Sonoma State University
Student with Lobo, SSU's mascot

Scholarships

Sonoma State University offers a wide range of scholarship opportunities designed to support student success, recognize academic excellence, and reduce financial barriers. Whether you are an incoming student or continuing your educational journey at SSU, our scholarship programs can help make your goals more attainable.

SSU Scholarship Program

SSU Scholarship Program Application Period: 

Fall 2026 & Spring 2027
Opens: November 1, 2025
Closes: February 1, 2026

All applicants must log in using their MySSU credentials to access the SSU Scholarship Program Portal. If you are a new applicant for admission, you may obtain a MySSU account login to apply for scholarships and track your admission application.

Basic Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for SSU scholarships, applicants must:

  • Be a degree-seeking student (new or continuing) planning to enroll in the upcoming academic year
  • Have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
  • Enroll full-time (verified at the time scholarship funds are disbursed)
     

Note: Formal admission to SSU is not required at the time of application.

What the Scholarship Application Includes

The SSU Scholarship Application consists of:

  • General background questions about your interests, activities, and educational goals
  • Explanation of financial need (if applicable)
  • Three short-answer essays addressing:
    • Intellectual growth and curiosity
    • Service beyond the classroom
    • Future goals and values

While the SSU Scholarship Program Application includes many important questions used to match students with specific scholarships, the three short-answer essay questions are read, reviewed, and scored by a faculty committee—making it vitally important to focus your time and energy on answering them thoroughly and thoughtfully.

Visit the Resources page for useful information about writing these essays as well as a preview of the questions. 

CSU Future Scholars Program

The CSU Future Scholars program supports low-income, first-generation college students and is renewable for up to four years. Applications are typically available over the summer. 

Eligibility Criteria
  • Low-income status (verified through FAFSA)
  • First-generation college student (parents do not hold a four-year college degree)
  • Incoming first-time first-year student
  • Minimum 3.0 final high school GPA

Department Scholarships

Some departments provide additional scholarships with various timelines. Please visit department websites and/or contact the departments directly for more details.