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MeritPlaybook / Take-home research

Cal Poly SLO
Decision sheet

California · Research checked 2026-07-02 · School research, not an aid offer

The starting point

Cal Poly SLO is a CSU (not a UC) that does not offer large automatic merit scholarships. About 7% of freshmen receive non-need institutional merit averaging $3,746. College-based merit awards range from $1,000-$5,000/year, and the Cal Poly Scholars Program provides $2,000-$6,000/year for underrepresented CA residents. Cal Poly does not have Regents' Scholarships — that is UC-only.

Selection beyond grades and scores. These awards are not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read each award's selection rules, application steps and dates. Meeting a minimum is not an award offer.

Awards to discuss

The 2 awards in this school's research. Amounts retain the original units and conditions; confirm the entering year with the school.

College-Based Merit Scholarships

$1,000-$5,000/year · Published range

Not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules.

Eligibility: Criteria vary by college (Engineering, Agriculture, Architecture, Liberal Arts, Science & Math, Business). Automatic review at admission for most.

Renewal: Renewal terms vary by college. Some are one-time; others renewable with GPA requirements.

Other terms: Cal Poly explicitly notes: 'Cal Poly does not offer large automatic merit scholarships.' These are the primary merit mechanism across six colleges.

https://www.calpoly.edu/financial-aid/types-of-aid/scholarships/cal-poly-scholarships

Cal Poly Scholars Program

$2,000-$6,000/year · Published range

Not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules.

Eligibility: California residents from underrepresented backgrounds, low-income schools, or first-generation college students. Automatic consideration via admission application and FAFSA (must file by March 2).

Renewal: Renewable. Specific renewal GPA not published.

Other terms: A merit-and-background hybrid, not a pure merit award. Requires FAFSA filing and targets specific demographic criteria alongside academic achievement.

https://www.calpoly.edu/financial-aid/types-of-aid/scholarships/cal-poly-scholarships

Ask before you decide

  1. Which entering-year policy and residency category apply to us? What are the admission and scholarship deadlines?
  2. What grades and credits are required to renew, and for how many terms?
  3. How would other school awards or outside scholarships change the offer?

Recorded stacking policy: Outside scholarships must be reported. The specific displacement order is not publicly documented. Contact Cal Poly Financial Aid for case-specific guidance.

Our unanswered questions / Family notes

Keep the sources with the decision

Full research, award details and source context: https://meritplaybook.com/colleges/cal-poly-slo/merit-aid

The research date is not a guarantee that a policy still applies. Confirm current amounts, deadlines and conditions with the school before making a financial decision.