Fresno State admits about 95% of applicants and does not look at the SAT or ACT at all. Admission runs on your student’s GPA in the California “a-g” college-prep courses. Applications go through Cal State Apply, and the fall 2027 priority window runs August 1 to November 30, 2026. The bigger question for most families is not getting in. It is getting into the scholarship pools, because nearly all of Fresno State’s money is awarded by application, not by stats.
Cal Grant A or State University Grant (need-based, California residents)
Honors College
Honors Program Available
Financial Aid Forms
FAFSA Only
🚨 Easy-to-Miss “Gotchas” at Fresno State (Read This First)
Smittcamp is no longer a full ride. Older websites still say it covers tuition and housing. For 2026-27 it is $6,000 a year plus a housing stipend worth a community double dorm, about $12,422 total if your student lives on campus. It no longer covers the full $8,635 in resident tuition and fees.
You can only keep one of the “big three.” Your student can apply to Smittcamp Honors, Lyles Engineering Honors, and Craig Business Scholars, but can accept only one.
Smittcamp pulls the general scholarship deadline up to December 10, 2026. Everyone else has until March 2, 2027, but Smittcamp applicants must submit the General Scholarship Application by December 10 too. Craig Scholars and Lyles Honors are due January 15, 2027.
No WUE discount for out-of-state students. Unlike Sacramento State, Chico State, and San José State, Fresno State is not part of the Western Undergraduate Exchange. Nonresidents pay an extra $471 per unit.
Cal Grant needs a verified GPA by March 2. The high school has to send it to the state separately from the FAFSA or CADAA. A perfect FAFSA without the GPA upload gets nothing.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes, for admission. California State University, Fresno is test-optional for admission, but scholarships can work differently (see the next question).
Do you need test scores for scholarships at California State University, Fresno? Fresno State is test-blind for admission and its scholarships; only Craig Business Scholars looks at an SAT 1100 or ACT 22, and only if your student tested.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: Not considered; SAT: Not considered.
Average net price? About $7,834/year after aid.
Does this school use waivers/reciprocity?
No broad regional reciprocity path.
💰 Cost of Attendance at California State University, Fresno: 2026–2027 Rates
Figures verified against official sources in October 2026.
📅 Planning for 2027–2028? These are the 2026–2027 rates, the newest California State University, Fresno has published. Colleges usually release next year's costs in the spring, and we update this page when they do.
Budgeting tip: costs typically rise 2% to 5% a year. For 2027–2028, plan on roughly
$400 to $1,000 more than the in-state total below.$700 to $1,700 more than the out-of-state total below.
In-State: billed cost per year
$20,006
Tuition, fees, housing, and meals for two semesters
Tuition & mandatory fees
$8,635
Housing & meals (typical)
$11,371
Total billed cost
$20,006
Out-of-State: billed cost per year
$34,136
Tuition, fees, housing, and meals for two semesters
Tuition & mandatory fees
$22,765
Housing & meals (typical)
$11,371
Total billed cost
$34,136
That is $14,130 more per year than California residents pay, before any waivers or scholarships.
Average federal net price: $7,834 per year.
This is what first-time, full-time students who received grant aid paid after grants and scholarships, for in-state students only, based on the most recent federal data. It counts books and living costs, so it can run higher than the billed total above. Families who got no grants are not in this average, so many middle-income families pay more. New to Net Price & SAI? Read our guide.
Out-of-state families: this average does not include you. Run the college's own net price calculator for a number based on your situation.
What the Housing Number Means
The housing and meals figure above is the 2026-27 price for a community double room plus the Gold meal plan (10 meals a week), which is the standard first-year setup. Fresno State requires a meal plan for everyone living on campus. Cheaper rooms (community triples) and pricier ones (suites and the new apartments) move this number up or down by a few thousand dollars.
FAQ: Cost of Attendance at Fresno State
Why is the out-of-state cost so much higher?
Nonresidents pay an extra $471 per unit on top of regular tuition and fees. At a normal 15-unit load, that adds about $14,130 a year. Fresno State does not take part in the Western Undergraduate Exchange, so there is no reduced rate for students from other Western states.
Is the housing number what we will actually be billed?
It is what Student Housing charges for a community double with the Gold meal plan. The financial aid office builds a slightly bigger budget for aid purposes (published summaries put it near $13,186 for food and housing), because it pads for extras. Use the billed number for your bill and the aid budget for figuring out how much aid your student can receive.
Does Cal Grant cover all of tuition at Fresno State?
Cal Grant A and the State University Grant cover the CSU systemwide tuition charge, $6,838 for 2026-27. Campus fees of roughly $1,797 a year (health center, student union, and similar fees) are not included, so even a fully covered student owes something.
Is the average net price really that low?
Yes. The federal average for first-year students who received grant aid was $7,834. It ranges from about $5,105 for families under $30,000 to about $16,899 for families over $110,000. Families who skip the FAFSA or CADAA usually pay much closer to the full cost.
Will tuition go up each year?
Plan on it. The CSU Board of Trustees approved 6% annual tuition increases for five years starting in fall 2024, and housing rates rise most years too. Cal Grant and the State University Grant usually rise with tuition; most private scholarships stay flat.
Can AB 540 and undocumented students get help with these costs?
Yes. Students who meet California’s AB 540 rules pay the resident rate, and by filing the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) instead of the FAFSA they can qualify for Cal Grant, the State University Grant, the Middle Class Scholarship, and many Fresno State scholarships.
📅 Fresno State Scholarship Timeline (Simple Version)
October 1, 2026: The scholarship portal opens. Your student needs a Fresno State ID from Cal State Apply before they can log in.
December 10, 2026: Smittcamp Honors application and the General Scholarship Application both due for Smittcamp applicants.
January 15, 2027: Craig Business Scholars and Lyles Engineering Honors supplements due.
March 2, 2027: General Scholarship Application closes for everyone else. Same day as the Cal Grant deadline (FAFSA or CADAA plus verified GPA).
Parent rule of thumb: apply on Cal State Apply in October so the student ID arrives early, then knock out the scholarship application before winter break.
Automatic Scholarships at Fresno State
Fresno State has no automatic merit grid. A 4.0 does not trigger money on its own the way it does at many out-of-state publics. What it does have is the next best thing: one General Scholarship Application that automatically puts your student in front of hundreds of donor awards. For California families, the big automatic money is state aid (Cal Grant, the State University Grant, and the Middle Class Scholarship), which shows up below based on your FAFSA or CADAA.
Find your student's tier
Enter the numbers you have. We'll highlight the automatic award your student would actually get and tuck the rest out of the way. Leave it blank to browse everything.
Residency
Based on published cutoffs for entering freshmen. Always verify with the college before finalizing plans.
Start with your state. The awards in this first group come from the state, not the college. They are decided by residency and the FAFSA, and they stack on top of whatever automatic merit award the college gives below. If you live out of state, use the toggle above and these will step aside.
State AidFull TuitionAutomaticstate residencyneed based
Cal Grant A
📅 Deadline: FAFSA or CADAA plus GPA verification by March 2 ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Full Tuition
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.0+ GPACalifornia resident or AB 540 student; 3.0 high school GPA (or 2.4 college GPA); 2026-27 income ceiling $144,700 for a family of four, assets under $111,900; FAFSA or CADAA and a verified GPA by March 2; within one year of high school graduation for the entitlement award
✚
Stacking & Combining
Pays CSU systemwide tuition, $6,838 in 2026-27. Campus fees and housing are not included. Stacks with the State University Grant, Pell, and campus scholarships, though a student cannot receive both Cal Grant A and SUG for the same tuition. Guaranteed for every senior who meets the GPA, income, and deadline.
💡
Strategic Detail
State program, not a California State University, Fresno award. Rules and amounts are set by the state and can change with each budget. Full details on the CollegeReadyParent CA page.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Every California senior with a 3.0 whose family is under the ceiling and whose school sent the GPA to CSAC by March 2. The miss is almost always the GPA verification, which the high school must submit separately; a student with a perfect FAFSA and no verified GPA gets nothing.
State AidFull TuitionAutomaticstate residencyneed based
State University Grant
📅 Deadline: FAFSA or CADAA by March 2; no separate application ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Full Tuition
✔ Stackable
California resident or AB 540 student at a CSU with financial need (Student Aid Index under the CSU threshold); FAFSA or CADAA by March 2; not receiving Cal Grant A or B tuition money for the same term
✚
Stacking & Combining
CSU's state-funded tuition grant for students with need who did not get Cal Grant, or whose Cal Grant does not cover tuition. Pays the systemwide tuition charge, $6,838 in 2026-27. Campus fees and housing are not included. Stacks with Pell and campus scholarships.
💡
Strategic Detail
State program, not a California State University, Fresno award. Rules and amounts are set by the state and can change with each budget. Full details on the CollegeReadyParent CA page.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Need-based CSU students who missed Cal Grant, usually on the GPA verification or by filing after March 2. SUG is the safety net under Cal Grant A, and the two never pay the same tuition twice.
State AidAutomaticstate residencyneed based
Cal Grant B
📅 Deadline: FAFSA or CADAA plus GPA verification by March 2 ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Varies
✔ Stackable
🏫 2.0+ GPACalifornia resident or AB 540 student; 2.0 GPA; 2026-27 income ceiling $76,100 for a family of four, assets under $111,900; FAFSA or CADAA and a verified GPA by March 2
✚
Stacking & Combining
For lower-income families. Year one is a $1,648 access award for books and living costs; from year two it adds the full Cal Grant A tuition amount for your school on top of the access award. Students with dependent children or a foster care history can get up to $6,000 in access money. Stacks with Pell and college aid.
💡
Strategic Detail
State program, not a California State University, Fresno award. Rules and amounts are set by the state and can change with each budget. Full details on the CollegeReadyParent CA page.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Low-income seniors with at least a 2.0 who filed by March 2. The first-year letter looks small because tuition does not kick in until sophomore year; families sometimes decline a school over that without realizing year two is worth ten times more.
State AidAutomaticstate residencyneed based
Middle Class Scholarship
📅 Deadline: FAFSA or CADAA by March 2; no separate application ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Varies
✔ Stackable
California resident or AB 540 student at a UC or CSU; household income and assets under $262,000 (dependent students, 2027-28 ceiling); no GPA requirement; no separate application
✚
Stacking & Combining
No fixed amount: the state computes cost of attendance minus other gift aid, minus an $8,616 student contribution, minus a parent contribution for incomes over $100,000, and pays a share of what is left based on the year's budget. Comes after Cal Grant and Pell, stacks with campus aid, and reaches families well above the Cal Grant ceiling.
💡
Strategic Detail
State program, not a California State University, Fresno award. Rules and amounts are set by the state and can change with each budget. Full details on the CollegeReadyParent CA page.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Families between roughly $100,000 and $262,000 at a UC or CSU, the group that gets nothing from Cal Grant. The award changes every year with the state budget, so a sophomore's letter can be smaller than freshman year's for reasons that have nothing to do with the student.
One award, not a pile. Colleges apply your student's single best automatic award. Automatic scholarships almost never stack with each other, though some stack with housing, departmental, or outside money. The stacking notes on each card tell you which.
Automatic⚠ All Undergrad Only
General Scholarship Application (Auto-Matched Donor Awards)
📅 Deadline: March 2 · 📢 Results: After March 2. Winners are emailed at their Fresno State address; students who are not selected get no notice. Non-Renewable
Varies
✔ Stackable
🎓 All UndergradNew students who have applied for 2027-28 admission, plus continuing students. A Fresno State student ID and an activated MyFresnoState email are required to log in. Any award with a financial need requirement also needs a FAFSA or CADAA processed before March 2.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Fresno State donor awards stack with Cal Grant, the State University Grant, Pell, and each other. Fresno State's scholarship FAQ says that if total aid would exceed the cost of attendance, the reduction comes out of federal or state aid rather than scholarship money.
💡
Strategic Detail
Fresno State says it awards more than a thousand scholarships worth over $4.5 million a year to incoming and continuing students.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
The students who actually finish it. More than half of the hundreds of listings on the portal need nothing beyond this one application, and after submitting, the portal recommends extra apply-to awards based on major and answers. Most winners wrote two specific personal statements (background and career plan) and filed the FAFSA or CADAA so need-based awards could see them.
Data last verified Oct 30, 2026.* 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.
Note: “Automatic consideration” on Fresno State’s portal means your student does not fill out anything extra for that award, but they still have to submit the General Scholarship Application by the deadline. Skip it and none of these awards can find them.
Automatic Scholarships: FAQs (Fresno State)
Does Fresno State give automatic merit scholarships for GPA or test scores?
No. Fresno State does not publish a GPA or test score chart that guarantees money. Its merit dollars come through the General Scholarship Application and a few program applications like Smittcamp Honors.
What does “automatic consideration” mean on the scholarship portal?
More than half of the awards on Fresno State’s portal need nothing beyond the General Scholarship Application. The system matches your student to them based on major, background, and answers. After submitting, the portal also lists recommended awards that need a few extra questions.
When is the scholarship application open?
October 1, 2026 to March 2, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific. Smittcamp applicants have an earlier deadline of December 10, 2026.
Do we have to file the FAFSA to get scholarships?
For any award with a financial need requirement, yes. The FAFSA (or the CADAA for undocumented and AB 540 students) must be processed by Fresno State before the scholarship deadline, or the need calculation will not show up on your student’s application.
How will we know if my student won something?
Winners get an email at their Fresno State address after March 2 and must accept by the date in that email. Students who are not selected get no notice, so check that inbox regularly.
Which state grants show up for Fresno State?
California residents can receive Cal Grant A or B, the State University Grant, and the Middle Class Scholarship. All of them run off the FAFSA or CADAA by March 2, and Cal Grant also needs the high school to submit a verified GPA.
Fresno State does not have one giant flagship scholarship. Its biggest competitive money lives inside three programs: the Smittcamp Family Honors College (covered in the Honors section), Lyles Engineering Honors (also in Honors), and Craig Business Scholars (below). Your student can apply to all three but can only accept one, so treat it like choosing a lane.
✅ Can You Stack Scholarships at Fresno State?
Aid Type
Stacks?
Fresno State Parent Translation
Smittcamp, Lyles Honors, Craig Scholars
Pick one
Apply to every one your student qualifies for, then keep the best fit. Fresno State will not let a student hold two.
General donor scholarships
Yes
These stack with each other and with the big three. This is where most students build their package.
Cal Grant, SUG, Middle Class Scholarship
Yes
State money stacks with Fresno State scholarships. Cal Grant A and SUG never pay the same tuition twice.
Outside scholarships
Usually
If total aid would go over the cost of attendance, Fresno State’s FAQ says the cut comes from federal or state aid, not scholarship money.
Pell Grant
Yes
Pell sits on top of everything else and is the reason Fresno State’s net price is so low for many families.
The CSU Trustees’ Award below is worth knowing about, but it is for current students, not high school seniors. The Patagonia Scholarship is a genuine full ride for two Environmental Sciences students, but it was not posted on the scholarship portal for the 2027-28 cycle when we checked, so confirm it with the science college before building a plan around it.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Onlymajor restricted
Craig Business Scholars Program
📅 Deadline: January 15 · 📢 Results: Finalists are invited into the selection process; offers must be accepted by May 1. ✓ Renews (3 GPA, 4 yrs)
$6,300/yr
✔ Stackable
⚠ Business or economics majors only
🏫 3.5+ GPA✎ ~22 ACT✎ ~1100 SAT🎓 All Undergrad3.5 unweighted GPA (high school for new students, college coursework for continuing and transfer students); SAT 1100 or ACT 22 if taken; record of leadership and service; stated plan to major in business administration or economics; General Scholarship Application plus the Craig supplemental application.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks with Cal Grant, the State University Grant, Pell, and general donor awards. It cannot be combined with Smittcamp or Lyles Engineering Honors: Fresno State lets a student apply to all three but accept only one.
💡
Strategic Detail
For the 2027 cycle the portal listing describes a two-year renewable award open to new, continuing, and transfer students, with test scores counted only if taken. The Craig School web page still describes the older four-year version with a March 2 deadline; the portal listing is the current one.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Business-minded students with a 3.5 or better and a real leadership and service record, not just a list of clubs. The 2027 listing guarantees two years at $6,300 and calls renewal for years three and four likely, so the $25,200 four-year figure is a ceiling, not a promise. Scholars also have to keep a 3.0 and show up for ambassador events every semester.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Onlycurrent studentsneed based
CSU Trustees' Award for Outstanding Achievement
📅 Deadline: Set each spring through the Fresno State scholarship portal (the last posted Fresno State cycle closed April 4, 2025). · 📢 Results: Fall of the award year, after CSU Board of Trustees selection; recipients are honored at the September board meeting in Long Beach. Non-Renewable
$7,000–$18,000
✔ Stackable
⚠ Current Fresno State students only; not open to high school seniors
👥 ~1 per CSU campus winners/yr🎓 All UndergradFull-time Fresno State undergraduate or graduate student who stays full time through the award year; financial need shown on a current FAFSA or CADAA; superior academic record, community service, and a history of overcoming adversity; General Scholarship Application plus the Trustees' Award essays and letters.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks with other aid up to the cost of attendance.
💡
Strategic Detail
Fresno State's most recent posted listing showed awards of up to $18,000; most campus recipients across the CSU receive about $7,000.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: One student per CSU campus each year, usually a junior or senior with top grades, serious service hours, and a hardship story they are willing to tell in detail. The highest-scoring recipient across the whole CSU gets the largest named award. A high school senior cannot win it, so it is one to bookmark for later.
Automaticmajor restrictedincoming freshmen
Patagonia Scholarship (Environmental Sciences)
📅 Deadline: Not posted on the scholarship portal for the 2027-28 cycle. Confirm with the College of Science and Mathematics Advising and Resources Center before counting on it. Non-Renewable
Varies
✔ Stackable
⚠ Two awards; intended Environmental Sciences majors only
👥 ~2 winners/yrIncoming freshman who shows intent to major in Environmental Sciences; preference for applicants with a demonstrated interest in African American or Native American cultures.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Because it covers nearly every billed cost, other aid is limited by the cost-of-attendance cap.
💡
Strategic Detail
Fresno State's science college describes this as a full ride, but CRP does not flag it as one site-wide because only two students can receive it and no 2027-28 portal listing exists yet.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Two incoming Environmental Sciences students a year at most. Fresno State graduates only about 10 Environmental Science majors a year, so the applicant pool is small, but so is the award count. A student with real environmental project work and the cultural connection the donor prefers matches the profile described.
Data last verified Oct 30, 2026.* 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.
❓ Flagship / Competitive Scholarship FAQs
Is there a full-ride scholarship at Fresno State?
Only a narrow one. The Patagonia Scholarship covers tuition, housing, meals, and books for two incoming Environmental Sciences majors. Smittcamp is often called a full ride online, but for 2026-27 it is $6,000 plus a housing stipend, not full tuition and housing.
Can my student apply to Craig Business Scholars and Smittcamp at the same time?
Yes, and they should if they qualify. They just cannot accept both. The same rule covers Lyles Engineering Honors.
Does Craig Business Scholars require the SAT or ACT?
Not anymore. The 2027 listing asks for an SAT 1100 or ACT 22 only if your student took the test. The 3.5 unweighted GPA and a real leadership and service record are what matter.
How much is Craig Business Scholars worth?
$6,300 a year for two years, with renewal for years three and four described as likely. That is up to $25,200 over four years if your student keeps a 3.0 and stays active in the ambassador program.
When are the competitive applications due?
Smittcamp: December 10, 2026. Craig Business Scholars and Lyles Engineering Honors: January 15, 2027. Everything else on the portal: March 2, 2027.
Can a high school senior win the CSU Trustees’ Award?
No. It goes to one current student per CSU campus each year who combines top grades, service, financial need, and a history of overcoming adversity. Bookmark it for junior or senior year.
🧠 Parent Strategy: One Application, Hundreds of Awards
Fresno State hands out more than a thousand scholarships worth over $4.5 million a year, and most of them are picked from a single form: the
General Scholarship Application. The students who win are usually not the ones with the highest GPA. They are the ones who filled the form out completely.
Apply on Cal State Apply early so your student gets a Fresno State ID and email.
Declare an intended major. Many donor awards are tied to a major, and an “undeclared” student is invisible to them.
Fill in every activity and write both personal statements with real detail.
File the FAFSA or CADAA before March 2 so need-based awards can see your student.
After submitting, open the “recommended” list and answer every extra question it shows.
Parent translation: the portal can only match what your student tells it. Blank sections mean fewer matches.
💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships
These are a sample of the awards that quietly go to incoming students every year. Some are automatic once the general application is in, and some ask a question or two. Agriculture families especially should dig in: the Ag One Foundation alone posts dozens of awards on the portal.
Automaticregionalmajor restricted
Lyles Legacy Scholarship
📅 Deadline: March 2 ✓ Renews
Varies
✔ Stackable
⚠ Residents of Fresno, Kings, Kern, Merced, Madera, Tulare, or Stanislaus County
🏫 3.6+ GPAEntering freshman or transfer student; declared Lyles College of Engineering major; 3.60 cumulative GPA; resident of Fresno, Kings, Kern, Merced, Madera, Tulare, or Stanislaus County.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks with state aid and other donor awards.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Valley engineering students who just miss the Lyles Honors cut or never applied for it. There is no extra essay: declaring an engineering major on the general application with a 3.6 puts a student in the pool, and the award can renew each year with good grades.
Automaticneed based
Martha Morrow Beach Scholarship
📅 Deadline: March 2 Non-Renewable
Varies
✔ Stackable
First-year freshman with financial need (FAFSA or CADAA) and educational promise, who took part in a wide range of high school activities, both academic and non-academic.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks with state aid and other donor awards.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Well-rounded freshmen with need: the student who ran cross country, played in the band, and worked a weekend job, and who listed all of it on the general application. Consideration is automatic, so the activity section is where this one is won.
App Requiredneed based
Maude Elizabeth Carey Hunter Memorial Scholarship
📅 Deadline: March 2 Non-Renewable
Varies
✔ Stackable
Incoming freshman or new transfer student with financial need and academic achievement; preference for students who show interest in African American culture or studies, explained in two short supplemental answers.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks with state aid and other donor awards.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Incoming students with need and solid grades who take two extra minutes to answer the supplemental questions. Involvement in a Black Student Union, African American history projects, or cultural events fits the preference, but the questions are open to anyone.
Automaticmajor restricted
Matty Matoian Business Scholarship
📅 Deadline: March 2 Non-Renewable
Varies
✔ Stackable
⚠ Incoming business majors only
Incoming freshman or transfer student majoring in the Craig School of Business.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks with state aid and other donor awards.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: New business majors who filed the general application. It is automatic, so the only real step is declaring business as the intended major. The same donor also helps fund the Craig Business Scholars program.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Onlyfirst genneed basedmajor restricted
Bill & Patty Shaughnessy Scholarship
📅 Deadline: March 2 Non-Renewable
Varies
✔ Stackable
⚠ First-generation business administration majors
🏫 2.5+ GPA🎓 All UndergradFirst-generation college student majoring in business administration; 2.5 GPA; financial need calculated from a FAFSA or CADAA processed before the deadline.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks with state aid and other donor awards.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: First-generation business majors with need and a GPA that would not clear the Craig Scholars bar. The 2.5 minimum makes this one of the more reachable business awards on the portal, but only if the FAFSA or CADAA is processed before March 2.
Automatic⚠ All Undergrad Onlymajor restricted
AG One General Grant
📅 Deadline: March 2 Non-Renewable
Varies
✔ Stackable
⚠ Agriculture majors only
🎓 All UndergradEntering or enrolled student pursuing a degree in agriculture through the Jordan College.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks with state aid and other donor awards.
💡
Strategic Detail
The Ag One Foundation is the main scholarship source for Jordan College students. Fresno State's plant science department says it has given more than $8.5 million in scholarships, grants, and program support to about 5,000 students since 1979.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Any agriculture major who filed the general application, entering freshmen included. It is the catch-all among dozens of Ag One awards on the portal, many tied to a specific crop, county, or high school, so ag students should read every Ag One listing the portal recommends after they submit.
App Requiredmajor restricted
Fresno State Alumni Association: Anderson Clayton & Company Scholarship
📅 Deadline: March 2 Non-Renewable
Varies
✔ Stackable
⚠ Agriculture-related majors; entering freshmen first
Entering freshman first (enrolled students second) working toward a degree in agriculture, ag business, ag education, or plant science; first preference to family of an Anderson Clayton employee or customer; also weighs grades, leadership, need, and promise.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks with state aid and other donor awards.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Entering ag freshmen, especially from farm families who do business with Anderson Clayton. The family preference comes first, but the listing also weighs leadership, grades, need, and promise, so students without the connection are still considered.
App Requiredprogram alumnimajor restricted
Ag Discovery Program Scholarship
📅 Deadline: March 2 Non-Renewable
Varies
✔ Stackable
⚠ Must have completed the USDA Ag Discovery Program at Fresno State
Completed the USDA Ag Discovery Program at Fresno State; declared Jordan College major; freshman, sophomore, or transfer student in good standing; interest in community service or leadership.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks with state aid and other donor awards.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Students who went through the USDA Ag Discovery program at Fresno State and came back as ag majors. It is a tiny pool by design, which is exactly why a student who qualifies should never skip it.
Data last verified Oct 30, 2026.* 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.
❓ Hidden Gems FAQ
How many scholarships does Fresno State actually give out?
More than a thousand a year, totaling over $4.5 million, to incoming and continuing students. Most individual awards are listed as “varies” because the amount depends on the donor fund and the number of winners.
Do we have to apply separately for each one?
Usually not. More than half the listings need only the General Scholarship Application. The rest add a short question or an upload, and the portal shows those to your student after they submit.
What is Ag One?
The Ag One Foundation is the main scholarship source for Fresno State’s Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology. Many of its awards are tied to a crop, a county, or a high school, so an ag student who reads every recommended listing can find money with very few competitors.
Are these for incoming freshmen or only current students?
Both. Several listed here (Martha Morrow Beach, Maude Hunter, Matty Matoian, Anderson Clayton, Lyles Legacy) specifically name incoming freshmen. Others open up once your student is enrolled.
Will an outside scholarship lower our Fresno State scholarship?
Fresno State’s scholarship FAQ says that when total aid goes over the cost of attendance, the reduction comes from federal or state aid, not from scholarship money. Report outside awards anyway; surprises later are worse.
What if we miss March 2?
Most awards on the portal close March 2 and do not reopen until the next October. A few listings carry their own dates, so check the portal, but plan as if March 2 is final.
The Smittcamp Family Honors College is Fresno State’s signature scholarship program and is unusual in the CSU system: about 50 freshmen are admitted each year as a group, take honors general education classes together, and every one of them receives the President’s Honors Scholarship. You cannot join the honors college without the scholarship, and transfers are not eligible. Roughly 500 students apply for those 50 spots.
Who can apply: First-time freshmen with a 3.8 GPA in grades 9-11 (weighted or unweighted) or a top 10% class rank. No SAT or ACT.
What it pays (2026-27): $6,000 a year plus a $6,422 housing stipend for students who live on campus, up to eight semesters.
Deadline: December 10, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific, for both the Smittcamp application and the General Scholarship Application. Cal State Apply must be submitted first.
Decision: Selected, Alternate, or Not Selected by March 1, 2027. Selected scholars accept by April 9, 2027.
Honors Scholarships at Fresno State
App Requiredfirst time freshmen
Smittcamp Family Honors College: President's Honors Scholarship
📅 Deadline: December 10 · 📢 Results: Selected, Alternate, or Not Selected status by March 1, 2027; selected scholars accept or decline by April 9, 2027. ✓ Renews (3.25 GPA, 4 yrs)
$6,000–$12,422/yr
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.8+ GPA👥 ~50 winners/yrFirst-time freshman never enrolled full time at any college; 3.8 high school GPA in grades 9-11 (weighted or unweighted) OR top 10% of the graduating class; Cal State Apply, the General Scholarship Application, and the Smittcamp application are all required. Transfer students are not eligible.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Scholars can also take grants, loans, work-study, and other scholarships. The one exception: a student can accept only one of Smittcamp, Lyles Engineering Honors, or Craig Business Scholars. The housing stipend ($6,422 in 2026-27) is paid straight to Student Housing, equals the cost of a community double, and does not cover the meal plan.
💡
Strategic Detail
Many older sources, including past Fresno State catalogs, still call this a full ride covering tuition and housing. For 2026-27 it is $6,000 a year toward tuition and fees plus the housing stipend, about $12,422 total for a scholar living on campus. Resident tuition and fees alone run $8,635, so it no longer covers full tuition. Renewal requires 12 units each semester and a cumulative GPA of 3.25 (first year), 3.35 (second year), and 3.50 (third and fourth years), plus honors coursework and about 70 hours of community service.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
About 50 of roughly 500 applicants each year, mostly California students with near-perfect grades, real service records, and essays that sound like a person rather than a resume. Applications are judged as complete packets, so a missing counselor transcript or a late letter sinks an otherwise strong file. No test scores are involved.
App Requiredmajor restricted
Lyles College of Engineering Honors Scholarship
📅 Deadline: January 15 ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
$30,294
✔ Stackable
⚠ Lyles College of Engineering majors only
🏫 3.8+ GPAHigh school applicants need a 3.80 unweighted GPA AND a top 15% class rank (transfers need a 3.80 unweighted college GPA); must pursue a Lyles College of Engineering major; General Scholarship Application plus the Lyles Honors application.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Stacks with state aid and general donor awards. It cannot be combined with Smittcamp or Craig Business Scholars; students may apply to all three but accept only one.
💡
Strategic Detail
Funded through the Husband-Boeing, Lyles Family, and Miyamoto-Lockheed Martin honors funds. Completers graduate with College Honors on the transcript and diploma. The engineering college web page still shows last year's dates; the portal listing has the 2027 deadline and amounts.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Engineering, construction management, and architecture students who clear both bars: a 3.80 unweighted GPA and a top 15% class rank. Transfers can win it too, at $14,930 over four semesters. The freshman payout works out to about $3,787 a semester, which covers most of resident tuition and fees but not housing.
Data last verified Oct 30, 2026.* 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.
*Amounts are set each year. The Smittcamp Honors Council can change the scholarship value from one year to the next.
Pick One: Smittcamp, Lyles Engineering Honors, and Craig Business Scholars all welcome applications from the same student, but a student can accept only one. An engineering student who wins both Smittcamp and Lyles Honors should compare the dollars (Lyles pays more toward tuition; Smittcamp includes the housing stipend) and the program experience before choosing.
Lyles College of Engineering Honors Program
Award: $30,294 over eight semesters for incoming freshmen; $14,930 over four semesters for transfers.
Requirements: 3.80 unweighted GPA and top 15% of the graduating class, plus a Lyles College major (engineering, construction management, architectural studies, or geomatics).
Deadline: January 15, 2027, after the General Scholarship Application is submitted.
Bonus: Graduates finish with College Honors on the transcript and diploma.
Honors: FAQs (Fresno State)
Is the Smittcamp scholarship a full ride?
Not anymore. It used to cover tuition and housing, and a lot of websites still say so. For 2026-27 it is $6,000 a year plus a housing stipend equal to a community double. That is about $12,422 for a student living on campus, which does not fully cover tuition, fees, and meals.
Does the housing stipend cover the meal plan?
No. It covers the cost of a community double and is paid directly to Student Housing. If your student picks a cheaper room, the leftover goes toward meals; a pricier room means paying the difference. Students who live at home get no stipend.
Does Smittcamp look at SAT or ACT scores?
No. Eligibility is a 3.8 GPA or a top 10% class rank. Essays, activities, service, and recommendation letters carry the rest.
What does it take to keep the scholarship?
At least 12 units every semester and a cumulative GPA of 3.25 in year one, 3.35 in year two, and 3.50 in years three and four. Scholars also take required honors classes and complete about 70 hours of community service.
Can Smittcamp scholars receive other aid?
Yes. Grants, loans, work-study, and other scholarships are all allowed. The only exception is Lyles Engineering Honors and Craig Business Scholars, since a student can hold just one of the three.
Can transfer students join?
Not Smittcamp; it is first-time freshmen only. Lyles Engineering Honors and Craig Business Scholars do accept transfer students.
Fresno State sits in the middle of the San Joaquin Valley, one of the most productive farming regions on earth, and the campus leans into that. It is a big, hands-on CSU where a huge share of students are the first in their family to go to college, and it consistently shows up near the top of national social mobility rankings (the Wall Street Journal has ranked it No. 4 nationally). In July 2026 its athletic teams moved to the new Pac-12.
Nationally Known Program: Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology. Fresno State runs the first commercially bonded winery on a university campus in the country, where students make and sell award-winning wine. Next to campus is a working farm of about 1,000 acres with 18 enterprises (vineyards, orchards, livestock, dairy, and more) that doubles as an outdoor classroom. Viticulture and enology, ag business, animal science, and plant science students graduate with real production experience.
Craig School of Business: Business administration is Fresno State’s largest major, with strong ties to Valley employers and a donor-funded scholars program for top students.
Criminology: One of the most popular majors on campus, feeding law enforcement, probation, and victim services careers across the Central Valley.
Nursing and health programs: Nursing, communicative sciences, and kinesiology are big draws, backed by graduate programs in physical therapy and speech-language pathology.
Lyles College of Engineering: Civil, mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering plus construction management, with an honors program that comes with its own scholarship.
Teacher preparation: Liberal Studies is one of the largest majors, and the Kremen School of Education trains a large share of the Valley’s teachers.
🔗 Official Fresno State Links
Use Fresno State’s official resources below to double-check admissions steps, scholarship rules, costs, and deadlines. Always rely on these pages for final dates and award terms.
Big picture? Fresno State is one of the best deals in California for families who do the paperwork. The sticker price is already low, the average family with aid pays under $8,000 a year, and Cal Grant or the State University Grant can wipe out tuition for students with need. What Fresno State does not do is hand out money for stats alone. There is no automatic merit chart, Smittcamp is no longer the full ride people remember, and out-of-state students get no WUE break.
So the plan is simple and front-loaded. Apply on Cal State Apply in October, fill out the General Scholarship Application completely, and if your student is a Smittcamp, Lyles, or Craig candidate, apply to every one they qualify for and choose later. For ag, business, and engineering students especially, the portal is full of donor awards with surprisingly few competitors. The families who leave money on the table at Fresno State are almost always the ones who never finished the form.
Your kid did everything right. That does not mean the money follows.
Most families build a college list first and think about scholarships second, which is backwards. This free four-part series shows you where the money actually comes from, and how to build a list around it.
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Written by Leo Dimilo
I started CollegeReadyParent while working through college costs for my own kid, and quickly figured out that the number a school advertises and the number a family actually pays are two very different things. Since then I’ve gone school by school pulling apart award letters, scholarship pages, and cost sheets to find what families are supposed to just know. This site is the version of that research I wish someone had handed me. More about Leo →
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