Graduate Opportunities and Financial Resources

Deadline to apply for Academic Year 2025-2026 awards: May 1, 2025.  

The Graduate Equity Fellowship Program seeks to increase the diversity of students completing grad­uate degree programs at Cal State East Bay, encourages continuation towards doctoral programs, and promotes consideration of university faculty careers. It provides fellowships for Cal State East Bay students with educationally or economically disadvantaged backgrounds who have had success in overcoming these disadvantages. Graduate Equity Fellowships are grants ranging from $500 up to $2000 per year.

Program Eligibility:

To apply for a Graduate Equity Fellowship, you must: 

• Be considered a resident of the State of California for tuition purposes;
• Have maintained a GPA of 2.70 in all undergraduate work, and 3.25 in all graduate work;
  • Students with undergraduate GPAs between 2.5 and 2.7 who have experienced extenuating circumstances may also apply. In this case, an additional statement describing the extenuating circumstances must be submitted with the application.
• Be admitted to Cal State East Bay and to a state-supported master's program as a classified or conditionally classified student;
• Have completed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) and have financial need of at least $1,000;
• Be eligible for financial aid, as determined by the CSUEB Office of Student Financial Aid.  Individuals holding student visas, H-1B, or H-4 visas are not eligible;
• Enroll in and complete a minimum of 8 units per semester applicable to the master’s degree during the academic year of your award, with graduation planned no earlier than Spring semester of that year;
  • Note: Students who have applied for graduation effective Spring semester of the award year and have only 6 units left to complete in their degree programs will be held to a 6 unit minimum in Spring semester rather than the 8-unit requirement.
• Demonstrate potential to succeed in graduate school and to complete a graduate degree program in no more than two years as evidenced by undergraduate coursework and letters of recommendation; and
• Have not received more than one previous Graduate Equity Fellowship.

To apply for the Graduate Equity Fellowship, please submit the following:

• A completed ‘Graduate Equity Fellowship’ application form.
• Official transcripts – Unofficial CSUEB transcripts are acceptable. If you are already enrolled in a CSUEB graduate program, please provide your CSUEB graduate school transcripts only. If you have not yet enrolled in a CSUEB program, please provide a transcript from the university where you received your undergraduate degree (community college transcripts do not need to be submitted).
• Two recommendation forms, at least one from a faculty member, must be emailed directly to gradstudies@csueastbay.edu with the subject line of “GEF Recommendation: Student’s Name”.
• A statement of purpose – a two page, typed and double-spaced, explanation of the following:

~ New Applicants: Describe your academic, and personal background and educational and/or professional achievements; how this fellowship will help you achieve your career/professional goals, including a university faculty career, if applicable; and a discussion of any educational disadvantages you have overcome.

~ Renewal Applicants: Describe your academic achievements during the first year that you received the award. How has the fellowship enhanced your current educational experience and how a renewal will help you achieve your career/professional goals? 

Note: All materials must be emailed to gradstudies@csueastbay.edu by the application deadline. Incomplete, late or partial applications are not acceptable. All awards are subject to availability of funds. Questions should be directed to The Office of Graduate Studies.

Note: Awardees who do not enroll in the required minimum 8 units for an award semester will not receive the award funds for that semester.  Awardees who receive funds in Fall semester but do not complete the required minimum 8 units or do not maintain a 3.0 GPA will not receive award funds for the following semester.  Finally, the Office of Financial Aid verifies the $1000 need requirement at the time of award disbursement.  If an awardee secures additional scholarships or awards which are not need-based, resulting in less than $1000 of need, then the GEF award will be rescinded.

Printable Forms:

• Instruction Sheet
• Application Form
• Recommendation Form

Two information sessions will be held.  You may attend both either in-person in VBT 137 or via Zoom.

Tuesday November 5th, 2024 from 11:30 am-1:00 pm, VBT 137 or Zoom link

Wednesday November 20th, 2024 from 4:00-5:30 pm, VBT 137 or Zoom link

Download Information session slides

Resources:

The links below provide guidance to help you write a compelling and professional letter for your application.

https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/how-to-write-scholarship-application-letter

https://grantme.ca/how-to-write-an-essay-for-scholarships-in-5-steps/

Applications will be available on the Chancellor's Office site in November.  

The application deadline is not yet set, but was February 16th in 2024. 

The Office of Graduate Studies strongly suggests that you submit your documents to gradstudies@csueastbay.edu by January 26th, 2025 so that we can review them and help you build the best application.

California Pre-Doctoral Scholars receive $5,000 which may be used to:

• attend or present research at professional conferences,
• visit doctoral-granting institutions in the U.S.,
• pay for graduate school application fees, the GRE, or GMAT preparation.

In addition, many Pre-Doctoral Scholars will be eligible to apply for:

• a fully-funded summer research experience with a faculty member in his or her discipline at a Ph.D.-granting university in the U.S.

The California Pre-Doctoral Program, jointly developed by the California State University and the University of California, seeks to increase the pool of potential California State University faculty by supporting the doctoral aspirations of economically and educationally disadvantaged students.  This program provides students with $5,000 to explore and prepare to succeed in doctoral studies through faculty mentoring, scholarly and research opportunities, travel to visit doctoral-granting institutions, membership in professional associations, and attendance at professional conferences. 

More information about this program is available on the CSU Chancellors Office website. You may see a list of past year's winners in the Directory of Pre-Doc Awardees.

Two information sessions will be held.  You may attend both either in-person in VBT 137 or via Zoom.

Tuesday November 5th, 2024 from 11:30 am-1:00 pm, VBT 137 or Zoom link

Wednesday November 20th, 2024 from 4:00-5:30 pm, VBT 137 or Zoom link

Download Information Session Slides

Download Pre-Doctoral Program Application 

Here is a Word version of last year's application that you can use to fill out and email to the Grad Studies office.  We wil post this year's when available.  Your mentor can pull the recommendation letter format out as well.   Word version.

Program Eligibility

CSU juniors, seniors, or graduate students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents are eligible to apply. You must be enrolled at CSUEB in Spring 2025, and also be enrolled for at least one semester of the academic year 2025-2026.

Applicants will be selected on the basis of three major criteria: the potential for success in completing a doctoral program, probable effectiveness of the student/faculty plan, and level of economic and educational disadvantage. Applicants work with a faculty sponsor to develop an overall plan, which will ultimately lead to enrollment in graduate school. The program provides an opportunity for summer research experience and funds for travel and other related activities.

Application Process

To prepare an application to the California Pre-Doctoral Program, you will need to:

1. Seek a CSUEB faculty sponsor.
2. In collaboration with your faculty sponsor, develop a 'Faculty Sponsor/Student Plan' for the funded activities you will engage in to prepare for entering a doctoral program.
3. Complete and submit the 2025-26 Sally Casanova Scholarship application.

Completed applications will be composed of the application, three essay questions, transcripts, budget, and faculty letter of recommendation (all submitted online).

Appointments are available for faculty and students with questions about the program. Please contact the Graduate Studies Office via email at gradstudies@csueastbay.edu if you have any questions or to schedule an appointment.  Students interested in applying should make an appointment to review their application prior to submission.

All materials must be submitted by the Chancellor Office application deadline (likely mid-February 2025).  Your application will be reviewed, and feedback provided.

Health Professions Track of the California Pre-Doctoral Program

Applications will be available on the Chancellor’s Office website in December, with the deadline for submission likely set in the first two weeks of February.  Although part of the California Pre-Doctoral Program, the Health Professions Track (HPT) differs in its focus, and follows a separate application and review process. The HPT is designed for students interested in obtaining health professional doctorates with an explicit research component. Students interested in obtaining strictly clinical or practitioner degrees (doctorates in law, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, clinical psychology, for example) are not eligible. The HPT aims to increase the number of students from the CSU’s diverse undergraduate and graduate populations who pursue health professional doctoral degrees in the California State University and University of California systems, including PhDs, DrPHs, DNPs, DSWs, and AudDs. The HPT participates in joint programming with the California Pre-Doctoral Program, while maintaining distinct elements tailored for future health professionals for whom research will play a central role in their careers..

The HPT anticipates awarding funds to approximately ten juniors, seniors, and master’s degree students in the California State University (CSU). These funds will support students as they explore and prepare to succeed in doctoral programs in the  health professions, including public health, kinesiology, social work, human development (with an emphasis on health), health/social psychology, speech/language/hearing sciences, and nursing. Awards are based on competitive review of applications from current upper-division or master’s students who, in the judgment of the review panel, demonstrate academic excellence while having experienced economic or educational disadvantage, and have strong interest in pursuing research-oriented careers in the health professions. Professional interests or career goals in health may include (but are not limited to):

• Becoming a faculty member at a CSU or other public institution of higher education in California
• Improving health care service delivery or public health systems in a leadership role
• Influencing policies, programs, and practices through evidence-based approaches in an expert capacity
  

The HPT welcomes applications from matriculated CSU students committed to health equity and creating a health workforce that is reflective of and responsive to California’s diverse communities.

Sally Casanova Health Professions Scholars will receive a $5,000 scholarship, administered through the Office of Financial Aid of the CSU campus in which the student is enrolled in Fall 2025. This award can be used to fund: 

• Travel for the student to visit U.S. health professional doctoral-granting institutions and/or to attend professional meetings appropriate to the student's development
• Academic and Professional Development, such as fees for student membership in professional associations, subscriptions to academic journals, preparatory classes for and fees associated with standardized tests (e.g., GRE), and cost of materials to support scholarly projects.

Health Professions Scholars will be eligible to submit an application for the following:

• A Summer Research Experience opportunity in an academic institution which confers health professional doctorates, fully funded by the California Pre-Doctoral Program, so that the Scholar can participate in doctoral-level research prior to applying to an appropriate doctoral program in the health professions.
  

Eligibility

All CSU upper-division undergraduate and master’s students, with the exception of international students, are eligible to apply. Current or previous Pre-Doctoral Scholars are not eligible to re-apply. Applicants to the HPT must be matriculated upper-division or master's degree students who are currently seeking a degree at a CSU campus, and will be enrolled at the campus for at least the fall term of the 2025-26 academic year. Each applicant must have a faculty mentor from the student’s home CSU campus who will be available for the duration of the plan specified in the application.

Applicants will be selected on the basis of three major criteria: potential for successful application to and completion of a health professional doctoral program, probable effectiveness of the Collaborative Mentorship Plan, and level of economic and educational disadvantage.

Application Process

The online application will be available on the website for the California Pre-Doctoral Program. Key components of the application will include: 

• Three essays
• Collaborative Research Plan
• Budget Plan
• Academic Transcripts
• Letter of recommendation from CSU Faculty Mentor

It is important that students develop an authentic relationship with a Faculty Mentor who is familiar with their personal values and professional aspirations. Successful applicants will demonstrate that their Faculty Mentor is demonstrably committed to provide dedicated mentorship for professional development and exposure to key research experiences.

The prior year’s application can be found here.

Questions & Assistance

Application Deadline: Dates are not yet set by the Chancellor's Office.  Last year, applications opened in January, and the deadline for submission was March 15th.

The Office of Graduate Studies strongly suggests that you submit your documents to gradstudies@csueastbay.edu by February 15th, 2025 so that we can review them and help you build the best application.

Through the Chancellor's Doctoral Incentive Program (CDIP), the California State University (CSU) provides financial assistance in the form of a student loan to a limited number of individuals pursuing doctoral degrees. The program seeks to provide loans to doctoral students who are interested in applying and competing for CSU instructional faculty positions after completion of the doctoral degree. The program is designed to increase the diversity of persons qualified to fill instructional faculty position in the CSU.

The Chancellor's Doctoral Incentive Program is being modified this year to provide awardees with a number of grant opportunities:

• A $5,000 dissertation fellowship to help pay tuition, living expenses, etc.
• $2,500 grants to support research efforts.
• $1,500 grants up to two times a year for conference travel for CDIP fellow and mentor.
• An optional forgivable loan program.

Applicants are not required to be accepted into a doctoral program at the time of applying but must enroll in Fall 2025 to receive the award.

Information and Application

Detailed information about the CDIP program and applications are available on the CSU Chancellor's Office CDIP website.  You may see a list of past year's winners in the Directory of CDIP Awardees.You can also attend our information sessions to learn more.

Two information sessions will be held.  You may attend both either in-person in VBT 137 or via Zoom.

Tuesday November 5th, 2024 from 11:30 am-1:00 pm, VBT 137 or Zoom link

Wednesday November 20th, 2024 from 4:00-5:30 pm, VBT 137 or Zoom link

Download Information Session Slides

Appointments are available for faculty and students with questions about the program. Please contact the Office of Graduate Studies at gradstudies@csueastbay.edu to schedule an appointment.

A CSU Student Research Competition is held each year, typically in April. 

This system-wide competition showcases the innovative research and creative activities of CSU undergraduate and graduate students in the full range of academic programs offered by the CSU. Student participants make oral presentations before juries of professional experts from major corporations, foundations, public agencies, colleges and universities of California.

The competition is held annually to promote excellence in undergraduate and graduate scholarly research and creative activity. It recognizes outstanding student accomplishments from throughout the twenty-three campuses of the California State University.

Interested in entering the competition? You can read more about it here! 

The OSCAR (formerly Center for Student Research) Scholars’ Program offers Scholar development workshops and supports faculty-mentored research and creative activities. These types of activities are known to give students more frequent and more individual attention and feedback from CSUEB professors, which can result in increased academic success. The OSCAR also awards tuition scholarships to Scholars who attend OSCAR development workshops, as well as grant opportunities to receive funding for travel and supplies. OSCAR Scholars are freshmen through seniors as well as graduate students who vary in GPA, major, race and ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and educational experience. The OSCAR is looking for students who are passionate about their future. Check out the CSR website or follow them on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook (@csrcsueb) for more info to apply.

Description

The Golden State Teacher Grant Program (GSTG) encourages students to consider earning a teaching credential and teach in a high-need field, at a priority school, in California for four years, within five years after completing a teacher preparation program. The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) will award one-time Golden State Teacher Grant funds of up to $20,000 to over 4,400 eligible students across California, that are enrolled in a Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) approved teacher preparation program within a California institution of higher education on or after January 1, 2020. Applicants must agree to all terms and conditions of the GSTG program or be required to repay the grant.  The state is now taking applications.

More information is available here: https://www.csac.ca.gov/golden-state-teacher-grant-program

Cal-Bridge creates opportunities for historically underrepresented groups, including women, underrepresented minorities (URMs), members of the LGBTQ+ community, those with disabilities, and first generation students, to participate and advance in STEM fields including physics, astronomy, computer science, and computer engineering, to increase their numbers in PhD programs targeting our UC and other partner institutions.

To be eligible for the Cal-Bridge program, an applicant must be:

• At least 18 years of age by the beginning of the program.
• For the main Cal-Bridge program, be enrolled in a CSU campus, majoring in physics, astronomy, computer science/computer engineering, or mathematics, and able to graduate within two years of enrolling in the program; community college students in the process of transferring to a 4-year institution are eligible to apply.
• For Cal-Bridge Summer, enrolled in either a CSU or a California community college.

More information and application materials are available here:
https://www.cpp.edu/calbridge/index.shtml

The Office of Financial Aid coordinates several programs which support graduate students including State University Grants and Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grants.  Please read more about them here:

https://www.csueastbay.edu/financialaid/types-of-aid/grants.html

The CSU also provides grants for students in particular doctoral programs.   Please read more about these grants here:

https://www2.calstate.edu/attend/paying-for-college/financial-aid/types/Pages/doctoral-grants.aspx