David J. Karber, Vice President, Operations
Policy on Scholarships and Grants
The University regularly has opportunities to receive funds to encourage and reward students. These funds come from different sources and sometimes contain restrictions on their use. Funds are termed “scholarships” when the primary criterion is performance, and “grants” when the primary criterion is financial need. The acceptance and awarding of scholarship and grant funds shall be in accordance with the mission and goals of California State University Dominguez Hills.
I. Acceptance of Funds
The University shall permit donors to place reasonable conditions upon the award of their funds, providing they do not violate existing regulations. For instance, a scholarship or grant may be restricted to a certain major; to those proposing to enter a certain profession; to those with a particular handicap; or to those participating in a particular sport.
II. Award of Funds
The University Scholarship Committee makes recommendations on University-wide
scholarships and grants. Recommendations for recipients of departmental or school scholarships or grants (i.e., theatre scholarship, athletic grants-in-aid) may be made by the appropriate school or department, subject to approval of the Dean of University College*
Announcement of scholarships and grants shall be timely and widespread. At least
once every academic year, a list of scholarship and grant opportunities shall be compiled, distributed to the campus community, and made available to applicants.
The information on the list should include:
1. The amount
2. The donor or source
3. The conditions to be met by applicants
4. Application procedures and deadlines
5. Dates of selection and disbursement
6. Application procedures [sic]
A. Departmental and School Scholarships and Grants
Schools or departments should submit the criteria to be used to the Dean of
University College* through the Director of Student Aid** prior to setting up
scholarships or grants. The criteria will be reviewed to determine that it is not in
violation of state or federal requirements.
*Currently, Vice President for Academic Affairs
**Currently, Director of Financial Aid
School or departmental committees or officials will select recipients to be
recommended based upon the established criteria.
B. University – wide Scholarships and Grants
Unless the conditions of a scholarship specify otherwise, academic scholarship
applicants must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher and be
enrolled at least half-time (weighted units) during the term of the scholarship.
C. Performance Scholarships
Applicants for performance scholarships must have a cumulative grade point
average of 2.5 or higher and be enrolled at least half-time (weighted units) during the term
of the scholarship.
Unless the conditions of a grant specify otherwise, grant applicants must have a
cumulative grade point average (including work at other institutions) of 2.0 or
higher and be enrolled at least half-time during the term of the grant. Primary
consideration will be given to student financial need among applicants who meet
the basic criteria of the grant.
In cases where the school or department does not wish to recommend recipients, the appropriate Dean may ask the Dean of University College* to assign responsibility for the selection process and recommendation of recipient to the University-wide scholarship committee.
III. Administration of Scholarships and Grants
A. Dean of University College*
The Dean of University College* has overall responsibility for scholarships and financial aid.
The Dean of University College* will be responsible for issuing, each January, a statement of
procedures to be used in the administration of scholarships, which will be used for the
following academic year.
B. The University Scholarship Committee
The University Scholarship Committee is charged with recommending policy
concerning the University-wide scholarship and grant program. Actions of the
Committee are in the form of recommendations to the Dean of University
College* The Dean of University College* reviews, recommends and
forwards them, with comments, to the Vice President Operations** for further
consultation, review or action. The Committee also makes recommendations of
* Current title is Vice President for Academic Affairs
** Current title is Vice President , Administration & Finance
recipients for University-wide scholarships and grants. The membership of the
University Scholarship Committee includes a faculty member from each
School appointed by the appropriate Dean for staggered two-year terms. The
terms begin on September 1. The Director of Student Aid* is ex officio
Executive Secretary of the Committee. The Executive Dean for University
Relations ** or a designee is ex officio a member of the Committee.
The Director of Student Aid* receives funds and deposits them with the Director of
Business Affairs, and administers the scholarship and grant funds in accordance with
University policy and procedures. He/she works with prospective donors in establishing
scholarships and grants.
Director of Business Affairs**
The Director of Business Affairs deposits, maintains custody of, and disburses
scholarship and grant funds as approved. Some funds may be deposited first with
the Foundation.
Executive Dean, University Relations***
The Executive Dean, University Relations shall be consulted, consistent with
procedures outlined in the Faculty Handbook, concerning solicitation of funds for
scholarships. The Executive Dean is informed by the Student Aid Office of all
scholarships received. University Relations will prepare for the president letters
of acknowledgement of all scholarship gifts to the University.
Any restricted student scholarship funds or accounts that drop below $100 in the account for a period of one year—unless there is reason to do otherwise—will be consolidated into the General Unrestricted Scholarship account of the University. This is to be incorporated into the solicitation acceptance process.
An annual report concerning scholarship matters within the University will be prepared each year by the Scholarship Committee and transmitted to the Dean of University College**** by August 1 for the previous academic year.
IV. Funds Administered by Outside Agencies
The University will accept and disburse scholarship or grant funds for students from
outside agencies and will post notices of outside scholarship and grant opportunities.
Agencies may not use the name of California State University Dominguez Hills in
connection with their scholarships or grants.
* Current title is Director of Financial Aid
** Current title is Vice President, Administration & Finance
*** Current title is Vice President, University Advancement
****Current title is Vice President, Academic Affairs