Scholarships directly support students, helping them to bridge gaps in financial aid, avoid debt, and complete their education. Scholarships can also enable students to enrich their learning through pursuing opportunities such as professional conferences, research, and internships.
52% of SF State graduates are the first in their family to earn a bachelor's degree
65% of SF State students receive financial aid
The historic College of Ethnic Studies prepares students to implement a vision of social justice grounded in eliminating inequalities motivated by race and ethnicity. Our scholars pursue visionary interdisciplinary study and research focused on indigenous communities, the oppressed, and the marginalized. In addition to their coursework and their employment, they contribute to their local and global communities through volunteer service, leadership, and activism. Scholarships give our students the resources they need to attend and present at paradigm-shifting interdisciplinary conferences, pursue in-depth research and uncover hidden or untold histories, and engage fully in the life of the mind.
As a donor, you can choose to contribute to an existing scholarship fund, create a new named endowed scholarship, or form a new named expendable (annual) scholarship.
Named Endowed Scholarship
A donor may establish a named endowed scholarship with a minimum gift of $25,000. The SF State Foundation invests and manages these funds and, based on performance, up to 4% of the endowment’s fair market value can become available annually to provide scholarship awards to students (e.g., a gift of $25,000 can provide an annual scholarship of $1,000). The larger the endowment, the greater the annual award available to students.
Donors can either establish an endowment with an outright gift of at least $25,000 or through a pledge payable over a period of up to five years. While making contributions to build the principal of the endowed fund, donors may also provide additional gifts to award scholarships in the period of time that the endowment is maturing. When the principal reaches the desired level of funding ($25,000 minimum), the endowment is considered fully funded and provides awards in perpetuity.
Endowment funds are subject to an annual management fee of 1.25% plus investment management fees that are calculated and assessed on a quarterly basis. These fees cover the costs associated with investing and managing the funds.
Named Expendable (Annual) Scholarship
The minimum amount required to establish a named expendable scholarship is $5,000. Unlike endowed scholarships, expendable scholarships do not exist in perpetuity or accrue interest. Awards can only be made based on the balance available in the fund.
Scholarship gift agreements between the donor and the University ensure that donations are used specifically for the intended purpose.
Scholarship Recipient Spotlight: Arianna Vargas (B.A., B.S. ’18): A SF State Student Since Childhood
While an undergraduate at SF State, Arianna, a second-generation Ethnic Studies major, received multiple scholarships. In 2018 she was chosen to be a distinguished student speaker at SF State’s commencement.
College of Ethnic Studies Funding Initiatives
Queer Ethnic
Studies Initiative
The Initiative is part of the College’s strategic plan to mobilize faculty expertise, support graduate student scholarship, and investigate the creation of a major on queers of color.
Metro College
Success Program
The Metro Program supports first-generation, low-income, and/or historically underrepresented students at the University.
Community University
Empowerment Fund (CUE)
CUE provides seed grants to innovative, socially engaged projects that improve conditions and the quality of life for communities of color.
Asian American
Research Initiative (AARI)
AARI conducts community-based research and activities to empower our communities.
