Current SEO Scholars
Welcome to SEO community!
Congratulations on your SEO fellowship! The SEO office, faculty, staff and students are available to support you through your SFSU journey, from navigating classes to applying to graduate school.
Your SEO Award
Refer to your award letter for the details of your award, including your monthly stipend amount. Not all SEO Awards include both tuition and stipends.
Tuition
SEO communicates directly with the Bursar's Office to provide tuition and fee coverage for our scholars for whom tuition is not already covered by a "Tuition First" grant like the State University Grant. SEO scholars who are recipients of a State University Grant (SUG) will have their tuition covered by their SUG award and their fees covered by SEO.
Student Involvement and Representation Fee (SIRF)
Established in 2016, the Student Involvement and Representation Fee is used to support the student leadership, involvement, governance, and advocacy programs managed by the California State Student Association (CSSA). This is an optional $2.00 fee. SEO scholarships do not cover this optional fee.
Students can navigate through their Student Center (SF State Gateway) to "Opt Out" if they choose to do so.
Priority registration
Undergraduate students with an SEO scholarship receive a priority registration date, beginning the second semester of the scholarship. For advising on which classes to take and in which order, speak with your scholarship director. Sign up for as many classes as you need by your first registration deadline, as it becomes harder to enroll in key classes as the registration period progresses.
Out-of-state tuition and residency reclassification
For students from a state/territory in the Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education (WICHE):
The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) is a regional tuition savings agreement administered by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE).
The Western Regional Graduate Program: Newly admitted graduate students from 16 Western states and territories who enroll at San Francisco State University as nonresidents, may be eligible to pay the California resident tuition rate.
SEO Fellowships for students from outside the WICHE states and territories that include a waiver for the out-of-state portion of tuition, typically do so for only the first year of a master's program. For the second year at SFSU, students are responsible for the out-of-state portion of the tuition. Students new to California should save money accordingly for year two, and/or apply for residency reclassification as soon as possible.
Stipends
NIH and Beckman funded scholars are paid in bulk by semester. Stipends for all other SEO scholars are disbursed monthly. We encourage you to sign up for direct deposit; otherwise, the check will be mailed to you. Please make sure to keep your mailing address up-to-date on your Student Center and with the SEO Office to avoid any delays.
Tax Information
SEO scholars that receive their stipends from the San Francisco State University will find this reported annually for tax purposes in their 1098-T form, delivered electronically to their Student Center portal no later than January 31st.
Do students need to pay taxes on their scholarships or fellowships?
The SEO Office does not give tax advice. Below are links to general IRS information about scholarship and fellowship funding. Consider consulting a tax professional regarding your specific situation, or the SFSU's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.
The Financial Aid office can also provide more information about scholarships and taxes.
CalFresh Eligibility and Help Clinic
The SEO office is officially classified as a Local Program that Increases Eligibility (LPIE) for CalFresh purposes, satisfying one of the three criteria for CalFresh eligibility. Contact the SEO Office to request your LPIE letter BEFORE applying for CalFresh benefits. Also work with with the CalFresh Help Clinic to review eligibility and submit your application. Be sure to let them know that you are an SEO Scholar.
Advising and Tutoring
There are several of units across campus who offer advising. In addition to SEO, students should use campus and departmental advising resources to help them navigate their academics, major, career exploration and more.
Departmental Advising
SEO scholars should also meet with departmental advisors who can help them navigate details of their major.