Acknowledge that, if eligible, you must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) by the scholarship's deadline to be considered for need-based scholarships. Please note that the FAFSA is available to U.S. citizens and eligible noncitizens, while AB 540 students may submit the CADAA.

For the question related to your eligibility for loans and grants, please review the possible options available. 

If you submitted a FAFSA or CADAA for the 2026-27 academic year:

• Answer "Yes" only if you have been offered a Federal Direct Subsidized Loan or Dream Loan, but you are not eligible for any grant aid, including any one of the following--Pell Grant, State University Grant, or Cal Grant.
• Answer “No” if you were awarded ANY grant aid, including Pell
  Grant, State University Grant, or Cal Grant.
• Answer “No” if you were only offered Federal Unsubsidized Loans

Note: Review your my.SDSU account to determine your aid eligibility. If you have filed your FAFSA or CADAA for the 2026-27 academic year but have not yet been awarded financial aid, you can answer based on your 2025-26 FAFSA/CADAA or to the best of your ability and return to your application after you are awarded for the 2026-27 academic year.

If you are not submitting a FAFSA or CADAA for the 2026-27 academic year:

• Answer “No.” This includes students who are not eligible to submit the FAFSA (such as those on F-1 visas) and students who do not meet the requirements to submit the California Dream Act Application (CADAA).

Read each option carefully and only select those that apply specifically to you.

Definitions:

• I have entered or re-entered college after a hiatus: Select if you either started college later than usual after high school, or you previously enrolled in college, took time away (for any reason), and have since returned to continue your studies.
• No one in my immediate family has completed college: Select if you are a student for whom neither parent or guardian has earned a four-year baccalaureate degree.
• I am an emancipated foster youth: Select if you are a student who was previously in the foster care system and is now legally independent, either due to reaching the age of emancipation or through a court-ordered emancipation.
• I am a single parent: Select if you are a parent or legal guardian who is unmarried or not living with a spouse/partner and is primarily responsible for the care of your dependent child(ren).
• I am bilingual: Select if you can communicate fluently in two or more languages, either through speaking, reading, or writing.

Read each option carefully and only select those that apply specifically to you.

• Read each option carefully and only select those that you are actively participating in and not those you are planning to join in the future.
• Avoid selecting past activities or those for which verification cannot be provided.
• If you selected a club or activity, please provide the start and end dates (if applicable) of your participation, along with the name and contact information of the best person to verify your involvement. If not applicable, enter “N/A.”

Select Yes if you self-identify as an active participant in a recognized student organization. If you answered yes, list the organization(s) and date(s) when participation began. 

Read each option carefully and only select those that apply specifically to you.

Read each option carefully and only select those that apply specifically to you.

• Your permanent address is your primary home address. It is not a temporary or local address used solely for the purpose of attending San Diego State University.

• If you are a dependent student and your parent(s) or legal guardian(s) reside out of state, your permanent address is your parent’s or legal guardian’s home address.

You are considered a first-time freshman if you will attend college for the first time at the undergraduate level. 

This includes students who:

• Are currently in high school and will graduate (or earn a GED); or
• Have graduated from high school (or earned a GED) but have not enrolled in college coursework after graduation, except for the summer immediately following graduation.

Students who earned college credit while in high school (dual enrollment or advanced standing) are still considered first-time freshmen.

CSU GPA Calculator

Read each option carefully and only select those that apply specifically to you.

• Incoming transfer students are defined as undergraduate students in their first
  year at SDSU who previously started their college academic journey at a different
  higher education institution, completed 60 or more transferable semester units,
  and then transferred to SDSU to complete their degree.
• Read the community college campus options carefully and only select the option that applies specifically to you.

• Incoming graduate students are individuals admitted to a program of study leading to an advanced degree, such as a master's or doctoral degree.
• Do not answer “Yes” if you are an incoming post baccalaureate student who is in your first year pursuing a credential, advanced certificate, or second bachelor’s degree in nursing, and who has already completed an undergraduate degree.

• If you are currently employed at least 20 hours per week and your position is expected to continue through the upcoming academic year, answer “Yes.”
• Read additional options carefully and only select those that apply to your current or recent employment status.

• Include up to five activities from the past three years only.
  • Focus on activities that are related to your major.
  • If you have activities that are not related to your major but are still important, highlight the transferable skills you learned such as teamwork, communication, technology adaptability, etc.
• Provide the accurate number of hours per week and explain the focus of the organization and your duties.
• Provide accurate start and end dates. If you are still participating, enter “Present” for the End Date.

• Do not rush; give yourself time to develop your responses. The responses to these prompts will likely serve as the deciding factor when comparing equally accomplished and deserving applicants.
• This is your opportunity to help committee members learn more about you, what makes you unique, and why they should select you as the recipient.
• Our committee members include faculty and staff closely connected to the scholarship, and they will serve as your audience.
• Don’t rely on artificial intelligence (AI) to respond. By responding in your voice, you are able to create a connection between you and the reader.
  • It is very apparent when students use artificial intelligence to respond to the prompts on the general application. Don’t be tempted to rely on AI to answer on your behalf.
• Scholarship committees don’t expect you to be perfect. They like to see how you’ve grown as a person or handled the obstacles that life has thrown your way.
• Complete your responses in a word processing application or Google doc first and then copy and paste the responses into Aztec Scholarships.
  • Question #1: Describe why you chose your major and how your education will further your long-term goals.
    
    • Be specific. Explain how your major aligns with your career goals, and share specific experiences, interests, or mentors that sparked your enthusiasm for the field, demonstrating a deep understanding and commitment to your chosen path. 
    • If you are undeclared, it is perfectly fine to say just that. Since you don’t have a major to write about, you can discuss your interests in two or three potential majors. You can explain how these interests developed, and what experience, if any, you have with them already. You can also explain how these areas are related, and, if applicable, how your potential majors will prepare you for a career. Again, you don’t need to have a specific plan, but provide some general ideas of what you’d like to do professionally. 
  • Question #2: How will a scholarship help you plan for your future?
    
    • Be specific about impact. Clearly explain how the scholarship will directly support your academic and career plans (for example, reducing work hours, enabling you to pursue research or an internship, or covering professional development expenses). Use concrete examples and focus on measurable outcomes rather than general statements.
    • Focus on opportunity and future goals. Describe what this scholarship will enable you to do and how it will help you take concrete steps toward your long-term aspirations.
    • Be clear and forward-looking. Emphasize your plans and next steps rather than only your current financial situation, and use the 250-word limit to provide concise, meaningful details.
  • Question #3: Provide additional information about your background, experiences, or circumstances that you would like the selection committees to consider.
    
    • Add context, not repetition. Use this space to share information that is not already clear elsewhere in your application, such as personal background, challenges, responsibilities, or experiences that shaped your academic journey.
      
      
    • Highlight what has influenced your path. Consider discussing circumstances, obstacles, cultural or family experiences, leadership roles, or significant responsibilities that have impacted your education or goals.
    • Be thoughtful and purposeful. Share details that help the committee better understand your perspective, resilience, or commitment. Focus on meaningful insight rather than listing additional activities.

• Alternate Email Address: please list an alternative to your SDSU email address should we need to contact you regarding application or awarding matters.
• Opt-In/Out of Texting: We strongly encourage you to remain opted in to receive text messages. Text messages may be used for important Aztec Scholarships-related communications, such as notifying you about a scholarship offer sent by email, post-acceptance steps, or other time-sensitive matters. We do not use text messaging for general or promotional purposes.
• FAFSA/California Dream Act Data: indicate your understanding that Aztec Scholarships collects and uses your filing status, Student Aid Index (SAI), and calculated financial need data to determine your eligibility for scholarships that require recipients to have financial need.
• Scholarship Requirements: if offered and awarded a scholarship, it is vital that you understand the requirements of the scholarship so that you maintain eligibility throughout the award year. If you fail to meet all requirements in a given term, you will lose scholarship eligibility and your scholarship may be canceled. Please review our Application and Awarding Policies for further information.
• Thank You Note Policy: if offered a scholarship, you must submit a thank you note electronically in Aztec Scholarships within 14 calendar days of the date the email was sent to you at your SDSU email address. Indicate your understanding of this policy.
• Certification/Release Statement: affirm all points and digitally sign and date your application.