The Ed. Fund believes everyone deserves the chance to go to college. Research shows that a college education significantly changes the trajectory of a student. From doubling annual earnings to creating our next community leaders, a college education makes an impact on the student, their family, and our community. That is why The Ed. Fund believes college scholarships are an investment in the future of West Contra Costa County. To date, we have given out over $525,000 in college scholarships to 151 students.
Eligibility
- Be a high school senior graduating from a West Contra Costa County public high school
- Have a minimum of a 2.5 GPA
- Have a family income of less than $85,000
- Have submitted a completed application by the deadline
- Are not receiving a "full ride" to college
- Your commitment to your community as demonstrated by community service
- Your vision of succeeding in college and embarking on a career
- Your involvement in extracurricular activities
- Your demonstrated ability to overcome difficulties or obstacles in life through self-reflection and resiliency
- Your leadership and responsibility for your academic/personal life.
Cohort Program
All recipients of scholarships through The Ed. Fund are enrolled in our cohort program for one year. They engage in the following activities:
- Speaking about your college experience at community events such as college fairs and Rotary Club meetings
- Attending a scholar luncheon in December and a scholar retreat in the summer
- Attending at least one pre-college orientation course
- Hosting a site tour to future scholars at your college
- Completing at least one survey regarding your collegeexperience
- Participating in a scholar blog
- Serving as a mentor to future scholars applying to college
- Performing 20 hours of community service at or around your college or university
Below is more information about the scholarships we are offering in 2011-2012. All scholarships are non-renewable unless otherwise indicated.
Coach Lamb Memorial Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Eligibility: DeAnza High School seniors graduating in June 2012 with a 2.5 cumulative GPA. The graduating senior must plan to attend a four-year university, two-year college or trade school. The student must also be involved in athletics. This scholarship was established by Janet Johnson in memory of her son, the late Coach Edward T. Lambert, who passed away from complications with lupus in 2007. The review of the Coach Lamb Memorial Scholarship applications is administered by a committee separate from The Ed. Fund. Please contact your DeAnza High School counselor for the application.
Irvine Foundation Scholarship
Amount: Between $1,000 and $5,000, depending on financial need
Eligibility: Seniors graduating from any WCCUSD high school in June 2012 with a 2.7 cumulative GPA and in the fall will attend a 4-year public or private college/university, a 2-year community college or a trade/technical school.
Living the Dream Scholarship
Amount: Between $1,000 and $5,000, depending on financial need
Eligibility: Seniors from any WCCUSD high school who will graduate in June 2012 with a 2.5 cumulative GPA and in the fall will attend a 4-year public or private college/university, a 2-year community college or a trade/technical school. This scholarship is made possible by a generous grant from the College Access Foundation of California, the Chevron Corporation and private donors.
Norma and Arthur Schroeder Scholarship
Amount: $2,000
Eligibility: Seniors graduating from El Cerrito High School in June 2012 with a 3.0 cumulative GPA and in the fall will attend a 4-year public or private college/university, a 2-year community college or a trade/technical school. The Schroeder family has close ties to El Cerrito High School and is pleased to support those graduating from there.
Applications were due March 29, 2012. Applications for 2013 scholarships will be available in November, 2012.
To complete an application, applicants must submit 4 items:
- Application
- Student Aid Report
- Transcript
- Consent form
[First Name] [Last Name] Student Aid Report (Example: John Doe Student Aid Report)
[First Name] [Last Name] Transcript (Example: John Doe Transcript)
[First Name] [Last Name] Consent Form (Example: John Doe Consent Form)
You can download the Student Aid Report after you submit your FAFSA. For help with downloading the Student Aid Report, please call the Federal Student Aid Commission at 1‑800‑4‑FED‑AID (1‑800‑433‑3243) or 319‑337‑5665.
For your convenience, we have made available a downloadable copy of the 2012 scholarship application.
2012 Finalists
The transition to college can be difficult. The Ed. Fund's Scholarship Cohort Program helps make it as easy as possible. All of our requirements are designed to help you begin your college career registered as a full-time student with the financial aid package you deserve.
Here is a partial list of documents we are asking you submit with their deadlines. All documents must be scanned and emailed to scholarships@edfundwest.org. When scanning documents, please scan ALL the pages and make sure you are scanning in the PDF format. Do not fax or mail documents. Incomplete documents will not be accepted.
- Ed. Fund Scholarship Contract (email scholarships@edfundwest.org for a copy.) Due Friday, April 27, 2012
- Ed. Fund Photo Release Form Due Friday, April 27, 2012
- CAFC Consent form (English/Spanish). Due June 30, 2012
- Final high school transcript with proof of graduation. Due June 30, 2012
- Final version of Student Aid Report* or the California Dream Act Application (if you are undocumented). Due June 30, 2012
- Statement of Intent to Register. Due June 30, 2012
- Financial aid award letter from your college of choice. Due June 30, 2012
*You can download the Student Aid Report as a PDF after you submit your FAFSA. For help with downloading the Student Aid Report as a PDF, please call the Federal Student Aid Commission at 1‑800‑4‑FED‑AID (1‑800‑433‑3243) or 319‑337‑5665.
As an Ed. Fund Scholarship Finalist, we are expecting you to attend the following events:
WCCUSD Board of Trustees Meeting
Wednesday, May 9, 2012, 6:15 PM
DeJean Middle School Multipurpose Room
Ed. Fund Excellence in Education Gala
Friday, May 18, 2012, 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Craneway Pavilion, 1414 Harbour Way South, Richmond
The Ed. Fund's Scholarship Retreat
One day the week of June 10th, 2012
Time: 12:00-4:00 PM
Location TBD
If you cannot attend any of these events, we require 10 days' notice of your absence. If you do not send us a written reason of why you cannot attend at least 10 days in advance, you risk losing the scholarship.
Winners
Finalists for the 2012 Ed. Fund Scholarships will be announced in April. Winners will be determined in summer 2012 after a review of each finalist's financial aid award letter from their college of choice.
Click here to see the 2011 winners, who are all currently enrolled in our cohort program.
Click here to see profiles of some of our past and current scholarship recipients.
Click here to read a blog written by our past and current scholarship recipients about their college experience.