Program Details and Application

Applications for the 2025–2026 academic year have closed.  

Eligibility

Recipients are determined through a competitive application process. To qualify for a Graduate Equity Fellowship, applicants must:

• Be admitted to a CSU, Chico graduate program as a classified or conditionally classified master’s student;
• Be a California resident or have an AB540 affidavit on file;
• Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA);
• Have a financial need of at least $1,050;
• Enroll in at least 6 units directly related to their graduate degree program;
• Be able and qualified to work up to 3–5 hours per week as a student employee;*
• Be available to meet with the GEFP Coordinator and other fellows for one hour each month during the semester;
• Be willing to participate in the Chico State Annual Student Research Competition;
• Have an undergraduate GPA of 2.70 and/or a graduate GPA of 3.0;
• Have secured a faculty mentor willing to guide the research project.**

*CSU policy restricts students to working on campus no more than 20 hours per week during the academic year, thus, our fellows may not work more than 15–17 hours per week at another campus job.

**Students without a faculty mentor may contact Meredith Huddleson, prior to the deadline. She may be able to assist you in finding a mentor.

If you have any questions before submitting the application, please contact JoAna Brooks at jmbrooks@csuchico.edu, or Meredith Huddleson at mehuddleson@csuchico.edu.

Compensation and Duration:

• Students are provided a fellowship of up to $1,050 per year or $525 a semester. Fellows are also provided wages as research assistants of up to $2,400, or $1,200 per semester.
  • Please note that fellowship funding is contingent upon approval from the Chancellor's Office.  
• Fellows may be able to reapply and compete for funding for additional semesters.
• Reappointment is contingent upon satisfactory performance in research work with the faculty mentor, as well as continuing to meet all eligibility.
• Funding amounts are subject to change from semester to semester, depending on the budget.

Application Closed: Sunday, May 11, 2025

This program has been supporting graduate student success since 1986 and is funded by the CSU Chancellor’s Office (stipend) and the Office of Graduate Studies (salary). All qualified students are encouraged to apply and will be considered without regard to race, ethnicity, gender, or national origin.

Before You Apply:

• Review all the eligibility requirements to ensure you are eligible.
• Ensure you submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or a California Dream Act Application (CADAA) to the Office of Financial Aid for the current academic year.
• Transcripts from most recently attended college are needed only for students who have not yet applied to or attended CSU, Chico.
• Identify a faculty mentor that you would like to work with on a research project.
• You will need a faculty or staff mentor who can provide a reference attesting to your academic abilities, accomplishments, research or other academic interests, and education or career aspirations. 
• Compose a personal statement to include in the online application packet. Please provide enough information regarding each point to ensure evaluators clearly conceptualize your strengths and goals.