Associated Students/Dr. John Irwin Memorial Scholarship

Division of Student Life
The scholarship award ($1,500.00) will be disbursed during the Fall 2025 semester. To be eligible students must be enrolled at least half time (6 units) during the Fall semester 2025 when the awarded funds will be disbursed to the student’s account. Associated Student part-time staff and Board of Directors working in any capacity during the period of disbursement are not eligible to apply.

Dr. John Keith Irwin was a sociologist who earned his undergraduate degree from the University of California, Los Angeles and later completed his doctoral thesis at the University of California, Berkeley. He focused on his in-depth understanding of the statistics showing how education could greatly decrease recidivism in California and on the successful re-integration of formerly incarcerated individuals back into society. Dr. Irwin taught for many years in San Francisco State University’s Sociology Department, and in 1967 created Project Rebound, a special admissions program at SF State for the formerly incarcerated. In the early 1980s, Associated Students embraced this program and committed to funding it as an Associated Students program. Dr. Irwin’s life work was dedicated to the empowerment of individuals who had been negatively labeled and disenfranchised by the systemic use of political oppression in the form of incarceration, and this work is still going on with the help of SF State’s Associated Students.

As the author of many works centered on the issue of criminal justice in this country, Dr. Irwin was an intellect and humanitarian who never ceased to self-identify as a “convict” resulting from his years spent behind bars. Although Dr. John Irwin was able to leave the toils and tribulations of a life in prison, he never forgot the life lessons he learned or the individuals who taught him. Dr. Irwin passed in 2010 leaving behind a lifetime of accomplishments and an undeniable hope for the future. The scholarship in memory of Dr. John Keith Irwin shall assist individuals who have had dealings with the criminal justice system to redefine themselves using the right of higher education as their immediate means.

  • Awarding Department: Division of Student Life
  • Scholarship Intent: To provide assistance and support to the educational advancement of students by awarding money to eligible SF State students.
  • Criteria:
    1) Part time minimum enrollment at SF State or enrolled in at least half-time at another college or high school senior at the time of application.
    2) Applicants must include a detailed explanation of their academic achievement, supported by a letter of recommendation.
    3) Students must prove they were once on court mandated probation or parole, yet have transcended such monitoring and maintained good academic standing.
  • Major: Any
  • Class Level: HS Seniors, Undergrad: Any, Grad: Masters/MFA/Credential/2nd BA/PhD
  • Enrollment Status: Any
  • Enrollment Requirement: Undergrad: 6 UNITS; Grad: 4 UNITS
  • Financial Need as determined by the FAFSA and/or CA Dream App: Not a Requirement
  • Citizenship: Any
  • GPA: HS GPA: 2.5; Undergrad GPA: 2.5; Grad GPA: 2.5
  • Contact Person: Division of Student Life
  • Campus Address: SSB 403
  • Street Address: 1650 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco, California 94132
  • Phone Number: (415) 338-3888
  • Email: dos@sfsu.edu
  • Web page: http://dos.sfsu.edu/content/student-life
  • Number of Awards: 2

Award
$1,500.00
Scopes
Associated Students
Deadline
02/07/2025
Supplemental Questions
  1. Will you be employed by Associated Students during the Fall 2025?
  2. Will you be appointed to an Associated Students Board of Director position in Fall 2025?
  3. Will you be enrolled in 6 units or more during Fall 2025?
  4. Is your current cumulative GPA 2.5 or above?
  5. Short Answer: As a justice-involved student, describe how this scholarship will contribute to your financial need and academic success? Limit responses to a maximum of 300 words for each question.
  6. Short Answer: How have you demonstrated leadership and a commitment to serving others through your campus involvement and/or community service? Limit responses to a maximum of 300 words for each question.
  7. Short Answers:

    The questions below will provide the reviewers of your application with more information about your educational goals, career goals, community involvement, leadership roles, and what you hope to achieve in the future. Limit responses to a maximum of 300 words for each question.

    • What are your educational and career goals?
    • Where do you see yourself 5 years after you graduate from college?
  8. Submit a copy of an official document proving you were once on a court mandated probation or parole. (Document will be held in strict confidentiality and will not be reviewed by the selection committee)
  9. Recommendation Letter:

    Request a letter of recommendation from a person who knows you, (example: professor, employer, mentor, volunteer/internship coordinator) early in your application process.

    The letter of recommendation will address your EDUCATIONAL GOALS, ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS, AND COMMUNITY SERVICE INVOLVEMENT.

    The person writing the recommendation letter will need to upload it by February 7, 2025 using Academic Works. The recommendation letter must be 1 page in length, on an OFFICIAL LETTERHEAD, and SIGNED.

    Provide the recommender's First and Last Name and Email Address below:
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