1. San Francisco State University Office of Student Financial Aid
Scholarship 101
Workshop

2. Workshop Agenda When to Apply and Tips on Applying
SF State Scholarship Website
Other Scholarship Resources
Essay Writing Tips/Essay Writing Sample
Letters of Recommendation/Thank You
Scholarships and Taxes
Financial Aid & Scholarship Coordination
Receiving the scholarship
Fellowships Office
Office of Financial Aid Contact Information
Question & Answer

3. When to Apply
Search and apply for scholarships for the next academic year in the Spring semester
Deadlines are usually from January to June
Some organizations/SF State departments may have application deadlines that vary

4. Scholarship Tips Apply for as many scholarships as possible
Read eligibility requirements or criteria carefully
Seek out opportunities at your parents' work, church, or social organization, etc.
Emphasize your talents/skills, academic achievement, and community involvement on your applications
Nomination required
Renewable Scholarships

5. Scholarship Website www.sfsu.edu/~finaid/scholarships
Search tips and search chart
AcademicWorks Campus & External Scholarship Search
Scholarship tips on essay writing, recommendation letters, thank you letters
Scholarship workshop schedule
Scholarship winners and donors

6. SF State AcademicWorks
Students sign in with their SF State ID & Password
Complete General Application/View Frequently Asked Questions
Once completed, will see “Recommended” Scholarships

7. Frequently Asked Questions
Click this to find answers to scholarship questions

8. Recommended Opportunities
Scholarships are recommended to students based on their general application and imported information (e.g., gpa or class level or major).

9. Organized On-line System
View Applications Completed
Drafts

10. Check Scholarship Status
Review Status of Applications

11. Accept Awards
If you are awarded a scholarship ~ Must ACCEPT it!

12. Other Scholarship Resources
Website:
One Stop: Scholarship Corner
Scholarship Lists
FAQ
Bulletin Board
‘Resources’ section
‘Tips’ section
‘International Students’ section

13. International Students
Check out the “Scholarship Information” link on our scholarship homepage
Check the Office of International Program's Web or
Check &
International students may apply for scholarships, where the row "Citizenship" indicates "Any“
Use keyword search: "International"

14. Undocumented/AB 540 Students
Check out the SF State AB 540 Information website
AB 540 students may apply for scholarships, where the row "Citizenship" indicates "Any" from the scholarship database results or
Use keyword search: “AB 540 or AB540”

15. Scams Alert Red Flags: We’ll do all the work or a fee is involved
Scholarship is guaranteed or your money back
Credit card or bank account to hold scholarship
Vague or no contact information
You’ve been selected or you are a finalist in a contest
You can’t get this information anywhere else
Masquerade as government agency
Report to Federal Trade and National Fraud Information
Visit for comprehensive information on scholarship scams

16. Essay Writing Tips
Most ask you to write a personal statement about yourself.
Tell your personal story
Follow directions
Answer all essay questions on the scholarship application
Have several strong writers read and edit your essay
Check out the Essay Sample on our scholarship website homepage under Tips

17. Campus Academic Resource Program (CARP)
Make an appointment or drop-in to see a CARP tutor to:
Learn how to effectively answer a scholarship essay prompt.
Devise pre-writing methods in order to organize information for a scholarship essay.
Discuss how to make a scholarship essay detail oriented, personal, and original.
CARP San Francisco State
HSS 344
Phone: (415)
Website:

18. Letters of Recommendation
Check the scholarship application for guidelines
Letters should be typed, signed, and printed on official letterhead
Ask a professor or employer or community leader who knows you well and can write a good letter of recommendation
Give the person sufficient time to write the letter
Give the person a specific deadline date
If the person must send the recommendation letter directly to
scholarship organization, provide a stamped addressed envelope

19. Check to see if References have submitted recommendation letters
Students can resend an request to their reference provider from this page. Can view active and expired references.

20. Thank You Letter Guidelines & Tips
The letter may be handwritten or typed
Be prompt
Address the letter to the donor or the person who should receive the letter with the appropriate title (Dear Dr., Mr., Mrs., Ms.)
Start the letter by thanking the donor
Next, tell the donor about yourself
Let the donor know what your future plans are
Finally, express your appreciation for the financial support received from the scholarship
Check all spelling and grammar
Sign the letter

21. Thank You Letters
Students can upload Thank you letters directly to AW. If one is requested, there will be a Post-Acceptance question.

22. Scholarships & Taxes
Scholarships are tax-free if You are a full-time or part-time candidate for a degree at a primary, secondary or accredited post-secondary institution and The award covers tuition, fees, books and supplies required for courses

23. Questions should be directed to the IRS
Scholarships & Taxes
Scholarships are taxed if used to cover anything other
than tuition fees, books and supplies.
For example:
-Room and Board
-Travel
-Research
-Clerical Help
-Equipment
Questions should be directed to the IRS
International Students must meet with the SF State Tax Specialist.

24. Financial Aid & Scholarship Coordination
Under federal and state regulations, your scholarship must be coordinated with your other financial aid and cannot exceed your financial aid eligibility or your cost of attendance. Report scholarships you have won at your Student Center. Full-time/Not Living at HOME Undergraduate Cost of Attendance: $25,232 Graduate Cost of Attendance: $26,498

25. How you receive the scholarship
Outside scholarship - check received and processed by Bursar’s office from organization (up to 3 weeks) then paperwork forwarded to the financial aid office
Campus scholarship – campus dept. completes check request form and forwards to fiscal dept. (up to 7 days) then it is sent to the financial aid office
Financial aid office requests disbursement
Student will receive scholarship in weeks

26. Fellowships Office http://fellowships.sfsu.edu/
Provides assistance in applying for nationally competitive fellowships and CSU system-wide awards.
Have a GPA of 3.7 or above, and a strong record of public service or research activities.
Contact: Fellowships advisor, Dr. Joy Viveros, or drop by or call the Division of Graduate Studies, ADM 254, or

27. Contact Information
San Francisco State University Office of Student Financial Aid Student Services Building, One Stop (415)