CSU Trustees' Award for Outstanding Achievement

2026-2027 Academic Year Award

The Hearst Foundations established an endowed scholarship fund in 1984 to honor William Randolph Hearst, founder of the Hearst newspaper chain. In 1999, the Foundation partnered with the CSU Board of Trustees to create the CSU Trustees’ Award for Outstanding Achievement. Contributions from CSU Trustees and private donors increase the value and number of available awards.

The CSU Trustees’ Awards recognize students who have overcome adversity, demonstrated financial need, and exhibit attributes of merit, including superior academic performance, significant personal achievements, and exemplary community service.

Selection Process:

This scholarship is a systemwide competition across all 22 CSU campuses. CSUN will nominate one student and one alternate to the CSU Foundation in accordance with systemwide guidelines. The campus nominee will receive a $7,000 award. All 22 campus nominees are then reviewed by the CSU Foundation selection committee and may be considered for higher-level systemwide awards listed below:

The top recipient is designated the Trustee Emeritus Ali C. Razi Scholar and will receive a $20,000 scholarship.

Additional Named Awards May Include:

Reed Scholarship ($15,000)

Stauffer Foundation Scholarship ($15,000)

Hampton Scholarship ($12,000)

Barhorst Scholarship ($12,000)

Galinson Scholarship ($10,000)

Award Amount:

Twenty-two (22) scholarships will be awarded across the 22 CSU campuses. Most campus-level awards are $7,000, with select recipients advancing to higher-value systemwide awards.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Demonstrate superior academic performance with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and be in good academic standing.
• Open to both undergraduate and graduate students.
• Open to all majors.
• Demonstrate financial need as determined by a completed FAFSA or CADAA.
• Request two letters of reference from individuals who can attest to the candidate’s academic performance, personal strengths, and potential for success. One letter must be from an academic instructor.
• Submit all required personal statement prompts.
• Recipients will be invited to attend the CSU Board of Trustees Awards Presentation in September. Transportation expenses will be covered by the CSU Foundation.
• Be enrolled as a full-time equivalent student — undergraduate (12 units) or graduate (8 units) — and remain full time during the award year.
  
  Any change to enrollment status resulting in less than full-time enrollment during any term of the award year will result in cancellation of the award.

Please note: Any change to your enrollment status resulting in less than required enrollment for any term within the award year will result in a cancellation of your award. 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.

For more information on this and other CSU Systemwide scholarships, please visit
https://www.csun.edu/financialaid/csu-foundation