The starting point
SDSU is a low-cost CSU public where institutional merit is invitation-only and competitive, not automatic on a stats grid — the headline awards are the SDSU Merit Scholarship (typically $7,500-$10,000/yr, requires a 4.30 CSU GPA and a local admissions-area high school) and the SDSU High-Achieving Scholarship ($1,000-$9,000/yr); most awards are reviewed through the one Aztec Scholarships application.
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
First 3 of 6 recorded awards, in chapter display order. This is a selection, not a ranking. Read the full chapter for all awards. Amounts retain the original units and conditions; confirm the entering year with the school.
SDSU Merit Scholarship
$7,500 - $10,000 per year · Published range
Not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules.
GPA: Minimum 4.30 CSU-calculated high school GPA
Eligibility: Must graduate from a local SDSU admissions-area high school; invitation-only — eligible applicants are emailed a link to apply; Merit Scholars are automatically admitted to the Weber Honors College
Renewal: Renewal terms not published on the page. Ask the SDSU Scholarship Office what GPA/enrollment is required to renew.
Other terms: SDSU's most prestigious freshman award, but NOT automatic: it is reserved for a very select number of the most academically qualified students from the local San Diego admissions area and is by invitation only. Application deadline February 13, 2026; decisions by early March. Eligible students are notified in December/January.
https://sacd.sdsu.edu/financial-aid/scholarships/recruitment-merit-scholarships
SDSU High-Achieving Scholarship
$1,000-$9,000 or more per year · Published range
Not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules.
Eligibility: First-year admitted California students; invitation-only — eligible students are notified in March to apply
Renewal: Renewal terms not published on the page.
Other terms: Offered to high-achieving first-year admitted California students. The application is invitation-only; qualified applicants are notified in March. No published GPA/test cutoff and no automatic-on-stats grid.
https://sacd.sdsu.edu/financial-aid/scholarships/recruitment-merit-scholarships
Presidential Scholars Program Scholarship
Up to $30,000 over four years · Variable or qualified amount
Not recorded as automatic on grades and scores. Read the selection rules.
Eligibility: Students accepted to SDSU's Presidential Scholars program; invitation-only — applicants notified December through March
Renewal: Award is structured over four years; specific per-year renewal conditions not published on the page.
Other terms: Tied to acceptance into SDSU's Presidential Scholars program. Invitation-only; not awarded automatically on a published GPA/test grid.
https://sacd.sdsu.edu/financial-aid/scholarships/recruitment-merit-scholarships
