ARCS Scholarship (Achievement Reward for College Scientists)

ARCS scholarships open to newly admitted and continue grad students and graduating seniors who have been admitted to the graduate program in the Departments of Biology, Chemistry & Biochemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, and Physics & Astronomy and the School of the Environment in the College of Science & Engineering.

Recipients are highly encouraged to attend the CoSE Donor Dinner in late October 2025 if the donor to their scholarship will be present.

Scholarship recipients must meet the following criteria as of the award period.

Will be awarded for academic year 2025-2026

  • Awarding Department/School: Biology, Chemistry & Biochemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics & Astronomy, School of the Environment,
  • Scholarship Intent: The ARCS Foundation provides scholarships to academically outstanding United States citizens studying to complete their degrees in science, medicine and engineering, thereby contributing to the worldwide advancement of science and technology.
  • Criteria: Must be a U.S. citizen; Must maintain 3.5 GPA; Must take 8 units each semester.
  • Major: Multiple: Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Astronomy, Physics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Geosciences, Geography, Environment
  • Class Level: Undergrad: Graduating Senior, Grad: Masters
  • Enrollment Status: Any
  • Enrollment Requirement: Undergrad: N/A; Grad: FULL-TIME (8 units)
  • Financial Need as determined by the FAFSA and/or CA Dream App: Not a Requirement
  • Citizenship: US Citizen
  • GPA: HS GPA: N/A; Undergrad GPA: 3.0; Grad GPA: 3.5
  • Contact Person: Lannie Nguyen
  • Campus Address: SEIC 512
  • Street Address: 1600 Holloway, San Francisco, California 94132
  • Phone Number: (415) 338-7662
  • Email: lannie@sfsu.edu
  • Web page: http://cose.sfsu.edu/scholarships
  • Number of Awards: varies

Award
10-12 @ $11,000
Scopes
College of Science and Engineering
Deadline
04/16/2025
Supplemental Questions
  1. Are you a US Citizen? (Please make sure SF State Registrar's office has a proof of your citizenship)
  2. Do you have a Graduate GPA of at least 3.5?
  3. Will you be a full-time (8 units) Graduate student in Fall 2025 and Spring 2026?
  4. A short essay of 400-600 words words (must adhere to this limit on the word count) covering the following topics: a) your professional goals, b) reasons for applying for this scholarship, and c) your financial need
  5. A list of academic achievements and other activities in campus, community, or volunteer organizations. Can upload your CV or Resume.
  6. A list of courses that you plan to take in Fall of 2025 and Spring of 2026.
  7. A letter of recommendations about your academic qualifications from your research advisor or professor. Recommendation must be received by application due date.
  8. A second letter of recommendations about your academic qualifications from a professor from SF State or from your undergrad/grad university. Recommendation must be received by application due date.
  9. Unofficial transcripts for all previous and current graduate and undergraduate work
  10. Show 4 more