Scholarship FAQ

Frequently Asked Scholarship Questions

1. I have won a scholarship from an outside organization/foundation. Who should the check be made payable to?
   - Check should be made payable to: San Francisco State University
    
2. Where should the scholarship check and letter be mailed to?
   - Mail the check and letter to:
   San Francisco State University
   Bursar's Office, ADM 155
   1600 Holloway Avenue
   San Francisco, CA 94132
    
3. I have received a scholarship check and it is made payable to me and SF State. Where do I bring the check and letter to?
   - Bring the check and letter to:
   SF State Bursar's Office, Student Services Building, One Stop Center
   -OR-
   SF State Bursar's Office, ADM 155

   You will submit any enclosures with the check and endorse the check over to SF State at the Bursar's office. Paperwork will be forwarded to the Financial Aid office to process the scholarship check disbursement. Allow 7-10 working days for processing.
    

4. I have received a scholarship check and it is made payable to me. Do I cash it?

   - Yes. Do not submit the scholarship check to SF State. However, do report the scholarship to the Financial Aid Office - see # 6 below on how to report the scholarship you have won.
    

5. Do I have to report the scholarship I've won to the Financial Aid Office?
   - Yes, all financial aid recipients who are awarded scholarships are required to report other resources to the financial aid office. Scholarship awards must be coordinated with your financial aid package.
    
6. How do I report the scholarship I've won?
   - You can report the scholarship online through the SF State Portal Student Center, Finances section, Report other Financial Aid link or send a copy of your congratulatory letter from the scholarship organization/foundation to the SF State Financial Aid Office.
    
7. How will my financial aid be adjusted?
   - Please come in to meet with a financial aid counselor to go over how the scholarship award will be coordinated with your financial aid package.
    
8. When will I receive my scholarship check?
   A. Scholarships from outside organizations:

   Step 1: Check mailed to the SF State Bursar's Office. Bursar's receives and deposits the check. This will take up to 3 weeks.

   Step 2: Financial Aid Office receives the scholarship paperwork which will take up to 7 - 10 workings days to process before you receive your scholarship check.

   B. Scholarships from a campus department or office:

   Step 1: Department/office must submit a Scholarship award request to request disbursement to the Fiscal department. This will take up to 5 - 7 days processing time.

   Step 2: Financial Aid Office receives the scholarship paperwork which will take up to 7 - 10 working days to process before you receive your scholarship check.

    

9. Why didn't I receive the full amount of my scholarship check?
   - When a scholarship disburses, any SF State financial obligation (e.g., tuition, housing, lab fee, library fine, etc.) posted on your SF State account will be paid first before you receive a refund. If your obligation is larger than your scholarship, you will not receive a refund.
    

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