Grants & Scholarships

2026-2027 Academic Year Scholarship Award

The Armenian History and Culture Scholarship Fund will defer the cost of tuition, fees, books and eligible room and board (room and board eligibility to be determined by the University) up to a maximum of $15,000 per year. Students may apply for the Scholarship in subsequent years as long as they meet the criteria and funding is still available. Undergraduate, graduate and credential program students currently enrolled at CSUN may apply.

Scholarships will be awarded to students who best meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Is a descendent of an individual who either survived or were killed in the Armenian Genocide of 1914 – 1924, and/or,
• Can demonstrate a commitment to the support of and advocacy for the Armenian community through humanitarian, cultural, philanthropic, or athletic programs or endeavors, and/or,
• Is minoring in the Armenian Studies Program, and/or,
• Is a Language and Cultures major with Armenian option, and/or,
• Is a Liberal Studies major with Armenian option or enrolled in the Integrated Teacher Education Program in Liberal Studies with a minor in Armenian Studies.
• Applicants are required to submit a 600 word essay that addresses their experience relevant to the above listed criteria.

Additionally:

• Currently enrolled, continuing Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors are eligible*.
• Students already enrolled in any CSUN Graduate program are eligible*
• Students already in the CSUN Credentialing program are eligible*.
• Applicants must be enrolled full-time during each term of the awarding academic year. https://catalog.csun.edu/policies/full-time-enrollment-undergraduate-and-graduate
• Applicants must maintain a cumulative GPA greater than or equal to a 3.0.
• Applicants must have a FAFSA or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) on file for the current academic year.
• Two letters of reference that verify students experience in the above listed criteria are also required*:
• Option A: Two recommendations from CSUN professors, or
  Option B: One recommendation letter from a CSUN professor, and a second recommendation letter from someone in a leadership position within the organization or program in which the applicant is actively involved in the Armenian community.

Selected recipients will be required to submit a letter of gratitude to the opportunity donor.

Incoming Freshmen are not eligible.
Incoming Graduate students are not eligible.
Incoming CSUN Credentialing program students are not eligible.
Seniors who will graduate at the end of the Spring 2026 term are not eligible to apply.

Should you have questions regarding this scholarship opportunity, please contact Dr. Vahram Shemmassian at vahram.shemmassian@csun.edu

Award

Varies

Scopes

CADAA Required, FAFSA Required, Graduate, Undergraduate, College of Humanities

Deadline

04/24/2026

Supplemental Questions

1. I am a continuing undergraduate student and will be enrolled full-time during each term of the 2026-2027 academic year.
2. I am a continuing graduate or credential student and will be enrolled full-time during each term of the 2026-2027 academic year.
3. Select your eligibilty catagory:
4. How will the support you receive through this scholarship help you benefit the Armenian community/people in the future?
5. Letters of Recommendation: Option A
   • Request a letter of recommendation from a CSUN faculty member:
   • Request a second letter of recommendation from a CSUN faculty member:
6. Letters of Recommendation: Option B
   • Request a letter of recommendation from a CSUN faculty member:
   • Request a letter of recommendation from someone in a leadership position within the organization or program in which you are actively involved in that supports the Armenian community:

CSUN has been a second home to Annette Besnilian and her family for over 35 years. She first earned her bachelor’s degree in 1994 and then completed her doctorate in Educational Leadership at CSUN in 2013. She has been the Director of the CSUN accredited Dietetic Internship Program and a full-time faculty, Professor teaching Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Science courses in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences since 2002. She is also the Executive Director of the Marilyn Magaram Center for Food Sciences, Nutrition, and Dietetics. The gift proceeds for the Besnilian Leadership Scholarship will provide annual scholarship awards for undergraduate or graduate students enrolled in the Family and Consumer Sciences Department. The scholarship was established to help support students and provide leadership opportunities for those who intend to apply to a local or national conferences or annual professional symposiums to present their research or scholarly projects.

2025 Recipient

• Felicia Segerman

The late Dr. Christine “Chris” Smith was a beloved professor in the Family and Consumer Sciences Department for almost 30 years. She was a co-advisor for the department’s Student Dietetic and Food Science Association (SDFSA) for over 20 years and served as the Director of the Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD). Chris was instrumental in guiding students into becoming registered dietitians. She remained a large part of the DPD program after her retirement. Chris and her husband, Owen ‘65 (Theatre), M.A. ‘67 (Drama) met at CSUN, had a fairytale romance, and both were influential members of the CSUN community. In 2013, they passed away just 81 days apart — Owen, after battling cancer, and Chris, after an accident at her home. Prior to their passing, the Smiths decided to leave a gift from their estate to CSUN, their second home. In their will, the Smiths directed funds in the form of a planned gift to five different areas at CSUN, including this endowed scholarship for a student in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences with an emphasis in Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Science.

2025 Recipients

• Sofia Arias
• Mercedes Barros
• Maribel Briones
• Rebecca Callo
• Toni Lee
• Alexandra Mejia
• Rebecca Nguyen
• Alexis Rojas

Dr. Tungshan “Tom” Chen was a professor in the Family and Consumer Sciences Department and the founding director of the Marilyn Magaram Center for Food Science, Nutrition and Dietetics. Marilyn Magaram met Dr. Chen while she was a master’s student and considered him a great mentor and friend. Unfortunately, Marilyn’s life was cut short. AS a tribute to her, Phillip Magaram, Marilyn’s husband, and his family dedicated the center in honor of her memory. Tom was a large influence in seeing the center transform from concept to reality after it opened in 1991. This scholarship is awarded to a full[1]time student and member of the Student Dietetic and Food Science Association (SDFSA) who is actively involved in programs and services hosted by the Marilyn Magaram Center.

2025 Recipient

• Maribel Briones