Undergraduate students are encouraged to apply for the following undergraduate scholarships using the university-wide scholarship application found here:
Apply via SSU Scholarship Application
The Sam Seward Scholarship
A $5,000 scholarship awarded annually to a student majoring in Business administration, who is a single custodian parent with financial need and has demonstrated high academic achievement.
The Wally Lowry Accounting and Finance Scholarships
Awarded annually to students majoring in Business Administration. The scholarships are given to outstanding students who are seeking a B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting or Finance and who have completed one or more upper class courses in Accounting or Finance. The Lowry scholarships award in amounts ranging from $500 - $2500.
Liz Thach Wine Industry Scholarship
Awarded annually to undergraduate students majoring in wine business. The scholarships are given to students who are pursuing a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in wine business and have already completed at least one wine class at SSU. Must have wine industry work experience and a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA or above. The Liz Thach Wine Industry scholarships awards up to $2,250.
Rabo AgriFinance Wine Business Scholarship
The Rabo AgriFinance wine business scholarship awards up to $5,000 annually to undergraduate students who are pursuing a degree in B.S. degree in Business Administration with a concentration in wine business and have a cumulative 3.0 GPA or above.
La Tosh Scholarship
The La Tosh wine business scholarship awards up to $2,000 annually to undergraduate students who are pursuing a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in wine business and have already completed at least one wine class at SSU. Must have wine industry work experience and a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA or above.
The Charles Woodson & O'Neill Family Wine Business Scholarship
The scholarship aims to recruit and retain high-achieving underrepresented students interested in pursuing a career in the wine industry. The scholarship will be available to a student accepted at Sonoma State for the upcoming Fall semester.
Applicants for this scholarship will demonstrate through their essay thoughtful professional goals in the wine industry, challenges that they have faced as a member of an underrepresented population, insight into the challenges of underrepresented populations in the wine industry, and a desire to help others reach their goals as they advance in their career.
Formal admission to SSU is not required to apply. The application period begins on November 1st for the next academic year.
The scholarship will cover 100% of the tuition and room and board to support the recipient over their entire college career. O’Neill Vintners & Distillers will provide internships and mentoring to offer hands-on learning opportunities for scholarship recipients to enhance their college experience in the wine industry.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Applicants must be a continuing student or a new degree-seeking undergraduate student who has applied for admission and is planning to attend SSU full-time.
- Applicants must participate in one of the Black Student Success Initiatives at Sonoma State, such as the Black Student Union or the Male Success Initiative. Incoming freshmen must currently be participating in similar programs at their high school.
- Applicants must have a minimum overall 2.5 GPA in his/her/their high school (if a first-time freshman) or college-level coursework (if a current college student). (GPA will be verified through Sonoma State University's Admissions and Records Office.)
- Applicants will only be considered whose demonstrated intent is to earn a B.S. degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Wine Business Strategies in the School of Business and Economics.
- Applicants are required to submit an essay and a resume.
The Association of African American Vintners (AAAV) Wine Business Scholarship
The Association of African American Vintners (AAAV) Wine Business Scholarship serves to build diversity in the wine industry, bring awareness to present-day Black winemakers, and provide financial assistance to students from an underrepresented population pursuing a career in the wine industry.
Applicants through their essay will demonstrate professional goals in the wine industry, how they will improve diversity in the wine industry, and a desire to help others reach their goals as they advance their own careers.
The amount of the scholarship award will be $5,000 to pay for tuition.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Must be a junior or senior or graduate student at Sonoma State University pursuing a B.S. or MBA degree in Business Administration with a concentration in wine business.
- Applicants must participate in one of the Black Student Success Initiatives at Sonoma State, such as the Black Student Union or the Male Success Initiative.
- Must possess a minimum G.P.A. of 3.0.
- Must be a member of an underrepresented population
- Must demonstrate an interest in the wine industry as a career.