Outside of the Common Scholarship Application, which offers students a chance to apply for more than 100 scholarships with just one application, San Diego Foundation manages other SDF scholarships for students, each with its own application, set of criteria and deadline.
For each separate application, follow the instructions to receive more information and obtain a copy of the application.
Scholarships Available in Spring 2025
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Application opens March 7, 2025; deadline March 21, 2025
The Howard Scholarship Fund has been established to financially assist students to continue their artistic interests as demonstrated in the Mingei Student Craft Exhibition. Early experiences in the creative arts have enhanced the Howards’ own professional and retired lives, and with this fund, they wish to encourage a similar interest in the arts that would carry on through life, regardless of career path, inspiring students to further their own innate creativity.
The Stephen and Nancy Howard Scholarship is open to:
- San Diego County residents
- High school seniors who have been selected to display their art as part of the Mingei International Museum’s Student Craft exhibition
- Students are not required to pursue the arts as a college major or career path, but should show a commitment to staying involved in the arts throughout their life (i.e. by enrolling in an art class at college, participating in an arts class outside of school, teaching an art class, participating in an arts related extra-curricular club or activity, creating a piece of art, etc.)
- Will enroll full-time at an accredited community college or four-year university
The scholarship may be renewable (depending upon available funds) for up to four years of undergraduate coursework provided the student continues to show a commitment to the arts by enrolling in an art class at college, participating in an arts class outside of school, teaching an art class, participating in an arts related extra-curricular club or activity, creating a piece of art, etc. Students are encouraged to apply at least 20 hours to the arts per school year. Each year, recipients will be asked to submit an essay (and pictures as appropriate) describing their involvement with the arts. Students must also maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
The scholarship may be used for tuition, books, fees, room & board, and other educational expenses.
Average # of awards: 2-3
Average amount of award: $1000For more information or to obtain a copy of the application and guidelines, contact San Diego Foundation at scholarships@sdfoundation.org.
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Application opens March 2025; deadline early June 2025
Arthur Goodman was a true pioneer in the field of small business finance and community development. He founded CDC Small Business Finance Corporation in 1978 and spent the next twenty years building it into the most successful SBA Certified Development Corporation in the country. Art made community and economic development a core value and mission of the Corporation he created. He was very committed to the development of minorities and women in economic development and to those communities struggling to build a better economy.
In response to the many requests the CDC received from organizations and individuals expressing a desire to contribute to a cause in Art’s memory, the CDC established the Arthur H. Goodman Scholarship Fund. Scholarships are targeted to dynamic, community-minded students transitioning from a community college in California, Arizona, and Nevada to a four-year university.
Click here or contact Robert Villarreal at (800) 611-5170 for more information.
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Application opens April 29, 2025; deadline May 23, 2025
During his 20 years as President and CEO of San Diego Foundation (SDF), Bob Kelly built an enduring legacy that has seen SDF become the regional leader for information about charitable giving and a strong voice for civic engagement. Among a number of significant achievements as President and CEO, Bob was instrumental in building the Community Scholarship Program which is now the largest scholarship provider in San Diego County outside of the university system.
When establishing his own scholarship, Bob wanted to recognize the important role that both San Diego City College and UC San Diego play in the education of so many San Diegans. His hope is to provide a unique scholarship opportunity to those students who may not have been the top of their class, but have since taken advantage of their own “second chance” and are on the path to success.
The Bob Kelly Scholarship is open to:
- San Diego County residents over the age of 21 who are currently attending San Diego City College with plans to transfer and attend UC San Diego full-time in the fall. Applicants must be on the path to successfully complete the requirements for acceptance to UCSD.
- Have a commitment to making their community a better place as demonstrated by their community service or extra-curricular activities
- Have a demonstrated financial need
This scholarship may be used for tuition, books, fees, room & board, and other educational expenses.
The scholarship may be renewable (depending upon available funds) for up to two years of undergraduate coursework at UC San Diego provided the student maintains a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, good citizenship, and continues to have financial need.
Average number of awards: 2
Average amount: $3,500For more information or to obtain a copy of the application and guidelines, contact San Diego Foundation at scholarships@sdfoundation.org.
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Application opens April 29, 2025; deadline May 23, 2025
Cathy Hopper was a long-time educator and resident of San Diego County. She received her Master of Arts in Education from San Diego State University. She was a teacher in the social studies classroom of Gompers Middle School and then Taft Middle School. She became Vice Principal at Madison, then Patrick Henry High which she helped open. Cathy became Principal at Wright Brothers Career High, then Bell Jr. High and was the first Principal at University City High, being one of only two women high school principals at the time. Cathy then served as Assistant Superintendent of Operations for the San Diego Unified School District. She was one of the administrators during the tumultuous integration movement and worked tirelessly to allay fears and helped make for a peaceful transition. Upon her retirement, Cathy helped inaugurate the Aaron Price Fellows Scholarship Program.
Cathy Hopper Memorial Scholarship applicants must:
- Have resided in San Diego County for at least one year
- Have graduated from a public high school in San Diego County
- Be current college/university students currently pursuing their teaching credential and/or student teaching at a university in California with the goal of a career as a K-12 public school teacher in California
- Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
- Have shown a commitment to their community through meaningful community service
- Have a demonstrated financial need
This scholarship may be used for tuition, books, and fees room & board, and other educational expenses.
The scholarship may be renewable (depending upon available funds) for up to two years total, provided the student maintains a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale, good citizenship record, and continues to have financial need.
Average number of awards: 7-9
Average amount of award: $5,000For more information or to obtain a copy of the application and guidelines, contact San Diego Foundation at scholarships@sdfoundation.org.
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Application opens April 29, 2025; deadline May 23, 2025
The purpose of the Don and Paula Heye Teacher Scholarship is to provide financial assistance to students pursuing their credential in the School of Education program at California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo.
The Don and Paula Heye Teacher Scholarship is open to:
- California state residents
- Students who have completed their undergraduate degree and will be enrolled in the School of Education Credential Programs for Multiple Subject, Single Subject or Special Education at California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo
- Have a minimum 3.33 GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Have a clearly demonstrated financial need based on family income and access to other resources
- Be actively involved in extra-curricular activities, community service or work experience
- Preference will be given to students with a high financial need, former military personnel and dependents of active military personnel
This scholarship may used for tuition, books, fees, and room & board.
Average number of awards: 4
Average amount of award: $15KFor more information or to obtain a copy of the application and guidelines, contact San Diego Foundation at scholarships@sdfoundation.org.
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Application opens April 29, 2025; deadline May 23, 2025
The purpose of the Marvin Arnold and Irene Jaquetta Heye Scholarship is to provide financial assistance to graduating high school seniors plan to attend California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo or current students who are attending California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo.
The Marvin Arnold and Irene Jaquetta Heye Scholarship is open to:
- California state residents
- Graduating high school seniors and students currently attending a two-year college or another four-year university who plan to attend California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo in the fall OR students already attending California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo who will continue attending California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo in the fall
- Have declared a major in the School of Education Credential Programs for Multiple Subject, Single Subject or Special Education.
- Have a minimum 3.33 GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Have a clearly demonstrated financial need based on family income and access to other resources
- Be actively involved in extra-curricular activities, community service or work experience
- Preference will be given to students with a high financial need, former military personnel and dependents of active military personnel
This scholarship may be renewable (dependent upon available funds) for up to four years of undergraduate work provided the student maintains a minimum 2.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale, remains in good citizenship standing with the school, and has a financial need.
This scholarship may used for tuition, books, fees, and room & board.
Average number of awards: 2
Average amount of award: $10,000-15,000For more information or to obtain a copy of the application and guidelines, contact San Diego Foundation at scholarships@sdfoundation.org.
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Application opens April 29, 2025; deadline May 23, 2025
Millie Vancio spent most of her career in the Critical Care theatre as a staff nurse, charge nurse and department manager. She was always amazed by the ability, strength and resourcefulness of the nurses with whom she worked and supervised.
Knowing how challenging it can be to work a full-time schedule and participate in a degree program Millie established the Millie Vancio Professional Nursing Scholarship fund to assist nurses in their pursuit of either a BSN or Master’s degree (MSN or MA) within the field of Nursing or healthcare. This is her way of offering support and saying “Thank you” to working nurses who continue to enhance the profession of Nursing.
The Millie Vancio Professional Nursing Scholarship is open to:
- San Diego County residents who have obtained a diploma or an Associate Degree in nursing
- Applicants who plan to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in nursing or Master of Arts in a healthcare related field (i.e. healthcare administration) at a San Diego-based institution
- Students currently enrolled in school must have a cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher on a 4.0 scale
- Have a demonstrated financial need
- Have demonstrated work experience as a Registered Nurse
- United States citizens or permanent residents
Recipients will be asked to submit a copy of their Registered Nursing license as verification of working as a registered nurse and prior to receiving the scholarship.
This scholarship may be used for tuition, books, fees, room & board, and other educational expenses.
This scholarship may be renewable (depending upon available funds) for up to one additional year (including if they are using the first year of an award to finish a BSN and the second year to begin a Master’s program), provided that the scholarship recipient continues to pursue a degree in Nursing or healthcare and maintains a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
Average number of awards: 2
Average amount of award: $1000For more information or to obtain a copy of the application and guidelines, contact San Diego Foundation at scholarships@sdfoundation.org.
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Application opens April 29, 2025; deadline May 23, 2025
The funders of the Ascend Scholarship grantor values the importance of higher education and believes every student- regardless of race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status- should be afforded the ability to pursue a college degree. Fueled by a passion to prepare and support the next generation of talent, the funders believe students can invoke a renewed entrepreneurial spirit that will affect change and advancement in today’s society. The Ascend Scholarship was founded on the belief that any motivated individuals in need should have the opportunity to further their education. Removing some of the financial burdens associated with college, the Ascend Scholarship seeks to increase college access to minorities and first-generation applicants.
The Ascend Scholarship applicants will meet the following criteria:
- Be graduating high school seniors or community college transfer students who plan to enroll full-time at UC San Diego
- Be members of an underrepresented racial or ethnic group
- Have a demonstrated financial need
- Have a minimum unweighted GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
This scholarship may be used for tuition, fees, books, room & board and other educational expenses
The scholarship may be renewable (depending upon available funds) for either two years (community college transfers) or four years of undergraduate coursework at UC San Diego provided the student maintains full-time enrollment a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, continues to demonstrate good citizenship, and continues to have financial need.
Average number of awards: 10-12
Average amount of award: $4,000For more information or to obtain a copy of the application and guidelines, contact San Diego Foundation at scholarships@sdfoundation.org.
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Application opens April 29, 2025; deadline May 23, 2025 (portfolios due June 16, 2025)
The Holly Fund, held at the San Diego Foundation’s Community Scholarship Program provides financial scholarship opportunities for students to help pursue their education goals. The Holly Fund scholarship is offered to graduates of the Digital Design 1 & 2 Certificate Program through SDCCD Continuing Education.
The Holly Fund Scholarship is open to individuals who:
- Successfully complete SDCCD Digital Design 1, during the Spring 2025 semester.
- Exhibit a creative and well executed multi-page PDF portfolio with assignments created in Digital Design 1.
- Submit a 400 word maximum essay describing your future vocational goals upon successful completion of the SDCCE Digital Design Certificate Program.
- Portfolio presentations formally presented to judges on zoom.
- Continued enrollment into Digital Design 2 in the Fall of 2025
This scholarship may be used for tuition, books, and fees room & board, and other educational expenses
Average number of awards: 3-5
Average amount of award: $100-1000For more information or to obtain a copy of the application and guidelines, contact San Diego Foundation at scholarships@sdfoundation.org.
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Application opens April 2025
The UCSD Black Alumni Scholarships were established to attract qualified African-American students to the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) and support them through graduation. The UCSD Black Alumni Scholarship Board recently enhanced the scholarship to include mentoring, faculty engagement, a first summer residential program and other enrichments that enable scholars to thrive at UCSD and graduate well prepared for success.
The UCSD Black Alumni Scholarships are open to:
- Prospective African-American students who will be enrolling full-time at UCSD or African-American students currently enrolled full-time at UCSD
- Current UCSD students must have maintained a cumulative GPA of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale
- Students must be majoring in either the arts, social sciences or humanities OR engineering, mathematics or science
- Students must show evidence of community involvement
- Financial need will be considered if scholarship committee members must choose between two or more students who are otherwise equally qualified
- Students must be United States citizens or permanent residents; California residency preferred, though domestic non-residents will be considered based on fund availability
This scholarship may be used for tuition, books, fees, room & board, and other educational expenses.
This scholarship may be renewable (depending upon available funds). Recipients must maintain full-time enrollment, a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale, positive citizenship standing, and submit an annual renewal application.
For more information contact San Diego Foundation at scholarships@sdfoundation.org.
Connect with Our Team
If you have a question regarding the any of our scholarship opportunities, please contact scholarships@sdfoundation.org or submit a contact form.