Scholarships Change Lives
Scholarship support is one of our most popular — and important — forms of giving.
Our diverse SFSU student body includes many students who are the first in their families to attend college. Making the University accessible through scholarships to students in need is a priority for us, and there are many established scholarship funds to support, from athletics to general needs. Many of our scholarships are endowed funds that grow over time to keep pace with the economy and rising tuition and fees.
Whether supporting our general scholarship fund, contributing to an established scholarship or creating a new endowed scholarship directed at students or programs that align with your passions, many SFSU donors enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that they are helping SFSU students attain a college degree that serves as a springboard to success.
Scholarships directly support students, helping them bridge gaps in financial aid, avoid debt and complete their education. Scholarships can also enable students to enrich their learning through pursuing opportunities such as professional conferences, research and internships.
Receiving a scholarship can make a huge difference in a student’s ability to attend SFSU and focus on their studies. One $1,000 scholarship provides the same financial support as 54 hours of minimum wage work in San Francisco — approximately the same investment of time needed for a student to take one class.
For more information about investing in SFSU scholarships, contact:
Rick Paradis
Interim Associate Vice President for University Development
The Difference Your Giving Makes
of SFSU graduates are the first in their families to earn a bachelor’s degree
of SFSU students receive financial aid
of SFSU students are grateful for the faith our donors show in them
Opening Doors, Changing Lives
Winning a scholarship shifted how I view myself and my potential. It was an investment into my future — one with a rate of return beyond measure.
Choose the scholarship gift that’s right for you
As a donor, you have many scholarship choices, including contributing to an existing scholarship fund, creating a new named endowed scholarship or forming a new named expendable (annual) scholarship. All of the giving opportunities listed may be funded with outright gifts, bequests or other types of planned gifts. All are fully tax-deductible. For more information about any of these scholarship options, please reach out to our team by emailing develop@sfsu.edu or calling (415) 338-1042. We look forward to partnering with you to help SFSU students reach their dreams.
Named Endowed Scholarship
You may establish a named endowed scholarship with a minimum gift of $25,000. The SFSU Foundation invests and manages these funds and, based on performance, up to 4% of the endowment’s fair market value can become available annually to provide scholarship awards to students (e.g., a gift of $25,000 can provide an annual scholarship of $1,000). The larger the endowment, the greater the annual award available to students.
You may either establish an endowment with an outright gift of at least $25,000 or through a pledge payable over a period of up to five years. While making contributions to build the principal of the endowed fund, you may also provide additional gifts to award scholarships in the period of time that the endowment is maturing. When the principal reaches the desired level of funding ($25,000 minimum), the endowment is considered fully funded and provides awards in perpetuity.
Named Expendable (Annual) Scholarship
The minimum amount required to establish a named expendable scholarship is $5,000. Unlike endowed scholarships, expendable scholarships do not exist in perpetuity or accrue interest. Awards are made based on the balance available in the fund.
In addition to supporting existing scholarship funds, you may choose to establish a newly named scholarship endowment. Currently, a $200,000 endowment will generate enough income to cover most of a student’s annual tuition, fees and some living expenses. $25,000 is the minimum donation to establish any named endowed fund. Email us to inquire about creating or funding a scholarship.
Establishing a scholarship fund
Scholarship assistance helps students focus on their studies and reduces the number of outside jobs they work, which can have a negative impact on graduation rates. To attract more scholarships, the University encourages alumni and friends to name these funds. A minimum gift of $25,000 is required to establish an endowed named scholarship. Donors may also “adopt a student” by funding a scholarship with a minimum contribution of $5,000.
Paying your scholarship donation over time
Pledged gifts are gratefully accepted, and the University will make it easy by sending you pledge reminders at your request. Two- to three-year pledges are encouraged, and up to five years are allowed for $25,000 or more gifts.
Receive information about your scholarship recipient
Provided your donation is at the minimum level required to establish a named fund (see above), you will be informed about the recipients of your endowed scholarship. While some donors prefer to remain anonymous, we encourage donors to let us publicize their identities to inspire others who may wish to provide scholarship support. Donors who identify themselves also have the opportunity to learn about the beneficiaries of their generosity. SFSU works with scholarship recipients to assist them in personally thanking donors.
As you consider supporting SFSU students through scholarship support, we realize that there are many choices as well as questions. We are here to help you find the right scholarship choice for you. For more information, please reach out to our team by emailing develop@sfsu.edu or calling (415) 338-1042.
