San Francisco State University offers 150+ scholarships, of which 12+ are accessible to Indian applicants. Most awards range from 500 USD to 5,000 USD (INR 47,250 to INR 4.72 Lakhs) per year. Larger external India-only funds like Fulbright-Nehru and Inlaks can cover full attendance cost.
Indian students combine institutional awards with external grants and loan scholarships to close the funding gap. Total tuition savings can reach 30% to 60% for high-GPA applicants.
- Standard nonresident tuition and fees: 20,100 USD (INR 18.99 Lakhs) per year for BS Computer Engineering.
- MS Computer Science tuition: 16,530 USD (INR 15.62 Lakhs) per year at nonresident rate.
- With a scholarship stack of 5,000 USD (INR 4.72 Lakhs): net PG tuition drops to about 11,530 USD (INR 10.90 Lakhs).
- Next major deadline: SFSU General Scholarship Application, tentative March 2, 2027 for 2027-28 awards.
Currency Note: All INR conversions use the live rate of 1 USD = INR 94.5 as of September 2026. Nonresident tuition means students from outside California, including all international applicants.
Table of Contents
- San Francisco State University Scholarships for UG Students
- San Francisco State University Scholarships for PG / Master’s Students
- India-Specific Scholarships at San Francisco State University
- San Francisco State University PhD Scholarships
- External Government Scholarships for San Francisco State University
- San Francisco State University Scholarships: Frequently Asked Questions
San Francisco State University Scholarships for UG Students
San Francisco State University offers 4+ undergraduate scholarships open to international applicants. Awards range from 500 USD to 3,000 USD (INR 47,250 to INR 2.83 Lakhs). Most run through the single online SFSU Scholarship Application portal.
| Scholarship | Amount (USD / INR) | Eligibility | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| SFSU International Undergraduate Merit Scholarship | 500 to 3,000 USD (INR 47,250 to INR 2.83 Lakhs) | Enrolled international UG, minimum 3.0 GPA | Tentative March 2, 2027 |
| Marcus Foster Memorial Student Scholarship | 1,000 to 2,500 USD (INR 94,500 to INR 2.36 Lakhs) | Financial need + 3.0 GPA | Tentative March 2, 2027 |
| BSSAA International Student Scholarship | 500 to 1,500 USD (INR 47,250 to INR 1.42 Lakhs) | Full-time international UG | Tentative March 2, 2027 |
| SFSU Alumni Association Scholarship | 1,000 to 2,000 USD (INR 94,500 to INR 1.89 Lakhs) | Continuing UG, 3.3+ GPA | Tentative March 2, 2027 |
Applicants complete one general application on the SFSU AcademicWorks portal. The system auto-matches candidates to eligible awards based on major, GPA and demographics.
College-specific awards from Lam Family College of Business or College of Science and Engineering appear as separate matched options. Indian freshmen with strong Class 12 boards (85%+) and IELTS 6.5+ rank higher in review.
Explore More: SFSU Admissions | SFSU Programs and Fees
San Francisco State University Scholarships for PG / Master’s Students
San Francisco State University funds international graduate students through 6+ Master’s scholarships and fellowships. Awards run from 1,000 USD to 6,000 USD (INR 94,500 to INR 5.67 Lakhs). Teaching and research assistantships add another 3,000 USD to 10,000 USD (INR 2.83 to INR 9.45 Lakhs) per year.
| Scholarship | Amount (USD / INR) | Eligibility | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate Equity Fellowship (CSU) | Up to 6,000 USD (INR 5.67 Lakhs) | Master’s students, financial need, 3.0 GPA | Tentative March 12, 2027 |
| SFSU Graduate Fellowship | 1,000 to 5,000 USD (INR 94,500 to INR 4.72 Lakhs) | Enrolled PG with 3.5+ GPA | Tentative March 2, 2027 |
| Lam Family College of Business Scholarships | 1,000 to 5,000 USD (INR 94,500 to INR 4.72 Lakhs) | MBA and MS Business Analytics students | Tentative March 15, 2027 |
| College of Science and Engineering Awards | 500 to 3,000 USD (INR 47,250 to INR 2.83 Lakhs) | MS CS, MS Data Science, MS Engineering | Tentative March 2, 2027 |
| Teaching Assistantship (TA) | 3,000 to 10,000 USD (INR 2.83 to INR 9.45 Lakhs) + partial tuition reduction | Nominated by department, GPA 3.5+ | Rolling, tentative before program start |
| Sally Casanova Pre-Doctoral Scholarship | 3,000 USD (INR 2.83 Lakhs) | Master’s students planning US PhD | Tentative April 15, 2027 |
Assistantships remain the highest-value route for Indian MS applicants. TAs earn a stipend plus a nonresident tuition reduction on units taught.
Reddit Insight: Indian students on r/gradadmissions note that SFSU TA slots for MS Computer Science open in the second semester of enrollment, not before. Plan cash flow for at least the first two semesters without assistantship support.
Business students should compare institutional funding against total SFSU cost of attendance before signing the I-20. MBA at 23,124 USD (INR 21.85 Lakhs) needs a bigger scholarship stack than MS CS at 16,530 USD (INR 15.62 Lakhs).
India-Specific Scholarships at San Francisco State University
Indian citizens qualify for 4+ external scholarships that pair with San Francisco State University admission. Awards range from partial cost coverage to full tuition plus living stipend. Most applications open 6 to 10 months before intake.
| Scholarship | Amount (INR) | Eligibility | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowship | Full tuition + stipend + travel (INR 30+ Lakhs total) | Indian citizens, bachelor’s with 55%+, 3 years work experience | Tentative May 20, 2026 |
| Inlaks Shivdasani Scholarship | Up to 100,000 USD (INR 94.50 Lakhs) | Indian citizens under 30, bachelor’s from Indian university | Tentative March 15, 2027 |
| JN Tata Endowment Loan Scholarship | INR 1 to 10 Lakhs (loan) + INR 1 Lakh gift | Indian citizens admitted to overseas PG | Tentative March 20, 2027 |
| KC Mahindra Scholarship for PG Studies Abroad | Up to INR 10 Lakhs (interest-free loan) | Indian citizens, PG admit abroad, 60%+ in graduation | Tentative March 31, 2027 |
Fulbright-Nehru covers full attendance cost but takes the longest lead time. Applications for Fall 2027 intake close in May 2026, so Indian applicants must build the file 12+ months before departure.
Inlaks stays highly competitive with 15 to 20 total awards each year across all disciplines. Winners get up to 100,000 USD (INR 94.50 Lakhs) split across tuition and living costs.
JN Tata and KC Mahindra work as loan scholarships. The interest terms are heavily subsidized, making them useful gap-fillers even for students with partial SFSU aid.
San Francisco State University PhD Scholarships
San Francisco State University runs one doctoral program directly (EdD in Educational Leadership) and offers joint PhDs with UC campuses. Doctoral funding covers 3+ scholarships open to advanced students planning academic careers.
| Scholarship | Amount (USD / INR) | Eligibility | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSU Chancellor’s Doctoral Incentive Program (CDIP) | Up to 30,000 USD loan (INR 28.35 Lakhs, forgivable) | Enrolled PhD students planning CSU teaching career | Tentative March 12, 2027 |
| Sally Casanova Pre-Doctoral Scholarship | 3,000 USD (INR 2.83 Lakhs) | SFSU Master’s students transitioning to PhD | Tentative April 15, 2027 |
| EdD Program Fellowship | Variable, up to 5,000 USD (INR 4.72 Lakhs) | Admitted EdD students, financial need | Tentative February 15, 2027 |
CDIP is the top pick for Indian applicants planning a US teaching path. Loan repayment converts to zero if the recipient teaches at a CSU campus for 3+ years post-PhD.
Direct PhD funding at SFSU is limited compared to top research universities. Indian students targeting funded US doctorates should also apply to nearby UC campuses that offer 5-year TA-funded packages.
External Government Scholarships for San Francisco State University
Indian students at San Francisco State University can stack 5+ external government and foundation scholarships on top of institutional aid. Many are structured as full grants, partial grants or interest-free loans. Total external funding can add INR 5 to INR 30 Lakhs per year.
| Scholarship | Amount (INR) | Eligibility | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fulbright Foreign Student Program | Full funding (INR 30+ Lakhs per year) | Indian citizens, bachelor’s, US Master’s or PhD applicants | Tentative May 20, 2026 |
| Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship | 50% grant + 50% loan (up to INR 25 Lakhs total) | Indian citizens from AKF-eligible communities | Tentative March 31, 2027 |
| Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation Scholarship | Interest-free loan up to INR 20 Lakhs | Indian citizens, PG abroad, need-based | Tentative April 3, 2027 |
| Ratan Tata Endowment Fund | Up to INR 10 Lakhs (grant) | Indian students with financial need + academic merit | Tentative April 15, 2027 |
| Aditya Birla Scholarship | Up to INR 3 Lakhs (grant) | Indian citizens, top academic and leadership record | Tentative July 20, 2026 |
Reddit Insight: Indian applicants on r/f1visa report that JN Tata Endowment and Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation are the most-stacked combo for CSU-tier universities like SFSU. The combination bridges the 15,000 to 20,000 USD gap that institutional aid rarely covers.
External scholarship applications share a common document set. Prepare these files 6 months before the earliest deadline:
- SFSU I-20 or offer letter as proof of admission
- Bachelor’s degree transcripts with WES or ECE evaluation
- Statement of purpose (500 to 1,000 words per scholarship)
- 2 to 3 letters of recommendation from academic referees
- Financial statement showing the funding gap
All external applications require the SFSU I-20 or admission letter as evidence. Line up your admission decision at least 3 months before the earliest external deadline to avoid missed cycles.
Explore More: SFSU Rankings
San Francisco State University Scholarships: Frequently Asked Questions
Ques. What is the maximum scholarship funding an Indian student can stack at San Francisco State University?
Ans. An Indian applicant can stack up to INR 40 to 50 Lakhs per year at SFSU. The combination includes Fulbright-Nehru (full tuition + stipend), SFSU institutional awards (up to INR 4.72 Lakhs) and JN Tata Endowment. Standard non-Fulbright stacks typically reach INR 10 to 15 Lakhs annually.
Ques. When should Indian applicants apply for San Francisco State University scholarships?
Ans. The main SFSU General Scholarship Application typically opens in November and closes in early March for the following academic year. Indian students targeting Fall 2027 must submit the SFSU application by tentative March 2, 2027. Fulbright-Nehru applications close a year earlier, tentative May 20, 2026.
Ques. How does the SFSU scholarship application process work for international students?
Ans. Applicants complete one general application on the SFSU AcademicWorks portal after enrollment. The system auto-matches candidates to eligible institutional awards based on major, GPA, financial need and demographics. Separate applications are needed for external scholarships like Fulbright, Inlaks or JN Tata.
Ques. What GPA do I need for institutional scholarships at San Francisco State University?
Ans. Most SFSU institutional scholarships require a minimum 3.0 GPA on the 4.0 scale (roughly 75% or 8.0 CGPA on Indian scale). Merit-heavy awards like the Alumni Association Scholarship demand 3.3+ GPA, while high-value graduate fellowships prefer 3.5+ GPA candidates.
Ques. Does the Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowship cover the full cost of studying at San Francisco State University?
Ans. Yes, Fulbright-Nehru covers full tuition (about 16,530 to 23,124 USD depending on program), a monthly living stipend, round-trip airfare and health insurance. Indian applicants need a bachelor’s with 55%+ marks, 3 years of professional experience and GRE or GMAT scores for STEM and business tracks.
Ques. Do SFSU scholarships cover San Francisco’s high cost of living?
Ans. Institutional scholarships alone do not cover full living costs. On-campus housing runs 18,270 USD (INR 17.26 Lakhs) per year, plus 7,186 USD (INR 6.79 Lakhs) for food and transport. Most Indian students supplement with 20 hours per week of on-campus work at 16-20 USD per hour, with off-campus CPT available after the first year.
Scholarships offered
Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship Program
- International Student Eligible: Yes
- Amount: $10,000
- Type: Merit-Based
- Level of Study: Bachelor
- Number of Scholarships: N/A
Axol Science Scholarship
- International Student Eligible: Yes
- Amount: $2,000
- Type: Company-Sponsored
- Level of Study: Bachelor
- Number of Scholarships: N/A
VueVille Future Technology Scholarship
- International Student Eligible: Yes
- Amount: $1,000
- Type: Merit-Based
- Level of Study: Bachelor
- Number of Scholarships: 1
R&D Systems Scholarship
- International Student Eligible: Yes
- Amount: $1,500
- Type: Merit-Based
- Level of Study: Bachelor
- Number of Scholarships: 2
QS Connect Master’s Scholarship
- International Student Eligible: Yes
- Amount: $5,000
- Type: Merit-Based
- Level of Study: Master
- Number of Scholarships: 1
BL Mandhana Scholarships
- International Student Eligible: Yes
- Amount: $10,000
- Type: Merit-Based
- Level of Study: Bachelor
- Number of Scholarships: 1
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The college is close to my house and is more affordable than other colleges. I like the campus itself and also the professors that teach here. The fine arts building has a myriad of rooms that students can use to independently work.
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I have not gotten any scholarships or financial aid. When I applied for financial aid, I didn't qualify to get any.
It's in the city of San Francisco and that's what intrigued me to come, so I can explore the city and live the city life. I am from SoCal and I live right next to the beach so moving to San Francisco was a big change for me and it was a change that really helped me grow as a person.
I loved the location, and it was one of the only Cal State schools with a relatively good nursing program. I also loved the range of classes, as I am a human sexuality minor. The classes they offer for that minor are amazing.
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