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

2. Workshop Agenda Intro SF State Scholarship Website Other Resources
Components of an Application
What Happens If You Win?
Guest Speaker
Q & A
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3. When to Apply
Search and apply for scholarships for the next academic year in the Spring semester
Most deadlines from January to June
Some organizations/SF State departments may have application deadlines that vary
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4. Scholarship Tips Apply for as many scholarships as possible
Read eligibility requirements or criteria carefully
Seek out opportunities at your/your parents' work, social/community groups or organizations etc.
Emphasize your talents/skills, academic achievement, and community involvement on your applications
Nomination required
Renewable Scholarships
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5. or Your SFSU Student Center!
Scholarship Website
or Your SFSU Student Center!
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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. Recommended Opportunities
gpa or class level or major match

8. “Our” Opportunities List of campus scholarships
Show Filters or Keyword search

9. To go more in depth…
Click hyperlink or ‘Apply’

10. Eligibility Criteria

11. Check Scholarship Status
View status of applications: Submitted, Drafts, General

12. Curious about the donors?
Click ‘Donors’ to view more info

13. Other Scholarship Resources
Office of Student Financial Aid website
One Stop: Scholarship Corner
“Resources”
Handouts
“Tips”
Bulletin board with announcements
“International Students”
“What’s New?”
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14. 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
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15. International Students
Check out the “International Students” link on our scholarship homepage
Check the Office of International Program's Web or
Check &
International students may apply for scholarships where the Citizenship row indicates: "Any"
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16. Undocumented/AB 540 Students
Check out the SF State AB 540 Information website
AB 540 students may apply for scholarships where the Citizenship row indicates “Any”
Using keyword search for “AB 540”
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17. 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’
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18. 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 346
Phone: (415)
Website:
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19. 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
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20. Check Status of Recommendation Letters
Students can RESEND an request to their reference provider from this page. Can view active and expired references.
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21. Accept Awards
If you are awarded a scholarship ~ Must ACCEPT it online!
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22. 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
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23. Thank You Letters
Students can upload Thank you letters directly to AW. If one is requested, there will be a Post-Acceptance question.
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24. How you receive the scholarship
Campus scholarship: Campus dept. prepares award paperwork & submits to internal departments to process. Then, it is disbursed to you via direct deposit or check. *(Minus any tuition our housing you still owe).
VS.
Outside scholarship: 1. Organization sends check to Bursar’s Office. Then, info is forwarded to Financial Aid. It is disbursed to you via direct deposit or check. *(Minus any tuition or housing you still owe).
*Approx week turnaround time to receive scholarship
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25. 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 in your Student Center portal: “Report Other Aid”
Full-time/NOT Living at Home Undergraduate Cost of Attendance: $26,720
Graduate Cost of Attendance: $28,154
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26. 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
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27. 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 Campus Tax Specialist.
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28. Fellowships Office www.sfsu.edu/~fellows1
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
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29. Contact Information
San Francisco State University Office of Student Financial Aid Student Services Building, One Stop (415)
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