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Graduate Student Awards

The Office of Graduate Studies provides awards for graduate students who are returning the following academic year or who are graduating in the spring term.

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

Association of Retired Faculty (ARF) Graduate Project/Thesis Memorial Award

Application Period
Opens: February 2, 2024
Closes: March 29, 2024 by 5:00 p.m.

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 returning for the 2024-2025 academic year or graduating in Spring 2024 or Summer 2024. 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 select: ARF Memorial Award Application (.docx) 

Nathan O. Freedman Memorial Award for Outstanding Graduate Student

Application Period
Opens: February 2, 2024
Closes: March 29, 2024 by 11:59 p.m.

This annual award is presented to an outstanding graduate student who has completed or will be completing degree requirements by May 23, 2024. 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 contributions to the field. 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.

Qualifications:

  • Applicants must have been enrolled in a CSUN Master’s or Doctoral program during the Fall 2023 and/or Spring 2024 terms.
  • Graduate CSUN GPA must be greater than or equal to 3.50.
  • Applicants must have completion of graduate degree requirements during Fall 2023 or Spring 2024 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.
  • 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 my Matador Scholarships.
  • The award recipient is encouraged to attend the Honors Convocation Ceremony to receive the award.

To apply for this graduate student award, please select: 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.

Robert H. Schiffman Memorial Award for Outstanding Research Promise

Application Period
Opens: February 2, 2024
Closes: March 29, 2024 by 11:59 p.m.

The purpose of the award is to recognize a graduate student who shows promise in scholarship, research or creative activity. 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 returning to CSUN for the 2024-2025 academic year. The recipient of this award will receive $750. This program is available to students enrolled in a master's degree program only (doctoral, credential only or certificate students are not eligible). 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 2023 & Spring 2024 terms.
  • Graduate CSUN GPA must be greater than or equal to 3.50.
  • Applicants must be returning to CSUN for the 2024-2025 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 apply for this graduate student award, please select: 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.