Department of English Language and Literature {College of Liberal & Creative Arts}

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Scholarships, Fellowships and Financial Aid

NEW SCHOLARSHIP: Gail E. Weinstein Fellowship in Community Literacy Education
Deadline: Monday, May 7, 12:00 p.m. - Please see below for more details.

For questions or concerns regarding scholarships and deadlines, please come into the English Department's main office in HUM 289.

  • Applications must include the departmental application unless otherwise noted. The application lists the items to be submitted for each scholarship and may also be obtained at the English Department's main office in HUM 289.

Important Deadline Information:

  • Applications for scholarships awarded in the FALL semester are due in the Department office on the 1st Wednesday in April.
  • Applications for the TESOL Convention Scholarship are normally due in the first week of February.

Gail E. Weinstein Fellowship in Community Literacy Education

DEADLINE: Monday, May 7, 12:00 p.m.
Requirements (all to be submitted online): departmental application, statement of purpose and financial need; minimum 3.0 GPA; minimum enrollment of 6 units in award semester (see details of requirements below)

The Gail E. Weinstein Fellowship in Community Literacy Education supports students in the graduate TESOL program who demonstrate outstanding potential and initiative as community literacy practitioners and community partners. This fellowship, which reflects the TESOL program’s commitment to community service and learner-centered practice, honors Dr. Gail Weinstein, beloved professor, mentor, and friend to so many at SF State and the larger world of adult literacy education. Dr. Weinstein passed away peacefully on December 8, 2010, after surviving cancer for five productive and happy years. This year, thanks to a generous donation from Dr. Weinstein’s family, we are able to provide one award in the amount of $1,000, to be disbursed in Fall 2012.

This fellowship encourages graduate TESOL students to use their passion and talent to enhance or create successful community partnerships, a primary mission of the Center for Immigrant & Refugee Community Literacy Education (CIRCLE), established by Dr. Weinstein in 2007. CIRCLE aims to strengthen immigrant families and communities, to support practitioners who serve them, and to engage students deeply in the fabric of their communities with experiences that build their professional and leadership skills.

To apply:

1.    Complete and submit the online English Department scholarship application.

2.    Upload the following materials, as PDFs, at the end of your online application:

a.    A 1-2 page (double-spaced) statement of purpose which describes your experiences and interests in community literacy education, as well as the ways this award will advance your professional growth as a community literacy practitioner. For this year’s award, we are particularly interested in reviewing applications from students with interests in strengthening the integration of Project SHINE into the local community and our TESOL program or in building capacity within the Certificate in Immigrant Literacies Program.

b.    A copy of your most recent SF State transcript (unofficial) showing minimum 3.0 GPA 

c.    A brief statement of financial need

Debra Plousha Moore and John E. Moore Jr. Scholarship

Provides an award of $1,000 to a student in any degree or certificate program in the English Department at SFSU; recipient must demonstrate service and commitment to the African American community, and an interest in women’s issues, African American literature, or African American women. Applications accepted in the Spring semester for award disbursement in the following Fall semester.

Requirements:

  • Written statement in which you:
    - describe your service and commitment to the African American community
    - describe your interest in women's issues, African American literature, or African American women
    - address your financial need
  • Unofficial SFSU transcript showing minimum GPA of 3.0
  • minimum enrollment of 9 units in award semester

ASW Scholarship

You are eligible for this scholarship if you:

  • are a currently enrolled undergraduate
  • are a declared English Literature major
  • will enroll in at least six units in fall 2012

Provides an award of $1,000 to a student in the B.A. in English Literature program at SFSU. Applications accepted in the Spring semester for award disbursement in the following Fall semester. Requirements: minimum 3.0 GPA; written statement; name and contact information for two faculty references.

Cunningham Scholarship in English Literature

Provides an award of $1,000 to a graduate student pursuing the M.A. in English (Literature). Applications accepted in the Spring semester for award disbursement in the following Fall semester. Requirements: written statement addressing your interest in English literature studies, including American literature (please also address financial need); unofficial transcript showing minimum 3.0 GPA (entering students) or 3.5 (continuing students); minimum enrollment of 6 units in award semester; at least one letter of support from member of the English Lit. faculty.

Ellanore and Maurice Bassan English Department Scholarship

You are eligible for this scholarship if you:

  • have completed at least 9 units of graduate study with a minimum GPA of 3.0
  • will enroll in at least 12 units in fall 2012

Provides an award of $500 to a graduate student pursuing the M.A. in English (Literature) at SFSU who has demonstrated excellence in literary study. Applications accepted in the Fall semester for award disbursement in the following Spring semester. Requirements: copy of unofficial SFSU transcript; statement of academic and research goals and of financial need; at least one letter of recommendation/support from a member of the literature faculty; completion of at least nine units in M.A. Literature Program; minimum 3.0 GPA; enrollment in at least one semester of the current academic year.

Jan Gregory Postsecondary Reading and Composition Scholarship

Provides an award of $500 to a graduate student pursuing the M.A. in English (Composition), or either of the two graduate certificates. Applications accepted in the Spring semester for award disbursement in the following Fall semester. Requirements: written statement addressing your goals for graduate study and for your future career; copy of unofficial SFSU transcript showing minimum 3.0 GPA; minimum enrollment of 3 units in award semester; the name and contact information of a Composition MA faculty member.

Jim Brogan - Jack Post Scholarship

Provides an award of $1,000 to a San Francisco State student interested in literature based on queer/gay/lesbian/bisexual/transsexual perspectives. Applications accepted in the Spring semester for award disbursement in the following Fall semester. Requirements: copy of unofficial transcript showing minimum 3.0 GPA; written statement addressing your interest in literature based on queer/gay/lesbian/bisexual/transsexual perspectives (please also address financial need); minimum enrollment of 6 units in award semester.

Jim Kohn Scholarship

Provides up to five awards of at least $500 each to graduate students in the M.A. Linguistics and TESOL Programs. Applications accepted in the Spring semester for award disbursement in the following Fall semester. Requirements: Jim Kohn Scholarship Application Form, statement of financial need; minimum 3.0 GPA; written statement; completion of at least one semester in M.A. TESOL or M.A. Linguistics by semester of application; enrollment for at least 9 units of graduate coursework during at least one semester of the upcoming academic year.
Read submission requirements carefully on Kohn Scholarship Application form; departmental application coversheet not required.

R. Joel Dorius Memorial Scholarship

Provides an award of $1,000 to a graduate student in the Literature Program who is interested in the study of Shakespeare and/or Renaissance literature. Applications accepted in the Spring semester for award disbursement in the following Fall semester. Requirements: Written statement describing your interest in Shakespeare studies or the study of English Renaissance Literature (please also address financial need); unofficial transcript showing minimum 3.0 GPA; minimum enrollment of 6 units in award semester.

TESOL Convention Scholarship

Provides up to four graduate students in the TESOL Program with at least $500 for the purpose of attending the annual TESOL Convention. Awarded in time for travel (late February/early March). Requirements: Statement explaining goals of conference attendance; statement of financial need. Please submit these electronically to engdept@sfsu.edu. Departmental application coversheet not required.

 

Other Scholarships and Fellowships

For nationally competitive fellowships and CSU system-wide awards, see the Fellowships Office website. The Fellowships Office provides feedback on applications to many of the programs listed on its site.

To make an appointment, email Dr. Joy Viveros, fellows1@sfsu.edu, or call the reception desk to schedule an appointment: 415.338.2103.

 

See also the California Pre-Doctoral Program at SF State. These resources will be of special interest to those who intend to pursue a doctorate, an MFA, or a career in public service.

 

Financial Aid

  • For information on SFSU Financial Aid, including scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study, please visit the Financial Aid Office website.
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