History Scholarships

Below is a list of the scholarship opportunities available to History majors at CSUF. If you have any questions contact Dr. Allison Varzally.

Alumni Fund: Warren Beck Outstanding History Student Award

Amount: $500-$1,000

Established by: This scholarship is funded by the History Alumni Association to honor Dr. Warren Beck, member and former chair of the History Department faculty. The award will be judged and given by the History Alumni Association for intrinsic interest in history, which could be manifested in professional activities such as projects, papers, and participation in historical activities. Preference is given to a student who intends to use history in a career or in preparation for a career.

Open to: This scholarship is open to CSUF graduating undergraduate history majors.

Criteria: 2.75 GPA at CSUF ♦ Financial need ♦ History related activities at CSUF

Application Procedure: Please log into your CSUF Portal and click on the “Scholarships” button. Follow the onscreen instructions and complete the online CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY - FULLERTON SCHOLARSHIP & AWARD APPLICATION Academic Year 2023- 2024. An additional brief essay is required of this scholarship as part of your online application. Please respond to the following prompt online. The purpose of the Warren Beck Outstanding History Student Award is to reward a student who has intrinsic interest in History. In 250 words or less, detail your History-related activities as manifested in professional activities such as projects, papers, and participation in historical activities. Discuss whether you intend to use history in a career or in preparation for a career.

Submit two letters of recommendation from CSUF History Professors using the online letter process. Regardless of how many History scholarships you apply for, only 2 letters of recommendation total are needed.

Application Deadline: April 3

Bakken Book Fund

Amount: one award of $500 or two awards of $250

Established by: This scholarship is funded by Dr. Lynn Sargeant and Colleen Greene

Open to: This scholarship is open to CSUF undergraduate students majoring in History

Criteria: continuing undergraduate students majoring in History, demonstrated financial need, progress toward degree

The purpose of the Bakken Book Fund is to assist students with financial need to purchase books that will help them to continue to make progress toward their degree. In 250 words or less, explain your financial need and how the Bakken Book Fund will help you progress in your studies.

Application Deadline: April 3

The Black Family Fellowship in History

Amount: $2,000

Established by: This fellowship was established by Dan Black and Karl Freels to support students pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in History. The fellowships will allow students with a demonstrated financial need to pursue scholarly development and research to complete their project.

Open to: This fellowship is open to graduate and undergraduate students in History with a demonstrated financial need to pursue scholarly development and research projects towards their degree. For undergraduate students, preference will be given to those intending to pursue an advanced degree in History or related field, or to enter a credential program in preparation to teach. For graduate students, preference will be given to those intending to pursue a Ph.D. in History or related field. All applicants must be continuing students for at least one term after the awarding of the fellowship.

Criteria: Financial Need ♦ Undergraduate or Graduate Student in History

a biography or resume of 200 words or less.
a brief essay responding to the following prompts:
1. For undergraduate students, within 250 words or less, explain your financial needs and resources, your academic and professional goals, and an explanation for how your proposed budget expenditures will assist you in achieving your professional goals.
2. For graduate students, within 250 words or less, explain your financial needs and resources, the significance of your proposed research project, and an explanation for how the proposed budget expenditures will assist you in achieving your professional goals.
An itemized budget that describes how award funds will be used (virtual workshops, digital humanities conferences, digital subscriptions or access fees, books, material purchase, tuition, summer or intersession courses, etc.)
Graduate students must also attach an abstract (250 words) of their proposed research project or master’s thesis

Submit two letters of recommendation from CSUF History professors using the online letter process. Regardless of how many History scholarships you apply for, only 2 letters of recommendation total are needed.

Application Deadline: April 3

Carmen Delphine Bayati Memorial Scholarship

Amount: $500 - $1,000

Established by: This scholarship is named for Carmen Delphine Bayati, a re-entry student who graduated in 1993 with a B.A. in history. The memorial scholarship was established in 1993 by her husband, Khatan, and her sister after Carmen’s untimely death. Two to four awards may be given annually. For purposes of this scholarship, a reentry student is one who dropped out of or postponed undergraduate education for at least one full academic year. Applicant must have been enrolled at CSUF for at least two semesters prior to the spring semester in which the award is given. Must have completed a minimum of nine units of history at CSUF and must continue to be enrolled at CSUF for the next full academic year.

Open to: This scholarship is open to reentry undergraduate history majors.

Criteria: 2.0 GPA at CSUF ♦ Financial need ♦ Family/work situation

The purpose of the Carmen Delphine Bayati Memorial Scholarship is to assist a reentry student. In 250 words or less, discuss your experiences as a reentry student.

Application Deadline: April 3

Ronald Rietveld Fellowship on the Era of Abraham Lincoln

Amount: $400

Established by: Friends and colleagues of Ronald Rietveld, a Lincoln scholar who taught Civil War and Reconstruction at CSUF for over 50 years. The award recognizes his two-generations of outstanding service to the university and its students.

Open to: CSUF graduate students who have taken a minimum of twelve (12) units of graduate classes at CSUF. Award is intended to provide an annual fellowship for a CSUF graduate student who is completing research on the Lincoln Era. Note that research may include: social and cultural history, gender, politics, and race or ethnicity studies. Provide a written statement detailing your interest in the Era of Abraham Lincoln along with your application.

Criteria: 3.0 GPA ♦Activities in the field of US History ♦Financial need

The purpose of the Rietveld Scholarship is to encourage the study of US History during the Lincoln era. In 250 words or less, please describe your interest in this period. You may wish to indicate if these funds will assist you in your graduate research.

Submit two letters of recommendation from CSUF faculty members of any discipline or department using the online letter process. Regardless of how many History scholarships you apply for, only 2 letters of recommendation total are needed.

Application Deadline: April 3

Jorice Maag Local History Scholarship

Amount: $1,500

Established by: : This scholarship is funded by the docents of Heritage House and the Friends of the Fullerton Arboretum in honor of the local preservationist to encourage the study of California history and museum studies.

Open to: This scholarship is open to full-time continuing upper-division or graduate students pursuing topics related to California history and museum studies/design/exhibition. Preference will be given to those interested in local history, defined as topics relating to the immediate area of the campus, Orange County and surrounding areas, or of persons and institutions in these areas engaging in activities that promote, conserve, and/or exhibit such history.

Criteria: GPA ♦ Appropriateness of study/project ♦ Student and community activities ♦ Financial need

Application Procedure: Log into your CSUF portal and click on the “Scholarships” button. Follow the onscreen instructions and complete the CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY - FULLERTON SCHOLARSHIP & AWARD APPLICATION Academic Year 2023- 2024. An additional brief essay is required of this scholarship as part of your online application. Please respond to the following prompt online.

The purpose of the Jorice Maag Scholarship is to encourage the study of local California history and museum studies. In 250 words or less, please describe your interests in local history, defined as the area immediately around campus, Orange County, and surrounding areas, or museum studies.

Submit two letters of recommendation from CSUF History or Museum Studies professors using the online letter process. Regardless of how many History scholarships you apply for, only 2 letters of recommendation total are needed.

Application Deadline: April 3

Lawrence B. de Graaf History Student Fellowship

Amount: $1,000

Established by: This scholarship was established and funded by Lawrence B. de Graaf, a founding member of the CSUF Department of History Faculty, and a dedicated teacher and advisor to students. The purpose of this fellowship is to support undergraduate and graduate students in pursuing innovative research activities, experiential learning opportunities and/or independent research towards the completion of a project or degree (e.g. study abroad, conference participation, internships, archival research, etc.).

Open to: This scholarship is open to all History undergraduate students of Junior and Senior standing and History graduate students.

Criteria: Minimum 3.0 GPA ♦ Evidence of timely progress toward graduation ♦ Financial Need

Application Procedure: Please log into your CSUF portal (be sure to use the new portal) and click on the “Scholarships” button. Follow the onscreen instructions and complete the CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY - FULLERTON SCHOLARSHIP & AWARD APPLICATION Academic Year 2023- 2024. An additional essay is required for this scholarship as part of your online application. Please respond to the following prompt online:

Describe your intended scholarly activity, experiential learning activity and/or independent research and how this fellowship will assist in the completion of your project or degree.

Submit two letters of recommendation from CSUF Department of History faculty members. Regardless of how many History scholarships you apply for, only 2 letters of recommendation total are needed.

Application Deadline: April 3

Nancy Fitch Women and Gender History Award

Amount: $500

Established by: This scholarship was established by Dr. Nancy E. Fitch, a professor of European and Gender history, who wished to encourage students to study women’s history and/or gender studies.

Open to: This scholarship is open to continuing CSUF undergraduate or graduate students in American Studies, Ethnic Studies, Women and Gender Studies, or History for research or advanced study in women and/or gender history.

Criteria: Interest in women’s history ♦ 3.0 GPA at CSUF ♦Financial need

The purpose of the Nancy Fitch Women and Gender History Award is to support students with interests in women’s history and/or gender studies. Within 250 words, detail your interest in and activities related to women and/or gender history.

Application Deadline: April 3

Seymour Scheinberg Jewish Studies Award

Amount: $500

Established by: This scholarship was established in 2017 to honor Dr. Seymour (Sy) Scheinberg, member and former Chair of the History Department faculty, whose areas of research and teaching included the history of India, Bhutan, the Himalayas, and Nepal, as well as Jewish history. His contributions to the curriculum included History of the Jews (HIST 412C) and The Holocaust (HIST 435A). In 2004, Dr. Scheinberg was honored for “distinguished contributions to Holocaust education” at the Holocaust Educational Foundation’s Lessons and Legacies Conference.

Open to: : This scholarship is open to any CSUF Department of History or Department of Religious Studies undergraduate major or graduate student

Criteria:

3.0 GPA at CSUF
Interest in Jewish Studies
Financial Need

The purpose of the Seymour Scheinberg Jewish Studies Award is to support students with interests in Jewish Studies. In 250 words or less, detail your interests in Jewish Studies.

Submit two letters of recommendation from CSUF History or Religious Studies professors using the online letter process. Regardless of how many History scholarships you apply for, only 2 letters of recommendation total are needed.

Application Deadline: April 3

The Wendy Elliott Scholarship in Family History

Amount: $500

Established by: This scholarship was established by Dr. Wendy Elliott, a CSUF History alum, beloved former faculty member in the Department of History, and advisor to The Welebaethan.

Open to: The purpose of the scholarship is to support an undergraduate or graduate student engaging in research activities, community engagement (internship, service learning, volunteer, or professional employment), and/or course work with a significant emphasis on family history.

Criteria: Minimum GPA 3.0, Financial Need

The purpose of the Wendy Elliott Scholarship in Family History is to support students with interests in family history. In 250 words or less, detail your interests in family history.

Application Deadline: April 3

Academic Support Scholarship

Amount: $150 - $300

Established by: This scholarship has been made possible by the Titan Shops Textbook Requisition Reward program.

Open to: This award is open to continuing CSUF undergraduate history majors and to continuing CSUF M.A. students in history who have taken a minimum of six units of graduate history courses at CSUF.

Criteria: Minimum 3.0 GPA; merit of request for scholarship funds as demonstrated in application statement; interest in history as demonstrated in application statement

For undergraduate students, please include a PDF copy of your “Titan degree audit” that is available through TITAN Online on your portal. For graduate students, please attach a PDF of an “unofficial transcript.”

Write a 250 word statement detailing how you will use the funds from the scholarship for any or all of the following: books for history department courses, conference travel, conference fees, research travel, Ph.D. application fees

Application deadline: April 3

Hansen Fellowship in Oral and Public History

Amount: $750

Established by: This fellowship is funded by donations to the Hansen Lectureship and Fellowship Fund in History. It was established in 2008 to honor Dr. Art Hansen for his many years of service as a faculty member in History and his 23 years as the Director of the Oral History Program and the Center for Oral and Public History (COPH).

Open to: Graduate students who have taken a minimum of 12 units in history graduate classes at CSUF and have been enrolled in the CSUF history graduate program for at least one year. The award is intended to assist a graduate student pursuing a master’s thesis or project in oral or public history. Preference is given to a student who intends to use the funds to assist with the research or production of the master’s thesis or project. A strong application will spell out how the student intends to use the funds (i.e. travel to conduct oral histories or to complete archival research, funds to assist with transcription, purchase of materials for an exhibition, taking a course in web design for an online exhibit, etc.)

Criteria: 3.0 GPA at CSUF ♦ Evidence of planned oral or public history project ♦ Financial need

The purpose of the Hansen Fellowship is to support students with interests in oral and public history. Within 250 words, detail your interest in oral and/or public history and describe your research plans.

Application Deadline: April 3

Scholarships Open To All Majors

History Scholarships

Alumni Fund: Warren Beck Outstanding History Student Award

Bakken Book Fund

The Black Family Fellowship in History

Carmen Delphine Bayati Memorial Scholarship

Ronald Rietveld Fellowship on the Era of Abraham Lincoln

Jorice Maag Local History Scholarship

Lawrence B. de Graaf History Student Fellowship

Nancy Fitch Women and Gender History Award

Seymour Scheinberg Jewish Studies Award

The Wendy Elliott Scholarship in Family History

Academic Support Scholarship

Hansen Fellowship in Oral and Public History

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