The Santa Ana Public Schools Foundation is pleased to provide graduating seniors from all Santa Ana Unified School District high schools with the opportunity to be awarded scholarships to support post-secondary educational goals. We encourage all graduating seniors to consider applying for one or more of these scholarships made available to you by funds donated by the community to the foundation for your support. All applications are reviewed and selected by a committee of volunteer community members. If selected, students will be notified in March 2025 and will receive the scholarship at an awards recognition ceremony in April 2025. The Santa Ana Public School Foundation congratulates you on your current achievements and we wish you every success in your future college plans!

How to apply:

Scholarship applications are available on this website beginning Monday, November 1, 2024. Do not use the SAUSD ChromeBook to complete the application. Use a PC, Mac or Cell phone. Log in with a private email address. Do not use the “SAUSDLearns” email. Click on the “Apply Now” button on the scholarship page. Please enter all your information online. You will need to attach the responses to the essay questions as a separate document by using the “Choose File” button to connect to your document. When the application is complete, you simply submit the application by using the “Send” button. The completed application must be submitted prior to the deadline 11:59 PM,  Friday February 7, 2025. Incomplete or late applications will be disqualified and not awarded.

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AVAILABLE SCHOLARSHIPS

Please read the scholarship descriptions to determine your eligibility  

Athletics $1,000

2 Scholarships

  • This scholarship will be awarded to one male and one female student who has participated in CIF
    athletics at the Varsity level and strives to continue to play that sport at the collegiate level.
  • To qualify, students must have a minimum GPA of 2.5.

Achieve $1,000

The “Achieve” scholarship will recognize the achievement of graduates with Individual Education Plans who wish to continue to pursue education at a college or university.

5 Scholarships

  • This scholarship is awarded to students who have achieved success in high school while working with an Individual Education Plan (IEP).
  • The student must have maintained a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average or better. 
  • The student must be actively involved in extra-curricular school activities.

Merit $1,000 

 5 Scholarships

  • This scholarship is designed to recognize students demonstrating outstanding academic achievement.
  • The student must be actively involved in school activities and community service.
  • To qualify, students must have maintained a minimum 4.0 cumulative grade point average.

Quick Start $1,000

– 5 Scholarships

  • This scholarship is awarded to students who have been focused on California Technical Education (CTE) certificate programs while in high school and wish to pursue a professional degree or certification in preparation for the workforce.
  • The student must have maintained a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average.
  • The student must have been enrolled and/or completed a CTE pathway for a minimum of four semesters or two consecutive school years.

SAUSD Retired Administrators $1,000

– 2 Scholarships

  • This scholarship is awarded to students who have been involved in community service and have demonstrated exemplary leadership skills,
  • The student must plan to pursue a career in the field of education.
  • The students must have achieved a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average.

Visual and Performing Arts $1,000

– 5 Scholarships

  • This scholarship will be awarded to five students who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in the arts and have participated in District Level opportunities. To qualify the student must have a minimum GPA of 2.5.

Alice Garcia Memorial $1,000

– 1 scholarships awarded

  • This scholarship will be awarded to one student who attended Lincoln Elementary School.
  • The student must have an interest in entering a career in community service. (law-enforcement, fire,
    education, medical).
  • To qualify, the student must have a minimum GPA of 2.5.

CSEA Scholarships $1,000

– 3 scholarships awarded

  • This scholarship will be awarded to a student who is the child, grandchild or sibling of a classified employee of
    the Santa Ana Unified School District.
  • The student must be actively involved in school and community events.
  • The student must have a minimum GPA of 2.0.

Floyd and Phyllis Watson NJROTC $1,000

– 2 scholarships awarded

This scholarship will be awarded to one male and one female student who has participated in NJROTC for one or more school years. Students must be enrolled in NJROTC during the senior year. Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0

Pechanga Native American Scholarships $1,000

– 5 Scholarship

  • This scholarship will be awarded to students who are actively involved in the Native American community.
  • Students must have a minimum 2.0 GPA and wish to continue their education at the community college or
    university level.

Rob Richardson Civic and Community $1,000

– 1 Scholarship

The “Rob Richardson Civic and Community” scholarship is awarded in memory of Mr. Rob Richardson, to recognize the outstanding service of this gentleman and community leader.  A 1979 graduate of Santa Ana High School, he served as president of the Associated Student Body and often credited his speech classes for pushing him to achieve. After college, he returned to Santa Ana to serve his community as a member of the SAUSD Board of Education and the Santa Ana City Council.  He was actively involved in community service, supporting the youth of the City of Santa Ana. He was a founding member and President of the Santa Ana Public Schools Foundation in 2010.  

  • To qualify, students must have achieved a 3.5 grade point average or higher
  • The student must have served on ASB for a minimum of 4 semesters
  • The student must have participated in Speech and Debate
  • The student must have participated in Community/Civic Service

Santa Ana Business $1,000

– 1 Scholarship

  • This scholarship is awarded to one student who has worked or who has served in an internship while attending high school and plans to pursue the field of Business.
  • To qualify, students must have achieved a minimum 3.00 cumulative high school grade point average or higher.

High School Specific Scholarships

Student applying for these specific scholarships must attend the specified high school.

Santa Ana High School

Gerry Oxx Scholarship $1,000
1 scholarship awarded
This scholarship will be awarded to a first-generation student who has demonstrated high academic excellence and wishes to pursue higher education at a private or out of state college.
Counselor Recommendation Required.

Cesar Chavez High School

Charlie Phillips Alternative Ed. Success $1,500
1 scholarship awarded
This scholarship will be awarded to one student who has overcome challenges to complete graduation requirements and wishes to attend college or university. The student must have a minimum GPA of 3.0.

Scholarship Application Directions

 

Please use the current application for the Santa Ana Public Schools Foundation Scholarships. This application includes information for all the current scholarship opportunities for students, and it is online, located at our website – www.SAPSF.Org/scholarships

 

Accessing the scholarship application from school:

● The SAUSD chromebooks will not work to complete the scholarship application. Please use a PC, Mac, or Cell Phone.
● Students must sign into the application with a personal email, (gmail, yahoo, iCloud, etc). The student’s SAUSDlearns account will not work with the application.
● If students have problems accessing the scholarship application, please make sure he/she has logged out of the SAUSDlearns account, and/or, the student is not using a SAUSD issued chrome book.

Nancy O’Connor Memorial Scholarship $4,000

($2,000 each year for 2 years/proof of enrollment required)

-2 Scholarships 

These scholarships are awarded in memory of Nancy O’Connor, a retired SAUSD Administrator, who passed away in 2020.  Ms. O’Connor dedicated most of her career to Santa Ana Unified School District, the students, and the community. For almost 50 years, she gave of herself emotionally, financially, and professionally in every way she could think of to help the schools and the families she served. Her family wishes to award these scholarships in their mother’s memory

  • Scholarship 1 (Teen Parent) – The student must be a Teen Parent with an expressed desire and ability to attend college.
  • Scholarship 2 (Overcoming Adversity) – The student has demonstrated strength of character and potential for achievement while overcoming adversity related to health, family, social education or economic challenges.  

Nominations for each scholarship must be submitted to the scholarship committee for final selection.  

Read More About Nancy O’Connor

Counselors Apply for Nancy O’Connor Scholarship

SUCCESS STORIES

The Stories that makes us proud.

Scholarship FAQs

Can I apply for more than one scholarship?

Yes. Read the qualifications for each scholarship and apply for as many as you believe you qualify. You may apply for all scholarships, but you must meet the criteria for all of the scholarships.

What if I am unsure of the college I am attending?

If you are unsure, list the college that you have applied for.  Students applying for the Merit scholarships are expected to attend a university.

What if I am an AB 540/DACA student?

Students qualifying for admission to a California college or university as an AB 540 student or to any college or university under DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) are welcome and encouraged to apply for SAPSF scholarships. Make sure you work with your counselors and advisors to apply for the California Dream Act to be eligible for additional assistance if you are attending college in California.

What if I don’t know my GPA or my family income?

Your cumulative high school grade point average will be verified through the school district.This will also be verified through the school district.

What should I do if I have questions or need help?

Contact your Higher Education Center or the Counseling Center at your high school or phone the Foundation office. You may also contact Lucinda Pueblos at Lpueblos39@gmail.com or Alex Ito at sapsfito@gmail.com, Scholarship Representatives for the Foundation.

Students Apply Now

IMPORTANT – LOG OUT of the SAUSDLEARNS District Email Account to access the Application on the SAPSF Website

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IMPORTANT DATES:

Scholarship Application Period Opens on
Monday,
November 1, 2024
Scholarship Application Period Closes on
Friday,
February 7, 2025

****High School Lead Counselor must submit recommendations for the Champion of Character and the Nancy O’Connor Scholarships by Sunday, February 9, 2025

Download PDF: Scholarship Information & Directions