Auxiliary Organizations Association 2026 Scholarship of Excellence – Call For Applications

Deadline:  October 24, 2025
Apply Here:  AOA Scholarship Of Excellence Form (2026)
Verification of Eligibility Form: Download form here

Purpose The purpose of the AOA Scholarship of Excellence is to recognize California State University (CSU) students with scholarship funds to support academic and academic-related expenses. The basis for scholarship awards shall be a combination of academic excellence and service to the campus or community, particularly to a CSU auxiliary or a nonprofit organization.

Ideal candidates should be able to demonstrate a history of service to auxiliary organizations at their campus of origin or throughout the California State University system. Examples include but are not limited to, serving as a member of an auxiliary organization governing board, volunteering time for a child development center or community service nonprofit organization, conducting scholarly research on an externally awarded contract or grant, promoting the mission of an auxiliary organization through committee or volunteer work, or by serving as an elected or appointed student leader.

Required Award Eligibility Criteria

The ideal student candidate must meet the following eligibility criteria:

1. Be a currently enrolled full-time undergraduate or graduate CSU student with at least one more academic year of full-time coursework;
2. Possess a minimum 3.0 grade point average (GPA);
3. Be in good standing with the student’s university; and
4. Be able to demonstrate service to a CSU auxiliary or nonprofit organization.

Award

The Scholarship of Excellence award will be allocated to the student awardee via their campus financial aid account, by their Financial Aid Office. Scholarships are disbursed in equal amounts for each academic year term (quarter or semester) of full-time enrollment. This timeline reflects the scholarship awarding cycle and typical operating procedure. In accordance with Federal regulations governing over-awards (34 CFR 673.5), recipients of need-based aid shall have resources coordinated regardless if need is an eligibility requirement.

Application Instructions

1. Verify the student applicant meets the required award eligibility criteria.
2. Student applicant to complete the AOA Scholarship of Excellence Nomination Form (2026) . Access the nomination form by clicking on the “Apply Here” link listed at the top of this page.
3. Student applicant to complete and upload into the nomination form the following required documents, in PDF format:
   • Resume – The resume shall include all relevant auxiliary or non-profit organization volunteer, paid or other work; campus, CSU system and community service; current grade point average; major and class standing.
   • Essay – The written essay shall describe how the student applicant has contributed to, been involved with, or served the mission of an auxiliary organization(s) at their campus of origin or within the CSU system. The essay should articulate the student applicant’s qualifications for receiving the award. Limit the essay to 500 words.
   • Copy of student applicant’s college coursework transcripts
   • Letter(s) of reference/endorsement from a CSU auxiliary organization employee(s) – Up to three letters of reference can be submitted
4. Student applicant to complete, sign and upload the Verification of Eligibility Form. Access this form by opening/clicking the “Verification of Eligibility Form” attachment located at the top of this page. The student applicant and the Vice President of Student Affairs (or their designee) are required to verify and sign this form.
5. Student applicant to submit the nomination form and all uploaded documents by 5:00 P.M. on October 24, 2025.

Selection

The Scholarship Selection Committee will review all applications, as submitted by each student applicant, and will select the award recipient from among eligible applicants. All student applicants will be notified once the selection committee has made their decision. The award recipient will be requested to accept the presentation of the award by attending the 2026 AOA Annual Conference. The AOA Annual Conference will be held January 11-13, 2026 at the Oakland Marriott City Center Hotel.   AOA will assist the award recipient with travel logistics.

Contact

For any questions regarding the 2026 AOA Scholarship of Excellence, contact Heather Cairns, Chair, Nominations Committee at heather.cairns@csun.edu