If you or your organization has awarded a scholarship to a San Diego State University student, please follow the instructions below to ensure the student receives your scholarship in a timely manner.

Please submit your check along with a cover letter to—

Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships
(ATTN: Scholarships)
San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, California 92182-7436

The Check

Make the check out to San Diego State University. Include the student’s name and SDSU student identification number (Red ID Number which the student can provide for you). Checks made payable to the university and the student delays disbursement while we obtain the required endorsements.

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
• 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 only half-time to receive the funds?
  Note: Usually, we hold the funds until the student is enrolled full-time unless you specify otherwise.

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.