Aztec Scholarships with 2025 Deadlines

Like the impressive Aztec civilization of the 15th and 16th centuries, San Diego State University bears a distinguished legacy. For students who are lucky enough to call themselves Aztecs, they become part of a spirited community that's uniquely eligible for Aztec scholarships.

However, many Aztec students still worry about affording SDSU's tuition fees. This article is here to help alleviate all those worries with a list of the best Aztec scholarships to pay for college.

As a trusted authority in scholarships and student financial aid, we are dedicated to helping students connect with funding opportunities that support various levels of study. Through our research and commitment to making college more accessible, we help students maximize their financial aid potential and navigate the financial challenges of higher education.

Keep reading to learn more about Aztec scholarships and financial resources that can help ease the cost of college and help you graduate with less financial stress.

Want to unlock more financial aid? Create a Bold.org profile today and apply for scholarships.

Best Aztec Scholarships

Whether you're an in-state or out-of-state SDSU student, you'll definitely benefit from our top scholarships for Aztecs. Capitalize on your financial need or academic merit to gain access to full-ride scholarships!

1. Full-Tuition Scholarships

Want to fund your SDSU education in one move? These full-ride scholarships can help. However, because they're so competitive, check back at various periods throughout the application process to find new full-tuition scholarships to apply for. Don't give up!

2. Merit-Based Scholarships

Merit scholarships are awarded to students with outstanding academic achievements, like those with high GPAs. Please note that scholarship requirements will vary, so check what test scores or grades you need for each to apply.

3. Need-Based Scholarships

Aztec students who are struggling to afford an education can apply for these need-based scholarships, which may ask applicants to demonstrate financial need or produce other qualifying documents.

Scholarships for Undergraduate and Graduate Students

1. Undergraduate Scholarships

Many universities offer their biggest scholarships for incoming students, but financial need is consistent across all four years. Take advantage of these year-specific scholarships to graduate with no debt!

2. Graduate School Scholarships

Graduate school is notorious for being expensive. For example, the Education Data Initiative reports that the average Master's student will spend $41,026 per year. While you may receive more financial support if you stay at SDSU for both your undergraduate and graduate education, it's important to make sure you have access to ample financial resources.

3. Medical School Scholarships

Medical school is an especially costly branch of grad school. For Aztec students who intend to apply to med school in the future, these scholarships can make a huge difference in decreasing student loan debt.

4. Dental School Scholarships

With good job stability and high pay, many Aztec students may want to consider dental school one day. Use these scholarships to save up for your studies!

Scholarships for Specific Majors

Many times, scholarships offer benefits beyond money. Many scholarships allow students access to professional and personal communities which provide them with support in their education and careers. Applying to scholarships specific to your major can increase the chances that you meet the right people and find the right groups to support your educational goals. Below, we've compiled scholarships for the most popular majors at SDSU!

1. Psychology Scholarships

Psychology is a great general degree that can open up several professional possibilities. Your ability to achieve academic success in psychology can translate into clinical work later on, build a foundation for a master's, or even propel you into something like human resources.

2. Business Scholarships

Business degrees rarely go out of fashion. Commerce is what the world runs on, so Aztec students will be able to find employment across thousands of companies with a business degree in hand.

3. Criminal Justice Scholarships

If you're passionate about keeping your community safe and speaking up for others, apply for these criminal justice scholarships! Check back throughout the application cycle to make sure you don't run out of fuel for your dreams.

Scholarships for Californian Students

Since SDSU is part of the California State University system, it attracts many in-state students. If you're a resident of California, these scholarships are for you!

1. California Scholarships

These general scholarships are a good start for any SDSU students. While you may not be eligible for every scholarship on the list, it's worthwhile to take a look and apply for what you can.

2. Middle-Class Scholarships

Everyone deserves an education without crippling debt, regardless of their economic situation. Though SDSU may not be the most expensive college out there, you can still check out these middle-class scholarships and look for any you're eligible for.

How to Apply for Aztec Scholarships

To apply for SDSU scholarships, fill out the Aztec Scholarships application on the student portal. For optimal compatibility, sign in using Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. If you have difficulties, you can ask financial student services (west third floor) questions in person. Otherwise, you can contact them via a virtual help desk. Keep in mind that the deadline will be reviewed, so resolve any issues you have as soon as possible.

Now let's go over the steps for applying to scholarships in general:

1. Research Scholarships

Start by identifying scholarships that match your academic achievements, financial need, background, or career goals. The more specific, the better. Use scholarship search engines like Bold.org and SDSU's financial aid website. Make sure to keep your search open to local, national, and university-specific scholarships to expand your options.

2. Check Eligibility Requirements

Carefully review the eligibility criteria for each scholarship. Some may require a specific GPA, field of study, financial need, community involvement, or minority status. Applying only for scholarships you qualify for saves time and increases your chances of winning. There's nothing more frustrating than spending hours on a scholarship that you can't even win.

3. Organize Your Documents

Gather essential materials in advance, including:

1. A completed application form
2. Academic transcripts
3. Standardized test scores (if required)
4. Letters of recommendation
5. Personal statements or essays
6. Proof of financial need (such as FAFSA or tax documents)

Having these documents ready will help you apply efficiently.

4. Write a Strong Personal Statement or Essay

Many scholarships require an essay. Carefully read the prompt and tailor your response to highlight your strengths, goals, and challenges you've overcome. Make your writing personal, engaging, and reflective of your aspirations. Balancing truthfulness and highlighting your achievements can be a fine line, but when in doubt, always be genuine.

5. Track the Scholarship Application Submission Period

Many students find it useful to keep a spreadsheet or calendar to track deadlines and required materials. Don't feel obligated to keep a detailed spreadsheet if you have a different system that works for you. Just ensure that you submit early to allow time to fix any issues or missing documents.

6. Apply for Multiple Scholarships

To maximize your chances of receiving financial aid, apply for as many scholarships as possible. Note that scholarship awards don't have an application fee so you lose nothing by applying. Even small awards add up and can help cover tuition, books, or living expenses.

Tips for Applying to Aztec Scholarships

1. Request Letters of Recommendation Early

Some people may think the hardest part about letters of recommendation is identifying teachers, mentors, or employers who know you well and can speak to your qualifications. However, the bigger issue tends to be a lack of time to write a quality recommendation. Make sure you reach out well in advance and provide details about the scholarship and your achievements, which they might include in their letter.

2. Proofread, Then Ask Others to Proofread

No one writes a perfect essay on their first go. Make sure that you're always proofreading between drafts or, at the very least, proofreading before submitting. Another strategy is asking friends, family members, and teachers to look over your essay. Sometimes, they can catch things you can't.

3. Avoid Scholarship Scams

Not all scholarships are reputable. Scholarship providers will never ask for money or sensitive financial information (e.g., credit card numbers). Do thorough research on each scholarship provider before starting an application to avoid being scammed.

Apply for credible scholarships on Bold.org for access to exclusive financial aid!

Additional Resources for Aztec Students

1. San Diego State University Scholarships

SDSU has more than 700 scholarships available for students. To streamline the scholarship application process, students can apply for every scholarship they're eligible for by completing the general application via the Aztec Scholarships student portal. Additionally, SDSU provides an Aztec Scholarships Webinar Series and essay workshop in-person to support students in the application process.

The scholarship application submission period is typically between March and September. There are no extensions, so applications must be submitted in September. Applications are typically reviewed by committees starting right after the due date, and the scholarships committee will have a decision within 1-2 months.

Scholarships are available for all types of students, including: Californian residents, out-of-state students, international students, undocumented students, and students at their Global Campus and Imperial Valley. Don't be afraid to request accommodations for completing scholarship applications if relevant to you.

2. National Rainbow College Fund

The local community of San Diego is known to be quite supportive. Aztec students can apply for financial aid through the National Rainbow College Fund, which hosts scholarships specific to LGBTQIA+ students, regardless of whether they're "out" or not. You can apply on the Rainbow College Fund website.

3. Federal Financial Aid

Completing the Free Application for Federal Aid (FAFSA) is our number one tip for receiving financial aid. Not only does it automatically qualify you for federal aid, it's also included in the application process of many nation-wide and local scholarships.

Some top federal aid opportunities include the Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), and TEACH Grant.

More questions? Check out the Bold.org scholarship blog for more advice on winning scholarships and what kinds of scholarships you should apply for.