Alumni Support for Your Highlander Journey
The UCR Alumni Association (UCRAA) is here to help you achieve a world-class education and success in your career. We are proud to offer a diverse range of scholarships and initiatives that lighten the load of education expenses for the next generation of Highlanders.
Thanks to the support of generous donors and a strong network of alumni who are dedicated to giving back, the UCRAA scholarship program has awarded more than $2.7 million to over 1,250 students.
For additional UCR scholarship and financial aid information, visit UCR Financial Aid.
Prospective and Current Students
Chicano Latino Alumni Scholarship
The mission of Chicano Latino Alumni (CLA) is to build a community that advocates and creates opportunities for the academic excellence, professional growth, and advancement of Chicano Latino students, alumni, staff, faculty, and our community at large.
CLA’s scholarship program recognizes academic achievement and community service of exceptional students at UCR.
Criteria for Selection:
- All CLA Scholarship applicants must reside in California.
- Demonstrate a commitment to the betterment of the Chicano Latino community.
- Full-time UCR student during the year of award and quarter when funds will be disbursed.
Undergraduate Student Applicants must be:
- A high school senior or community college transfer enrolling at UCR with a minimum 3.0 GPA in their last year and an overall minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA.
- 1st and 2nd year UCR undergraduate students must maintain a minimum 2.50 cumulative GPA.
- +3rd year UCR undergraduate students must maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
Graduate/Professional Student Applicants must be:
- An incoming UCR graduate students enrolling at UCR with a minimum 3.0 GPA in their last year and an overall minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA.
- Continuing UCR graduate students (not on “Filing Fee” status) and must maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA.
$1,000 Scholarship Award
Number of awards depends upon available funds.
HOW DO I APPLY?
Students that meet the eligibility criteria listed can apply through Scholarship Universe. Visit Scholarship Universe today to create your account and begin your profile. Logging in is easy – you just need your UCR NetID and password. The more questions you answer on your profile, the more scholarships you’ll be matched with, including ours! If you have any questions, please email Alumni Scholars today!
Dr. Manuela and Randy Sosa Endowed Scholarship Fund
Since its founding in 1998, the Inland Empire Scholarship Fund (IESF) has awarded scholarships to hundreds of low-income, high-achieving students from Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. This extraordinary accomplishment is the result of a focused vision and tireless year-round volunteer effort put forth by Dr. Manuela Granado Sosa, a retired dentist, and Espartago (Randy) Sosa, a retired engineer.
Criteria for Selection:
- Minimum GPA of 3.0
- Entering, transferring, continuing undergraduates
- Pursuing a Bachelor's degree at UCR in fall and attending all three quarters in 2024-2025
- Resident of Riverside County or San Bernardino County
- Interest in working in the Inland Empire using skills and resources to give back and help the Latino community
Additional consideration will be given to candidates that meet the following:
- Fluent in Spanish
Number of Scholarships: Varies
Award Amount: $1,000
HOW DO I APPLY?
Students that meet the eligibility criteria listed can apply through Scholarship Universe. Visit Scholarship Universe today to create your account and begin your profile. Logging in is easy – you just need your UCR NetID and password. The more questions you answer on your profile, the more scholarships you’ll be matched with, including ours! If you have any questions, please email Alumni Scholars today!
First-Year Scholars
UCR Alumni Association (UCRAA) First-Year Scholarship
The UCRAA First-Year Scholarship is the largest scholarship the association awards. Ten incoming first-year's are selected each year from a pool of eligible applicants. After applications are read by alumni volunteers and virtual interviews are conducted with top candidates, awardees are selected and receive a scholarship in the amount of $5,000 for the 2025-26 academic year.
Criteria for Selection:
- Incoming first-year; attended high school in California
- Must be enrolled full-time at UCR for the 2025-26 school year (if chosen for the award)
- Minimum GPA of 3.8
- California resident
- Essay
HOW DO I APPLY?
Students that meet the eligibility criteria listed can apply through Scholarship Universe. Visit Scholarship Universe today to create your account and begin your profile. Logging in is easy – you just need your UCR NetID and password. The more questions you answer on your profile, the more scholarships you’ll be matched with, including ours! If you have any questions, please email Alumni Scholars today!
Beyond the First Year
Continuing students also have an opportunity to apply for support through various alumni scholarships.
-
Black Alumni Scholarship
The Black Alumni Scholarship was established in 2020 to support current students in their academic endeavors at UC Riverside. Students must submit an application in accordance with the annual deadline.
Criteria for Selection:
- Must be currently enrolled in UCR as a full-time undergraduate student
- Minimum GPA of 2.5
- Must demonstrate leadership and/or service within the Black scholar community at UC Riverside
- Must show a commitment to creating positive change within the Black community
- Must show a commitment to serve the Black community following degree completion
- Must be in need of financial assistance
Number of Scholarships: 2
Award Amount: $500HOW DO I APPLY?
Students that meet the eligibility criteria listed can apply through Scholarship Universe. Visit Scholarship Universe today to create your account and begin your profile. Logging in is easy – you just need your UCR NetID and password. The more questions you answer on your profile, the more scholarships you’ll be matched with, including ours! If you have any questions, please email Alumni Scholars today!
-
Brithinee Alumni Endowed Scholarship
The Brithinee Alumni Endowed Scholarship was established in 1988 with the generosity of Donald Brithinee (’68, M.A. ’70, Ph.D. ’71) and Wallace Brithinee (’68,M.A. ’70, Ph.D. ’71). Over the years, together they have funded numerous scholarships for continuing alumni scholars. Scholarship is based on academic merit.
Criteria for Selection:
- Be a full-time UCR student and attending all three quarters in 2025-26
- Have a 3.5 GPA or better
- Have received an Alumni Association Freshman Scholarship
Number of Scholarships: Varies
Award Amount: $5,000HOW DO I APPLY?
Students that meet the eligibility criteria listed can apply through Scholarship Universe. Visit Scholarship Universe today to create your account and begin your profile. Logging in is easy – you just need your UCR NetID and password. The more questions you answer on your profile, the more scholarships you’ll be matched with, including ours! If you have any questions, please email Alumni Scholars today!
-
Transfer Scholarship
The UCR Alumni Association awards a $5,000 scholarship to five transfer students for the current academic year.
Criteria for Selection:
- Student who has transferred or who will transfer from a California community college between the upcoming winter and fall quarters.
- Must be enrolled at UCR for the upcoming fall quarter
- Minimum community college GPA of 3.51
- California resident
- Essay
Number of Scholarships: Varies
Award Amount: $5,000HOW DO I APPLY?
Students that meet the eligibility criteria listed can apply through Scholarship Universe. Visit Scholarship Universe today to create your account and begin your profile. Logging in is easy – you just need your UCR NetID and password. The more questions you answer on your profile, the more scholarships you’ll be matched with, including ours! If you have any questions, please email Alumni Scholars today!
-
Re-entry Scholarship
Formed in 1985 by 3 former re-entry students, Joyce Vickery, Barbara Moore, and Peggy Voss, to provide assistance to returning students (many single parents) working toward a bachelor’s degree, whose education has been interrupted by two or more years.
Criteria for Selection:
- Must be an incoming freshman, transfer student, or already enrolled as a UCR student.
- Must have an interruption of education of at least two years.
- Minimum GPA of 3.0.
- Must be 25 years of age or older.
- Must be pursuing a bachelor’s degree at UCR in the upcoming fall quarter.
- Awarded based on potential, past academic merit, and financial need.
Required Documents:
- Complete application
- Transcripts (In light of COVID-19, official sealed transcripts are not required. Digital transcripts can be uploaded directly to the form.)
- 2 Letters of recommendation
- Essay
Number of Scholarships: Varies
Award Amount: $5,000HOW DO I APPLY?
Students that meet the eligibility criteria listed can apply through Scholarship Universe. Visit Scholarship Universe today to create your account and begin your profile. Logging in is easy – you just need your UCR NetID and password. The more questions you answer on your profile, the more scholarships you’ll be matched with, including ours! If you have any questions, please email Alumni Scholars today!
-
Steve and Joann Krynski Scholarship
Jeff Krynski ’81 is a proud alumnus and past president of the UCR Alumni Association Board of Directors. Jeff established this fund to honor the memory of his parents, Steve and JoAnn Krynski, who made countless sacrifices to ensure that Jeff and his sister completed their education. This fund is a fitting legacy to two devoted parents who were unflagging supporters of their children’s educational, artistic, and athletic endeavors.
Criteria for Selection:
- Continuing UCR undergraduate student in all three quarters of 2025-26
- Minimum GPA of 3.0
- Majoring in the performing or fine arts ( including music, theatre, film, dance, art, and art history).
Number of Scholarships: Varies
Award Amount: $1,500HOW DO I APPLY?
Students that meet the eligibility criteria listed can apply through Scholarship Universe. Visit Scholarship Universe today to create your account and begin your profile. Logging in is easy – you just need your UCR NetID and password. The more questions you answer on your profile, the more scholarships you’ll be matched with, including ours! If you have any questions, please email Alumni Scholars today!
-
Schuler Endowed Scholarship for Guardian Scholars
The Mary & Terry Schuler Endowed Scholarship for Guardian Scholars was made possible by two UCR alumni, Mary Schuler ’70 and Terry Schuler ’70, who established this fund to help former foster youth achieve their goal of a college degree from UCR. The scholarship is available to an incoming or continuing student who is an emancipated foster youth in the Guardian Scholars program.
Criteria for Selection:
- Incoming or continuing student who is an emancipated foster youth in the Guardian Scholars program
- In good academic standing with a minimum GPA of 2.0
- Awarded based on financial need, preference given to a Guardian Scholar not receiving AB-12 or Chaffee grants.
Number of Scholarships: Varies
Award Amount: VariesHOW DO I APPLY?
Students that meet the eligibility criteria listed can apply through Scholarship Universe. Visit Scholarship Universe today to create your account and begin your profile. Logging in is easy – you just need your UCR NetID and password. The more questions you answer on your profile, the more scholarships you’ll be matched with, including ours! If you have any questions, please email Alumni Scholars today!
-
Sher-Right Endowed Scholarship
The Sher-Right Endowed Scholarship was made possible by an anonymous donation from a UCR alumnus and is available to continuing students who are entering their junior or senior year. Three $4,000 scholarships will be awarded. Applicants must be former recipients of a UCR Alumni Association Freshman scholarship.
Criteria for Selection:
- Former UCR Alumni Association Freshman Scholarship recipient. Only former recipients are eligible.
- Student entering junior or senior year at UCR, attending all three quarters of upcoming academic year.
- Minimum GPA of 3.5
- Please attach a current resume (no more than one single-sided page) that outlines extracurricular activities and leadership experience.
Number of Scholarships: Varies
Award Amount: $5,000HOW DO I APPLY?
Students that meet the eligibility criteria listed can apply through Scholarship Universe. Visit Scholarship Universe today to create your account and begin your profile. Logging in is easy – you just need your UCR NetID and password. The more questions you answer on your profile, the more scholarships you’ll be matched with, including ours! If you have any questions, please email Alumni Scholars today!
-
Nick and Christina Zaharopoulos Scholarship
In 1951, under the Displaced Persons Act, Nick and Christina Zaharopoulos immigrated from Greece to the U.S. with their four young children after the Civil War and German occupation. Pat Zaharopoulus ’66 created this award to honor her parents who worked hard to give their children the gift of higher education. This award provides UCR students with the opportunity for upward mobility. One $1,000 scholarship will be awarded.
Criteria for Selection:
- Minimum GPA of 3.0
- Junior or Senior status in Fall of 2025
- In good academic standing
- Attending UCR for all three quarters in 2025-26
Additional Consideration will be given to candidates that meet the following:
- Desire to go into public service or non-profit work
- An immigrant with U.S. citizenship or pending application
- Have attended community college due to financial limitations
Number of Scholarships: Varies
Award Amount: $1,000HOW DO I APPLY?
Students that meet the eligibility criteria listed can apply through Scholarship Universe. Visit Scholarship Universe today to create your account and begin your profile. Logging in is easy – you just need your UCR NetID and password. The more questions you answer on your profile, the more scholarships you’ll be matched with, including ours! If you have any questions, please email Alumni Scholars today!
Additional Resources
Henry Ramsey, Jr. Revolving Emergency Loan fund (RELF)
Designed to assist students with short-term financial emergencies. Each loan application is reviewed on a case-by-case basis and available anytime during the year, as long as the student is enrolled full time. For more information, please contact (951) 827-2586.
- Loan amounts are available up to $1,000. Approval of all loans is subject to the availability of funds. (a typical loan averages $500).
- The Office of Alumni Engagement may reduce the loan amount or decline to approve the loan if information indicates your unwillingness or inability to repay the loan.
- Only one outstanding RELF is allowed per quarter.
-
Requirements
- Undergraduate students with a minimum enrollment of twelve (12) units for fall, winter and spring terms, and eight (8) units for one summer session.
- Current UCR GPA of 2.0 or above and be in good academic standing.
- Eligible to receive need-based financial aid.
- No HOLD currently on records.
- Documentation of emergency (copies of medical bills, car repair bills, lease agreement, etc.).
- Documentation of repayment source (payroll stub, letter from employer, letter from parents, etc.).
- If you have been delinquent on a loan payment in the past, you may be ineligible for the RELF.
Students currently receiving financial aid: RELF loans may be deducted from your next disbursement. Payments on student accounts are credited against any outstanding charges currently on record.
-
Process
Loan applications are available in the Alumni Engagement office, 2203 Alumni & Visitors Center, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. You may also complete the form by clicking on the Apply Now button above, print and sign it, and then deliver it to the Alumni Engagement office.
If the application and documentation of emergency is submitted and approved by 10:00 a.m., funds should be available via direct deposit to your bank account within three - four (3 - 4) business days. Accommodations may be made for individuals with no personal bank account.
Incomplete applications or insufficient documentation will delay your loan processing.
-
Repayment
Loans are required to be repaid in full within thirty (30) days.
Payments can be made online via R’Web or at the University Main Cashiers Office.
If you graduate or withdraw from school prior to the due date, the loan becomes due and payable on that date, unless prior arrangements are made with Student Business Services, Highlander One Stop Shop (HOSS).
-
Delinquency
An unpaid Emergency Loan is a debt owed to the University. If your loan is not paid by the due date, you will have a registration, academic transcript, and diploma HOLD placed on your records until the debt is repaid in full.
A late fee of $12.50 will be assessed on all loans not paid on or before the due date. Delinquent loans may be assigned to a collection agency.