loan must repay this money to the lender. However, grants, work-study, and scholarships do not have to be repaid. Income from part-time work-study jobs on campus is taxable. 

I received a letter/flyer/e-mail offering me a scholarship search and guaranteeing a scholarship for a small fee. Should I take advantage of this?

There are many scholarship search services available. As a rule, we do not recommend that you pay a fee for any of them. Most donors provide free scholarship information and application materials.

There are a number of scholarship search services on the Internet that you can use free of charge. For a list of some of these, access the “Resources and Links” section of this scholarship Web site.

What are my chances of receiving a scholarship?

The awarding of scholarships is often a competitive process. However, scholarships are available for nearly anyone who is willing to put in the time to research and complete the application process. No student is guaranteed a scholarship, but students are encouraged to apply for as many as possible.

Is there a limit to how many scholarships, or how much scholarship money I can receive in a year?

Not really. Students are encouraged to apply for as many scholarships as possible.

Does receiving a scholarship affect other financial aid?

Total financial aid awards received through scholarships, grants, work-study, and/or loans may not exceed the cost of attending SDSU for the academic year. Receiving a scholarship can result in a reduction of other financial aid.

Do I have to report receiving a scholarship to anyone?

Yes! If you do not report scholarships you receive to the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships, you might have to repay federal and state aid in the future.

How do I request verification of enrollment for an outside scholarship?

If you receive an outside scholarship and your donor requires official proof of enrollment, you may obtain verification through your WebPortal account or contact the Office of the Registrar, at (619) 594-6871.

My donor needs to know where to send my scholarship check. What do I tell the donor?

Refer your donor to Specific Student Scholarship Donation information for detailed instructions of the correct procedure.

Can my fees be deferred with a scholarship?

If the amount of your scholarship meets or exceeds the cost of your fees, then you can have your fees deferred for up to the amount of the scholarship. 

If the scholarship does not cover the full cost of fees, it is your responsibility to pay the difference in full before you register. 

• To have a deferment processed, submit a copy of your scholarship award letter to the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships. 
• Questions regarding fee payment should be directed to the University Cashiers Office at (619) 594-5253