College of Health & Social Sciences Scholarships

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.

Benefits of scholarships, such as financial aid

At the College of Health & Social Sciences, students develop their ability to make a significant, meaningful impact on their communities and society. Through classroom learning and practical experience, they receive professional preparation in a variety of fields promoting health, well-being, and quality of life.​ Scholarships enable our students to participate in time-intensive programs, pursue meaningful internships, and participate in groundbreaking research. Our scholars will contribute meaningfully to California's future as a workforce of nurses, counselors, educators, and leaders in public service.

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 donors

Scholarship gift agreements between the donor and the University ensure that donations are used specifically for the intended purpose.

College of Health & Social Sciences Funding Initiatives

Student nurse

School of Nursing Simulation Program

The School of Nursing is committed to meeting the need for more qualified nurses by offering high-quality, experiential instruction.

Passed Professor's gravestone

Lewenstein Scholarship

The late Morris R. Lewenstein, an SF State professor and founder of the University’s first social science program, was a passionate, lifelong learner.

Willie L. Brown, Jr. Fellowship Program participants

Willie L. Brown, Jr.
Fellowship Program

The Fellowship program provides SF State students who have faced barriers to pursuing a college education with professional experience in the public sector.

A happy family posing

The Family Acceptance Project

The Family Acceptance Project is the world’s first research, intervention, education, and policy initiative that helps families learn to support their LGBTQ children.

For more information about donating to the College of Health and Social Sciences, contact:

Dafna Kapshud ( She/Her/Hers )
Director of Development
College of Health and Social Sciences
415.338.7112