💰 Cost of Attendance at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona 2026-2027
📅 2026–2027 Planning Note: The costs below reflect the most recently published figures (2025–2026). Universities typically finalize the next year’s rates in the spring, and we’ll update this page once official 2026–2027 numbers are released.
Planning tip: At large public universities, tuition, fees, and housing usually increase modestly each year (often in the 2–5% range). For early budgeting, families may want to plan for roughly $1,000–$1,500 more in-state or $2,000–$3,000 more out-of-state in total direct costs once new rates are published.
Category (2026–2027)
In-State
Out-of-State
Tuition & Mandatory Fees (2 semesters)
$8,148
$21,468
Housing & Meals (typical)
$16,370
$16,370
Total (Direct Costs)
$24,518
$37,838
Average Federal Net Price: $11,580 — this is what families actually paid after grants and scholarships (no loans), based on the most recent federal data. Your specific cost could be significantly lower or higher depending on your financial aid eligibility and merit scholarships. New to Net Price & SAI? Read our guide.
📌 Regional Tuition & Waiver Options
Cal Poly Pomona is a public CSU campus that charges higher nonresident tuition in addition to the standard systemwide tuition and mandatory campus fees; WUE participants from eligible Western states pay 150 percent of the California resident tuition rate rather than full nonresident tuition, producing a lower overall cost of attendance than the standard nonresident COA.
Out-of-State Waivers & Regional Savings
Cal Poly Pomona participates in the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE).
Eligible nonresident students from participating Western states can pay about 150% of the California resident tuition rate instead of full nonresident tuition.
Standard nonresident on-campus COA (published): $43,250 / year
WUE on-campus COA (published): $33,154 / year
Estimated savings with WUE: about $10,096 per year (mostly from lower tuition)
Tip: WUE is not guaranteed for every applicant. It’s typically awarded to a top portion of admitted students from WICHE states based on academic profile.
Learn more here: What is WUE? (Plain-English guide)
💡 Don’t Miss California Aid (if you’re in-state):
California residents may qualify for state grant programs that can stack with federal aid and campus-based awards.
FAQ — Cost & Out-of-State Savings at Cal Poly Pomona
Why is out-of-state tuition so much higher?
Like most public universities, Cal Poly Pomona charges higher tuition to nonresidents because California taxpayers subsidize part of the cost for in-state students.
The out-of-state portion is what programs like WUE are designed to reduce.
What’s the difference between “direct/billed” costs and the full Cost of Attendance?
Direct/billed costs are what you typically pay straight to the university (tuition/fees + housing/meals).
The full Cost of Attendance also includes estimated indirect costs (books, transportation, personal expenses, and loan fees) because they affect financial aid eligibility.
Does Cal Poly Pomona participate in WUE?
Yes. WUE can reduce the cost for eligible students from participating Western states.
The university publishes a separate WUE Cost of Attendance table, and the difference can be roughly $10,000 per year compared with standard nonresident costs.
Is WUE automatic if you’re from a WUE state?
Not necessarily. WUE at Cal Poly Pomona is typically awarded to a top portion of admitted students from WICHE states based on academic profile.
Families should treat it like a selective tuition discount, not something every out-of-state student will receive.
If my student is commuting, will our costs be lower than what’s listed here?
Usually, yes. Housing and meal costs are often the biggest “direct” line item.
Commuting can lower the real out-of-pocket cost, but you may still see transportation and personal expenses increase depending on distance and lifestyle.
How reliable is the “average net price” number?
It’s a federal estimate and a useful baseline, but it’s not a quote. Some families pay far less (especially with need-based aid or tuition reductions),
and some pay more (especially out-of-state students who do not receive WUE or other discounts).
CSU scholarships are usually portal-driven.
Before you hunt “lists,” read: CSU Scholarships Explained
(what to do first, what deadlines parents miss, and where the real money hides).
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
No guaranteed automatic merit with admission.
Cal Poly Pomona does not publish GPA- or test-score–based scholarships that are automatically awarded with an admission offer.
This matters because many public universities advertise automatic merit tiers
(for example: “3.8 GPA = $8,000 per year, no extra application”).
Cal Poly Pomona does not use that model.
Instead, scholarships at Cal Poly Pomona are awarded after admission
through the university’s centralized Bronco Scholarship Portal (BSP).
Students submit a general scholarship application, and the system uses
Automatic Matching (Auto-Match) to connect applicants with scholarships they may qualify for.
Even when a student is auto-matched, final selection is made by committees
(departmental, college-level, or donor committees). Awards are not guaranteed
or pre-promised based solely on GPA, class rank, or test scores.
Selection criteria often include a combination of:
Academic performance (GPA and coursework)
Major or departmental affiliation
Leadership, service, or campus involvement
Employment or participation (for certain awards)
Demonstrated financial need (via FAFSA or CADAA)
Bottom line for families:
You should not expect a guaranteed merit scholarship to appear automatically
in a Cal Poly Pomona admission letter. However, students who apply through the Bronco Scholarship Portal
can be considered for a wide range of institutional, departmental, and donor-funded scholarships.
In the next sections, we break these opportunities into:
🏆 Competitive Scholarships — higher-value or committee-selected awards
💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships — departmental, participation-based, or major-specific awards
🎖 Honors Scholarships — scholarships restricted to Kellogg Honors College students
This institution does not offer designated Automatic Merit scholarships at this time.
FAQ — Automatic Merit at Cal Poly Pomona
Does Cal Poly Pomona offer automatic merit scholarships?
Not in the traditional sense. Cal Poly Pomona does not publish guaranteed, GPA-based merit scholarships that are automatically awarded with admission.
What does “Auto-Match” in the Bronco Scholarship Portal actually mean?
Auto-Match means the system identifies scholarships a student may qualify for based on their application.
It does not mean the scholarship is guaranteed — final decisions are still made by review committees.
If there’s no automatic merit, is it still worth applying?
Yes. Cal Poly Pomona administers hundreds of scholarships through its portal.
Many students receive awards after admission, especially through departmental or donor-funded programs.
Are test scores used for scholarships?
Generally no. As part of the CSU system, Cal Poly Pomona does not use SAT or ACT scores for admission,
and they are typically not a primary factor in scholarship selection.
Do Honors students get automatic scholarships?
No automatic awards, but Kellogg Honors College students do have access to
honors-restricted scholarships through the Bronco Scholarship Portal, covered in the Honors section.
Quick CSU note: Cal Poly Pomona is part of the CSU system, which is test-blind for admission.
That means SAT/ACT scores typically aren’t the deciding factor for scholarships either.
Most competitive awards are based on GPA, major fit, involvement, essays, and committee review through the Bronco Scholarship Portal.
Cal Poly Pomona doesn’t offer one single, campus-wide “Presidential Scholarship” the way some universities do.
Instead, its higher-impact awards are typically endowed or donor-funded scholarships selected by committees
through the Bronco Scholarship Portal (BSP).
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Frank A. Tennant Endowed Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Mar 2 · 📢 Results: Late April through late June via the Bronco Scholarship Portal; Communication Department typically announces recipients at COM Day in April. ✓ Renews (3.25 GPA)
$7,780/yr
✘ Not stackable
🏫 3.3+ GPA👥 ~Multiple recipients selected each year. winners/yr🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stackable with other CPP institutional aid, CSU State University Grant, Pell, and Cal Grant. Recipients receive $3,890.11 per semester; for students also receiving need-based aid, the scholarship disburses on the same schedule via the financial aid office.
📄
How to Apply
Complete the Bronco Scholarship Portal general application, then search for the CLASS - COM - Frank A. Tennant Endowed Scholarship under the Opportunities > Recommended tab and click APPLY. Submit a 500-word statement of purpose and provide names and email addresses of two references. Finalists may be invited to interview with the Communication Department's Student Scholarship Committee.
Selection criteria: Communication Department Scholarship Committee reviews the general application, supplemental statement, and reference input. Selection weighs GPA, fit with journalism/PR track, demonstrated involvement in student clubs and professional organizations, and the strength of the 500-word statement. Finalists may be interviewed before final selection.
✎ Essays🌟 Finalist Event
💡
Strategic Detail
This is Cal Poly Pomona's single endowed competitive scholarship for Communication majors, worth $7,780.22 per year ($3,890.11 per semester) — the largest dollar award the Department of Communication offers. Here's the part most families miss: it's genuinely renewable year over year, but re-applicants must hold active membership in the Society of Professional Journalists, The Poly Post, or PRSSA, and must keep the 3.25 GPA and full-time status. Apply through the Bronco Scholarship Portal during Scholarship Season; finalists may be invited to a department interview before the committee decides.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Communication majors on the Multimedia Journalism or Public Relations track who are at least incoming freshmen and no later than juniors, hold a 3.25+ GPA, and can write a compelling 500-word statement about why this career calls to them. Finalists tend to be active in SPJ, The Poly Post, or PRSSA, and bring strong faculty or professional references.
* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
*GPA/test ranges are estimates based on past recipients and published profiles; actual thresholds can change by year.
FAQ — Competitive Scholarships at Cal Poly Pomona
Do I apply for flagship scholarships before or after admission?
Most Cal Poly Pomona scholarships are applied for after admission through the Bronco Scholarship Portal (BSP).
Students submit a general application and may be asked for additional materials (essay, resume, references) depending on the scholarship.
Is anything “automatic” once you’re in the portal?
The portal can auto-match students to scholarships they appear eligible for, but awards are still
committee-selected. Auto-match helps you find opportunities — it doesn’t guarantee you’ll receive them.
What usually matters most for competitive scholarships at CPP?
Typically: GPA, major/department fit, essays, involvement, and how well the student matches donor intent.
Since CSU schools are test-blind, SAT/ACT scores usually aren’t the deciding factor.
When are scholarship deadlines?
CPP scholarships often run on a yearly cycle through BSP, and the exact window can change.
Families should expect many scholarship applications to open in Spring for the following academic year
(but always confirm inside the portal for the current cycle).
If my student isn’t a Communication major, are there other “flagship-level” awards?
Cal Poly Pomona’s higher-value awards are often housed inside colleges/departments and may not be listed publicly on one page.
In the next section (Hidden Gems), we list strong department and program-based scholarships across multiple areas (Agriculture, campus employment, etc.).
At Cal Poly Pomona, many of the best scholarship opportunities are department-based or program-based.
That’s good news — because “hidden gem” scholarships often have smaller applicant pools than campus-wide awards.
Most of these scholarships are awarded through the Bronco Scholarship Portal (BSP).
Some are tied to a major (like Communication), a college (like Agriculture), or a hands-on program (like the W.K. Kellogg Arabian Horse Center).
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Agriculture Scholarships (Arabian Horse Center)
📅 Deadline: Program cycle varies; check the center site or BSP. Non-Renewable
Varies
✘ Not stackable
🎓 All Undergrad
📄
How to Apply
Apply through BSP and follow instructions from the Arabian Horse Center for agriculture-related donor scholarships.
Selection criteria: Committee review of academic progress and agriculture/equine involvement.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
Covers multiple donor funds for agriculture students connected to the Arabian Horse Center.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Agriculture majors in good academic standing who actively participate in the California light horse industry and center activities.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Ben F. Thompson Memorial Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Portal application window varies; confirm in BSP. · 📢 Results: Awards typically announced at COM Day with funds disbursed in late July or early August. Non-Renewable
$500
✘ Not stackable
🏫 3.0+ GPA🎓 All Undergrad
📄
How to Apply
Apply via the Bronco Scholarship Portal for the Ben F. Thompson Memorial Scholarship and complete any required community service documentation or essay.
Selection criteria: Committee considers GPA, multimedia journalism focus, and evidence of community service.
✎ Essays
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Multimedia Journalism students with at least a 3.0 GPA and a documented commitment to community service.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Byron Good Memorial Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Program cycle varies; confirm with the Arabian Horse Center or BSP. Non-Renewable
Varies
✘ Not stackable
🎓 All Undergrad
📄
How to Apply
Apply through BSP or Arabian Horse Center channels and document active participation and equine-related academic focus.
Selection criteria: Committee values sustained engagement and clear equine career goals.
✎ Essays
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students who consistently participate in Arabian Horse Center activities and pursue an equine-focused academic plan.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Cecil B. Brown Memorial Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Scholarship portal window varies; verify in BSP. · 📢 Results: Generally announced in the spring with disbursement before the following academic year. Non-Renewable
$3,000
✘ Not stackable
🏫 3.3+ GPA🎓 All Undergrad
📄
How to Apply
Apply through the Bronco Scholarship Portal as a Communication major or minor meeting the GPA requirement.
Selection criteria: Committee review emphasizing GPA and fit within the College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
Listed as a CLASS scholarship for Communication majors or minors.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: CLASS Communication majors or minors with a GPA of 3.25 or higher and strong application materials.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Cal Poly Pomona Enterprises Scholarship
📅 Deadline: April 2, 2024, for the Fall 2024/2025 award period; future years’ deadlines may vary. Non-Renewable
$1,000
✘ Not stackable
🎓 All Undergrad
📄
How to Apply
Student employees of Cal Poly Pomona Enterprises apply through the process described by Enterprises, which may include BSP and internal employer forms.
Selection criteria: Selection based on being a deserving Enterprises student employee and supporting their educational pursuits.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
Award provides up to $1,000 in Bronco Bucks for selected Enterprises student employees for the academic year.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Deserving student employees of Cal Poly Pomona Enterprises in good academic and work standing.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Equine-Human Relationship Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Varies by program cycle; confirm on the center page or BSP. Non-Renewable
Varies
✘ Not stackable
🎓 All Undergrad
📄
How to Apply
Apply via the Bronco Scholarship Portal or Arabian Horse Center process, including any required essays about equine-human relationships.
Selection criteria: Focus on center involvement and the student’s narrative about the equine-human relationship.
✎ Essays
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Full-time students deeply involved with the Arabian Horse Center who can clearly articulate the importance of the equine-human relationship.
📅 Deadline: Program cycle varies; confirm via Arabian Horse Center page/BSP. Non-Renewable
Varies
✘ Not stackable
Holistic / Status Based
📄
How to Apply
Incoming freshmen and transfer students apply through BSP or center process and submit materials demonstrating interest in the Arabian breed and equine industry.
Selection criteria: Committee emphasizes potential, leadership, and alignment with equine/ag pathway.
✎ Essays
🕵
Who Actually Wins
New students with strong interest in the Arabian breed, leadership and citizenship qualities, and clear commitment to equine or agriculture pathways.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Gary Keele Memorial Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Portal window varies by year; confirm in the Bronco Scholarship Portal. · 📢 Results: Recipients are usually announced at COM Day in April with disbursement in late July or early August. Non-Renewable
$1,000
✘ Not stackable
🏫 3.5+ GPA🎓 All Undergrad
📄
How to Apply
Apply through the Bronco Scholarship Portal as a full-time Communication major in the Communication Studies option; complete any required essays.
Selection criteria: Committee review emphasizing GPA and fit with the Communication Studies option.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
Graduating seniors are not eligible to apply.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Full-time Communication Studies students with a GPA of 3.5 or higher who are continuing (non‑graduating) undergraduates.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Harry B. McLachlin Scholarships
📅 Deadline: Cycle varies; check Arabian Horse Center page or BSP. Non-Renewable
Varies
✘ Not stackable
🎓 All Undergrad
📄
How to Apply
Students apply through BSP or Arabian Horse Center processes and show equine-industry interest and active engagement.
Selection criteria: Committee weighs engagement and stated career goals in the equine industry.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
Named funds for students with equine industry interest.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students actively engaged in center activities with a clear equine industry career plan.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Huntley College of Agriculture Departmental Scholarships
📅 Deadline: Portal window varies; agriculture site notes yearly scholarship cycle through BSP. Non-Renewable
Varies
✘ Not stackable
🎓 All Undergrad
📄
How to Apply
Agriculture students complete the Bronco Scholarship Portal application and apply for Huntley College departmental scholarships as listed.
Selection criteria: College and departmental committees review academic merit, leadership, and industry involvement.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
Umbrella row for multiple donor/endowed awards housed in the Huntley College of Agriculture; specific criteria and amounts vary by fund.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Agriculture majors with solid GPAs and meaningful involvement in major-related activities such as clubs, internships, labs, or industry work.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Kaufman-Yarbrough Memorial Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Bronco Scholarship Portal window varies each year; check BSP. · 📢 Results: Typically announced during COM Day with disbursement before the upcoming academic year. Non-Renewable
$500
✘ Not stackable
🏫 3.3+ GPA🎓 All Undergrad
📄
How to Apply
Submit the Bronco Scholarship Portal general application and apply specifically for the Kaufman-Yarbrough Memorial Scholarship when listed.
Selection criteria: Committee review based on GPA and alignment with department and donor goals.
✎ Essays
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Current Communication majors with a GPA of 3.25 or higher and strong departmental fit.
App Required⚠ Upperclassmen Only
Legacy Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Portal window varies by year; confirm current dates in the Bronco Scholarship Portal. · 📢 Results: Recipients are typically announced at COM Day in April and funds disbursed in late July or early August. Non-Renewable
$1,000
✘ Not stackable
🏫 3.0+ GPA🎓 Upperclassmen
📄
How to Apply
Complete the Bronco Scholarship Portal general application and apply for the Legacy Scholarship when it appears in the Communication department opportunities.
Selection criteria: Committee review focusing on GPA, leadership, community or departmental involvement, and alignment with donor intent.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
Amount listed as $1,000 on the Communication scholarship opportunities page.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Junior or senior Communication majors with at least a 3.0 GPA and strong engagement in department activities.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Patricia A. Kurtz Memorial Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Varies; confirm dates in the Bronco Scholarship Portal. · 📢 Results: Usually announced at COM Day with funds disbursed prior to the upcoming academic year. Non-Renewable
$500
✘ Not stackable
🏫 3.0+ GPA🎓 All Undergrad
📄
How to Apply
Apply via the Bronco Scholarship Portal for the Patricia A. Kurtz Memorial Scholarship and submit any required writing-focused materials.
Selection criteria: Emphasizes writing interest and quality along with GPA and departmental engagement.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
Graduating seniors are not eligible to apply.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Continuing Communication majors with at least a 3.0 GPA and strong interest in journalism, magazines, or feature writing (non‑seniors).
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Russell & Ruth Mawby Scholarships
📅 Deadline: Program cycle varies; confirm with the center or BSP. Non-Renewable
Varies
✘ Not stackable
🎓 All Undergrad
📄
How to Apply
Apply via BSP or the Arabian Horse Center, following Mawby scholarship instructions and documenting agriculture/equine engagement.
Selection criteria: Holistic review focusing on hands-on experience and academic progress.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
Named funds associated with agriculture and equine engagement.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students with agriculture or equine focus and a strong hands-on record at the Arabian Horse Center.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Wayne Rowe Memorial Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Varies by year; check BSP for current cycle. · 📢 Results: Recipients typically announced at COM Day; funds disbursed in late summer. Non-Renewable
$1,000
✘ Not stackable
🏫 2.0+ GPA🎓 All Undergrad
📄
How to Apply
Submit the Bronco Scholarship Portal general application and apply specifically for the Wayne Rowe Memorial Scholarship.
Selection criteria: Holistic review of academic standing and demonstrated commitment to the Communication program.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
Created to honor Dr. Wayne Rowe, Communication faculty emeritus.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Communication students with a GPA of 2.0 or higher who demonstrate commitment to completing the program.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
W.K. Kellogg Arabian Horse Center Scholarships
📅 Deadline: Program cycle varies; students are instructed to confirm dates on the Arabian Horse Center site or in BSP. Non-Renewable
Varies
✘ Not stackable
🎓 All Undergrad
📄
How to Apply
Apply through the Bronco Scholarship Portal and follow any additional instructions listed on the Arabian Horse Center scholarship page.
Selection criteria: Emphasizes equine-related involvement, academic progress, and alignment with center and industry goals.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
Umbrella entry for multiple donor-funded awards tied to the Arabian Horse Center; amounts and specific criteria vary by fund.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Full-time Animal Science majors, especially Equine Industry students, who actively participate in the Arabian Horse Center and the California light horse industry.
* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
FAQ — Hidden Gem Scholarships at Cal Poly Pomona
Why does Cal Poly Pomona have so many “department scholarships” instead of one big merit program?
CPP’s scholarship ecosystem is built around donor-funded and program-funded awards. That means many scholarships live inside
colleges, departments, and hands-on programs — and are awarded through the Bronco Scholarship Portal based on fit and committee review.
Do these scholarships require a separate application?
Usually, yes. Many scholarships require completing the BSP general application and sometimes adding essays, short answers,
or program-specific materials. Even if you’re auto-matched, committee review still decides recipients.
Are these scholarships only for juniors and seniors?
Many are geared toward continuing students, but not all. Some programs (like certain Arabian Horse Center awards) include
opportunities for freshmen or transfer students as well.
What’s the best strategy for winning a departmental “hidden gem” scholarship?
The best wins usually come from students who show clear major fit: strong grades in relevant classes, involvement in the department/program,
and an application that speaks directly to donor intent (why the major, what the student is building toward, and what they’ve already done).
Where do I find the real deadlines?
Because CPP scholarships are distributed across many funds and committees, deadlines can change year to year.
Treat BSP as your “source of truth” for the current cycle and check the program pages for special instructions.
Yes — Honors-only scholarships exist.
Cal Poly Pomona’s Kellogg Honors College promotes scholarships specifically for Honors students,
but they are administered through the Bronco Scholarship Portal (not a separate “Honors scholarship portal”).
Cal Poly Pomona has an Honors program called the Kellogg Honors College (KHC).
For students who like smaller classes, priority registration, and a more “high-touch” academic experience,
KHC can be one of the best value-adds on a CSU campus.
The key thing to know: Honors at CPP is competitive.
Students typically apply (or are invited) and must maintain ongoing requirements to remain in good standing.
Benefits and requirements can change, so families should verify details on the KHC resources page each year.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Kellogg Honors College Scholarships & Fellowships
📅 Deadline: Varies by award; KHC advises year-round and tracks individual deadlines for each fellowship. · 📢 Results: Varies by fellowship. Non-Renewable
Varies
✘ Not stackable
👥 ~Varies by award. winners/yr🎓 All Undergrad
✚
Stacking & Combining
National fellowships are usually post-baccalaureate (Gates Cambridge, Rhodes, Marshall, Mitchell, Truman, Soros, Fulbright, Madison) and don't stack against undergrad CPP aid in the traditional sense — they fund graduate study after CPP. The Goldwater, Hollings, EPP/MSI, Udall, and CSU Pre-Doctoral awards do apply during undergrad years and can layer on top of institutional and state aid; check each program's terms.
📄
How to Apply
Join the Kellogg Honors College, then connect with KHC's fellowship advisors (Dr. Claudia Garcia-Des Lauriers or Christian Murillo) for application support, faculty nomination, and institutional endorsement. Each nationally-competitive award has its own application portal, deadline, and supplemental materials — KHC walks members through each one individually.
Selection criteria: Each fellowship has its own external selection committee; KHC's role is advising, nomination, and endorsement rather than direct selection.
✎ Essays💌 Letters of Rec
💡
Strategic Detail
This isn't a single scholarship — it's KHC's nationally-competitive fellowship and scholarship advising hub for Honors College members. Through KHC, students get application coaching, faculty mentorship, and institutional nomination for awards like Gates Cambridge, Fulbright, Rhodes, Truman, Marshall, Goldwater, Soros, Mitchell, Madison, Udall, and the Hollings and EPP/MSI NOAA scholarships. KHC also advises on the CSU Pre-Doctoral Program ($3,000 for graduate research, open campus-wide). The big point families need to understand: several of these awards (Goldwater, Truman, Udall, Madison) require an institutional nomination, meaning students literally cannot apply without going through KHC's faculty reps first. KHC is a National Association of Fellowship Advisors member, so the advising infrastructure is real.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
KHC members who start early. Gates Cambridge, Rhodes, Marshall, and Soros recipients typically built research, public service, or international experience by sophomore year. Goldwater finalists are STEM students with serious research portfolios by junior year. Truman applicants are public service-oriented juniors with clear graduate-school-to-career narratives. The common thread: students who treat fellowship advising as a multi-year relationship, not a senior-year scramble.
* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
What families usually like about Honors: priority registration is often the biggest day-to-day benefit,
especially at campuses where popular classes can fill quickly. Honors students may also have access to enrichment,
advising, research, and smaller seminar-style experiences depending on the year and department.
FAQ — Kellogg Honors College at Cal Poly Pomona
Is the Kellogg Honors College worth it?
For many students, yes — mainly because of priority registration and the smaller-community feel.
If your student thrives with structure, advising, and academic engagement, Honors can be a strong fit.
Do Honors students get special scholarships?
Yes. Cal Poly Pomona notes that scholarships are available for Honors students.
The key detail is that these awards run through the Bronco Scholarship Portal and are restricted to eligible Honors students.
Is there a separate Honors scholarship application?
Usually no separate “Honors portal.” Honors scholarships are typically accessed through the same scholarship system (BSP),
with eligibility restricted to Honors students and sometimes requiring additional short answers or essays.
What does it take to stay in Honors?
Requirements can change by year, but most honors programs require students to maintain good academic standing and complete honors experiences/courses.
Always confirm current expectations on the KHC resources page.
Will being in Honors increase scholarship chances?
It can — mainly because some scholarships are restricted to Honors students, which can reduce the applicant pool.
But awards are still competitive and based on meeting the specific donor/program criteria.
Cal Poly Pomona is widely recognized for its hands-on, learn-by-doing approach.
As a public polytechnic university within the CSU system, CPP emphasizes applied learning,
industry connections, and career readiness — especially in fields where practical experience matters.
While it doesn’t carry the national brand of a flagship UC campus,
Cal Poly Pomona has developed strong reputations in several career-focused programs
that consistently attract employers and internship opportunities.
Engineering & Computer Engineering:
Known for project-based coursework, senior design projects, and strong ties to Southern California employers
in aerospace, manufacturing, and technology.
Architecture & Environmental Design:
One of the more selective programs on campus, with a strong studio model and emphasis on real-world design challenges.
Business & Management:
Practical curriculum with concentrations aligned to applied skills, internships, and regional industry needs.
Hospitality Management:
A standout program nationally, leveraging Southern California’s hospitality, tourism, and event-management industries.
Agriculture & Animal Science:
A defining strength of CPP, supported by extensive facilities and programs like the
W.K. Kellogg Arabian Horse Center, offering rare hands-on experience for undergraduates.
These strengths also explain why many of Cal Poly Pomona’s scholarships are
department-based or program-based.
Donor funding is often tied directly to specific majors, industries, or applied learning experiences.
Good fit students: CPP tends to be a strong choice for students who want
practical skills, internships, and a clear path to employment — and who are comfortable being proactive
about finding scholarships through departments and programs rather than relying on automatic merit awards.
🔗 Official Cal Poly Pomona Links
Use Cal Poly Pomona’s official university resources below to confirm admissions requirements,
scholarship policies, costs, and academic programs. Always rely on these pages for final
deadlines, eligibility rules, and award terms.
Cal Poly Pomona is a large public polytechnic university where affordability depends less on
automatic merit and more on departmental scholarships, honors opportunities, and regional tuition savings
like WUE for eligible out-of-state students.
Because CPP does not offer guaranteed admission-based merit packages,
families who do best here are the ones who use the Bronco Scholarship Portal early,
apply broadly within their major, and understand how aid, scholarships, and tuition waivers can stack.
If Cal Poly Pomona is on your list, the smartest move isn’t guessing what scholarships might appear —
it’s comparing CPP side-by-side with other public universities to see where your student’s academic profile
and major unlock the most value.
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