USU Scholarships

The USU Board of Directors (BOD) Debra L. Hammond Servant Leadership Scholarship was created in 2022 to support the USU Board of Directors’ mission of creating more financial opportunities for CSUN students. The scholarship is meant to identify students who demonstrate campus leadership, community service, academic excellence and alignment with the USU mission statement and values. The recipient of the award should demonstrate a commitment to servant leadership. A servant leader is an individual whose leadership style prioritizes serving the greater good and the community. For the purpose of this award, a servant leader should demonstrate how they prioritize supporting the needs of the CSUN students and the campus community. After receiving the award, the scholarship recipient will agree to attend a Board of Directors meeting during the fall semester. They will be asked to provide a presentation outlining their leadership journey, their campus involvement, and their service to the community.

• One letter of recommendation from faculty, staff, peers, and/or community members will be submitted on my behalf via the myMatador Scholarship portal. Reference letters must attest to your leadership skills, campus involvement, academic excellence, and servant leadership.
• Continuing Undergraduate students must enroll in 6 units or more during the fall & spring terms.
• Continuing Graduate students must enroll in 4 units or more during the fall & spring terms.
• Must have a GPA greater than or equal to a 2.0.
• Must submit a resume that outlines professional, academic, community service, and leadership experience.
• Selected recipients must submit a thank you letter. In addition, the scholarship recipient will agree to attend a Board of Directors meeting during the fall semester. They will provide a presentation outlining their leadership journey, campus involvement, and their service to the community.
• Complete the scholarship application online.  

Important note:
If you are receiving Financial Aid (including loans), your financial aid award(s) may be adjusted if you receive a scholarship amount that exceeds your financial aid total limit. Speak to a financial aid counselor during walk-in hours to get a detailed overview about your individual situation.

The DREAM Center of the University Student Union at CSUN is a welcoming resource center that provides resources and services to undocumented students, mixed status families, staff, faculty, allies and future undocumented students while fostering a more inclusive campus community. DREAM stands for Dreamers, Resources, Empowerment, Advocacy and Mentorship. 

• One letter of recommendation from faculty, staff, peer, or community member will be submitted on your behalf via the myMatador Scholarship portal. The reference letter must attest to your leadership and advocacy in support of the undocumented community. 
• Undergraduate students must enroll in 6 units or more during the fall & spring terms.
• Graduate students must enroll in 4 units or more during the fall & spring terms.
• Must have a GPA greater than or equal to 2.0.
• Must submit a resume that outlines professional, academic, community service, and leadership experience.
• Selected recipients must submit a thank you letter to the University Student Union Board of Directors.
• Complete the scholarship application online.  

Important note:
If you are receiving Financial Aid (including loans), your financial aid award(s) may be adjusted if you receive a scholarship amount that exceeds your financial aid total limit. Speak to a financial aid counselor during walk-in hours to get a detailed overview of your individual situation.

The Pride Center of the University Student Union supports lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex and asexual (LGBTQIA+) students, faculty and staff through programming and educational outreach to improve the campus climate for LGBTQIA+ individuals as well as advocate for the respect and safety of all members of the campus community. 

• One letter of recommendation from faculty, staff, peer, or community member will be submitted on your behalf via the myMatador Scholarship portal. The reference letter must attest to your leadership and advocacy in support of the LGBTQIA+ community. 
• Undergraduate students must enroll in 6 units or more during the fall & spring terms.
• Graduate students must enroll in 4 units or more during the fall & spring terms.
• Must have a GPA greater than or equal to 2.0.
• Must submit a resume that outlines professional, academic, community service, and leadership experience.
• Selected recipients must submit a thank you letter to the University Student Union Board of Directors.
• Complete the scholarship application online.  

Important note:
If you are receiving Financial Aid (including loans), your financial aid award(s) may be adjusted if you receive a scholarship amount that exceeds your financial aid total limit. Speak to a financial aid counselor during walk-in hours to get a detailed overview of your individual situation.

The Veterans Resource Center (VRC) of the University Student Union assists CSUN students as they transition from military service to academic success. The VRC promotes the academic, personal and professional development of student veterans, reservists, members of the National Guard and their dependents through supportive services, resources and community building events. 

• One letter of recommendation from faculty, staff, peer, or community member will be submitted on your behalf via the myMatador Scholarship portal. The reference letter must attest to your leadership and advocacy in support of the veteran community. 
• Undergraduate students must enroll in 6 units or more during the fall & spring terms.
• Graduate students must enroll in 4 units or more during the fall & spring terms.
• Must have a GPA greater than or equal to 2.0.
• Must submit a resume that outlines professional, academic, community service, and leadership experience.
• Selected recipients must submit a thank you letter to the University Student Union Board of Directors.
• Complete the scholarship application online. 

Important note:
If you are receiving Financial Aid (including loans), your financial aid award(s) may be adjusted if you receive a scholarship amount that exceeds your financial aid total limit. Speak to a financial aid counselor during walk-in hours to get a detailed overview of your individual situation.

Taniella “Tanni” Block was an extraordinary womyn who showed true passion to the commitment for change. Tanni arrived at California State University, Northridge in 2007 and began a mission to encourage community, enable peer support and create safe spaces. Tanni found strength through her siblings while attending CSUN, and utilized the EOP Program and the various clubs and organizations on campus she so quickly grew to love. 

Tanni served with LGBTQA (the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer Alliance) as Events Coordinator. She also worked with Queer Ambassadors and CSUN V-Day, attended rallies and volunteered with various other organizations on campus and in the community. Her voice played a vital role in creating the first permanent Pride Center at CSUN, dedicated to providing support and increasing services for LGBTQIA+ students. 

Tanni’s bright smile brought empowerment, joy and comfort to all who knew her. She brought strangers together and worked to unite communities through their differences. With an intersectional identity as a black pansexual womyn, Tanni’s motivational and organizational skills joined with her creative musical ability to raise awareness of unprivileged and marginalized communities and to help other students navigate difficult social landscapes. Tanni was a powerful advocate, activist and ally for CSUN and for all LGBTQIA+ students.

Tanni Block passed away in May of 2012, just before the opening of the Pride Center, leaving behind a legacy of work and a legion of people who will always remember her strong spirit.

• Open to both undergraduate and graduate students.
• International and undocumented students are eligible to apply.
• Undergraduate students must enroll in 6 units or more during the fall & spring terms.
• Graduate students must enroll in 4 units or more during the fall & spring terms.
• Must have a GPA greater than or equal to a 2.0.
• Must submit a resume that outlines professional, academic, community, and /or leadership experience.
• Two letters of recommendation from faculty, staff, peers, and/or community members will be submitted on my behalf via the myMatador Scholarships portal. Recommendations letters must attest to your advocacy and involvement with LGBTQIA+ communities on campus.
• Selected recipient/s must submit a thank you letter.
• Complete the scholarship application online.