Office of the President, CSU, Chico
Office of the President
President's Scholars Program
- The Program
- How to Compete for a Scholarship
- President's Scholars Competition Day
- The Awards
- Benefits of Being a President's Scholar
- More Information
- 2007 Winners
- Other Scholarships
The Program
The President's Scholars Program was launched in September 1995 as a commitment to academic excellence.
This year, ten scholarships of $12,000 each ($3,000 per year for four years) will be awarded to freshmen with superior academic accomplishment in high school who enter the University in the fall 2008 semester. In addition to the $12,000 scholarships, a substantial number of $1,000 scholarships will be awarded. Recipients of the scholarships will be determined by results of competitive examinations taken at the CSU, Chico campus on Saturday, February 28, 2009. Student involvement in extracurricular activities and a personal statement will also be considered.
How to Compete for a Scholarship
Eligible students will be invited to compete for the prestigious $12,000 and $1,000 President's Scholarships. To qualify for an invitation and to participate in the competition, students must
- Apply for admission to CSU, Chico, during the months of October or November 2008
- Meet the university's admissions requirements
- Have either a GPA of 3.7 in high school or
- GPA of 3.5 in high school with a 1200 total SAT I test score (math and verbal only) or a 27 composite ACT score
- Complete a form (that will be sent out with the invitation) indicating high school activities, achievements, and volunteer and community work
- Complete a written essay
- Attend the President's Scholars Competition Day on Saturday, February 28, 2009
All competitors must submit an SAT Reasoning Test or ACT score and high school transcripts (unofficial will do) to the Office of the President no later than Friday, January 23, 2009.
President's Scholars Competition Day
On Saturday, February 28, 2009, all candidates will meet beginning at 8 a.m. at CSU, Chico.
Competitors will spend part of the day taking three examinations to demonstrate their critical thinking, problem solving, and communication skills. We have many additional activities planned for participants, parents, and guests that include
- A continental breakfast
- A reception hosted by the university president
- An opportunity to meet college deans, department chairs, and other university administrators
- An opportunity to meet members of CSU, Chico's outstanding faculty who teach freshman-level courses
- An opportunity to learn about innovative programs for honors study at CSU, Chico by visiting with faculty and students in the university's Honors Program
- An introduction to the Freshman General Studies Thematic Program, the interdisciplinary team-taught program which in one year satisfies 33 units of the general education requirements
- Campus tours
The Awards
Scholarships will be awarded according to each candidate's performance on the examinations, his or her record of involvement in extracurricular activities, and the written essay. Financial need is not a consideration.
Those who are awarded $12,000 scholarships will receive $1,500 at the beginning of each semester during their four years of study at CSU, Chico, provided the recipient is in good standing and maintains a cumulative Chico GPA of 3.3. The $1000 scholarship winners will receive their award in the fall 2009 semester, their first semester of study at CSU, Chico.
Benefits of Being a President's Scholar
The prestigious scholarship awards provide numerous benefits.
- Names of all participants are forwarded to college deans for possible additional awards
- All scholarship winners automatically qualify for the Honors Program in General Education
- All scholarship winners will attend a luncheon in their honor with the university president early in the fall semester
- The $12,000 winners will meet regularly during their college career with the president
- The $12,000 winners who participate in the Honors Program in General Education will be offered a slot in the Honors House
More Information
Sue Hedrick
President's Scholars Program
California State University, Chico
Chico, CA 95929-0150
Telephone: 530-898-5201
Fax: 530-898-5077