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Graduate Equity Program

The Graduate Equity Program will be available in Spring 2024

Application Period

  • Opens: Spring 2024
  • Closes: TBD

The Graduate Equity Program is designed to increase the diversity of students completing a graduate degree, encourage further study in a doctoral program and consider a university faculty career. This program is available to graduate students admitted in a STATE supported master's degree program. International, doctoral, credential only, certificate students, or students enrolled in a self-support master's degree program (administered through CSUN's Tseng College) are not eligible.

Please click on the accordion below for more information.

Program Provides

The program provides a limited number of fellowships from $2,000-4,000 to economically disadvantaged students especially from groups that are underrepresented among graduate degree recipients in their areas of study. The fellowships are intended to minimize students’ debt, allowing them to complete their program more quickly. The award will be paid out in two semesters.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Applicants must be admitted in a CSUN State supported master’s degree program.
  • Applicants must have a FAFSA or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) on file for the upcoming academic year.
  • FAFSA and CADAA Estimated Family Contribution must be less than or equal to $10,000. Applicants must be admitted in a CSUN State supported master's degree program.
  • Graduate students must enroll in 6 units or more during the Fall 2024 & Spring 2025 terms.
    Any change to your enrollment status resulting in less than required enrollment for any term within the award year will result in a cancellation of your award.
  • Undergraduate GPA must be greater than or equal to 3.25.
  • Graduate CSUN GPA must be greater than or equal to 3.25.
  • Graduate students must work closely with their faculty mentor on a project and participate in CSUN’s Annual Student Research Symposium (CSUNposium) which will be held in the spring semester (date to be determined).
  • Applicants must upload copies of all undergraduate and graduate (if any) unofficial transcripts.
  • Applicants must upload a personal statement that describes your educational and career goals, your research and/or creative activity, any research or employment you have participated in to advance your educational and career goals, and your commitment to completing a master’s degree and future goals.
  • Two required letters of recommendation must be submitted by CSUN faculty members via myMatador Scholarships Portal.

Not Eligible:

  • Applicants who have previously received this award.
  • Applicants enrolled in a credential, certificate, doctoral, or a graduate program through the Tseng College.
  • CSUN employees are not eligible, except TAs and GAs.

How to Apply

To learn more about this program and to access the application, please click: Graduate Equity Program Application

Application Due Date: TBD

For technical assistance with the myMatador Scholarships portal please contact the Scholarship 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.

Award Notification and Disbursement

An email notification will be sent as soon as a determination is made. However, the actual funding for the fellowship is normally disbursed in October/November. Please note that the award of this fellowship may adjust or reduce other forms of your financial aid package.

What you must do if you receive the fellowship

Participate in CSUN’s Annual Student Research Symposium (CSUNposium) which will be held in the Spring term (date to be determined).