Scholarships & Awards

This award was established by the San Francisco State Department of Sociology in 1994 upon the retirement of Professor John Kinch in recognition of both his and our students' contributions to the community. The recipient of this award will receive a Certificate of Recognition as well as a small stipend of 50 dollars. Dr. Kinch was a member of our Sociology Faculty for 35 years, including 15 years as Chair of the Department. During his tenure at San Francisco State University, his values and concerns were reflected in his community activities on behalf of others. In the early 1960's he took a group of his students to Selma, Alabama where they joined Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s efforts to register African Americans to vote. Dr. Kinch was a strong supporter of the strike that led to the creation of the School (now College) of Ethnic Studies at SF State.

Eligibility

To be eligible for this award, you must be a currently enrolled senior majoring in Sociology who is graduating in Spring 2022 and be in good academic standing at SF State.

​How to Apply

Please apply on SF State Academic Works.

• Submit a short statement (2-3 pages) describing: 1) the nature and extent of your involvement in community service activities; 2) why and how you became involved in this/these area/s of community service; and 3) how your activities have contributed to the  community.

• If available, please include names and contact information (phone, address, e-mail) for staff people at the organizations you were involved with, as well as the approximate dates of your involvement. Brief letters of support from people familiar with your work maybe  included, but are not required. 

​Inquiries

Sociology and Sexuality Studies Department, HSS 370, sociol@sfsu.edu

Application Deadline

Applications are due annually in the fall. The Sociology Department  will inform all eligible Sociology majors of specific due dates via email and posted fliers.

Kinch Award Guidelines (PDF)

Past Awardees

• 2019: Naomi Muzac
• 2017: Billie Beard
• 2015: Alexander Nguyen
• 2014: Luisa Sicarios
• 2013: Catherine Altares Nepomuceno
• 2012: Jeff Kloythanomsup 
• 2011:  Jasmine Lorraine Jones
• 2010: Lauren Ann Rudd
• 2009: Owen Patrick Stephens
• 2008: Francisco Javier Teran, Jr.
• 2007: Calixto Rafael Melero, Jr.
• 2006: Patricia A. Castanada

The Generation to Generation is a Graduate Award Fund In Memory of Caroline Rosen for Sociology Majors and Recent Alums applying to graduate and professional schools. Thanks to a generous donation from retired faculty member, Dr. Rachel Kahn-Hut, the Sociology Department is pleased to help Sociology students defray the costs of applying to graduate and professional school.

Eligibility

• This award is intended for lower-income students;
• Applicants should be SF State Sociology majors in their senior year or alums who graduated the preceding year;
• Have a GPA in the Sociology major of at least 3.0;
• Be among those students who faculty believe show promise for graduate study.

We will consider students applying to many types of academic and professional schools.

How to Apply

Please apply on SF State Academic Works.

Submit 3 copies of the following to the Department of Sociology and Sexuality Studies: 

1. Your name, address, phone number, e-mail and SF State ID number
2. A list of graduate programs you are applying to or have applied to, the due dates and application fees; and/or a list of any graduate entrance exams, dates and fees
3. 3Your Statement of Purpose for your graduate school applications, explaining your goals and qualifications for graduate study
4. A copy of a Graduate School letter of recommendation from an SF State Sociology faculty
5. Your unofficial transcripts, general GPA and GPA in the major.

Application Deadline

Applications are due annually in the fall and if funds remain, again in the spring.  The Sociology Department will inform all eligible Sociology majors of specific due dates via email and posted fliers.

Past Awardees

2020: Caela Wright
2018: Tiffany Mendoza & Billie Beard
2016: Curis Penn
2015: Nourredine Chtaini
2014: Stephanie Arteaga
2014: Kaelee Rose Epstein
2013: Leroy Arciniega, Corey Alton Drew and Valetin Misostov          
2012: Hollis Fleischer and Diana Garrett
2011: Christopher M. Roque
2009: Susan Estrada and Nima Eslamieh
2008: Gerard O. Byron
2007: Francisco Javier Reyes and Michael Grasso

Hediye Gürtuna, the beloved and sage mother of long time Sociology Faculty member Hülya Gürtuna and her siblings, was an early pioneer among women who pursued university degrees in the first decades following Turkish independence. As an English teacher, Hediye dedicated more than 30 years to helping her students develop the capacity to pursue their life objectives successfully in a rapidly developing nation. She was an outspoken advocate for children and their potential. The Hediye Gürtuna Scholarship is presented in her memory to continue the work with young people she found so important. This is an annual award offered to a qualified San Francisco State University Sociology major who has between two to four semesters remaining to graduate (a junior or first semester senior). 

Eligibility

• Be a Sociology major; maintain a 3.0 GPA
• Must have two to four semesters remaining to graduate ( a junior or a first semester senior)
• Provide a statement of his/her academic, community service and/or work experiences
• Provide a statement concerning professional goals. These experiences and/or goals should indicate an active interest in youth advocacy.

How to Apply

Please apply on SF State Academic Works.

Submit application along with the following statements (maximum 750 words total) and information on Academic Works:

• Statement of Experience: In what ways have you been involved with youth advocacy?
• Statement of Goals: What are your professional goals and future plans concerning youth advocacy?
• GPA/University Transcripts

Past Awardees 

2020: Jacob Patterson, Crystal Castenada
2019: Genesis Morales
2018: Samir Shrestha
2015: Bidya Subedi
2014: Noah De La Cruz
2014: Jari Bradley
2013: Faustino Cadiz
2012: Edher Augusto Zamudio

Dr. Irwin was a sociologist that earned his undergraduate degree from UCLA, and went on to complete his doctoral thesis at UC Berkeley. He taught for many years in San Francisco State University’s Sociology Department and in 1967 created Project Rebound, a special admissions program at San Francisco State University. Dr. Irwin passed in 2010 leaving behind a lifetime of accomplishments and an undeniable hope for the future.

Eligibility

• GPA of 3.0 or higher;
• Must be an enrolled Project Rebound student working part or full time;
• Documentation showing enrollment in Project Rebound;
• Demonstrate financial need and request either a one semester or one academic year scholarship in a one page typed statement;
• Statement will include justification for requesting either the one semester or two semester award.

How to Apply

To apply, log on to SF State Academic Works, search for the John Irwin Memorial Scholarship link, and upload the following:

1. A copy of your current SF Stateclass schedule
2. A copy of the your unofficial transcript with SF State GPA
3. Documentation of enrollment in Project Rebound.
4. A one page typed statement expressing financial need.

Note: Upon notification of the scholarship award, awardees are required to submit a thank you letter addressed to the Donor of the John Irwin Memorial Scholarship. 

Application Deadline

Applications are due annually in the spring. The Sociology Department will inform all eligible Sociology majors of specific due dates via email and posted fliers.

Past Awardees

2020: Bernice Gao, Angelina Gianfermo, Everett Holland, Jemal Taylor
2020: Philip Jones, Terah Lawyer and Marion McFarlin
2019:  Terah Lawyer, Elisabeth Ocampo and Jesus Rios
2018: Baldemar Arroyo
2017: Tangela Griffin
2016: Latonia Williams and Curtis Penn
2015: Tony Williams and Jared Walker
2014: Sherry Bonnet
2013: Richard Cockrell

The John Douglas Broderick Scholarship Fund was established in honor and memory of John Douglas Broderick who encouraged and supported the donor, a former Sociology student. The purpose of the fund is to provide students studying Sociology with funds for their education.

Eligibility

• GPA of 2.7 or higher;
• Continuing students must be enrolled in at least half-time status in the semester they apply and recipients must be enrolled in at least half-time status in the semester they receive the scholarship payment;
• Students who have financial need, but applied for financial aid and are not eligible for federal or state grants, and students who did not apply for financial aid are both eligible;
• Students must demonstrate self-described financial need through a personal statement;
• An essay of one-page maximum length is required describing why the student would like to receive this scholarship, how it will help them, and their career goals.

How to Apply

To apply, log on to SF State Academic Works and search for the John Douglas Broderick Scholarship Fund.

Note: Upon notification of the scholarship award, awardees are required to submit a thank you letter addressed to the Donor of the John Douglas Broderick Scholarship Fund.

Application Deadline

Applications are due annually in the fall. The Sociology Department will inform all eligible Sociology majors of specific due dates via email and posted flyers.

Past Awardees

2020: Jennifer Dove, Jacob Patterson, Drew Reems-Webley, Kristal Grace Osorio

The Thomas E. Ryther Scholarship Fund was established in honor and memory of Thomas E. Ryther, a former Sociology professor, who taught the donor the skills to guarantee a successful life path. The purpose of the fund is to provide students studying Sociology with funds for their education.

Eligibility

• GPA of 2.7 or higher;
• Continuing students must be enrolled in at least half-time status in the semester they apply and recipients must be enrolled in at least half-time status in the semester they receive the scholarship payment;
• Students who have financial need, but applied for financial aid and are not eligible for federal or state grants, and students who did not apply for financial aid are both eligible;
• Students must demonstrate self-described financial need through a personal statement;
• An essay of one-page maximum length is required describing why the student would like to receive this scholarship, how it will help them, and their career goals.

How to Apply

To apply, log on to SF State Academic Works and search for the Thomas E. Ryther Scholarship Fund.

Note: Upon notification of the scholarship award, awardees are required to submit a thank you letter addressed to the Donor of the Thomas E. Ryther Scholarship Fund.

Application Deadline

Applications are due annually in the fall. The Sociology Department will inform all eligible Sociology majors of specific due dates via email and posted flyers.

Past Awardees

2020: Julia Duran, Katherine Jensen, LeShaun McClendon, Jessica Sneed

The Hood Scholar is nominated by the Sociology faculty on the basis of outstanding academic achievement and community service as a nominee to be invested with the hood on behalf of the department at the University Commencement.

The following were nominated to represent the College of Health and Social Sciences:

• 2020: Barry Simino
• 2019: Samir Shrestha
• 2018: Deja Kassof
• 2017: Erika Jaugarei
• 2016: Rosela Delgado
• 2015: Nourredine Chtaini
• 2014: Richard Cockrell
• 2013: Aracely Diaz
• 2012:  Marilyn L. Buna    

The following were nominated to represent the former College of Behavioral & Social Sciences:

• 2010: Haruki Eda
• 2009: Susan Marie Estrada
• 2008: Divina Milan Fontanilla
• 2007: Danny Alexander Casillas
• 2006: Valerie A. Francisco

This scholarship is established in the name of Dr. Deborah Tolman, founding director of the Center for Research on Gender and Sexuality Studies, under the Department of Sexuality Studies, where she was a professor. Dr. Tolman is a feminist developmental psychologist whose research is focused on adolescent sexuality, gender development, and gender equity. She has received wide recognition for her contributions to feminist psychological understandings of female adolescent development. Funding for this scholarship is provided by the Hernreich Foundation.

Eligibility

This is the first Department of Sexuality Studies scholarship that is open to both undergraduates and graduate students. To qualify for this scholarship you must be a) a graduate student in the Master of Arts program in Sexuality Studies or b) an undergraduate student of senior standing. You must be enrolled full time at San Francisco State University at the time of application with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and a continuing student the following semester.

Inquiries

sxsdept@sfsu.edu

Past Awardees

• 2020-2021: Olivia Patton & Shannon Reed
• 2019-2020: Ginger Mueller-Testerman
• 2018-2019: Nicole Van Wagner
• 2018-2019: Tiffany Mendoza
• 2016-2017: Nick Newton & Siri Nybakk
• 2014-2015: Jamie O'Quinn (PDF)
• 2013-2014: Melinda Cordasco (PDF) & Leah Weinstein (PDF)
• 2012-2013: Signy Toquinto (PDF)
• 2010-2011: Rebecca Alvarez (PDF)
• 2009-2010: Peter Viehler (PDF)

This scholarship is established in the name of Dr. James Brogan, Professor of English at San Francisco State University. He is a distinguished teacher with an exemplary writing career in support of human sexuality studies. Notably, Jim Brogan taught the first course on homosexuality at the university in the late l960s. Throughout his career, Jim has worked with students, encouraged their writing and professional development, and is a great friend to the Human Sexuality Studies Program. This scholarship will be awarded to the eligible graduate student in the Human Sexuality Studies Master of Arts Program who is selected as the best teaching assistant. The scholarship will be awarded during the spring semester.

Eligibility

You must be currently enrolled as a graduate student at San Francisco State in the Master of Arts Program in Sexuality Studies with a minimum GPA of 3.0. You have been (or are currently) a teaching assistant in a Sexuality Studies class at SF State. You must also be a continuing student the following fall semester enrolled in at least 6 units. Please note that it is the responsibility of the applicant to determine the impact of this award on their financial aid and taxable income status.

Inquiries

sxsdept@sfsu.edu

Past Awardees

• 2020-2021: Ginger Mueller-Testerman
• 2019-2020: Caitlin Graziani
• 2018-2019: Nicole Van Wagner
• 2017-2018: Siri Nybakk
• 2016-2017: Michelle Parra
• 2014-2015: Vickie Phan
• 2013-2014: Clarissa Herman
• 2012-2013: Arlene Jane Tinga
• 2011-2012: Ruth Kuntzman and Andrew Cesarz
• 2010-2011: Robin Darling
• 2009-2010: Jessica Fischer
• 2008-2009: Stephanie Hubbard
• 2007-2008: Nordmarken
• 2006-2007: Truesdell

This scholarship is established in the name of Dr. Pepper Schwartz. Dr. Schwartz is Professor of Sociology at the University of Washington in Seattle. She holds a B.A. and an M.A. from Washington University in St. Louis, where she was a Woodrow Wilson Fellow, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Sociology from Yale University. Dr. Schwartz is a key figure in sexuality studies due to her unique ability to bridge academic sociological insights to public discourse. Dr. Schwartz is committed to educating the public in matters relating to sexuality.

Eligibility

The applicant must be a second year full-time graduate student in good standing in the Sexuality Studies Master of Arts Program. The applicant must have at least a 3.0 grade point average. The applicant must write a two-page essay with no more than 500 words on their work (past, current and future) educating the public in sexuality issues and the media. Please note that it is the responsibility of the applicant to determine the impact of this award on their financial aid and taxable income status. 

Inquiries

sxsdept@sfsu.edu

Past Awardees

• 2020-2021: Christina Coyne
• 2019-2020: Violeta Gonzalez
• 2018-2019: Jazmin Ibarra
• 2017-2018: Siri Nybakk
• 2016-2017: Spencer Ruelos & Solana Willis
• 2015-2016: Roe McDermott
• 2014-2015: Allan Avila
• 2013-2014: Yuko Sako
• 2010-2011: Richard Garcia
• 2009-2010: Anthony Freeman

The Grant A. Larsen scholarship encourages excellence among Sexuality Studies M.A. students actively conducting study or research in the area of LGBT studies. Grant Larsen was an architect and city planner in San Francisco who was instrumental in the development of the BART system and held a deep commitment to university students having access to gay and lesbian studies.

Eligibility

The applicant must be a full-time graduate student in good standing in the Sexuality Studies Master of Arts Program. Furthermore, the applicant must have a 3.0 grade point average, and be actively conducting a study or research in the area of LGBT studies. The applicant must prepare a two page-statement of purpose. This document will be examined by the scholarship committee to determine the merit of the application. Please note that it is the responsibility of the applicant to determine the impact of this award on their financial aid and taxable income status. The scholarship will be disbursed in the spring semester.

Inquiries

sxsdept@sfsu.edu

Past Awardees

• 2020-2021: Donna Cruz
• 2019-2020: Christina Coyne
• 2018-2019: Brandon Igarta
• 2016-2017: Nick Newton
• 2014-2015: Meghan Smith
• 2013-2014: Gil Francisco
• 2010-2011: Casey Peterson
• 2009-2010: Julia Palm
• 2008-2009: Matthew Stief
• 2007-2008: Kathleen Hentz
• 2006-2007: Trevor Hoppe

The Provost Scholar Award provides selected newly admitted domestic, non-resident students with an out-of-state tuition waiver for one year.  Contact the department to which you are admitted to advise them that you are a domestic non-resident applicant and wish to be considered for the Provost Scholar Award. Awards are granted based an academic excellence, standardized test scores (if required for department admission), department-required essay or statement of purpose, and letters of recommendation. Awardees will be notified of the award by the Division of Graduate Studies. The deadline for submission is early April. 

Eligibility

A CSU Mentor Application must be on file and transcripts of all post-secondary work must be sent to Graduate Admissions for you to be considered for the Provost Scholar Award. Contact the department to advise them that you are a domestic non-resident applicant and wish to be considered for the Provost Scholar Award.

Inquiries

sxsdept@sfsu.edu

Past Awardees

• 2018-2019: Brandon Igarta
• 2014-2015: Maret Davis and Clarissa Herman
• 2013-2014: Carolyn Marsh

Graduate Equity Fellowship: If you qualify for California residency for tuition purposes and you come from an economically or educationally disadvantaged background and have an outstanding academic record, you may be eligible for a Graduate Equity Fellowship grant. Beginning in January, applications are available online at Graduate Equity Fellowship. The deadline for submission is late April.

SF State Pre-Doc Program: The California Pre-Doctoral Program is designed to diversify the pool of university faculty by supporting the doctoral aspirations of students who are upper division undergraduates or graduate students on a California State University campus, economically or educationally disadvantaged, with focused research interests, and an interest in a university faculty career. Each Pre-Doctoral Scholar is mentored by a faculty sponsor and receives financial support for activities related to applying to, and developing her or his candidacy for doctoral programs. For more information please visit the California Pre-Doctoral Program at SF State page.

The Sexuality Studies program is happy to announce that all students admitted to the Master’s Degree in Sexuality Studies program in Fall 2021 and who will be the graduating class of 2023 will receive a scholarship of $1000.00. This is available to students thanks to a generous gift from an anonymous donor.