Santa Cruz County Community Foundation Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by Community Foundation Santa Cruz County

The following outlines the eligibility criteria for various scholarships, as determined by the generous benefactors who have made these opportunities possible. The scholarships vary in value and can be either one-time or renewable. Please note that the award amounts may fluctuate annually.

Santa Cruz County Scholarship Endowment

Community benefactors have made one or more scholarships available (amounts differ) to graduating high school seniors from any Santa Cruz County school or students at Cabrillo College. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA or relevant work experience in their chosen career field and demonstrate financial need. The scholarship can be used at any accredited community, vocational, or two or four-year college.

Barbara J. Thompson Scholarship

Several one-time scholarships of $1,000 or more are available to graduates or current seniors from any accredited high school within the Santa Cruz City Schools District. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA, be US citizens who have lived in Santa Cruz County for three of the past four years, and have participated in at least three of the following activities during their high school years: Employment, Family Care, Community Involvement, Volunteer Work, and Sports.

Bert and Carolyn Post Scholarship

A one-time scholarship of $2,500 is available to a graduating senior from Watsonville High School who has a minimum 3.0 GPA, demonstrates financial need, and intends to become a public school teacher. Preference will be given to applicants who are the first in their family to attend college and/or are bilingual in Spanish and English.

Giles Family Scholarship

Several scholarships of up to $5,000 (renewable annually) are available to current graduating seniors from any Santa Cruz County high school who are involved in art, craft, or music programs. Applicants must be enrolled/admitted in Cabrillo College, San Jose State University, or the University of California at Santa Cruz, demonstrate financial need, and have a minimum 3.0 GPA.

Burton Scholarship

Several scholarships of up to $5,000 (renewable annually) are available to graduates or current graduating seniors from any Santa Cruz County high school who have maintained a minimum 3.0 GPA for two consecutive years, demonstrate financial need, and are US citizens.

Emmett & Elsie Geiser Scholarship

Several scholarships of up to $1,000 (renewable annually based on academic performance) are available to graduating seniors from Watsonville High School, Pajaro Valley High School, and Aptos High School who have earned at least one letter in an athletic program.

Ernest V. Cowell Scholarship

A one-time scholarship of $1,000-$5,000 is available to a graduating senior or graduate of any public high school in the Santa Cruz City Schools District who demonstrates financial need and will be attending a University of California campus.

Hank Garcia Jr. & Family Scholarship

Scholarships of $2,000 (renewable annually) are available to graduating seniors from Aptos High School, Monte Vista High School, Pajaro Valley High School, St. Francis High School, and Watsonville High School who have a minimum 3.5 GPA, demonstrate financial need, and are US citizens.

Isabel Fowler Sewell Scholarship

Several one-time scholarships of $5,000 are available to graduating seniors from Pajaro Valley High School, or any public high school in Santa Cruz County, who have a minimum 3.0 GPA, demonstrate financial need, and will be attending Cabrillo College or an accredited 4-year college or university full-time.

John L. Turner Scholarship

A one-time scholarship of $1,000 or more is available to a graduating senior from Watsonville High School or Pajaro Valley High School who has a minimum 2.0 GPA, demonstrates financial need, and is a US citizen.

Judy Anton Woman of Valor/Lupita Loves to Read Project Scholarship

A scholarship of $1,000 or more (renewable annually) is available to Latina students who are graduates or current graduating seniors of any high school in Santa Cruz County, or a current student of Cabrillo College, reside in the Live Oak or Watsonville area at the time of application, and demonstrate financial need.

Laura Segura Scholarship

Three one-time scholarships of $3,000 are available to a student who attended a Pajaro Valley private or public school and/or Cabrillo College. This scholarship is intended to support an applicant who has been involved with the juvenile justice system (including being on probation, in foster care or otherwise involved).

Louis J. & Mary Ellen Schultz Scholarship

Several scholarships of $2,000 or more (renewable annually) are available to graduates or current graduating seniors of any high school in Santa Cruz County who demonstrate financial need and are enrolled as full-time students.

R.H. Beel Memorial Scholarship

Several scholarships of $1,000 or more (renewable annually) are available to graduating seniors from Santa Cruz High School who demonstrate academic achievement and a history of service activities or volunteer work, will personally contribute to their educational costs, demonstrate financial need, and are US citizens.

Richard and Theresa Crocker Scholarship

One or more scholarships of $5,000 (renewable annually) are available to graduating seniors from any high school in Santa Cruz County or students enrolled at Cabrillo College who have a minimum 3.0 GPA or relevant work experience in their chosen career field and demonstrate financial need. The scholarship can be used at any accredited community, vocational, or two or four-year college.

Simunovich Family Agricultural Scholarship

One or more scholarships of $1,000 or more (renewable annually based on continued study in Agriculture) are available to graduating seniors of any high school in Santa Cruz County or the Pajaro Valley, or a student of Cabrillo College or Hartnell Community College who were residents of Santa Cruz County or the Pajaro Valley for at least two years prior to registration, and will be attending a 4-year university to study Agriculture.

Environmental Scholarship

One or more scholarships are available to students who have been accepted and/or are currently enrolled and in good standing as either Undergraduate or Graduate students at four-year colleges and universities in Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, San Benito, or Monterey Counties. This scholarship is intended to support those who have innovative ideas and intentions to pursue a career in a field that will contribute to the evolution of human species towards a more harmonious existence with natural ecosystems.