Housing Scholarship

2026–2027

Please read all instructions carefully before submitting this form. By submitting, you are requesting consideration for the CSU Housing Scholarship. Please note: this scholarship is reserved for first-year and second-year undergraduate students only.

The CSU Housing Scholarship is structured as a micro-internship experience, designed to support student success while providing meaningful engagement opportunities that align with the University's Cougar Commitment—expanding access to education and supporting student achievement. This experience is intentionally designed to contribute to the Division of Student Affairs and Academic Support priorities of retention, persistence, and graduation by fostering connection, engagement, and academic accountability among residential students.

Eligibility Requirements:

Enrolled full-time as an undergraduate (minimum 15 credit hours) for Fall 2026 and Spring 2027
Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP): minimum 67% course completion and a 2.5 cumulative GPA (incoming freshmen must have a 2.5 GPA from high school)
Plan to live on campus for the entire academic year (scholarship is not awarded for one semester)
Have paid the $100 housing application fee, or have a scholarship that covers it (e.g., Hope Chicago Scholars)
Reside more than 30 minutes from campus, or in an area with limited transportation access
Agree to the University Student Housing photo release
Understand the scholarship covers double room occupancy ($2,625 per semester); students choosing a different room type must pay the difference
Understand the scholarship does not cover a meal plan
Submit the 2026–2027 FAFSA or Alternative Application to determine eligibility

Please Note: The Housing Scholarship is non-recurring. Students must reapply and be awarded each academic year.

Application Requirements:

Two references (one academic and one professional)
A video response to the listed questions

If Awarded the Scholarship, Students Agree To:

Attend four mandatory meetings per semester (held monthly; one absence allowed)
Complete at least 5 office hours per week
Complete 5 hours of tutoring/studying per month
Complete 5 hours of community service per month in the Food Pantry and/or Cougar Closet
Participate in and sign up for at least 6 campus events per semester (e.g., Back to School Parade, Spirit Day, Thanksgiving programming, Homecoming, Welcome Back Week, Spring Fest, etc.)
Participate in campus and/or residence hall programming (RA events and Housing events)
Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (67% completion and 2.5 GPA) and full-time enrollment (minimum 15 credit hours) each semester
Remain in good academic and judicial standing (no probation or higher sanctions)
Actively serve as a Housing Scholar; failure to meet expectations may result in loss of the scholarship
Arrive on campus by August 18, 2026, for Housing Scholar Training on August 19–20, 2026

Application Deadline

Tuesday, June 30, 2026 (extended deadline to July 10)

Applications will be reviewed and references contacted between July 13–17, 2026 (excluding holidays), with tentative award letters sent the week of July 20, 2026. For questions, contact Housing and Residence Life at housing@csu.edu.

Apply