CASP Student Nominations

Student wearing CASP UC San Diego backpack Participating high schools, community colleges, and community-based organizations: learn how to nominate an eligible student for the Chancellor's Associates Scholars Program (CASP) at UC San Diego. Please see "nomination instructions" below to nominate up to two students.

The nomination form for the 2025-26 academic year is now closed.

Program Information

UC San Diego created the Chancellor’s Associates Scholars Program (CASP) in 2013 as a new scholarship program to recognize and support local, high-achieving students at both the freshman and transfer levels. Schools and community-based organizations (CBOs) that serve historically underserved populations and share the campus commitment to embrace equity, diversity, and access to higher education were selected as participants.

As we enter the 6th year of the program, we are excited to continue to expand CASP to provide greater access to this life-changing opportunity and to positively impact students and families throughout the state of California.

Through scholarship funding, benefits, services, and programs, CASP recognizes and supports talented students with great potential, financial need, and motivation to succeed academically at UC San Diego.

Our program foci are:

Access
Academic support
Community building
Mentorship
Self-advocacy
Student development
Transition

Current Participating Institutions and Organizations

There is no change to the CASP program for current partners. Click here to view a list of our partner institutions and organizations.

Invitation for CASP Nominations
from Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla

Nominator Eligibility

One institution or organization through an Individual nominator (as defined in the list below) can nominate up to 2 candidates.

The number of nominees allowed per entity will be reassessed each year and may be adjusted in future years.

Nominators should hold the following roles at the school or organization:

High Schools

Principal (or designee)
Assistant Principal
Counselor
Dean of Students
AVID Coordinator

Community Colleges

President
Vice President or Dean
Transfer Center Director
Program Coordinator (Puente, Umoja, EOPS, etc.)
Counselor

Community-Based Organizations

President / Senior Officer / Chair
Vice President / Vice Chair
Director
Coordinator / Youth Coordinator
Counselor / Coach / Community Liaison

Nomination Process for New Participating Institutions & Organizations

Candidates must meet at least 2 of the following 10 criteria:

Participation in a pre-college program (e.g., AVID, Gear Up, EAOP, Puente, Umoja, etc.)
First-generation (first in their family to attend college)
Low-income, including participation in the free and reduced lunch program
Foster youth
Single parent household
Student veteran
Military dependent
Reentry student
Students who are parents
Overcome hardship/ personal challenge (e.g., family circumstances, homelessness, formerly incarcerated, etc.)

The university will verify that each nominated candidate meets all of the minimum criteria below, prior to moving them forward to the selection process:

Admitted to UC San Diego
California resident for tuition purposes (AB 540 students are eligible)
Completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) OR the California Dream Act Application by the March 2nd application deadline AND be eligible for the UC Blue and Gold Opportunity Program (California residents with total family income less than $80,000 with financial need)

Nomination Instructions

Nomination period

The deadline for the 2025-2026 academic year was February 14, 2025
Late nominations will not be considered under any circumstances.

Nomination guidelines

Individual nominators can submit up to 2 candidates.
To be considered, the student nominee must apply using the UC Application for Admissions and be granted admission to UC San Diego.
To complete the nomination process, ensure that the individual you are nominating meets the other eligibility criteria as described above under "Student Nominee Eligibility."
The nomination of a student has no bearing on the UC admissions process and admission to UC San Diego does not guarantee receipt of the CASP scholarship.

Selection criteria

The selection of CASP Scholars includes a thorough and holistic review of each candidate, based on the information contained in the UC application for undergraduate admission and scholarships.
To be considered, all CASP candidates must meet the minimum eligibility criteria as described above under "Student Nominee Eligibility."

Nomination Form

Application for Nomination

Nomination / Application Timeline

The new schedule for the 2025 - 2026 nomination period will be coming out shortly!

October 1	FAFSA and California Dream Act Application available * * To be considered for CASP, students must complete the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application
October 1– November 30	UC San Diego application period for high school seniors and transfers
January 3	CASP nomination form available
February 14	Deadline to submit CASP nomination forms
March 1–31	First-year admissions decision notification and financial aid estimate release (includes scholarship awards)
March 1 – April 30	Transfer admissions decision notification and financial aid estimate release (includes scholarship awards)
May 1	Deadline for first-year admits to accept the offer of admission
June 1	Deadline for transfer admits to accept the offer of admission

If you have any questions regarding eligibility or your nomination, email CASP or call (858) 534-8366.

*Please note the CASP team is working remotely and will not be available in our in-person office. You can view our staff virtual availability by clicking here.