Northridge Scholarship Program Pre-Application Information

• $5,000 scholarship for 10 first-time freshmen in the GE Honors Program.
• Renewable for a second year if GPA, program participation, and enrollment requirements are met.

• Be admitted to CSUN as a first-time freshman
• Apply to and be accepted into the GE Honors Program by June 30
• Have a high school GPA of 3.75 or higher
• Submit the FAFSA or CADAA by the March 2 priority deadline

• Maintain a minimum 3.5 CSUN GPA
• Maintain full-time enrollment each term
• Complete four GE Honors courses before the end of the second year

• $7,500 Scholarship
• 25% textbook discount at the Matador Bookstore
• Priority Registration for applicants who submit the completed application by March 2
  • Selected scholarship recipients will also receive priority registration for the Spring term
• Renewal Opportunity: Apply for a one-time renewal by detailing a new or expanded project

• Must be a full-time undergraduate student (12+ units) for Fall and Spring terms of the award year
• Must complete at least 24 CSUN units by the end of the Spring term of the application year
• Must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 during the award year
• Must participate in at least 3 scholarly activities per term
• Must attend the Advancement to Graduate Education (AGE) Conference
• This is a merit-based scholarship; financial need is not required
• International students are eligible to apply
• Ineligible Applicants include:
  • Second bachelor’s degree students
  • Graduate students
  • Credential students
  • Students enrolled through Tseng College
  • Students graduating in the Fall term of the award year

1. Submit Application: Apply online via the myMatador Scholarships portal (complete the General Application first).
2. Recommendation Letter: Request a letter from a CSUN faculty member via the myMatador Scholarships portal.
3. Degree Progress Report (DPR): Submit via the myMatador Scholarships portal.
4. Academic Plan: Submit a detailed academic plan signed by your academic department advisor.
5. Essay Responses: Submit responses highlighting your strengths, experiences, and goals.

Essays are crucial to the application, focusing on your goals, scholarly development, and plans for the award year. Essays should: 

• Be clear, specific, and well-structured
• Provide detailed examples
• Avoid generalizations
• Be carefully proofread 

Essay Prompts:

1. Describe your academic and career goals, and how CSUN will guide your future.
2. Discuss your scholarly development and activities (on or off campus).
3. Explain the scholarly activities you plan to pursue with the University Scholarship (e.g., internships, research, leadership roles). 

Tips for Essays

• Stick to the prompt and answer all parts
• Use vivid examples to illustrate your experiences
• Leave time for revisions and proofreading 

• Letters must come from CSUN faculty members who can speak to your academic strengths, goals, and involvement.
• Professors, academic advisors, and faculty mentors are appropriate recommenders; family members and friends are not.
• Provide your recommender with a resume or CV to assist them in writing a strong letter.

University Scholars are expected to:

• Engage in scholarly activities such as internships, research, or community-based projects
• Participate in at least three scholarly activities per term and submit written reflections
• Develop and maintain a mentor/mentee relationship with a faculty member
• Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.25 each semester
• Submit a progress report at the end of the Fall term
• Attend the Northridge Scholars Program Reception (TBD)
• Attend the Advancement to Graduate Education (AGE) Conference (required)

• $10,000 Scholarship
• 25% textbook discount at the Matador Bookstore
• Priority Registration for applicants who submit the completed application by March 2
  • Selected scholarship recipients will also receive priority registration for the Spring term
• Reception and networking with administrators and fellow scholars
• Renewal Opportunity: Apply for a one-time renewal by detailing a new or expanded project

• Must be a full-time undergraduate student (12+ units) during the Fall and Spring terms of the award year
• Continuing students must complete at least 60 units by the end of the Spring term of the application year
• Transfer students must complete at least 24 units at CSUN by the end of the Spring term of the application year and have a minimum of 60 total transferable units
• Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50 and maintain this GPA during the award year
• Must commit to presenting the project or research at CSUNposium or a professional conference during the Spring term of the award year
• This is a merit-based scholarship; financial need is not required
• International students are eligible to apply
• Ineligible Applicants include:
  • Second bachelor’s degree students
  • Graduate students
  • Credential students
  • Students enrolled through Tseng College
  • Students graduating in the Fall term of the award year

Second bachelor degree students, graduate students, credential students, students enrolled through Tseng College and those graduating in the Fall 2022 term are not eligible to apply.

If selected for this award, enrollment will be verified over the summer before the award year. Enrollment changes will result in forfeiture of the award.

1. Submit Application: Apply online via the myMatador Scholarships portal (complete the General Application first).
2. Scholarship Essay: Submit an essay detailing your proposed project, including its purpose, goals, and anticipated outcomes.
3. Faculty Mentor Statement: Enter the name and email address of your Faculty Mentor within the application. Once saved, the system will generate an email prompting your mentor to submit a statement describing your project and their level of involvement. The mentor must log in to the scholarship portal to complete this requirement.
4. Degree Progress Report (DPR): Submit via the myMatador Scholarships portal.
5. Academic Plan: Submit a detailed academic plan signed by your academic department advisor.
6. Gantt Chart: Submit a Gantt chart outlining your project benchmarks, timeline, completion dates, and assessment methods. Click here to view a sample Gantt chart.

Your Faculty Mentor must be a full-time CSUN faculty member whose scholarly interests align with your proposed project and who is willing to mentor you throughout the award year. Mentors will also be invited to attend the Presidential Scholarship Exhibit, where you will present your project.

This scholarship does not require a traditional recommendation letter. Instead, your Faculty Mentor will complete a mentor statement through the scholarship portal addressing:

• How long and in what capacity they have known you
• Your academic preparation and ability to complete the proposed project
• How the project reflects your original work
• How they will mentor and supervise you
• How the project supports your academic and career goals

You will enter your mentor’s name and email in the application, and the system will notify them to complete their portion.

Choosing a Faculty Mentor

• Select a full-time faculty member whose courses you have taken or whose research interests align with your proposed project.
• Meet with the faculty member to discuss your project idea and confirm their ability to commit to mentoring you throughout the award year.
• Provide a résumé or CV to help them understand your background, experience, and goals.

Faculty Mentor Guidelines (For Reference)

Faculty may mentor only one Presidential Scholar per academic year. The student’s project must be independent of the mentor’s ongoing research, though it may be related.

Mentors and scholars should develop a clear plan outlining meeting frequency, supervision, expectations, and learning outcomes. The quality of mentorship plays a significant role in the student’s scholarly experience and success.

This section is your opportunity to demonstrate why you should be selected as a Presidential Scholar. Reviewers will evaluate your project’s purpose, significance, feasibility, and expected outcomes, as well as your academic and extracurricular preparation to complete the work.

Your project must be original and feasible within one academic year.

Essay Prompts

1. Purpose & Significance (150 words)
   What is the purpose of your project? Why is it significant or meaningful?
2. Project Description & Methods (500 words)
   Describe your project in detail, including the methods, techniques, or approach you will use.
3. Expected Outcomes (250 words)
   What do you expect to produce, discover, or accomplish?
4. Impact (150 words)
   How will this project benefit your professional development, the campus/community, or society more broadly?

Preparation & Mentorship
Describe your relevant academic and extracurricular experience and explain how your mentor will support your project.

Writing Tips

• Ensure your project is realistic and achievable within one year.
• Clearly explain your timeline and viability.
• Be specific – avoid general statements.
• Write for an educated but non-specialist audience.

Proofread carefully before submitting.

Gantt Chart Requirement

You must submit a Gantt chart outlining your project timeline, major tasks, and benchmarks. Reviewers will evaluate whether your timeline is detailed, realistic, and achievable within the award year.

The Presidential Scholarship is a significant commitment. Students who are selected must:

• Work closely with their Faculty Mentor throughout the duration of the scholarship
• Maintain a minimum 3.50 GPA each semester
• Attend the Northridge Scholars Program Reception
• Submit a complete progress report at the end of the Fall semester
• Develop, complete, and present their original project at the Annual Presidential Scholarship Exhibit held at the end of the Spring semester (April/early May)
• Present their research or project at CSUNposium or a similar professional conference by the end of the Spring semester
• Attend the Advancement to Graduate Education (AGE) Conference or a similar Graduate Studies event (strongly encouraged)

Below are brief examples of past Presidential Scholar projects to illustrate scope, originality, and feasibility within one academic year. Your project does not need to mirror these examples, but should demonstrate similar clarity, independence, and impact.

Public Health/Social Science
Conduct a mixed-method (quantitative and qualitative) study examining risk and protective factors affecting the mental health and well-being of undocumented university students, with comparative analysis to documented students.

STEM/Environmental Science
Investigate the environmental distribution of carbapenem-resistant bacteria (CRB) and identify resistance genes to better understand and help prevent potential antibiotic-resistant outbreaks.

Arts/Film
Produce a short film focused on aging and fall prevention, designed to increase empathy toward older adults and reduce ageism among college students.

Applied/Community Engagement
Develop a community-based music program providing free, high-quality individual singing lessons to elementary and secondary students in the San Fernando Valley.