San Diego Foundation Scholarship Programs

San Diego Foundation has established a scholarship program for students who plan to start or continue their education in college or vocational-technical schools and programs.

Applications Open - Deadline March 4, 2026 2:00 PM PT

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San Diego Foundation Scholarship Programs

San Diego Foundation has established a scholarship program for students who plan to start or continue their education in college or vocational-technical schools and programs.

The program is administered by Scholarship America®, the nation’s largest designer and manager of scholarships and other education support programs for corporations, foundations, associations, and individuals. Eligibility for individual programs is determined at the sole discretion of the sponsor and eligible applications are reviewed by Scholarship America’s evaluation team.

Eligibility

One common application is completed to apply to any of the below funds. Applicants must meet the following criteria and the criteria of one or more of the scholarships listed:

  • Be high school seniors or graduates, current college undergraduates, or graduate students
  • Plan to enroll in full-time or part-time* undergraduate or graduate study at an accredited two- or four-year college, university, graduate school, or vocational-technical school for the entire upcoming academic year
  • Have a minimum grade point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent), unless specified otherwise
  • Reside in one of the following counties in the state of California for at least one year as of the application deadline date
    • San Diego County
    • Escondido County
    • Valley Center County

*Part-time enrollment consists of a minimum of 6 credits hours per semester/term

Albert W. and Mildred Hubbard Scholarship

  • Reside in Escondido County, CA or Valley Center County, CA
  • Graduating high school seniors from a public or private high school in Escondido, CA (including San Pasqual Academy in Escondido, CA), or Valley Center, CA
  • Pursuing a bachelor degree at an accredited four-year college or university in the state of CA for the upcoming academic year
  • Awards are renewable up to three years or until a bachelor’s degree is earned, whichever occurs first, on the basis of satisfactory academic performance (GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale) and enrollment

Caroline Crosby Scholarship

  • Be a graduating high school senior from Point Loma High School in the state of California
  • Have a minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent)
  • Be engaged in their community through extra-curricular activities, community service or work
  • Awards are one-time only. Past recipients may not reapply

Custard Family Fund Scholarship

  • Be a current undergraduate student attending San Diego Mesa College in the state of California
  • Plan to attend San Diego Mesa College or transfer to a California State University for the upcoming academic year
  • Have a minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent)
  • Be working a minimum 20 hours per week
  • Awards are renewable up to three years or until a bachelor’s degree is earned, whichever occurs first, on the basis of satisfactory academic performance (GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale) and enrollment

Doris Hendren Memorial Scholarship

  • Be a current undergraduate planning to pursue enrollment at an accredited two-year or four-year college or university in San Diego County
  • Have completed at least 60 credits (if attending four-year) or 30 credits (if attending two-year)
  • Plan to pursue a degree within the field of liberal arts
  • Have a minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent)
  • Awards are not renewable; however, students may reapply to the program each year they meet eligibility requirements

Dorothy M. Bolyard Memorial Scholarship

  • Be 25 or older
  • Plan to attend and pursue a degree at an accredited two-year or four-year college or university in San Diego County
  • Be engaged in their community through extra-curricular activities, community or church service, or work experience
  • Awards are not renewable; however, students may reapply to the program each year they meet eligibility requirements

Dr. Raymond R. Stelzner Scholarship

  • Be a graduating high school senior
  • Plan to enroll and pursue a degree in STEM at an accredited public or private four-year college or university in Southern California
  • Have a minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent)
  • Preference given to applicants who are engaged in their community through extra-curricular activities, community or church service, or work experience
  • Awards are one-time only. Past recipients may not reapply

Frederick George James Memorial Scholarship

  • Be a graduating high school senior from Sweetwater Union High School District in the state of California
  • Plan to enroll full-time at an accredited two-year or four-year college or university
  • Have a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent)
  • Preference given to applicants who are engaged in their community through extra-curricular activities, community or church service, or work experience
  • Awards are one-time only. Past recipients may not reapply

Guido Adler Music Scholarship

  • Be a graduating high school senior
  • Plan to enroll full-time at an accredited four-year college or university
  • Demonstrate passion for music through at least two years of experience playing a musical instrument in high school (either with the school or independently)
  • Plan to pursue a degree in music
  • Preference will be given to student with experience playing/practicing jazz
  • Awards are renewable up to three years or until a bachelor’s degree is earned, whichever occurs first, on the basis of satisfactory academic performance (GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale) and enrollment

Herman H. Derksen Scholarship

  • Plan to enroll at an accredited two-year college or vocational-technical school in San Diego County
  • Plan to pursue a trade or licensed career
  • Preference given to applicants who are engaged in their community through extra-curricular activities, community or church service, or work experience
  • Awards are not renewable; however, students may reapply to the program each year they meet eligibility requirements

Hindman Family Scholarship

  • Be a graduating high school senior
  • Plan to enroll at an accredited two-year college or vocational technical school in San Diego County
  • Demonstrate community involvement
  • Awards are one-time only. Past recipients may not reapply

Kjell and Vicki Nielsen Scholarship

  • Be a graduating high school senior from a public or private high school in San Diego County
  • Plan to enroll at an accredited two-year or four-year college, University, or vocational-technical school in San Diego County with a minimum of 9 credit hours per semester
  • Self-identify as being born outside of the United States or have parents who were born outside of the United States
  • Identify as a first-generation college student (parents have not received a degree for higher education)
  • Have a minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent)
  • Be actively involved in community service with a minimum of 100 hours within the last year
  • Awards are renewable up to three years or until a bachelor’s degree is earned, whichever occurs first, on the basis of satisfactory academic performance (GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale) and enrollment

Linda C. Scott Scholarship

  • Be a graduating high school senior from El Camino High School or Oceanside High School in the state of California
  • Plan to enroll full-time at an accredited two-year or four-year college, university, or vocational technical school
  • Have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent)
  • Awards are not renewable; however, students may reapply to the program each year they meet eligibility requirements

Mary Lou Washatka Scholarship

  • Be enrolled or plan to enroll full-time at an accredited two-year or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school
  • Have been in the foster care system at the age of 13 or later*
  • Have a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent)
  • Be actively involved in community service with a minimum of 100 hours within the last year
  • Awards are renewable up to three years or until a bachelor’s degree is earned, whichever occurs first, on the basis of satisfactory academic performance (GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale) and enrollment

*If awarded, recipients will need to provide documentation of current or former foster youth status after being selected as a scholarship recipient. (Acceptable forms of documentation include IEP, letter from ILS worker, CASA, other foster youth serving organization, or medical paperwork) since age 13 or later.

Pollard-Bailey Scholarship

  • Be a graduating high school senior planning to enroll at an accredited two-year college in San Diego County
  • Have a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent)
  • Preference given to applicants who are engaged in their community through extra-curricular activities, community or church service, or work experience
  • Awards are renewable up to three years or until a bachelor’s degree is earned, whichever occurs first, on the basis of satisfactory academic performance (GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale) and enrollment

Ruth E. Jenkins Scholarship

  • Be a graduating high school senior
  • Have a permanent address in the following zip codes in California in San Diego County: 92101, 92104, 92105, 92113, 92114, 92115, 92134, 92139, 92140, 92145, 92147, 92179
  • Plan to enroll full-time at an accredited four-year college or university in San Diego County or a HBCU college or university in the United States
  • Have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent)
  • Preference given to applicants who are engaged in their community through extra-curricular activities, community or church service, or work experience*
  • Awards are one-time only. Past recipients may not reapply

*Preference given to applicants who are engaged in their community through extra-curricular activities, community or church service, or work experience could be specific to a certain community like volunteer work at an African American serving church or in African American communities.

Steve Petix Journalism Scholarship

  • Be a graduating high school senior from Grossmont Union High School District in the state of California
  • Plan to enroll at an accredited two-year or four-year college or university
  • Plan to pursue a degree and career in journalism or related writing
  • Have a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent)
  • Preference will be given to students who are involved in their school newspaper or serve as yearbook staff
  • Awards are one-time only. Past recipients may not reapply

Tameka L. Henderson Memorial Scholarship

  • Have a permanent address in the following zip codes in California in San Diego County: 92101, 92104, 92105, 92113, 92114, 92115, 92134, 92139, 92140, 92145, 92147, 92179
  • Plan to enroll at an accredited four-year college or university in the state of California
  • Have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent)
  • Preference given to applicants who are engaged in their community their involvement in extra-curricular activities, community service, or work experience*
  • Awards are one-time only. Past recipients may not reapply

*Preference given to applicants who are engaged in their community through extra-curricular activities, community or church service, or work experience could be specific to a certain community like volunteer work at an African American serving church or in African American communities.

The Harold Keller, Pharm. D, Scholarship

  • Be an active military or veteran or biological, adopted child or stepchild of an active military or veteran*
  • Be a graduating high school senior, current college undergraduate, graduate student or adult re-entry student (age 30 or under)
  • Plan to enroll full-time at an accredited four-year college or university in California
  • Awards are renewable up to three years or until a bachelor’s degree is earned, whichever occurs first, on the basis of satisfactory academic performance (GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale) and enrollment

*If awarded, recipients will need to provide documentation of active/veteran status or parent’s active/veteran status.

The Lemon Grove Education Foundation Scholarship

  • Have resided in Lemon Grove for at least one year as of the application deadline date
  • Be a graduating high school senior or adult (age 18 or above)
  • Plan to enroll at an accredited two-year or four-year college, university or vocational technical school, or regional occupational program
  • Awards are not renewable; however, students may reapply to the program each year they meet eligibility requirements

The Louise A Broderick San Diego County Scholarship

  • Self-identify as a single parent (with dependent children)*
  • Plan to enroll or already enrolled in an accredited two-year or four-year college, university or vocational technical school
  • Awards are renewable up to three years or until a bachelor’s degree is earned, whichever occurs first, on the basis of satisfactory academic performance (GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale) and enrollment

The Margaret Jane Anderson Memorial Scholarship

  • Be a graduating high school senior or current undergraduate student
  • Have been diagnosed with dyslexia or similar learning disorder (i.e. Dysphasia/Aphasia, Dyscalculia)
  • Plan to enroll at an accredited two-year or four-year college, university or vocational technical school
  • Have a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent)
  • Awards are one-time only. Past recipients may not reapply

The San Diego Foundation Scholarship I

  • Be a graduating or previously graduated senior from a San Diego County continuation high school
  • Plan to enroll at an accredited two-year or four-year college, university or vocational technical school
  • Preference given to applicants who are engaged in their community through extra-curricular activities, community or church service, community or church service, or work experience
  • Awards are renewable up to three years or until a bachelor’s degree is earned, whichever occurs first, on the basis of satisfactory academic performance (GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale) and enrollment

The San Diego Foundation Scholarship II

  • Be a graduating high school senior
  • Plan to enroll full-time at an accredited two-year or four-year college or university in San Diego County
  • Have a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent)
  • Preference given to applicants who are engaged in their community through extra-curricular activities, community or church service, or work experience
  • Awards are one-time only. Past recipients may not reapply

Awards

If selected as a recipient, the student will receive an award ranging from $1,000 to $7,500. Up to 118 total awards across all funds will be granted.

Notification

All applicants will be notified in May.

Notifications are sent via email. When setting up your account, avoid using a school or work email. Instead, use an active, personal email address that you will continue to have access to.

Please make sure to add studentsupport@scholarshipamerica.org as well as the program email address as safe senders in your email contact list.

Payment of Scholarships

Scholarship America processes scholarship payments on behalf of San Diego Foundation.

Payment is made in August.

Selection of Recipients

Scholarship recipients are selected on the basis of:

  • Academic performance
  • Demonstrated leadership and participation in school and community activities
  • Work experience
  • A statement of educational and career goals and objectives
  • Unusual personal or family circumstances

Financial need, as calculated by Scholarship America, must be demonstrated for the student to receive an award.

Selection of recipients is made by Scholarship America. In no instance does any officer or employee of San Diego Foundation play a part in the selection. Not all applicants to the program will be selected as recipients. All applicants agree to accept the decision as final.

Requirements

As part of your application, you must upload the following:

  • A current, complete transcript of grades. Grade reports are not accepted. Transcripts must display:
    • Student name
    • School name
    • Grades
    • Credit hours for each course and term in which each course was taken.
  • Copy of the first two pages of the most recently filed IRS Form 1040 used for the Financial Information section of the application. Please black out all social security numbers and bank account information.

NOTE: If you are providing SAT or ACT test scores, and those scores are not listed on your high school transcript, you will need to upload a copy of your test score report(s) separately. If you are uploading a college transcript, those scores are not required.

Your application is not complete unless all required materials are submitted electronically.

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