Instructions for Sending Scholarship Checks to SDSU

Thank you for the scholarship award(s) that you or your organization will be generously providing to one or more SDSU students.

As you make your award decisions, please inform us of—

• the name of each student,
• the student’s SDSU Red ID number (university identification number), and
• scholarship amount.

Your notification may precede the funds so that we may coordinate the award with the student’s financial aid package, providing maximum benefit to the student.   (Refer to “How the Scholarship Affects a Student’s Financial Aid Award” at the end of this section.) To help us process and deliver the funds to the student as classes begin, please follow the instructions below.

When to Mail the Check

Mail your check along with a cover letter—

• July in time for the fall semester and
• December in time for the spring semester.

Where to Mail the Check

Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships
San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA 92182-7436

The Check

Make the check out to San Diego State University (checks made payable to SDSU and the student delays disbursement while we obtain the required endorsements).

Include the student’s name and SDSU identification number (RedID number which the student can provide to you).

It is for the student’s benefit that we receive the funds as early as possible before classes begin (in July for the fall semester and December for the spring semester). Funds received after classes begin can result in an adjustment to the student’s financial aid package and a delay in receiving the funds when needed.

The Cover Letter

In the cover letter, please indicate the following:

• Student’s name,
• SDSU student identification number (RedID number),
• Donor identity,
• The contact information for an individual we may contact, in the event questions arise, and
• The semester or academic year for which the scholarship is intended. Specify if the funds are for the fall semester or if the amount is to be divided between the fall and spring semesters.
  Note: Unless you specify otherwise, a scholarship greater than $500 will be split evenly between the fall and spring semesters. Scholarships of $500 or less will be disbursed in one amount.
• Stipulations, if any, for the disbursement of funds. For example, is the student required to be enrolled full-time (12 units for undergraduate and 9 units for graduate students), or have a specific grade point average?
  Note: Usually, we release the funds once the student enrolls.

How the Check is Handled

When the student has met all requirements, the scholarship will be disbursed. If the student has an outstanding debt to the university for fees or on-campus housing costs, the funds will first be applied to that debt. Any balance will be released to the student.

How the Scholarship Affects a Student's Financial Aid Award

As part of San Diego State University’s participation in providing federal and state financial aid, federal law requires that the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships (OFAS) consider all resources when determining eligibility and awarding financial aid.

By federal law, a scholarship, in combination with the student’s calculated expected family contribution, and other financial aid, cannot exceed the student’s cost of attendance (as determined by the OFAS). Therefore, a scholarship may replace other financial aid, especially student and parent loan eligibility and, in some cases, grants. As needed, the OFAS will adjust the student's financial aid.

With the permission of the donor, this scholarship may be adjusted to prevent the cancellation or reduction of a federal or state grant.

Who to Contact if you Have Questions

If you have questions, you can contact the Scholarship Team at scholars@mail.sdsu.edu. You may also call 619-594-6323 and ask for a member of the Scholarship Team, or call 619-594-2251 to leave a message and a member of the Scholarship Team will return your call.