Resources
Scholarship Support Center: FAQs, Resources & Tips
Find answers to common scholarship questions and access helpful tools to guide you through the application process. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, please contact the Scholarship Office at [email protected].
SSU Scholarship Program Related FAQs
Most scholarship award notifications are sent by May 1. If it is past that date, we encourage you to:
- Check your spam/junk email folder
- Log in to the Scholarship Portal to review any pending offers
- Please note that a small number of scholarships are finalized after May 1. Students who are not selected for any awards will receive a notification no later than August 1.
Scholarships are not added to your financial aid until after you have completed any requested acceptance and thank you letters. Please make sure to submit any requested information in a timely manner.
Your scholarship will appear as anticipated financial aid on your MySSU award page prior to the initial payment deadlines as long as all required acceptance and thank you letters have been received.
Disbursements occur weekly, but no earlier than seven days before the start of each semester. Full-time enrollment is required for disbursement.
Yes! As long as you are in our system as an applicant for admission, you are eligible to apply. Simply use your MySSU login to access and complete the University Scholarship Program application.
External Scholarship Related FAQs
To ensure your external (non-SSU) scholarships are reflected as anticipated aid, report all funding by completing the Financial Aid Change Notification form or by emailing the Scholarship Office with a complete list of your awards.
Please include:
- Your full name
- SSU ID number
- Name of the Scholarship organization
- The total amount you will receive for the entire academic year
This process must be completed each year you receive external scholarships, even for renewable awards
Scholarship checks should be made payable to Sonoma State University and must include:
- The student's full name
- SSU ID number
- Contact information for the individual or organization providing the scholarship
Mailing Address:
Sonoma State University
Attn: Scholarship Office
1801 E. Cotati Ave.
Rohnert Park, CA 94928
For an official confirmation of your enrollment, submit the Enrollment Verification Form request through the Registrar's Office. They will provide an official document that can be shared with your scholarship donor.
Once the scholarship check is received by SSU, please allow up to 10 days for the funds to be posted on your student account. Unless otherwise specified:
- Scholarships are split evenly between fall and spring semesters.
- Disbursements occur weekly, but no earlier than seven days before the start of the semester.
Tips for Writing Strong SSU Scholarship Program Application Essays
- Start your application early. This will allow you to view the essay prompts first and to take the time to brainstorm and draft your responses in a separate document. During the application period (11/1-2-1), you can always save and revise your application.
- Read the prompts carefully. Make sure you understand and address all parts of the prompts.
- Start with a draft. Jot down a list of ideas that are aligned with the essay prompts. Let those ideas develop and evolve. Revisit your list and select the most compelling idea to focus on.
- Highlight what makes you unique. Be authentic and genuine when sharing your voices and experiences. Help the scholarship committee know who you are.
- Provide specific details. Focus on a select few experiences that have meant the most to you rather than a long list of achievements. Include information that enables the scholarship committee to fully understand your experience.
- Emphasize the significance. Focus on the impact of an experience. Your writing should primarily address why these experiences are meaningful to you and others.
- Communicate your ideas effectively. Express your thoughts clearly using straightforward language, organizing content logically, and choosing words concisely.
- Pay close attention to the word limit. Exceeding or not meeting the word count can limit the committee's ability to understand your narrative.
- Proofread and revise your writing. This may involve taking breaks from your writing and revisiting it with fresh eyes, or seeking external writing support from a trusted teacher, peer, friend and/or writing center.
- Follow academic integrity standards. Essays should be your own original work.
Learning & Academic Resource Center (LARC)
The Learning and Academic Resource Center (LARC) is happy to help support students with scholarship essays through free, one-on-one help at the Writing Center. Peer tutors assist with brainstorming, understanding prompts, organizing ideas, and polishing drafts, so students can submit clear, compelling essays with confidence.
SSU Scholarship Program Application Short Answer Question Preview
Short Essay Topic #1 (Intellectual Pursuits):
Think about one experience with an intellectual pursuit during the past two years. For instance, was there a theory, a social movement, a significant individual, a research endeavor, and/or a piece of literature, art, music etc., that contributed to your pursuit of knowledge, understanding and critical thinking? Thoroughly explain the impact of that intellectual pursuit on your growth.
(150 word maximum)
Short Essay Topic #2 (Service beyond the Classroom)
Think about one example of service beyond the classroom. For instance, have you taken on significant family and community obligations, helped others in a specific way, been involved in political action, and/or worked/volunteered/interned at a particular organization, etc. Thoroughly explain how that service made an impact on you and others.
(150 word maximum)
Short Essay Topic #3 (Future):
Think about where you see yourself after graduation from SSU. Thoroughly explain how your experience and education could contribute to the overall good of society.
(150 word maximum)