Vets and Cadets Endowed Scholarship
Vets and Cadets Endowed Scholarship Award
Amount: $750 - $2,000 (multiple awards, subject to funding)
Term Awarded: Fall
Application Deadline: March 1st
Established by:
This award was established by CSUF alumnus Gregory Wirzbicki, his wife Cheryl, and their daughter Kathryn to provide scholarship awards honoring and aiding student Veterans and other CSUF students of United States military background. The award is meant to assist the student in meeting educational and personal expenses while enrolled in college.
Open to:
This scholar award is open to new and continuing enrolled students at CSUF who are pursuing an undergraduate or a graduate degree and have served or are serving in the U.S. armed forces, including the ROTC program at CSUF.
Specifically included are CSUF ROTC cadets who graduated and commissioned as 2nd Lieutenants in the fall semester preceding the announcement of awards in May. Also eligible are current cross-enrolled CSUF Cadets pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree or a sister service ROTC commission at a partner college or university.
Criteria: The award is designed to recognize Veterans and other qualifying CSUF students who emulate strong leadership as evidenced through military service, academic success, initiative, altruistic values, and desire to make a difference. Demonstration of such leadership qualities might be observed in activities such as:
-
Past or Present U.S. military service, including National Guard and Army Reserves
-
Past leadership activities in the community, ARMY ROTC, and/or the university.
-
Strong academic performance; Students must have a minimum CSUF GPA of 2.5 or overall GPA of 2.5
-
Initiative shown in academic classes, labs, student clubs, or organizations
-
Contributions made via independent study, research projects, internships, or club/team activities
that made an impact on individuals or organizations
-
Pursuit of advanced degrees/career goals
-
This is an annual scholarship, and all students must apply on a yearly basis.
Application materials should include either:
- A resume prepared by the student applicant or
- Highly recommended: a personal statement or essay by the student describing relevant achievements, life experiences, and future plans. See below for essay guidelines
Awardee is expected to attend the recognition event and formally accept the award. Non-attendance is subject to possible forfeiture of an award.
Application Procedure:
-
Log in to your CSUF portal and click on the “Scholarships” button. Follow the onscreen instructions, and complete the Scholarship Application.
-
To ensure receipt of your application, Applicants are encouraged to send at least a notice of their application, or the entirety of their submission and any supplementary information for consideration, to the Military Sciences Office, Administrative Support Coordinator, at Armyrotc@fullerton.edu.
Essay Guidelines:
The selection committee will strongly consider personal statement essays from those seeking an award through the Vets and Cadets Fund. Although merit is the ultimate determinant, the fairest evaluation of any candidate requires consideration of his/her personal circumstances. The essay thus becomes the candidates’ opportunity to humanize themselves and communicate their motivation and goals, as well as relate any achievements attained and/or adversities overcome. The selection committee will consider the candidate’s past U. S. military service and future plans, if any, to enter or continue U.S. military service. In the essay, the selection committee encourages applicants not to be shy. Repeat, DON’T BE SHY ABOUT EXPRESSING YOURSELF. The essay should be about the candidate as a person, as well as his or her desire for military service or achievements in military service. There is no directed or required format (e.g., simple narration, bullet points, numbered paragraphs). The essay should be 1-3 pages and include any or all of the following:
1) Past or Present US Military Service
: For U.S. veterans or current and ex-US Military, consider providing dates of service, the military branch you served in, current or final rank, and any medals received or other recognition of achievement in the US military. Feel free to discuss your time in service, e.g., where you served and the details of what you did in the service of your country. Copies of citations or proof of past service can be included as attachments. For ROTC cadets without prior military service, relate your experiences in the ROTC program thus far.
2) Current Obligations:
Your current life situation and financial situation are important considerations. Please detail your personal situation and any family obligations (e.g., support of other family members, such as spouse, children, parents, or siblings).
3) Current or Intended Major (s)
(and minor(s), if applicable) at CSUF, your reasons for pursuing a degree in those fields, and your current GPA.
4) Future Goals:
whether or not of a military nature. If, upon graduation, you plan to continue military service through the CSUF ROTC program, or otherwise, identify what you’d like to do in the US military. If undecided, identify 2 or 3 options you’re considering.
5) Life Experiences:
Achievements and accomplishments in life that you care to share or Adversities you’ve overcome and how you overcame them. Please also consider sharing the circumstances of your upbringing, including any financial difficulties involved.
6) Other Considerations:
In addition, the candidate is free to inform the selection committee of anything else that would be helpful in considering your candidacy for an award. Again, don’t be shy!
7) Attachments:
The candidate is free to add attachments to the essay, for example, copies of document(s) showing prior military service, awards earned, recommendations, etc.
Roy Lopez Scholarship for Valor
Visit the Roy Lopez Scholarship page for more information
Amount: $2,500 (2 awards – based on availability of funds)
Established by: This scholarship was endowed by Ms. Adriana Mraz and family established in memory of Roy Anthony Lopez, who was a cadet in the CSUF Titan Battalion. The scholarship will be awarded during the CSUF Army ROTC Ceremony in May of each year.
Open to: This scholarship is open to all Military Science cadets of California State University Fullerton in their Junior or Senior year.
Criteria:
- Full-Time Enrollment
- 3.0 GPA
- Financial Need/Hardship
- Must live the Army values and demonstrate exceptional Officership
- Community Service Activities
- Exemplary 500-word Essay
Application Procedure:
- Write an essay (no more than 500 words) about what it means to you to become an Army Officer. Describe any personal, academic or physical hardship that you have overcome on your way towards becoming an Army Officer. Discuss the process on how you conquered the situation and the factors that motivated you to move on. Write about the personal achievements, community service and examples of selfless service in helping your fellow cadets. Describe your educational and career goals and elaborate on how the scholarship award will assist in achieving your goal of becoming an Army Officer;
- Submit an Unofficial Transcript;
- Submit completed application(s) and materials (if required) to MS-103 or call (657)278-3007; and
- If selected for an award, possibly have a face to face interview with the selection committee.
Application Deadline: March 7
William McGarvey Scholarship
Amount: $400 (4 awards)
Established by: This scholarship was established by Mr. William McGarvey in honor of Ms. Carol Wise who have liked the ROTC cadets because of their politeness and respectfulness. The scholarship will be awarded during the CSUF Army ROTC Award Ceremony in May of each year.
Open to: This scholarship is open to all Military Science – Reserved Officer cadets of California State University Fullerton.
Criteria:
- Full-Time Enrollment
- Ranked by peers and faculty according to the following: For Living the 7 Army Values, Outstanding Service to the Community, Spirit of Teamwork, Dedication to the CSUF Army ROTC Program
Application Procedure: By Military Science Faculty nomination only
Nomination Deadline: March 7
Army ROTC Scholarships
Amount: Full college tuition plus $1,200 yearly book stipend. The option of receiving $12,000 yearly for Room and Board in lieu of tuition is available. The Army ROTC Scholarship is available for students who have been accepted into the Army ROTC program under contract and whom will serve in the United States Army, Army Reserve and or Army National Guard as a commissioned Officer.
Established by: Department of Defense. The Army ROTC Scholarship financially supports the ROTC Cadet during their pursuit of an undergraduate or graduate degree and complements the contracted Cadet stipend of $420 monthly during the academic year. ROTC produces commissioned officers similar to United States Military Academy (USMA) West Point, NY however offers the Cadet the traditional on campus experience plus upon graduation and commission has Reserve Component options to fulfill their service agreement.
Open to: The Army ROTC scholarship is available for CSUF students of all majors that are pursuing an undergraduate or a graduate degree and meet criteria.
Criteria:
- Full time enrollment
- minimum of a 2.5 cumulative GPA
- Cannot graduate on the same year that you will be turning 31 years of age
- Be a U.S. citizen
- CHARACTER: No drug possessions; No assault charges; No major law violations
- Medically qualified by Department of Defense Medical Evaluation
- Meet Army physical fitness standards
- University Acceptance
- AGREE TO ACCEPT A COMMISSION: Active duty, Army Reserve, or National Guard
Application Procedure: Schedule an appointment with the ROTC Enrollment & Scholarship Adviser Mr. Steven Yach (714) 931-3440, or Email syach@fullerton.edu
Application Deadline: N/A
