Csu Scholarships: International Students' Opportunities Explored

California State University offers a range of scholarships and financial aid options to support international students in their studies. While international students are generally not eligible for most forms of financial aid in the US, California State University provides various opportunities to help international students fund their education. These include scholarships, tuition fee waivers, private loans, on-campus job opportunities, and payment plans. The availability and specifics of these options can vary across the different campuses of California State University, and students are encouraged to explore the options relevant to their specific campus.

Tuition fee waivers

At CSU Monterey Bay, international F-1 degree-seeking students may be eligible for the International Student Non-Resident Fee Waiver. This award provides a full waiver of the non-resident fee portion of tuition, which can amount to between $7,900 and $14,250 depending on the number of units taken. To be eligible, students must demonstrate financial need, community involvement and/or leadership experience in extracurricular activities, and a history of exceptional scholastic performance. They must also be in good academic standing with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Applications are reviewed in May, with awardees notified in mid-May.

CSU San Marcos also offers a limited number of tuition waivers to international students after their first year of residence. These waivers are typically partial, meaning only a portion of the tuition fee is waived. Undergraduate international students must be in good academic standing, have completed at least one semester, and be enrolled at the time of application with a minimum of 12 credit units. Graduate international students must conform to the undergraduate requirements, except with a minimum of 10 credit units. Alternatively, if they are enrolled for fewer than 10 units, they must be employed by the university for a minimum of 20 hours per week.

Cal State East Bay offers Global Excellence Scholarships, which include full non-resident tuition waiver awards of over $12,500 per year. These are available to incoming first-year freshmen who are in F-1 status or plan to obtain an F-1 visa, have a minimum 3.3-grade point average, and can demonstrate financial need. Recipients must commit to enrolling in 15 units per semester and maintaining an eligible GPA to renew the scholarship for up to four years.

Scholarship eligibility criteria

California State University offers a range of scholarships and fee waivers to international students across its various campuses. However, international students are generally not eligible for most forms of financial aid. Here is an overview of the scholarship eligibility criteria for international students at different CSU campuses:

California State University Long Beach (CSULB)

CSULB offers several scholarships to international students to help cover the costs of their education. While specific eligibility criteria are not outlined, international students can refer to the CSULB Scholarship website for information on available scholarships for new and continuing students. CSULB students are also eligible to apply for the Study California Scholarship.

California State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB)

CSUMB offers the International Student Non-Resident Fee Waiver to international F-1 degree-seeking students. This waiver recognizes exceptional scholastic achievements, dedication, and financial need. To be eligible, students must demonstrate financial need, community involvement, and leadership experience in extracurricular activities. Additionally, they must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 and provide a letter of recommendation.

California State University San Marcos (CSUSM)

CSUSM offers tuition waivers to international students after their first year of residence. These waivers are typically partial and are based on exceptional scholastic ability and prior scholastic achievement. Undergraduate international students must be in good academic standing, have completed at least one semester, and be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit units. Graduate students must meet the same requirements, with a minimum enrollment of 10 credit units. While there is no minimum GPA requirement, the student's overall academic record and service to the campus community will be considered.

California State University East Bay (CSUEB)

CSUEB offers Global Excellence Scholarships and Global Honors Scholarships to international students. The Global Excellence Scholarship provides a full non-resident tuition waiver of over $12,500 per year to incoming first-year students with F-1 status or planning to obtain an F-1 visa. To be eligible, students must have a minimum GPA of 3.3, demonstrate exceptional scholastic ability, financial need, and commit to enrolling in 15 units per semester. The Global Honors Scholarship offers a one-time award of $2,500+ for one year of study to undergraduate students with F-1 status or planning to obtain an F-1 visa. Similar to the Global Excellence Scholarship, students must have a minimum GPA of 3.3, demonstrate financial need, and commit to enrolling in 15 units per semester.

External scholarship programs

California State University offers a range of external scholarship programs for international students. These scholarships are provided by private organizations, governments, and non-profits, and are available to students attending any of the California State University campuses. Here are some examples of external scholarship programs:

• Study California Scholarship: This scholarship is designed to assist international students who want to study in California. Students from any CSU campus can apply for this scholarship.
• International Peace Scholarship Fund: This scholarship is specifically for female international students pursuing graduate degrees.
• The Rowe Fund: This fund provides interest-free loans to international students.
• Organization of American States: This organization offers a loan program for international students studying in the United States.
• Flywire Charitable Foundation Academic Scholarship Program : This scholarship program is open to international students and is based on academic merit.
• InternationalStudent.com and InternationalScholarships.com: These websites are great resources for international students to search for scholarships and other financial aid opportunities.

Additionally, California State University campuses have their own external scholarship opportunities. For example, California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB) offers the following external scholarships:

• The Asia Institute: This institute offers scholarships for business and engineering majors interested in participating in a global learning experience in Asia.
• MasterCard Foundation : This foundation provides scholarships for students from Central and South Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
• Lyford Cay Scholarship : This scholarship is available to international students studying at CSUMB.

It is important to note that these external scholarships are not endorsed or guaranteed by California State University. Students are encouraged to research and apply for scholarships that align with their specific needs and eligibility criteria.

On-campus job opportunities

At California State University Long Beach, international students can work on campus as early as their first semester, provided they are enrolled full-time and are in good academic standing with a minimum GPA of 2.0. Employment can be found on school premises, including commercial firms that provide services for students on campus, such as the school bookstore or cafeteria. Students can also work at off-campus locations that are educationally affiliated with the school.

At California State University Fullerton, international students in F-1 status who are in good academic standing can work on campus. Students in J-1 status can also work on campus after receiving written authorization from a Responsible Officer for their Program Sponsor.

California State University, Los Angeles, has a range of employment opportunities available on its website, although it is unclear if international students are eligible for all positions.

International students can refer to the respective websites of their campus' Career Development Center or Career Center for guidance and resources on finding on-campus jobs.

Payment plans

California State University Long Beach (CSULB)

CSULB offers tuition payment plans that allow students to divide their tuition payment into multiple instalments. CSULB also provides information on other financial assistance options, such as private loans and on-campus job opportunities. International students enrolled full-time can work up to 20 hours per week during the spring and fall semesters and up to 40 hours per week during winter and summer breaks.

California State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB)

CSUMB offers the International Student Non-Resident Fee Waiver, which provides a full waiver of the non-resident portion of tuition, ranging from $7,900 to $14,250 per year. This waiver is competitive and recognises international students with exceptional academic achievements, community involvement, and financial need. Students must reapply for this waiver every year.

California State University San Marcos (CSUSM)

CSUSM offers tuition waivers for international students after their first year of residence. These waivers are typically partial, covering only a portion of the tuition fee. The university also provides a list of external scholarship opportunities, such as the Study California Scholarship, specifically designed to assist students studying in California.

California State University East Bay (CSUEB)

CSUEB offers Global Scholarships, including the Global Excellence Scholarships and Global Honors Scholarships, to undergraduate international students on a competitive basis. These scholarships provide full or partial non-resident tuition fee waivers for students who demonstrate exceptional academic ability, financial need, and enrolment commitments.

Frequently asked questions