Department of Recreation Administration

Explore Scholarships

The Department of Recreation Administration has a variety of scholarship opportunities for students who achieve success in the major academically and in service to the community and university. Each type of opportunity is explained below.

California Foundation for Parks and Recreation (CPRS)

The California Foundation for Parks and Recreation Scholarship Committee annually awards scholarships to junior, senior and graduate level students majoring in recreation, parks and leisure studies throughout California.

Application opens August 2025

Deadline to apply - TBA

View more information and application for California Foundation for Parks and Recreation Scholarship.

California Parks and Recreation Society District VII Scholarships

District VII of the California Parks and Recreation Society awards two scholarships each spring. These are just for CSUF students in the Department of Recreation Administration. The "Outstanding Student Scholarship" requires a minimum of 3.5 GPA plus a record of community and/or university service. The "Community Service Scholarship" requires a minimum GPA of 2.5, plus a significant record of community and university service.

Cynthia Goddard Endowed Scholarship

This scholarship honors the memory of Cynthia Goddard, an exceptional student and service minded individual who died from cancer two years after her graduation from CSUF. Applications are accepted throughout the year until April, through the CSUF Scholarship Office. This scholarship requires a minimum GPA of 3.5 plus a record of outstanding community service.

Gwen Pendleton Hansen Bulldog Scholarship in Therapeutic Recreation

Gwen Pendleton Hansen began her career teaching Therapeutic Recreation at Fresno State in 1973. She taught courses in camp management, creating several service-learning opportunities for students through Camp Bulldog, an overnight camp forchildren, Bulldog Day Camp for youth and teens with autism, and Camp Spring Meadows, a partnership with ARC Fresno providing adults with disabilities a weekend camping experience. These programs, consequently, provided caregivers and families with respite care. It was during this time Gwen took on the name “Mama Bear”, her
camp name. She taught at Fresno State for nearly 19 years (1973 - 1992).

Hiram and Janet Hironaka are inspired by and grateful for Gwen Hansen's dedication and impactful contributions in the Department of Recreation Administration. Establishing a scholarship in her honor is an expression of their gratitude and desire that Gwen's spirit lives on in the program.

This scholarship is open to junior or senior students majoring in Recreation Administration--Recreation Therapy Emphasis and requires a minimum GPA of 3.0. Applicants must describe their extraordinary efforts in fieldwork and/or internship and the impact of these to their development as a recreation therapist.

Martha Judge Scholarship Award

The American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) will be offering financial scholarships to students and current professionals who might not otherwise be able to attend the Annual ATRA Conference. Applications are due May 1 by 11:59 PM. Scholarships up to $500 will be awarded to help cover the costs associated with attending the ATRA Annual Conference. Recipients are responsible for transportation to/from the conference and are expected to arrange travel to remain at the Conference in its entirety. This scholarship is a “working scholarship” where recipients will assist in various aspects of implementing the conference such as room hosting, registration and monitoring social events.

Scholarship recipients MUST be current ATRA members.
Scholarships will be awarded based on availability of funds from donations and will vary each year.

View more information and application for Martha Judge Scholarship Award.

Ruth Abernathy Presidential Scholarship

Since 1995, SHAPE America has awarded scholarships to outstanding undergraduate and graduate student members majoring in the field of health, physical education, recreation or dance. The Ruth Abernathy Presidential Scholarship, developed by the past presidents of SHAPE America to honor deserving students, is awarded to three undergraduate students and two graduate students in January of each year. All scholarships are presented at the SHAPE America National Convention & Expo held in the spring.

Undergraduate awards are $1,250 each and graduate awards are $1,750 each. Recipients also receive a complimentary three-year SHAPE America membership. Application deadline is October 15th.

View more information and application for Ruth Abernathy Persidential Scholarship.

California Hotel & Lodging Association - Hospitality Scholarship

The California Hotel & Lodging Association Hospitality Foundation endeavors to identify and reward the best and brightest of the hospitality and tourism industry’s next generation of leaders with a variety of scholarships in California. The Foundation asks students meeting certain basic requirements to complete and submit an application and other required information, write a cover letter, and, if selected, appear before an industry interview panel.

The California Hotel & Lodging Association Hospitality Foundation is accepting scholarship applications starting February 1 through March 31, 2025. We encourage all qualified hospitality students to apply including past recipients.

Apply for California Hotel & Lodging Association - Hospitality Scholarship.