Scholarship Frequently Asked Questions

Applications for most scholarships are available online through the Bronco Scholarship Portal. Visit the portal and complete the general application. Then search under “opportunities” to read the additional criteria required for recommended scholarships.

Yes; however, not all scholarships are listed at the same time.  Check back weekly to make sure you don’t miss any additions. 

You can also apply to CSU Systemwide Scholarships and Outside Scholarship Opportunities.

No, although some scholarships require additional criteria. Fill out the general application and then read the requirements of each scholarship you want to apply for. In some cases, you may be able to use the same statement for more than one application.  

There are various deadlines between October 1st and March 2nd (for the upcoming academic year), depending on the scholarship. Check back periodically to the Bronco Scholarship Portal because new opportunities may be posted each week.

If you miss the March 2nd deadline, you’ll have to wait to apply for Cal Poly Pomona Scholarships in the next cycle, which will start the following October 1st and will award scholarship for the following academic year.

You may still apply for scholarships that are offered from other sources outside of Cal Poly Pomona, including CSU Systemwide Scholarships.

For questions regarding scholarship requirements, contact the person identified in the scholarship description. If no one is listed, or if you are having technical issues, email scholarships@cpp.edu.

If you are experiencing problems with logging into the scholarship portal, or with uploading documents, email scholarships@cpp.edu.

No; however, some scholarships may list in the required criteria a certain residency or immigration status for applicants to be considered eligible. Visit the Outside Scholarships page for scholarships that may not require proof of citizenship or legal permanent residency.   

Scholarship awards are considered financial aid toward the cost of attendance and must be coordinated with other sources of financial aid. The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships is responsible for coordinating student resources for the campus. Federal and state regulations require the coordination of scholarships & fellowships with all other financial aid a student may be receiving.

When the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships becomes aware of additional aid or resources, the funding will be added to the student's financial aid record and any necessary adjustments to existing aid will be made accordingly. If a reduction in an aid program(s) is necessary, aid reductions will be done in the most advantageous way for the student.

The total amount of assistance from all sources cannot exceed the Cal Poly Pomona yearly Cost of Attendance (COA). In addition, almost all federal, state, and Cal Poly Pomona grant programs require unmet financial need. All forms of financial aid, including outside scholarships, third-party payments, and tuition & fee waivers must be coordinated with a student’s aid package to ensure that these conditions are met.

To ensure your scholarship funding is applied to your student account, make sure that your donor or the scholarship agency sends the funding to the correct office.

All scholarship checks should be sent to:

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona
Student Accounting and Cashiering Services
Student Services Building, 121-1160
3801 W Temple Ave.
Pomona, CA 91768

Be sure to include your full name and student ID number.

Make sure to have the scholarship agency or donor make the checks payable to Cal Poly Pomona (or California State Polytechnic University – Pomona), and include your name and Cal Poly Pomona Bronco ID number on the check's memo line. They should also note the term for which you or they would like the funds applied (Fall, Spring, or Fall/Spring) and any enrollment requirements (full-time, half-time).

Keep in mind that all funding begins disbursing ten days before the first day of classes each semester; so even if the agency or donor sends the check early, you might not see it apply to your account until just before classes begin.

Once funds have been received, scholarship awards will apply to tuition fees and other obligations you owe to the University. However, if your scholarship award(s) do not cover your tuition fees, you are responsible for the balance of tuition fees owed.

Depending on the type of data your donor requires, the form may need to be completed in a variety of ways. Contact the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships and we can help you complete this process.

Please Note: Some forms may require a FERPA release.

Yes, all scholarships must be reported to the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships --  including those that are paid to you directly. If you do not report your outside scholarship awards, you might receive what is called an "overaward". Outside scholarships are considered resources, meaning that they may affect your financial aid package. An outside scholarship is most likely to affect campus-based aid, such as the FSEOG Grant, Federal Work-Study, and Direct Student Loans.

Please visit our Financial Aid Policies Page to review our full Coordination of Financial Aid & Resources policy.

Be wary of scholarship scams! If you have any doubts about a scholarship organization, avoid it. You should never have to pay for a scholarship. If you receive unsolicited offers to assist you in finding scholarships that seem too good to be true, they probably are.

Some phrases that may signal a scholarship scam:

• "This scholarship is guaranteed or your money back."
• "You can't get this information anywhere else."
• "We'll do all the work."
• "This scholarship will cost you some money."

To find out more about scholarship scams, visit the scholarship scam section on finaid.org for information on how to detect and report scams. 

Scholarships can be found through churches, high schools, and private organizations. You can learn about these opportunities by speaking with your high school or other advisors.  Utilizing free web searches (like listed on our Outside Scholarships page) are also a great way to find opportunities.

You may also want to be in direct contact with large companies in your area or your parent's employer or other organizations with whom you have a connection. In some cases, you may not have to be directly associated with an organization to qualify for a scholarship.