If you’re taking the time to apply for a scholarship, be sure to follow the instructions. Give accurate, complete information to avoid your application getting tossed out. Start early. Don’t wait until you receive your award letter to start applying for scholarships. You can start as early as freshman year of high school. Keep applying.

Here are a few reasons why you should consider applying for scholarships:

1. Financial Relief: Scholarships can help cover tuition and other expenses, potentially reducing or eliminating the need for student loans.

2. Recognition: Winning a scholarship can be a great acknowledgment of your hard work and achievements.

3. Opportunities: Some scholarships come with additional benefits like networking opportunities, mentorship, or career guidance.

4. Reduced Debt: By receiving scholarships, you might graduate with less student debt, which can make a big difference in your financial future.

5. Increased Focus: With less financial worry, you might be able to dedicate more time to your studies and extracurricular activities.

Remember to research and apply for as many relevant scholarships as possible, and tailor your applications to each opportunity to increase your chances of success.

Seniors! Complete your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) OR the CADAA (California Dream Act Application) by March 3, 2025. Last month we held a family financial aid presentation. Our presenters from the University of San Diego and Palomar Community College provided great financial aid information for our families. Below are copies of their presentations. Please review them to understand what financial aid is and the benefits of applying for financial aid.

University of San Diego Financial Aid Presentation

Palomar Community College Promise Program Presentation

Thinking about community college? It's a great way to save money before transferring to a four-year university. Learn how to go to community college for free by reviewing our Palomar Community College Promise Program Presentation. Get help with applying to community college by attending our community college information sessions this month.

• February 12th - Palomar Community College - 8:30 am in A101

• February 26th - Miramar Community College - 8:30 am in A101

CSAC All-In & Ready Webinar Series: This monthly series will coordinate and support California students, families, and financial aid professionals by focusing on important federal updates, effective regional strategies, and new tools and resources. Offered from 9:00-10:00 am every month through July 2025.

• Upcoming webinars

• February 13th at 9:00 am–10:00 am

“Cash for College” Workshops for Students & Families: Students and families can receive information about applying for financial aid, answers to frequently asked questions, and a walkthrough of the FAFSA and California Dream Act Application.

• Upcoming webinars:

• February 6th at 6:00 pm–7:15 pm: register here
• February 12th at 5:30 pm–6:45 pm: register here
• February 18th 6:00 pm–7:15 pm: register here
• February 24th at 5:30 pm–6:45 pm: register here
• March 3rd at 5:30 pm–6:45 pm: register here

The North County Society of Fine Arts is offering an Art Scholarship to qualified graduating high school seniors planning to continue their education in the field of fine art. Applications can be completed on line. A zoom interview will be scheduled in the future.

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Seniors graduating in 2025 from:
Del Norte, Mt. Carmel, Poway, Rancho Bernardo and Westview

are eligible for 2025 NCSFA Scholarships

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DEADLINE for Submission: March 15, 2025

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In order to compete students must:

Have a free google account to open application

Have all documents and photos ready for upload before starting application

• fill out the online application

• upload a letter of recommendation from their scholarship coordinator or art teacher

• upload a personal essay about their interest in art

• submit three pieces of artwork (2D originals only)

​Winner/s are invited to exhibit work at our membership show at Poway Center for the Performing Arts from April 2-27. Details will be shared at notification of award.

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APPLICATION

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Questions about the scholarship process - Contact Page at Pagebry@aol.com.

Technical questions - Contact Barbara at barbarakokaska@gmail.com

The Paula B. and Oliver W. Jones Family Foundation, Inc. was initiated in 2002 by Dr. Oliver W. Jones and his wife Paula Jones. Dr. and Mrs. Jones wish to establish a foundation to provide grants and awards to programs that positively impact children’s and women’s health and educational needs.

The Foundation awards scholarships to high school students in grades 10, 11, and 12. Each year, at least fifteen scholarships are awarded at each grade level. Selection is based on eligibility criteria described in the attached document. Recipients receive an award that is deferred for college. The award is held in trust for the recipient. The scholarship will be paid to the college, university, trade, or business school on the recipient’s behalf when the student matriculates. Students may earn multiple Jones Family Foundation Scholarships, by applying at each grade level (10–12) of high school for a total of $4,500 if awarded for all three years. Presently, scholarships are limited to qualified students enrolled in schools within San Diego County, California. Sophomores eligible for $1,000, Juniors eligible for $1,500 and Seniors eligible for $2,000

We receive about 100 applications each year and our records indicate that we have not received applications from your school. We would encourage you to present this wonderful scholarship to your students. Also, the deadline is 03/15/2025 and the online application window will close. Here is the website with our application link. https://jonesfamilyfoundation.com/apply

If you have any questions or need any further information, please feel free to contact me.

PFLAG San Diego County will be offering scholarships to qualified LGBTQ+ high school seniors. We are offering a minimum of 18 scholarships, with two specifically designated for community college students and two for registered vocational or trade schools. A minimum of $2,000 will be awarded per scholarship (in 2023, we awarded 21 scholarships for a total of $56,000). The application, requirements, and other scholarship-related info are on the PFLAG SDC website, www.pflagsdc.org/scholarships/. Students may apply directly online: https://pflagsdc.org/scholarship-applicants/.

For questions, please contact scholarships@pflagsdc.org. The in-person awards ceremony will be June 8, 2024.

The deadline to apply is March 15, 2024.

Application for the Cabrillo Civic Club Scholarship. This Scholarship is for students of Portuguese Descent. I would appreciate it if you would post this to your students. We award a $500,00 scholarship each year to deserving students of Portuguese Descent throughout the State of California. The deadline is March 15, 2025.

Each year, the City of San Diego Engineering & Capital Projects Department, and the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) award scholarships to students interested in pursuing a career in Engineering or Land Surveying. I am hoping you can help spread the word to your students about this amazing opportunity. If there is a better contact person for your school or organization, please let us know, here.

Scholarship recipients will be invited to attend the 24th Annual City of San Diego Engineering & Capital Projects/ACEC Scholarship Golf Tournament awards banquet on May 23rd 2025, where they will receive their scholarship and have an opportunity to network with local engineering, surveying, and construction companies.

I have attached a copy of the scholarship application flyer for both high school and undergraduate candidates.

For the high school application, these are the minimum requirements for eligibility:

• You must have graduated high school in December of 2024 or be graduating high school in Spring of 2025
• Minimum 3.0 GPA
• Attending a high school within the City of San Diego
• Desire a career in engineering or land surveying

For the undergraduate application, these are the minimum requirements for eligibility:

• Minimum 2.5 GPA (or a high school GPA of 3.0 if you do not have a collegiate GPA)
• Attending a community college or university within the City of San Diego
• Enrolled in a minimum of 12 units per term, or work a minimum of 15 hours per week while enrolled in 6+ units
• Pursuing a degree in engineering or land surveying

All interested applicants who meet the minimum requirements must submit their application via the google form by March 23rd 2025, no later than 11:59 PM PDT.

Ten $1,000 Student Scholarships Available!

PLEASE FORWARD to COUNSELORS to give to STUDENTS!
Applications Due March 28, 2025 by 5:00pm

Region 18 of the Association of California School Administrators (San Diego and Imperial Counties) and the San Diego County School Boards Association are very pleased to offer ten $1,000 scholarships as a result of donations made by both organizations and our generous business partners.

Our scholarships provide an award for ten (10) public high school seniors who meet the following criteria:
1) pursuing a career in education as a teacher or other certificated employee.
2) attend a public high school in the San Diego or Imperial Counties area.
3) show proven academic success with at least a 3.3 cumulative grade point average.
4) are involved in community service.
5) who may not necessarily qualify for other financial aid.

Download a copy of the Application from the Google Drive Link below.
Please DO NOT change the Original.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dc3JLKSfzbwV7qjNWNUmG3uNbvAE8euP/view?usp=sharing

Please encourage your students to submit their completed Application, Transcript copy and Photo by March 28, 2025 by 5:00pm!

2025 Gregg Garon Scholarships.

Applicants must have played soccer for a high school or club team in northern San Diego county (north of Highway 56) and plan to continue their education after high school. The applicants need to demonstrate team leadership, loyalty, heart/love of the game, giving back to others and courage.

Eligibility criteria include, playing soccer for a high school or club in northern San Diego County, a high school GPA of 2.5 with plans to continue post-high school education or training. Opened to both young men and women who will be graduating in 2025. Scholarship amount depends on number of awardees selected and funds raised, but has averaged $2,000 in recent years.

The scholarship was created in memory of Gregg Garon, who grew up in Peñasquitos and played soccer for Mt. Carmel High School, as well as Peñasquitos and Poway Soccer Clubs. As an adult he was a youth coach in the Peñasquitos and Poway Soccer Clubs, as well as in Marietta Georgia.

Complete information and the applications are available on the website: www.greggsgoals.org or contact Dennis or Maryanne Garon: greggsgoals@yahoo.com

Deadline to submit applications is March 29, 2025.

The North Island Credit Union Foundation Annual Scholarship opportunity is now available! The Foundation will award 10 students with a scholarship of $1,000 each. High school seniors and community college students transferring to a four-year university who maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0 are eligible to participate. Selection criteria include academic performance, school or community involvement, a letter of recommendation, and an essay submission. Applications are available through Friday, March 7, 2025 and winners will be announced on our website Monday, March 31, 2025. Interested students can find more information and apply at northisland.ccu.com/studentscholarship

San Diego Alumnae Panhellenic (SDAP) is pleased to announce that merit scholarships are available to qualified San Diego County female high school seniors who will, upon graduation, attend a four-year college or university which has National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) sororities / women's fraternities on campus.

Scholarship Application Availability & Deadline:
The 2025 scholarship application is due by March 31, 2025.

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION.

Scholarship Interviews and Winner Selection Process:
If selected for further consideration, the scholarship committee will contact you for an interview. After interviews are complete, the scholarship committee will notify you if you are selected as a scholarship winner. Checks will be mailed directly to the college or university, or to the sorority if the recipient joins an NPC organization.

Scholarship June Luncheon:
Scholarship winners, their family, or friends are invited to be honored at the June Scholarship Luncheon.

If students and parents are interested in learning more about NPC organizations, NPC has created The Sorority Life site at TheSororityLife.com.

SDAP Scholarship Opportunity for female senior students.

The SDAP High School Merit Scholarship is awarded to college‐bound women from throughout San Diego County who will be attending a university affiliated with National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) Greek‐lettered organizations. Scholarships are based on academic excellence, community and school involvement, and personal interviews.

Scholarship Application

Applications are due by March 31, 2025.

JFS David Rubenstein Scholarship is now open! Established by Dr. Robert Rubenstein in honor of his son, the JFS- David Rubenstein Memorial Scholarship awards up to $10,000, based on financial need, academic performance, and community involvement to encourage young people to treasure their Jewish heritage, reflect on their Jewish values, and better understand their connection to the community. Scholarships are available to students from San Diego’s Jewish Community who plan to attend an accredited college or vocational school full-time in the 2025-2026 academic year. Students may receive the scholarship for up to four years which need not be consecutive and must reapply each year based on current criteria. We would appreciate you sharing this amongst any students you think might be interested.

More information & application submission instructions can be found HERE. Applications are due on April 7th, 2025.

I appreciate your time and hope you all have a wonderful day!

College Bound scholarship opportunity in case there are any students on your campus who can benefit from critical resources we offer.

College Bound serves students between the ages of 17 ½ and 26. We provide eligible youth with vital school supplies to help them bridge the digital divide – laptops, printers, a school supply shopping trip to Walmart, and a coach – as well as assistance with bus passes, parking permits, and more. In addition, participants in the service are invited to compete in an essay contest where they can receive $1,000, $500 or $250 in “scholarship” money.

In order to remove barriers to access, Just in Time’s services, including College Bound, are available to transition-age foster youth (17 ½ - 26) living in San Diego regardless of where they were placed in foster care (out of state) or the length of time they spent in the system – if youth spent even one day in foster care, anywhere in the country and currently reside in San Diego County, they are eligible to apply for JIT services.

For JIT’s College Bound, we require that youth also plan to enroll in a two-year or four-year college program, have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher from high school or a previous college and are available to attend a two-day College Bound event on June 7 and 21, 2025.

Apply Here: https://formstack.io/7FF08
Application Password: JIT2025

Please take a moment to click through the monthly tabs to explore the various scholarships available. Keep in mind that these scholarships are organized by their deadlines, so it's a good idea to start working on your applications well before the month listed. Please click on the MONTHS (below) to view scholarships.

*Scholarships are organized by deadline.

Feel free to email Mrs. Beccarelli with any questions.

Palomar Promise applications are considered on a first-come, first-served basis dependent upon availability of funds. Please encourage your high school seniors to apply to the Promise program if they are considering attending Palomar College in fall 2025. The application is quick and simple and can be completed now before submitting their financial aid application!

What is the Palomar Promise Program?

The Palomar Promise program is a comprehensive student success program for first-time college students enrolled full time (12 or more units). The program offers up to two years of free tuition (up to 19 units per fall & spring semester), textbook assistance, and access to specialized academic and career planning with related support services to eligible students who meet the program eligibility requirements.

How to Apply?

After applying to Palomar College, students should log on to their MyPalomar student portal, click on the Financials tab, and select Palomar Promise to access the Promise application (link will appear on the right side of the screen). See screenshot below. If they have problems accessing the Promise application link, please have the student contact our office at promise@palomar.edu using their Palomar email account and include their full name and Palomar Student ID. For more information on how to apply, please visit: https://www.palomar.edu/palomarpromise/application/

Promise Application Timeline

• For information about our Promise application 25/26 timeline, please click here.

Virtual Information Sessions

• The Promise Program is conducting several Virtual Palomar Promise Information Sessions via Zoom for students, parents and counselors to learn about the Promise program, including eligibility requirements, benefits, how to apply and much more! Click here to view flyer. Please share with your students.

Promise Bookmark

• Click here to download a copy of the Promise bookmark.

RESOURCES:

1. CSAC Presentation and NCAN Presentation's community of practice presentations: These decks are a great reference from November’s convening on what to expect in the 2025-26 financial aid cycle.
2. CSAC’s undocumented student guide: This updated guide provides the latest resources (in multiple languages) on how to support undocumented students with accessing financial aid in California (including in-state tuition, state financial aid, etc.).
3. CSAC’s mixed-status families guide: This updated guide provides the latest resources on how to support mixed-status families with navigating their financial aid options.
4. CSAC Memo: Financial Aid Applications for Mixed-Status Students and Families: This memo provides practitioners and financial aid professionals with detailed information on how to guide mixed-status families through choosing whether to fill out the FAFSA or the CADAA.
5. CSAC Memo: Upholding the Dream For All Students: This guidance highlights the ways the CADAA keeps students and families safe and reaffirms California’s commitment to making college accessible for all students. The CADAA is available for undocumented students AND students from mixed-status families.
6. FAFSA Hub for Mixed-Status Families: This collection of resources provides up-to-date information and resources to support students from mixed-status families with completing the FAFSA.
7. Protecting Student Data in CA: This resource provides practitioners with details on complying with federal and state laws to ensure students have access to resources while also ensuring that their data is protected.
8. Fin Aid: The SmartStudentTM Guide to Financial Aid.
9. California Student Aid
10. College Solution: Lynn O’Shaughnessy is a nationally recognized college expert, who is a higher-ed journalist, speaker and educator. Her chief goal is to help families with teenagers become smart college shoppers as they search for schools.
11. FAFSA: Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is necessary to determine eligibility for state and federal aid to cover college expenses.
12. Cal Grant: The Cal Grant is a California-specific financial aid allocation that does not need to be paid back. Cal Grant applicants must apply using the FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application by the deadline and meet all eligibility, financial, and minimum GPA requirements of either program.

What are scholarships?

Scholarships are a type of financial aid commonly referred to as “free money” or “gift aid.” Scholarships usually require an application and are often awarded to students based on a combination of factors including merit. Merit scholarships tend to have specific requirements and are awarded to applicants based on certain skills and accomplishments and may not be based on financial need. Scholarships may be renewable, meaning you can receive scholarships for more than one year. A new application may be required along with maintaining certain eligibility requirements, such as GPA or a certain major.

Why do I need scholarships?

Scholarships are a great type of financial aid because they do not have to be repaid. Receiving scholarships can help cover the remaining bill and indirect costs, while also minimizing the amount you need to borrow in loans while in college.

What are some common scholarship application requirements?

Many scholarships require similar application materials, which commonly include:

• The application, which can be paper or an online form.
• Essays, often personal statements, that provide insight into your activities inside and outside the classroom.
• Letters of recommendation from teachers, coaches, guidance counselors, community members, or other mentors.
• Honors or awards you have received, academic or otherwise.
• Information about your high school or college, which may include your transcript, GPA, Student Aid Report, or financial aid offer.
• A résumé that includes any employment, volunteer, or extracurricular experiences.

Specialized scholarships may require additional information and may have a priority deadline. For example, scholarships supporting the arts may require portfolios or writing samples. Be sure to read each application thoroughly for requirements so you don’t miss any.

What should I do before college to increase my chances?

Since many scholarships are merit based, maintaining good grades and increasing your involvement in school and community activities are important. Some scholarships have GPA requirements, so keeping your grades up will help open more opportunities. Additionally, many applicants with varied extracurriculars and volunteer or job experiences may stand out. The more scholarships you’re eligible for and apply for, the better the odds you have of receiving one.

What are the best ways to find and receive a scholarship?

There is no guarantee that you’ll receive a scholarship, but there are a few things you can do to increase your chances while applying. One of the most important things to remember is that the scholarship committee wants to get to know you through the applications—you want to show why your college education is worth investing in.

There are a few things that you can do to increase your chances, including:

• Start early and search year-round: No matter what stage in the college process you’re at, you should start looking for scholarships now. There are even scholarships that high school students can receive before senior year. Scholarship deadlines vary, so setting some time aside every few weeks to search and apply will open up more opportunities of securing a scholarship.
• Use the right search engine: Finding scholarships to apply for can be difficult, but with the right search engine you can narrow your search and find scholarships you’re eligible for. BigFuture’s scholarship search is a great resource to use.
• Find a balance: You should apply for several scholarships—the more you apply for, the better your chances of receiving one. However, it’s important to use your time wisely. You should only apply for those you’re eligible for, based on the requirements.
• Research local scholarships: Local scholarships tend to have fewer applicants, meaning you may be more likely to get them. Your high school counselor or college financial aid department might have insight about where to find and apply for local scholarships. Be sure to talk to others in your community, and check with local businesses and organizations like banks and churches.

How do I know a scholarship is legit?

While plenty of legitimate scholarships are available, some fake scholarships are set up to scam students out of money or personal information. Using reliable search engines, like BigFuture, can help avoid this. Scholarships should always be free to apply. Some may ask for your bank account information after choosing you as a recipient, but they should not ask for this information as an application requirement. If you’re unsure, contact the organization or company providing the scholarship to ensure they are legit.

Finding and applying to scholarships sounds like a lot of work—how can I make this process easier?

Because scholarships don’t need to be repaid, they can be an important part of making college affordable. However, we know that it might not always be feasible to spend a lot of time applying. There are a few things you can do to simplify the process and save time where possible.

• Start early: Prioritize getting two or three letters of recommendation, and write your essay/personal statement before you start searching to help save time.
• Time management: Plan to spend a day or two a month searching and submitting applications with your prepared materials to avoid last-minute applications, missed deadlines, and stress.
• Stay organized: Collecting and organizing your application materials and tracking due dates will help you stay on track and avoid missing out on opportunities.
• Reuse essays when possible: Many scholarship essay topics are similar, so editing one of your previously written essays to fit the scholarship you’re applying for can save you time.

With these tips and resources, you’ll be better prepared for scholarship applications and increase your chances of receiving scholarships to help cover your college costs. Check out your chance to earn $500 and $40,000 scholarships in monthly drawings offered by BigFuture to students who complete the steps to plan for college.

For more scholarship and enrichment program details- log into your Scoir account.

The Poway Unified School District (PUSD) is an equal opportunity employer/program and is committed to an active Nondiscrimination Program. PUSD prohibits discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying based on actual or perceived protected characteristics under the law, including but not limited to ancestry, age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, nationality, race or ethnicity, immigration status, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or association with a person or a group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. For more information, please contact the Title IX/Equity Compliance Officer, Associate Superintendent of Personnel Support Services, Poway Unified School District, 15250 Avenue of Science, San Diego, CA 92128-3406, 858-521-2800, extension 3019.

Email: DBeccarelli@powayusd.com
Website: https://powayusd.com/en-US/Schools/HS/WVHS/Counseling/Counseling-Home
Location: 13500 Camino Del Sur, San Diego, CA, United States
Phone: 858-780-2000
Instagram: Westview HS Wolverine Center (@westview.wolverinecenter) • Instagram photos and videos