How to Access Your Scholarship Money

Fresno State Scholarship Awards

Fresno State scholarship awards are traditionally offered for the academic year and are disbursed at the beginning of the fall and spring semester.  However, some awards may only be for a single semester.  Please reference your Fresno State financial aid award screen by logging in to https://my.fresnostate.edu and click on "Student Self Service."  Select the "Student Center" link to view your school related activities.  Click on the arrow pointing to “My Finances” and then select the "View Financial Aid" link to see how your funds are allocated for the academic year. 

Your scholarship award will appear on your financial aid award screen after you have accepted the award offer and after the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships substantiates your eligibility for the award.  Please note it may take a few weeks for the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships to confirm your eligibility and post the award on your financial aid screen.

Private Scholarship Awards

When a private organization awards you a scholarship, they typically mail your scholarship check to Fresno State.  If they mail the check directly to you, please bring the check to the Fresno State Accounting Services Office (located in Joyal Administration Building, room 181) for processing.  All scholarship checks that are payable to Fresno State must be cashed by the University.  Private scholarship funds received will be posted on your financial aid award screen.  The disbursement process for issuing private scholarship funds is identical to the process for disbursing Fresno State scholarships.

Disbursement of Funds

Scholarship funds that are processed by Accounting Services, or funds awarded by Fresno State, will not automatically payoff or pay down your tuition fees before the payment due date.  All scholarship funds will be credited to your student account after all requirements for disbursement have been met, but no earlier than one week before the beginning of the semester.  Some of the requirements that are verified before funds are disbursed include full-time enrollment, minimum grade point average, or athletic participation.  However, special arrangements can be made to delay your tuition fee payment until the first week of the semester when your scholarship funds disburse.  Please contact the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships for more information about requesting a Fee Deferment*.

If fees are owed to Fresno State (such as tuition, course fees, etc.) at the time your scholarship is disbursed, your scholarship funds will automatically be applied to your outstanding balance.  If you have a zero balance, or your scholarship funds exceed what is currently owed, then the remaining funds will be disbursed to you through your selected refund preference with BankMobile Disbursements.

* Please Note: The fee deferment does not waive the fees or release you from the responsibility or obligation to pay your tuition and fees.  Failure to pay your fees will result in cancellation of classes for the semester.  

Contact Information

Mailing Address
California State University, Fresno
Scholarship Office
5150 N Maple Ave, JA64
Fresno CA 93740

Phone: (559) 278-6572

Office Location:
Joyal Administration Building, Room 274