Financial Aid Resources

Jump to:

• Financial Aid Advising
• Tools and FAQs
• Scholarship Resources 

Financial Aid Advising at SJSU

The SJSU Financial Aid and Scholarship Office (FASO) offers in-person and virtual appointments to students who need support with their financial aid questions. Visit the FASO website to learn more about how to schedule an appointment, where they are located, and their office hours. 

Financial Aid UndocuAlly Network

Students may also reach out to any of our SJSU Financial Aid Advisors that have participated in an UndocuAlly Training hosted by the UndocuSpartan Student Resource Center. Click on the section below expand the list of advisors. 

• List of Financial Aid UndocuAllies

  • Financial Aid and Scholarship Office Staff

    • Lucy Serrato-Lager, Associate Director (USRC Liaison); lucy.serrato@sjsu.edu

    • Carolyn Guel Associate Director; carolyn.guel@sjsu.edu 

    • Anthony Bettencourt, Senior Counselor; anthony.bettencourt@sjsu.edu 

    • Thu Thuong, Advisor; Thu.Houang@sjsu.edu 

    • Ngoc Nguyen, Operations Support Coordinator; Ngoc.t.nguyen01@sjsu.edu 

    • Neelam Keshwani, Technical Lead; Neelam.Keshwani@sjsu.edu

Tools & FAQs

• Undocumented Students & CADAA

  • The California Student Aid Commission’s Undocumented Students page is your go-to resource for financial aid options if you’re an undocumented student in California.

    • Learn how to apply for the California Dream Act Application (CADAA);

    • Easy-to-understand information about eligibility & application deadlines.

    You can also visit our CA Dream Act page for more information about the program. 

• Mixed-Status Families & FAFSA

  • • The FAFSA Hub, provided by the Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, is a comprehensive resource designed to assist students from mixed-status immigrant families in completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

    • CADAA for Mixed-Status Families: The California Student Aid Commission provides essential information to support students from mixed-status families in making informed decisions about financial aid and higher education opportunities.

• Cash for College Webinars for Students & Families

  • These free Cash for College workshops have financial aid experts who can help you complete your CA Dream Act or FAFSA and answer all of your questions!

• Privacy & Data Security

  • • Protection of Student Information for CADAA Applicants

    • Know Your Rights: Student and Campus Safety

Scholarship Resources for Undocumented Students

There are many scholarships that do not require a SSN or even AB 540 eligibility. Here, we've gathered a range of scholarship resources to help undocumented students identify opportunities year-round. Click on the sections below to learn more about where and how to apply for free money!

• SJSU Spartan Scholarships

  • The SJSU Financial Aid and Scholarship Office administers three types of scholarships: campus scholarships, department scholarships, and private scholarships. Many of the scholarships are open to new and continuing students and many do not require a social security number or AB 540 requirement.

    Students are encouraged to apply during the application season each spring but do note that many scholarships have different deadlines.

    Apply for SJSU Spartan Scholarships.  

• List of Outside Scholarships

  • • Immigrants Rising Scholarship Database

    • PreHealth Dreamers Scholarship List - For undocumented students in pre-health fields/ majors. 

    • My Undocumented Life

    • Dreamers Roadmap

    • External Campus Scholarships

    • SJSU Alumni Association Scholarship List

    • SJSU Ernesto Galarza Scholarship

    • MALDEF

    • Silicon Valley Community Foundation Scholarships

• Personal Statement Guides and Toolkits

  • In this section you will find help guides and Toolkits designed to empower students in applying for scholarships with confidence. From step-by-step guides to useful templates, we have gathered resources to help you navigate the scholarship application process successfully.

    • Understanding the different types of scholarships.

    • UndocuSpartans: Personal Statement Writing (PPT) [pdf]- SJSU Writing Center

    • Writing A personal Statement- OWL Purdue (Examples)

    • Applying to Scholarships and Fellowships guide by Immigrants Rising