The History of CSUB’s HESF & HSF’s

Joint Endowment Scholarship Collaborative

California State University, Bakersfield’s Hispanic Excellence Scholarship Fund (CSUB-HESF) is a campus based initiative, established in 1984 by CSU President Emeritus Dr. Tomás A. Arciniega (CSUB President 1983-2004) to increase access to a college education for academically excellent financially deserving underrepresented students who demonstrate leadership potential.  CSUB-HESF is an important illustration of “Excellence at CSUB.” From a small, local scholarship program, CSUB-HESF had grown to become one of the premiere state university-based scholarship programs of its kind. Since 1984, CSUB-HESF had assisted over 1,700 local students pursue their dreams of higher education, disbursing over $3 million in scholarships.

Founded in 1975, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) empowers Latino families with the knowledge and resources to successfully complete a higher education, while providing scholarships and support services to as many exceptional Hispanic American students as possible. HSF strives to make college education a top priority for every Latino family across the nation. As the nation’s largest not-for-profit organization supporting Hispanic American higher education, HSF has awarded over $500 million in scholarships and provides a range of impactful programs for students, HSF Scholars, Alumni, and parents.

California State University, Bakersfield’s local Hispanic Excellence Scholarship Fund (CSUB-HESF), in partnership with the national Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF), in 2000 a joint endowment fund was established valued at over $600,000. A growing number of scholarships are now funded through this endowment collaborative. CSUB-HESF and HSF have formed a strong partnership, together we are leveraging our efforts to benefit students attending California State University, Bakersfield.