A scholarship is financial support awarded to a student for the purpose of schooling. There are various types of scholarships – the two most common being merit-based and need-based. Scholarships do not have to be repaid and there should be no fee to apply for ANY scholarships. Scholarships award students for their academics, athletic talents, artistic talents, heritage and often consider one's financial need. Most students who receive large scholarships earn them from the institution they end up attending. There are, however, thousands of outside scholarships that range from very small amounts ($25) to very substantial ($10,000). Here are some ideas for researching scholarships:
If your parents work for a large company, see if scholarships are offered to children of employees.
If you belong to an ethnic group with an active club, they likely will offer scholarships.
Local chapters of civic organizations such as the Optomists/Soroptomists, Rotarians, Eagles, Elks, etc. all offer some type of scholarship.
Watch for announcements and advertisements in the local newspaper. It is amazing how many organizations decide to offer a scholarship and simply tell the local press.
There are many scholarship search websites. A few of the most popular are listed below. Be aware that these sites do share your data.
Amanda Sheehan Scholarship (HS senior) This scholarship is offered to a SVHS senior with an interest in working with children in any capacity The applicant must have a strong character, work ethic & be dependable as well as involved in their community. Award: $500 Deadline: April 5
Scholarships for students in Grades 9-11 St. Vincent de Paul High school offers 10 scholarships to SVHS only students in grades 9-11. These SVHS specific scholarships can be accessed in Naviance Student.
SVHS SCHOLARSHIP LIST - A compiled list of SVHS 9-11 scholarships, the eligibility requirements and essay questions.
GOING MERRY SEARCH ENGINE
Going Merry.com is a scholarship search site that SVHS is using to filter nationals and regional scholarships. These scholarships are for students in grades 9-12. Going Merry is like the Common App for Scholarships. There is one profile to fill out which will autofill all your scholarship applications done through Going Merry. The scholarships on Going Merry have all been screened and are legitimate. Based on your profile, you will get matched to scholarships you are eligible for. You can filter by Best Value, Competitiveness, Award Amount, Completion Time, Deadline and Number of Recipients. Unlike many other scholarship search engines, all student information is stored securely, and never sold to third parties. It is only shared with scholarship providers when a student submits an application.
GOINGMERRY.COM (SVHS link) - sign up with any active email
Petaluma educational Foundation Scholarships
FOR HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS ONLY
The PEF Scholarship program provides financial awards to high school seniors graduating from all seven Petaluma area high schools. Scholarships are given to those attending 4-year colleges, community colleges, and vocational programs.
Please note that some of the scholarship links land on a previous years' application. Many organizations update their scholarship applications in January so continue to check back. The deadlines and awards listed are subject to change. Please see the scholarship application for complete details.
JANUARY DEADLINE
Young Mens' Institute Essay Contest(Grades 9-12) Applicant must be a Catholic high school student and must be sponsored by a Young Men's Institute member. Award: $150 - $1500 Deadline: January 19
FEBRUARY DEADLINE
Harold Alexander Scholarships (HS senior - 3 scholarships available) These Petaluma Rotary scholarships are awarded to students who show both academic achievement and service to their community. Awards: $300, $600 and $1000 Deadline: February 5
Ritko Vocational and Education Scholarship(HS senior) This Petaluma Valley Rotary scholarship is intended to provide a helping hand for young people who face special challenges in achieving educational or career advancement or in obtaining conventional educational scholarships. Award: $3000 Deadline: February 5
MARCH DEADLINE
Ligurians World Association Scholarship(HS senior) The scholarships are awarded to a student with one parent or grandparent of Italian descent. Award: $2000 Deadline: March
Sonoma County 4-H Scholarships (7)(HS senior) The students applying for this scholarship must be a member of 4-H. Award: $500 - $2500 Deadlines: March through June
Petaluma Women's Club Scholarship(HS senior) This scholarship is awarded to select outstanding young women from Petaluma with a minimum GPA of 2.5 who are graduating from high school. The applicant does not need to be attending college but must have a passion for furthering their interests. The application requires 2 short essays and a letter of recommendation. Click here for a short video on the scholarship requirements. Award: $1000 Deadline: March 1
Sons and Daughters of Italy Scholarships(HS senior - 3 scholarships available) These scholarships are awarded to students who are wholly or partially of Italian decent. Three types of scholarships are offered - (1) College Scholarship (2) Athletic (3) Italian Language Study Grant Award: $500 - $5000 Deadline: March 1
10,000 Degrees(HS senior) Scholarships are available to HS seniors in Sonoma, Marin and SF counties with significant financial need. Award: up to $2500 Deadline: March 2
Italian Catholic Federation Scholarship(HS senior) The scholarship is awarded to a student who has at least a 3.2 GPA and is Catholic and of Italian Descent Award: $400 (renewable) Deadline: March 15
Novato Republican Women Scholarship (HS senior) The scholarships are awarded to a high school senior living in Marin. Award: $1000 - $2500 Deadline: March 15
NEW - Asian Commercial Professional Scholarship (HS senior) The scholarships are awarded to deserving Asian Americans in the Bay area pursuing a career in fields related to Architecture, Engineering, Commercial Real Estate, Facilities Management or Construction Trades. Award: $1000 and $2500 Deadline: March 20
Redwood Empire Chinese Association(HS senior) The scholarships are awarded to a students who lives in Sonoma county and is of Asian decent. Award: $500 Deadline: March 31
APRIL DEADLINE
The Empire Runners Club Student Grant Fund(HS senior) The scholarship is awarded to a student who has participated in track or cross county at any Sonoma County high school and be planning to run on a college team after graduating from high school Award: $750 Deadline: April
North Bay Officials Organization(HS senior) The Tom Savage memorial scholarship is for high school varsity football players seeking to continue their education in a college, junior college, trade or vocational school. Award: $500 Deadline: April
Sonoma County Farm Bureau Scholarships (HS senior - 65 scholarships available) These scholarships are awarded to high school seniors interested in studying agriculture in college. There is one common application that applies to all the scholarships. See application for more details. Award: Varies Deadline: April
Druid Scholarship(HS senior) Applicants must be a current high school senior graduating with at least a 2.75 Cumulative GPA. Application requires a letter of recommendation, a short personal statement, resume, transcript and future proof of full-time enrollment in university, junior college or trade school. Award: $1000 Deadline: April 1
Petaluma Riding and Driving Club Scholarship(HS senior) The students applying for this scholarship must be a member of 4-H, FFA, Petaluma Junior Riders or District 2 Junior Rodeo. Award: $1000 Deadline: April 1
NEW Growing Up Asian in America(K-12) Hosted by AACI and in partnership with NBC Bay Area, Growing Up Asian in America (GUAA) is an annual art contest, including video and essay for students grades K-12 in the Bay Area Award: $1000 grand - $500 for nine runner ups Deadline: April 2
NEW California Women for Agriculture Scholarship(HS senior) This scholarship is awarded to a female high school student wishing to pursue a career in Agriculture by continuing her education at a 4-year college. Award: $500 Deadline: April 16
Society of Women Engineers(HS senior) The scholarship is awarded to a young Bay Area woman graduating from high school and going on to pursue a degree in engineering or computer science. Award: TBD Deadline: April 30
NEW The Press Democrat Community Scholarship Fund(HS senior) This scholarship will provide financial support to 2 selected students with a strong and demonstrated interest in journalism and the commitment to completing a bachelor’s degree program. We will also provide a newsroom mentor to scholarship recipients each year and assist students in securing summer paid internships. Award: $2500 (renewable for 4 years) Deadline: April 30th
MAY DEADLINE
Dipsea Race FoundationScholarship (HS senior) The Dipsea Race Foundation offers 5 scholarships annually to outstanding young men and women who have participated (as runners or volunteers) in the Dipsea Race. Award: $5000 Deadline: May 1
The Girl EffectScholarship (HS senior girl) We are looking for Sonoma County high school senior girls who are doers, thinkers and go-getters - girls who possess an entrepreneurial spirit, have become leaders, have a great idea and have started a community program and/or business. Award: $2500 Deadline: May 1
other scholarships
Voice of Democracy (grades 9-12) This application is an "audio-essay". It provides high school students with the unique opportunity to express themselves in regards to a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay. Award: $1000 - $30,000 Deadline: October 31 (deadline past for 2020 - apply early in 2021!)
Elks Lodge Scholarships (HS senior) Multiple scholarship granted by the Elks National Foundation. Award: $4000 - $50,000 Deadlines: November 2020 - February 2021
Asian and Pacific Islander Americans (APIA) Scholarships(HS senior) Applicants must be of Asian and/or Pacific Islander ethnicity. Scholarships target underserved APIA students with a special focus on those who are of low socioeconomic status, are the first in their families to attend college or have placed a strong emphasis on community service and leadership as well as solid academic achievement. Award: one-time $2,500 awards to multi-year $20,000 awards Deadline: January 14
eQuality Scholarship (HS senior) Applicants for all scholarships must have demonstrated service to the LGBT+ community. Applicants of all sexual orientations and gender identities are eligible. Award: $6000 Deadline: January 31
Professional Athlete Foundation Scholarship (HS senior athlete) The PAF Student Scholarship is designed for high school athletes with intention to attend a 2-year or 4-year college or university. The scholarship rewards high school athletes for their non-athletic achievements and assist them in achieving their academic career goals. Award: $2500 Deadline: February 1
NEW Hispanic ScholarshipFund (HS Seniors) The Hispanic Scholarship Fund is designed for high school seniors of hispanic heritage with intention to attend a 4-year college or university. Must have a minimum of 3.0 GPA. Award: $500 to $5000 Deadline: February 15
We the Student Essay Contest (grades 9-12) Essay Prompt: What is the relationship between Equality and Justice? Award: $500 - $7500 Deadline: April 15
Los Hermanos de Stanford Scholarship (HS senior) Multiple scholarships are awarded to outstanding Latinx students with plans to attend any 2-4 year institution of higher learning. Applicants will be judged on their contributions to Community Service, Academic Excellence, and Cultural Awareness. Award: ranging from $500 to $1000 Deadline: April
PB & J Scholarship (HS senior) The PB&J Scholarship is for students who have experienced personal challenges that may not have allowed them to perform well academically, but who still have the drive to succeed. Award: $500 - $1000 Deadline: May 15, 2021
CA Association of Collectors Educational Scholarship(HS junior or senior) This scholarship contest is open to current high school juniors and seniors who are enrolled in a California high school and will be attending any accredited public or private college, university, or trade school within 12 months of graduation. Award: $1500 - $2500 Deadline: n/a