Student Awards

Two students wearing there graduation attire smiling at their grad awards around other students

The GRAD Center provides awards for graduate students who are returning the following academic year or who are graduating in the spring term.

Please select the accordion below for more information and the award amounts for each graduate student award.

Resources

Application Period
Opens: Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Closes: Friday, March 20, 2026 by 5:00 PM

The purpose of the award is to recognize excellent scholarship and provide financial support for graduate student creative activities that are a required part of a master's program. This award is available to students who are continuing for the 2026 to 2027 academic year or graduating in Spring 2026 or Summer 2026. Several awards of $2500 each will be given. Two or more students working on the same project may apply for an award, submitting one application. If a joint project is chosen for an award, the money will be divided, and one presentation will be given. In the following application directions, “project” refers to a required culminating experience in a CSUN master's program. For questions regarding this award opportunity, please contact the ARF Awards Committee Chair Dr. Timothy Fox.

To learn more about this graduate student award and to access the application, please use the ARF Memorial Award Application (DOCX).

Application Period
Opens: Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Closes: Tuesday, March 31, 2026 by 11:59 PM

This annual award is presented to an outstanding graduate student who has completed or will be completing degree requirements by May 22, 2026. The determining factors for the award are based on a record of distinguished scholarship, a minimum GPA of 3.5, two letters of recommendation, and narrative essay. The award recipient will receive $3,000 and will be announced at Honors Convocation. For questions regarding this award opportunity, please contact Gloria Rocklin from the Office of Graduate Studies.

Credential only or certificate students are not eligible for this award.

Qualifications:

  • Applicants must have been enrolled in a CSUN master’s or doctoral program during the Fall 2025 and/or Spring 2026 terms.
  • Graduate CSUN GPA must be greater than or equal to 3.50.
  • Applicants must have completion of graduate degree requirements during Fall 2025 or Spring 2026 terms.
  • Applicants enrolled in a credential or certificate programs will not be considered.
  • Students of all disciplines are welcome and encouraged to apply.
  • Applicants must show a record of distinguished scholarship and contributions to the field (i.e., demonstrating how your skills, experiences, and future goals align with your chosen area of study and how you plan to make a positive impact within that industry or community in the future).
  • Applicants must upload a Resume/Curriculum Vitae (2 pages maximum).
  • Applicants must upload Essay response via a Word document (4 pages maximum, double-spaced).
  • Two required letters of recommendation must be submitted by CSUN Faculty members via myMatador Scholarships Portal.
  • The award recipient is expected to attend the Honors Convocation Ceremony on Saturday, May 9, 2026 to receive the award.

To learn more about this graduate student award and to access the application, please use the Nathan O. Freedman Memorial Award Application.

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

SPECIAL NOTE: Your recommendation letters and application documents must be submitted through the myMatador Scholarship system. Your recommenders will receive a request to submit the recommendation letter through the system, but please follow up with them to make sure that they submit by the due date.

Application Period
Opens: Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Closes: Tuesday, March 31, 2026 by 11:59 PM

The purpose of the award is to recognize a graduate student who shows promise in scholarship, research or creative activity. This program is available to students enrolled in a master's degree program only. Applicants must be in earlier stages of conducting research or creative activity for their culminating experience (e.g., thesis or graduate project). Applicants must be continuing to CSUN for the 2026 to 2027 academic year. The recipient of this award will receive $500. For questions regarding this award opportunity, please contact Gloria Rocklin from the Office of Graduate Studies.

Qualifications:

  • Students must be enrolled in a CSUN master’s program during the Fall 2025 & Spring 2026 terms.
  • Graduate CSUN GPA must be greater than or equal to 3.50.
  • Applicants must be continuing to CSUN for the 2026 to 2027 academic year.
  • Applicants enrolled in a doctoral, credential or certificate programs will not be considered.
  • Students of all disciplines are welcome and encouraged to apply.
  • Applicants must be in earlier stages of conducting research or creative activity for their culminating experience (e.g. thesis or graduate project).
  • Applicants must upload a Resume/Curriculum Vita (2 pages maximum).
  • Applicants must upload Essay response via a word document (4 pages maximum, double-spaced).
  • Two required letters of recommendation must be submitted by CSUN faculty members via myMatador Scholarships.

To learn more about this graduate student award and to access the application, please use the Robert H. Schiffman Memorial Award Application.

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

SPECIAL NOTE: Your recommendation letters and application documents must be submitted through the myMatador Scholarship system. Your recommenders will receive a request to submit the recommendation letter through the system, but please follow up with them to make sure that they submit by the due date.