Searching and applying for scholarships is largely a self-help process. This page provides information and resources to assist students on how to begin their search for scholarship opportunities. Typically, the Spring semester is the most best time to begin searching and applying for Scholarships for the next academic year.
Academic Works
Academic Works is the main Scholarship database here at SF State. Within it, students (Current and prospective) will be able to complete the general application and apply for Campus Scholarships online. After applying, students should be able to view their application statuses for any Scholarships they applied for.
Academic Works
Options Users can find:
- Search the database of campus and external scholarships
- Review scholarships requirements to make sure you qualify before applying
- Monitor submission of confidential recommendation letters and send reminder emails to references
- View scholarship offer/congratulatory letter and accept awards online
- Submit thank you letters online and recognize scholarship donors
Scholarship Resources
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 the student's financial aid package.
The services provided by the Fellowships Office are complementary to the scholarship services the Office of Student Financial Aid provides. The Fellowship Advisor provides assistance in applying for nationally competitive fellowships, as well as system-wide awards offered by CSU. For any inquiries regarding this program, please refer to the advisor listed down below:
| Contact | Position | Link |
| Dr. Joy Viveros | Director | Fellowships Office |
| Megumi Fuse, PhD | Professor of Biology | Director | Student Enrichment Opportunities |
Disclaimer: The Office of Student Financial Aid does not assume responsibility for changes in information. See current scholarship application for the most recent information. The Office of Student Financial Aid does not endorse scholarship search services that require a fee.
Applying for Scholarships
The Office of Student Financial Aid recognizes the limited number of scholarships that are specifically for international students attending San Francisco State University.
We recommend that you apply for scholarships that do not specifically state that you must be a United States citizen or permanent resident. From the scholarship search, you may find scholarships for international students for campus and external scholarships, where "Citizenship" indicates "Any."
We further recommend that you contact your college, school, and department of your field or major through their Web site at www.sfsu.edu/deptpage/acaddept.htm for possible scholarship information.
For additional information and other possible scholarship opportunities for international students, please visit the Office of International Program's Web site at https://oip.sfsu.edu or email them at oip@sfsu.edu. You may also search for scholarships for international students at www.internationalscholarships.com and at https://www.iefa.org/.
After Winning a Scholarship
International students who have won a campus scholarship or external scholarship where the check is sent to SF State must meet with the Tax Specialist in the Internal Audit Office located in the Administration Building (ADM 358) to determine whether taxes are to be withheld from the scholarship payment & the income reported to the Internal Revenue Service. The scholarship disbursement will be on hold until you meet with the tax specialist. This process will take up to 3 weeks.
Go to https://fiscaff.sfsu.edu/taxservices to make an appointment. If you have questions, please contact the tax specialist as listed down below:
Celine (Wenshu) Luo
Tax Specialist, CPA
Phone: 415-405-7325
Email: wenshu@sfsu.edu
Scholarship Appeals
In rare circumstances, appropriate flexibility may be demonstrated by SF State in making reasonable exceptions to scholarship award decisions in order to facilitate student success and timely progress to degree. Requests for exception must be submitted in writing to the Vice President for Student Affairs & Enrollment Management as soon as possible following receipt of the contested decision. An explanation of the extenuating circumstances why certain criteria or deadlines were not met should be included in the communication.
Appeals should be submitted electronically to vpsaem@sfsu.edu
Should you have any questions, please contact the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs & Enrollment Management at 415-338-2032.