Navigating Scholarships at Sacramento State: A Comprehensive Guide

California State University, Sacramento (Sacramento State), a prominent public university in the city of Sacramento, offers a multitude of scholarship opportunities to support its diverse student body. With a large student population of 29,000 and a wide range of academic programs, Sacramento State provides various avenues for students to finance their education through scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs. This guide provides a detailed overview of the scholarship landscape at Sacramento State, including eligibility requirements, application processes, and specific scholarship opportunities.

Understanding Financial Aid at Sacramento State

The Financial Aid & Scholarships Office at Sacramento State plays a crucial role in assisting students and their families in navigating the complexities of financing their education. While the primary responsibility for funding an education rests with the student and their family, the university offers various types of financial aid to help meet the cost of attendance. These include scholarships, grants, federal work-study programs, and student loans.

Eligibility for Financial Aid

Eligibility for financial aid is determined by subtracting the Student Aid Index (SAI) from the Cost of Attendance (COA). The SAI is an estimate of how much the student and family can contribute toward the cost of attending Sacramento State, as determined by the information reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA). Accurate completion of the financial aid application is essential. Before any financial aid disbursement is made, the student’s enrollment status and academic progress will be reviewed and verified.

Verification Process

A set of federal and state-defined criteria is used to determine if additional documentation is needed in support of the data reported on the FAFSA or CADAA. This process is known as verification. Students should regularly monitor their MySacState Student Center for any outstanding items on their "To Do List."

Types of Financial Aid

Sacramento State offers a variety of financial aid programs, including:

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Federal Pell Grant: Available to eligible undergraduates and students pursuing their first non-degree teaching credential.
Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants (FSEOG): Available to eligible undergraduate students with extreme financial need. Funding is limited.
Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant: Available for students completing coursework necessary to begin a career in teaching, who agree to teach full-time for at least four years within eight years of completing the program as a highly qualified teacher, at a Title 1 school, in a specified subject area.
Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) Grant: Available to eligible undergraduate California residents admitted to Sacramento State through the EOP program. Due to limited state funding, not all EOP students receive this grant.
State University Grant (SUG): Available to eligible California residents to assist with tuition fees. Students may only receive one award designated for tuition fees. Priority for SUG is given to students meeting the eligibility criteria and who have filed their financial aid application by the March 2nd priority deadline.
Cal Grants (Cal Grant A and B): Available to eligible undergraduate California residents. Eligibility is determined by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) for students meeting the March 2nd priority filing deadline. Cal Grant A is designated for tuition fees. Students may only receive one award designated for payment of tuition fees.

Student Loans

All loans are considered "borrowed" funds and must be repaid after the student graduates, leaves school, or drops below half-time enrollment.

Nursing Student Loans (NSL): Assist eligible nursing students (admitted into the nursing program) with a low-interest (5%) loan. At Sacramento State, NSL are restricted to students in their junior and senior year in school. Awards are not made to pre-nursing students or students in the first and second year of the nursing program.
Federal Direct Subsidized Loan: A long-term, fixed-interest rate loan for undergraduate students and is need-based.
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan: A long-term, fixed-interest rate loan for eligible undergraduate and graduate students and is non-need-based. Interest begins to accrue at the time of disbursement.
Federal Direct PLUS Loans (Parent Loans): A long-term, fixed-interest rate loan for eligible parents of dependent students. The annual loan limit is the student’s cost of attendance minus other financial aid assistance.
Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans: A long-term, fixed-interest rate loan for eligible graduate students who demonstrate creditworthiness.

Borrowers must complete the required Direct Loan Entrance Loan Counseling and a Master Promissory Note (MPN) before receiving loan funds.

Federal Work-Study (FWS)

Federal Work-Study (FWS) is a federally funded, need-based employment program that provides eligible students the opportunity to earn funds for their educational expenses through job opportunities. A wide range of choices exists in the University as well as in nonprofit agencies in the metropolitan area, including community service opportunities.

Scholarship Opportunities at Sacramento State

Sacramento State offers a wide array of scholarship opportunities, including institutional, departmental, and community scholarships. Scholarship eligibility, requirements, and award amounts may vary. Students can apply for available Institutional and Departmental Scholarships by completing the single general application accessible via My Sac State > Student Center.

Departmental Scholarships

Many departments within Sacramento State offer scholarships specifically for their students. Here are some examples:

Read also: Benefits of NSHSS Scholarships

Department of Art Scholarships: The Department of Art sponsors over eight scholarships and awards programs for its students each year. These include the R. W. and Joyce Witt Scholarship Award in Studio Art, the Frederick M. Peyser, Sr. Prize in Studio Art, the University Art Product Award, the Increase Robinson Memorial Fellowship Award, and the Juanita and Jose Montoya Memorial Art Scholarship.
English Department Scholarships: The English department sponsors a number of scholarships for its students, including the John F. Robert G. and The Theresa Mary McCourt scholarships. The department also hosts the Dominic J. Bazzanella Writing Competition each Spring semester.
History Department Scholarships: The History department offers scholarships such as The George and Eleanor Craft Graduate Scholarship, the Kenneth H. W. The Kenneth N. the Lawrence A. Brooks Memorial Graduate Conference Scholarship, and the Faculty Graduate Writing Prize in History.
Music Department Scholarships: Talented students enrolled in the Music Education and Credential programs have opportunities to receive awards from the Nicholas "Mr. Talented brass, woodwind, and percussion students enrolled in a Sac State Large Performing Ensemble are considered for Ronald A.
World Languages & Literatures Department Scholarships: The Lew Robinson Chinese Endowed Scholarship was created to encourage and provide support for students studying Chinese. A travel scholarship is awarded to one student minoring in Japanese and traveling to Japan for educational purposes. The William J. Sullivan, Jr. scholarship supports students minoring in German or majoring in French or Spanish.
Communication Studies Office Scholarships: This scholarship is intended to support graphic design students in the College of Arts and Letters.

Non-Departmental Scholarships

Sacramento State also offers non-departmental scholarships, such as the James William Whitsell Memorial Scholarship, which gives preference to History majors. The Jackie Donath Memorial Scholarship has been created in honor of beloved wife, mother, and professor, Jackie Donath.

External Scholarship Opportunities

In addition to scholarships offered directly by Sacramento State, students can explore external scholarship opportunities from community organizations and private industry. Several local organizations offer scholarships to students in the Sacramento region, with varying eligibility requirements and award amounts. Some of these include:

AIA Central Valley/John Ellis Architectural Scholarship: For students pursuing architecture.
Benny Goodman Foundation Scholarship: For music students with an emphasis in jazz or classical.
Bryan Potts Scholarship: For graduating seniors at Rio Americano High School.
Carroylin and Robert Threlkel Scholarship Fund: For students pursuing business-related degrees.
Creative Arts and Science Scholarship: For graduating high school seniors at Esparto High School.
Community Scholarship: For high school seniors in Sacramento County.
David Breaux Memorial Scholarship: For Yolo County high school seniors or college students in their first year of study.
Dillard-Jackson Family Scholarship Fund: For seniors from a high school in the Elk Grove school district pursuing agriculture.
Dreier Family Scholarship: For high school seniors or undergraduate college students currently attending a school in Sacramento County.
Eugene and Thora Chin Scholarship Fund: For students of Asian/Pacific Islander heritage.
Erin Aaberg Givans Memorial Scholarship: For female students pursuing a Masters in Public Policy, Public Administration, Public Health or Health Administration.
Jack and Ellie Matranga Scholarship: For high school seniors attending a school in El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento, or Yolo counties pursuing mass media.
Julia R. Millon Memorial Scholarship: For high school seniors living within the boundaries of the Winters School District.
Lionakis Foundation Scholarship Program: For students pursuing architecture, engineering, and interior design.
Li Family Charitable Foundation Scholarship: Preference will go to first-generation college students, to students with high financial need and those living at 185% or below the federal poverty level; to disadvantaged youth including but not limited to foster youth, orphans, teen parents, students who are actively battling or who have navigated a life challenging situation or illness, students with incarcerated parents, immigrants, or students who do not hold permanent US status.
Mary Ellen Dolcini Scholarship: For students of Mexican American descent attending high schools in Yolo County.
Nancy B. Reardan Scholarship: For female high school seniors in Sacramento County.
NorYo Opportunity Scholarship: For high school seniors residing in northern Yolo County.
Richard Wiesner Engineering Scholarship: For undergraduate college students attending Sacramento State or UC Davis pursuing engineering.
Paulsen Family Scholarship Fund: For students pursuing agriculture, agribusiness, veterinary medicine, forestry, wildlife management, or natural resources.
Ramona Burnham Scholarship Foundation: For graduating high school seniors from Baldwin Park Unified School District who are Hispanic or Latinx with English as a second language.
Richard & Lucille Harrison Scholarship: For students in the Woodland Joint Unified School District.
Roy and Cynthia Kroener Family Scholarship: For graduating high school seniors in Davis.
Sacramento Police Foundation Scholarship: For high school seniors enrolled in a Criminal Justice and Public Service Magnet Academy program.
Sacramento Region REACH (Rincon Environment and Climate Heroes) Scholarship: For students pursuing environmental sciences, land use planning, natural resources, cultural resources or sustainability.
Sarah A. Bonnifield Vietnam Veterans Scholarship Fund: For Vietnam Veterans or their dependents.
Saylor Family Scholarship: For graduating high school seniors at Davis Joint Unified School District or Winters Joint Unified School District who have experienced significant life challenges.
Schwab-Rosenhouse Memorial Scholarship: For graduating high school seniors who have lived in El Dorado, Placer, Yolo or Sacramento for at least two years.
Stolba/Sukkary Family Scholarship: For graduating high school seniors or college freshmen in Sacramento, Placer, Yolo or El Dorado counties.
SVVMA Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) Scholarship: For students in a Veterinary Technology program accredited by AVMA/CVTEA in listed counties.
The Sacramento Valley Veterinary Medical Association (SVVMA) Charitable Giving Committee Student Scholarship - UC Davis: For UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine students.
The AVID-College Horizons Scholarship: For graduating high school seniors in Sacramento County who participated in the AVID program for a minimum of 3 years in high school.
The Diane Dawson Memorial Scholarship: For graduating high school seniors in greater Sacramento or Denver areas who have a parent or legal guardian with terminal cancer or other terminal illness, or have lost a parent to a terminal disease during their tenure in high school.
The Graydon and Myrth Fox Scholarship: For wounded Veterans or their dependents.
The Kathleen Barsotti Scholarship for Sustainable Agriculture: For high school seniors in Yolo County pursuing an education that incorporates sustainable agriculture.
The Kristi Karacozoff Memorial Scholarship: For graduating high school seniors or college students who graduated in Sacramento, Placer, El Dorado, or Yolo counties who demonstrate a chronic or life-threatening illness.
The Mark McCollum “Ride On” Scholarship: For undergraduate students at California State University, Sacramento pursuing engineering or construction.
The Max and Nadine Dimick Scholarship: For graduating high school seniors or current students attending an accredited 2-year community college in El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento, or Yolo counties.
The Nadine Dimick Nursing Scholarship: For students accepted into a nursing program in the El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento, or Yolo counties.
The Pacific Coast Building Products Scholarship: For children or grandchildren of current or retired employees of Pacific Coast Building Products.
The Sacramento State Alumni Association Scholarship: The Sacramento State Alumni Association awards ten scholarships of $3,500 annually from the Alumni Scholarship Fund to high school seniors planning to attend Sacramento State.
The Sacramento State Future Foundation Scholarship: This award is open to students in all undergraduate class levels, in any major with a minimum 2.5 overall GPA.

Maintaining Scholarship Eligibility

To maintain eligibility for financial aid, including scholarships, students must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements. SAP is reviewed annually each spring after grades have posted.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

Qualitative Standard: Students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA.
Quantitative Standard: Students must complete a certain percentage of attempted coursework. All graded coursework is counted, including transfer units, repeats, in-progress, and withdrawals. SAP review also incorporates all unsuccessful coursework attempted at Sacramento State (i.e. “F”, “I”, “NC”, “W”, “WU”).
Maximum Time Frame: Students must complete their degree within a maximum time frame, typically 150% of the published length of the program.

Students who fail to meet SAP requirements may lose their eligibility for financial aid. Students who disqualify from receiving financial aid will be notified via MySacState Student Center and provided instruction on the appeal process.

Return of Title IV Funds

Students who withdraw from Sacramento State after enrolling for any academic term are required to follow the official withdrawal procedures. If a student receives all non-passing grades and there is no record of academic activity, they are determined to have unofficially withdrawn. Federal regulations require the Financial Aid & Scholarships Office to calculate a Return of Title IV Funds for students who withdraw during the semester. Students who find it necessary to withdraw from Sacramento State after enrolling for any academic term are required to follow the official withdrawal procedures.

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Cost of Attendance (COA)

Student budgets, also known as Cost of Attendance (COA), are designed to provide students with a projection of reasonable costs to attend school for a 9-month period. The student's COA includes direct costs, which are actual tuition and fees charged and, if applicable, on-campus housing charges. Indirect costs included in the total COA are as follows: an allowance for books and supplies, food and housing for those living off-campus or with parents, transportation costs, and an allowance for personal items.

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