San José State University provides assistance to students in securing federal, state and university financial aid to achieve their educational pursuits. Each year, SJSU awards and administers more than $425 million in financial aid to eligible students.

These SJSU scholarships are generally based on scholastic achievement and financial need. SJSU has hundreds of general and departmental scholarships available, ranging from $100 to $2,500 per year. Students are encouraged to apply for scholarship which suits them best. These help them to lessen their financial need or loan burden.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

The Financial Aid and Scholarship Office administers following three types of scholarships: SJSU campus based, department based, and private based:

SJSU Campus Based Scholarships

Students should complete at least one semester of full time units (12 undergraduate or 8 graduate units) at SJSU in order to be eligible for campus scholarships. Awards are generally based on scholastic achievement and/or financial need ranging from $100 to $2,500 per year.

The application period for campus based scholarships is from January through Mid April. Awards are generally based on scholastic achievement and/or financial need ranging from $100 to $2,500 per year. International students will only be eligible for those scholarships that are merit-based. Applicants should apply for Spartan scholarship.

Department Based Scholarships

Various academic departments on campus manage their own scholarships. Students are strongly encouraged to keep in close contact with their major department for scholarship information. The application for department based scholarships varies from major to major. The following are the department based scholarships:
–Civil & Environmental Engineering Scholarships ($500 to $2500), single-year scholarships, available to matricalated students. Applications for the scholarships are available each year in March and awards are made by middle of April.
–College of Social Sciences Scholarships include various scholarships of different amounts as follows: SJSU Alumni Association Deans’ Scholarships to students who demonstrate community service or participation in student organizations; Les Francis Scholarship of $2,500 to support prospective (or current) teachers of high school civics; Gerald Wheeler Scholarship of $1,000 based on excellence and need; Charles Burdick Scholarships of $1,000; Inez and Donald Burdick Scholarships of $1,000; Dudley T. Moorhead Memorial Scholarship having variable amount; CoSS Dean’s Study Abroad Scholarships to high-achieving undergraduate or graduate students studying or conducting research outside the United States and SJSU Salzburg Scholarships.
–EE-Scholarships provide financial support to outstanding undergraduate SJSU students majoring in Electrical Engineering. Two types of scholarships are available based on: 1) Academic achievement or 2) Academic achievement and Financial need. The scholarship amount varies and depends on the award for which the student is selected.

Private Based Scholarships

Scholarships come from a number of different sources. It can take some time and effort on your behalf to research them all.

CSU Systemwide Scholarships

The California State University Foundation works with donors interested in funding scholarship opportunities on a systemwide or multi-campus basis to all CSU students. These include following scholarships:

CSU Trustees’ Award for Outstanding Achievement 

This award is available for students who have demonstrated financial need, experienced personal hardships, and have attributes of merit, including superior academic performance, exemplary community service, and significant personal achievements.

Dale M. Schoettler Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to full-time students who have a visual disability. The estate of Dale M Schoettler, himself a successful businessman who was blind, funds these scholarships.

Fly Fishers Club of Orange County Scholarship

This scholarship is available for students who have a commitment to community service in the fisheries biology field.

Glenn and Dorothy Dumke Fellowship 

This fellowship is awarded to a CSU graduate student pursuing a research project using the CSU archives in the area of public policy, American history, economics, archival management, or government.

William and Janet Lahey Art Education and Visual Arts Scholarships

These scholarships are available to applicants in post-baccalaureate program leading to a high school single subject teaching credential in the arts and must meet all requirements: 1) be enrolled at a CSU campus at least half-time; 2) possess a bachelor’s degree in art or in one of the visual art specializations; 3)  have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above; and be enrolled in one of the following programs: a post baccalaureate program leading to a high school single subject teaching credential in the arts; a Master of Fine Arts program in art or one of the visual arts specialization; or a Master of Arts program in art or one of visual arts specialization.

Sally Casanova Pre-Doctoral Scholarship 

This scholarship will reopen in October or November, 2015. Each pre-doctoral award is for $3,000. The California Pre-Doctoral Program is designed to increase the diversity of the pool of potential faculty by supporting the doctoral aspirations of diverse CSU students.

Richard K. Leffingwell Scholarship 

This scholarship is available for upper division or graduate students pursuing a degree in the College of Business who have an interest in, and aspire to pursue a career in public service. Students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75, demonstrate financial need, and be enrolled full-time.

Graduate Scholarships and Awards

The Office of Graduate Studies & Research along with San Jose State University and the California State University system are proud to sponsor several programs, awards, and competitions designed to cultivate and encourage student research and scholarship for current graduate students. These include following scholarships and awards:

Bertha Kalm Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to one or two first-year students in a master’s degree program at SJSU. Applicants will be evaluated on the quality of scholarship that established eligibility for admission to the graduate program, a personal statement by the applicant regarding goals to be achieved by the master’s degree, and the mentor’s assessment of the applicant’s potential success. There will be a maximum of one award per department or school.

CSU Chancellor’s Doctoral Incentive Program

The CSU Chancellor’s Doctoral Incentive Program (CDIP) is designed to increase the pool of faculty candidates with the qualifications, motivation, and skill to teach the diverse student body in the CSU. The CDIP will lend participants who are full-time doctoral students up to $10,000 annually to a limit of $30,000 over a five-year period.

Graduate Equity Fellowship

Under the Graduate Equity Fellowship Program, awards of up to $3,000 may be made to graduate students enrolled at SJSU for the Fall/Spring academic year in which the call for applications is announced.

Sally Casanova Pre-Doctoral Scholarship

This CSU scholarship program is designed for upper division or master’s degree students with doctoral aspirations. Each pre-doctoral award is for $3,000. Each of the selected pre-doctoral scholars works closely with a CSU faculty sponsor to develop overall plans leading ultimately to enrollment in a doctoral program. Each plan is tailored to the specific goals and educational objectives of the student.

Outstanding Thesis Award

Each college can nominate one thesis for competition, and Outstanding Thesis Awards (1 or 2) of $500 are available to the top winner(s). In addition, the winners will be presented at the University’s commencement ceremony in May and will sit with the platform party. Interested students are encouraged to contact your faculty advisor or department early in the Spring as your thesis must be nominated by your college.

Alumni Association Scholarships

The SJSU Alumni Association has one of the strongest alumni supported scholarship programs in the California State University system. The university annually awards over $150,000 in scholarships to both undergraduate and graduate students in their pursuit of higher education. These are of following types:

Alumni Association Deans’ Scholarships

Two outstanding undergraduate or graduate students from each of SJSU’s seven colleges are chosen by their deans to receive a $5,000 annual scholarship.

Gerald M. Starek Family Alumni Association Scholarships

These $7,500 scholarships are given to SJSU students and are renewable for up to four years.

Alan and Phyllis Simpkins Alumni Leadership Award

This $5,000 award is given to one incoming freshman who demonstrates academic excellence, leadership, and community involvement.

Barnum Everett Scholarship

Barnum Everett Scholarship is available to undergraduate students (all majors) and those pursuing their teaching credential with a 3.0 GPA or better and are eligible for need-based financial aid. Preference is given to juniors, seniors and teaching credential students who demonstrate a combination of high academic standards, community and school involvement, and work experience.

Hoover-Langdon Scholarship

The Alumni Association awards one $1,250 scholarship to an SJSU undergraduate or graduate student selected by the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office on the basis of academic excellence and financial need.

Katherine Peterson Alumni Association Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to an undergraduate or graduate student selected by the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office on the basis of academic achievement, financial need, and demonstrated community service.

Santa Cruz Area Chapter Scholarships

Each year the Santa Cruz Area Chapter provides scholarships to high school and community college students from Santa Cruz County who elect to attend SJSU.

Santa Clara Valley Area Chapter Scholarships

The Pat Porter and Hal Riddle Scholarships are awarded to students in the Connie L. Lurie College of Education and are supported by the chapter’s activities.

San José  Woman’s Club Scholarships

Scholarship programs for local students were instituted in the late 1940’s and members of the San José Woman’s Club continue to support local nonprofits and downtown community groups.

All the Best!!!