SSU Scholarships
Sonoma State University Scholarship Program
The Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 University Scholarship Application is currently open, the deadline to apply is February 1, 2025.
The annual application cycle is November 1 through February 1.
All scholarship applicants must use the MySSU login to access the scholarship application site. If you are a new applicant for admission, you may activate your MySSU account login to apply for scholarships and track your admission application.
Basic Eligibility Criteria
- Any degree-seeking student, new or continuing, planning to attend the upcoming year. Formal admission acceptance is not required at the time of application.
- Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
- Full-time enrollment (verified at the time of disbursement)
Scholarship Application Content
- Basic questions regarding your background, interests, activities, and educational goals
- Description of your financial need (if applicable)
- Three short-answer essay questions addressing your intellectual growth and curiosity, service beyond the classroom, and goals and values
SSU Essay Prompt Advice
- 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.
CSU Future Scholars
The CSU Future Scholars program is designed for low-income, first-generation college students and is renewable for up to four years.
Eligibility criteria
- Low-income (verified by FASFA information)
- First-generation (parents do not have a college degree)
- Incoming first-time first-year student
- 3.0 final high school GPA
Contact the Scholarships Office for more information; applications are generally available over the summer.
Theatre, Dance, and Music Scholarships
The Theatre Arts and Dance and Music departments offer their own unique scholarships for which there is a separate application and may include an audition.
Athletic Awards
Each Athletic Department coach is responsible for making talent awards to athletes on their team. Consequently, student-athletes should contact the appropriate coach to explore possible athletic talent awards.