Graduate Studies

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Funding Programs

The Funding Programs will be available in Fall 2024

Opens: Fall 2024
Closes: TBD

The Office of Graduate Studies provides several scholarship opportunities. Funds are available for current graduate students. Students enrolled in a credential or certificate program are not eligible for these funding programs.

Please contact the main office at (818) 677-2138 for questions related to these funding programs.

Please click the accordion below to view all of the funding programs.

Alumni Higher Education Program

The purpose of the Alumni Higher Education Program is to recognize and assist alumni who are dedicated to the university and want to continue their graduate education at CSUN. Recipients of this award will each receive $1,000.00.

Eligibility Requirements:

Applicants must have received at least one of the following:

  • An undergraduate degree from CSUN and be admitted to a graduate program or
  • A master’s degree from CSUN and be admitted to a doctoral program or
  • A teaching credential from CSUN and be admitted to a master’s program.
  • Applicants must have a CSUN GPA of a 3.0 or higher in their undergraduate degree and current graduate students must have a CSUN GPA of a 3.5 or higher.
  • Applicants must have enrolled in 6 units or more for the Fall 2024 term.
  • Applicants must request one letter of recommendation from a CSUN faculty member.
  • Applicants must submit a personal statement (maximum one page, double-spaced) in which you provide a response to the prompt provided.
  • Must upload a copy of their CSUN unofficial transcripts.
  • Recipients must present or participate as a student volunteer during the CSUNposium held in the spring semester.

Not Eligible:

  • Applicants who have previously received this award.
  • Applicants enrolled in a credential program or certificate program.
  • New incoming international graduate students.
  • Any CSU employee or their dependents receiving a university fee waiver are not eligible (does not apply to TAs, GAs, ISAs or student assistants).
  • Graduate students who plan on graduating at the end of the Fall 2024 term are not eligible to apply as this award will be disbursed during the Spring 2025 term.

What is Required:

An application and the following supporting documents must be submitted through the myMatador Scholarships database.

  • One letter of recommendation from a CSUN faculty member.
    • Your recommender will receive a notification to submit their letter through the system. Please follow up with your recommender to make sure that they submit by the due date.
  • A personal statement (maximum one page, double-spaced)
    • Please provide a response to the following prompt: Please describe why you chose to continue to pursue a graduate degree at CSUN. Biographical information should be included only to the extent it relates to your academic pursuit and your reason for pursuing a graduate degree.
    • The following points are provided to help you fully address the prompts:
      • Why have you chosen to pursue a graduate degree (include your academic background and relevant experiences)?
      • Why have you chosen to return to CSUN as a graduate student?
  • A copy of your CSUN unofficial transcripts.
  • An application submitted through the myMatador Scholarships database.

NOTE: Your recommendation letter, personal statement and unofficial transcripts must be submitted through the myMatador Scholarship system.

How to Apply:

  • To access the application and to learn more about this funding program please select the Alumni Higher Education Program.

For technical assistance with the myMatador Scholarships portal please contact the Scholarships Office at (818) 677-4907.

Domestic Non-Resident Program

The Domestic Non-Resident Program will be awarded to domestic non-resident students who are dedicated to the university and want to pursue their graduate education at CSUN. Recipients of this award will each receive $1,000.00. International, credential only or certificate graduate students are not eligible.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Applicants must be enrolled in a master’s or doctorate degree program.
  • Applicants may not be a resident of California.
  • Incoming applicants must have a GPA of a 3.0 or higher in their undergraduate degree and current graduate students must have a CSUN GPA of a 3.5 or higher.
  • Applicants must have enrolled in 6 units or more for the current Fall 2024 term.
  • Applicants must have a FAFSA on file for the current academic year.
  • Applicants must request one letter of recommendation from a faculty member (doesn’t have to be from CSUN) or employer (no personal letters).
  • Applicants must submit a personal statement (maximum one page, double-spaced) in which you provide a response to a provided prompt.
  • Applicants must submit a copy of their unofficial transcripts.
  • Recipients must present or participate as a student volunteer during the CSUNposium held in the spring semester.

Not Eligible:

  • Applicants who have previously received this award.
  • Applicants enrolled in a credential program or certificate program.
  • Any CSU employee or their dependents receiving a university fee waiver are not eligible (does not apply to TAs, GAs, ISAs, or student assistants).
  • Graduate students who plan on graduating at the end of the Fall 2024 term are not eligible to apply as this award will be disbursed during the Spring 2025 term.

What is Required:

An application and the following supporting documents must be submitted through the myMatador Scholarships database.

  • One letter of recommendation from a faculty member or employer (no personal letters).
    • Your recommender will receive a notification to submit their letter through the system. Please follow up with your recommender to make sure that they submit by the due date.
  • A personal statement (maximum one page, double-spaced)
    • Please provide a response to the following prompt: Please describe why you chose to pursue a graduate degree at CSUN. Biographical information should be included only to the extent it relates to your academic pursuit and your reason for pursuing a graduate degree.
    • The following points are provided to help you fully address the prompts:
      • Why have you chosen to pursue a graduate degree (include your academic background and relevant experiences)?
      • Why have you chosen CSUN for graduate school?
  • A copy of your unofficial transcripts.
  • An application submitted through the myMatador Scholarships database.

Your recommendation letter, personal statement and unofficial transcripts must be submitted through the myMatador Scholarship system.

How to Apply:

  • To access the application, and to learn more about this funding program, please select the Domestic Non-Resident Program.

For technical assistance with the myMatador Scholarships portal please contact the Scholarships Office at (818) 677-4907.

Graduate Dreamers Program

The purpose of the Graduate Dreamers Program is to assist undocumented students who are dedicated to the university and want to pursue their graduate education at CSUN. Recipients of this award will each receive $1,000.00.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Applicants must be enrolled in a master’s or doctorate degree program.
  • Applicants must be matriculated graduate students.
  • Applicants must have an approved California Nonresident Tuition Exemption Request (AB 540 Affidavit) on file with the University.
  • Applicants must have a completed CA Dream Act Application on file for the current academic year.
  • Incoming applicants must have a GPA of a 3.0 or higher in their undergraduate degree, and current graduate students must have a CSUN GPA of a 3.5 or higher.
  • Applicants must be enrolled in 6 units or more for the Fall 2024 term.
  • Applicants must submit a personal statement (maximum one page, double-spaced) in which you provide a response to a provided prompt.
  • Applicants must request one letter of recommendation from a faculty member (doesn’t have to be from CSUN) or employer (no personal letters).
  • Applicants must submit a copy of all unofficial transcripts.
  • Recipients must present or participate as a student volunteer during the CSUNposium held in the spring semester.

Not Eligible:

  • Applicants who have previously received this award.
  • Applicants enrolled in a credential program or certificate program.
  • New incoming international graduate students.
  • Any CSU employee or their dependents receiving a university fee waiver are not eligible (does not apply to TAs, GAs, ISAs or student assistants).
  • Graduate students who plan on graduating at the end of the Fall 2024 term are not eligible to apply as this award will be disbursed during the Spring 2025 term.

What is Required:

  • One letter of recommendation from a faculty member or employer (no personal letters).
    • Your recommender will receive a notification to submit their letter through the system. Please follow up with your recommender to make sure that they submit by the due date.
  • A personal statement (maximum one page, double-spaced)
    • Please provide a response to the following prompt: Please describe why you chose to pursue a graduate degree at CSUN. Biographical information should be included only to the extent it relates to your academic pursuit and your reason for pursuing a graduate degree.
    • The following points are provided to help you fully address the prompts:
      • Why have you chosen to pursue a graduate degree (include your academic background and relevant experiences)?
      • Why have you chosen CSUN for graduate school?
  • A copy of your unofficial transcripts.
  • An application submitted through the myMatador Scholarships database.

Your recommendation letter, personal statement and unofficial transcripts must be submitted through the myMatador Scholarship system.


How to Apply:

  • To access the application, and to learn more about this funding program, please select the Graduate Dreamers Program.

For technical assistance with the myMatador Scholarships portal please contact the Scholarships Office at (818) 677-4907.

International Graduate Student Program

The International Graduate Student Program will be awarded to continuing international graduate students. Recipients of this award will each receive $1,000.00. New incoming international graduate students, credential only or certificate students are not eligible.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Applicants & recipients must be in F-1 student status.
  • Applicants must have a minimum CSUN GPA of 3.5 or higher.
  • Applicants must be a continuing matriculated F-1 student enrolled in a master’s or doctorate program.
  • Applicants must be enrolled as a full-time graduate student at CSUN (8 units) for the academic year.
  • Applicants must submit a personal statement (maximum one page, double-spaced) in which you provide a response to a provided prompt.
  • Applicants must request one letter of recommendation from a CSUN faculty member (no personal letters).
  • Applicants must submit a copy of their CSUN unofficial transcript.
  • Recipients must present or participate as a student volunteer during the CSUNposium held in the spring semester.

Not Eligible:

  • Applicants who have previously received this award.
  • Applicants enrolled in a credential program or certificate program.
  • New incoming international graduate students.
  • Any CSU employee or their dependents receiving a university fee waiver are not eligible (does not apply to TSs, GAs, ISAs, or student assistants).
  • Graduate students who plan on graduating at the end of the Fall 2024 term are not eligible to apply as this award will be disbursed during the Spring 2025 term.

 What is Required:

An application and the following supporting documents must be submitted through the myMatador Scholarships database.

  • One letter of recommendation from a CSUN faculty member (no personal letters).
    • Your recommender will receive a notification to submit their letter through the system. Please follow up with your recommender to make sure that they submit by the due date.
  • A personal statement (maximum one page, double-spaced)
    • Please provide a response to the following prompt: Please describe why you chose to pursue a graduate degree in the United States and specifically at CSUN. Biographical information should be included only to the extent it relates to your academic pursuit and your reason for pursuing a graduate degree.
    • The following points are provided to help you fully address the prompts:
      • Why have you chosen to pursue a graduate degree in the United States (include your academic background and relevant experiences)?
      • Why have you chosen CSUN for graduate school?
  • A copy of your CSUN unofficial transcripts.
  • An application submitted through the myMatador Scholarships database.

How to Apply:

  • To access the application, and learn more about this funding program, please select the International Graduate Student Program.

For technical assistance with the myMatador Scholarships portal please contact the Scholarships Office at (818) 677-4907.

Questions about Scholarship Opportunities

For questions concerning these scholarship opportunities, please contact the Office of Graduate Studies at (818) 677-2138.