Our Scholarships

Available: One $1,500 award renewable up to four years

Eligibility:

• Graduating senior or graduate from a high school in Santa Cruz County, or a Cabrillo College student
• Latina
• Reside in Live Oak or Watsonville areas at time of application
• Financial need

Recipient Obligation:

• Attend an accredited two- or four-year college, university or vocational school in the fall following graduation (no minimum units)

Ralph H. "Boots" Beel (1906–1984) was unable to finish high school due to financial hardships. After a successful business career, he took up flying and purchased an aviator's outfit. After one week his pair of expensive aviator boots was stolen and he got the nickname "Boots." After his death, his family established this memorial scholarship for students graduating from Santa Cruz High School.

Available: One $1,000 award renewable up to four years

Eligibility:

• Graduating senior from Santa Cruz High School
• Financial need
• Demonstrate high academic achievement
• History of service activities or volunteer work
• U.S. Citizen

Recipient Obligation:

• Attend an accredited two- or four-year college or university in the fall following graduation

The family of Ernest V. Cowell (1858–1911) prospered after coming West during the California Gold Rush. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park was named after his father and his own name was given to the Ernest V. Cowell Student Health Center at his alma mater, UC Berkeley. He started this fund in 1903, which the Foundation has administered since 1994.

Available: Two $1,500 one-time awards

Eligibility:

• Graduating senior from a high school in the Santa Cruz City School District
• Financial need

Recipient Obligation:

• Attend a University of California campus in the fall following graduation
• Repayment is requested upon ability after college graduation

Deadline: February 24, 2013

Both Emmett and Elsie Geiser spent their careers in education and were committed to the students of the Pajaro Valley Unified School District. Emmett was a sports coach at Watsonville High School and the stadium is named after him. In her will, Elsie Geiser established this endowed scholarship at the Foundation.

Available: Three $1,500 awards renewable up to four years

Eligibility:

• Graduating senior from Aptos, Pajaro Valley or Watsonville High Schools
• 3.0 GPA in college preparatory courses
• Letter in at least one sport
• Letter of recommendation for athletic and academic achievements from athletic director or coach
• Financial need is considered, but is not a determining factor

Recipient Obligation:

• Attend an accredited four-year college or university in the fall following graduation
• Maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA

Louis J. and Mary Ellen Schultz were lifelong Santa Cruz residents. Mary taught in the Live Oak School District for 32 years. She retired in 1968 and died in 1990. Louis worked at the Opal Cliffs Market for 27 years. They had no children, but wanted to do something for the youth of Santa Cruz County and started this endowed scholarship fund at the Foundation.

Available: Three $2,000 awards renewable up to four years

Eligibility:

• Graduating senior or graduate from a high school in Santa Cruz County
• Financial need

Recipient Obligation:

• Enroll as a full-time student at an accredited two- or four-year college, university or vocational school in the fall following graduation

Deadline: February 24, 2013

Available: One $2,000 award renewable up to four years

Eligibility:

• Graduating senior or graduate from a high school in Santa Cruz County, the Pajaro Valley, or a student at Cabrillo or Hartnell Community Colleges
• Resident of Santa Cruz County or the Pajaro Valley for at least two years prior to registering at Cabrillo or Hartnell Community Colleges

Recipient Obligation:

• Plan to major in Agriculture and enroll in undergraduate study at an accredited two- or four-year college or university in the fall following graduation
• Community college students must be planning to major in Agriculture at a four-year college or university
• Veterinary Science students are not eligible

Deadline: February 24, 2013

Barbara J. Thompson served as trustee on the Santa Cruz City Schools Board for many years and is a firm supporter of public education and making educational opportunities available to all students. This scholarship was created in honor of her retirement from the board in 2002.

Available: Four $1,800 one-time awards (one per school)

Eligibility:

• Graduating senior or graduate from Delta Charter, Harbor, Santa Cruz or Soquel High Schools
• Resident of Santa Cruz County for the last three years
• History of service activities or volunteer work
• 3.0 GPA
• U.S. Citizen

Recipient Obligation:

• Attend an accredited two- or four-year college, university or vocational school in the fall following graduation

Deadline: February 24, 2013

Beverly Turner established this fund in 2002 to honor the memory of her late husband, John L. Turner, who retired after a career as an electrical engineer. In retirement, John volunteered for 15 years as a teacher's aide in the English as a Second Language program at Watsonville Adult Education. He enjoyed practicing his Spanish and working with the students. Beverly established this fund to help Watsonville High School graduates who have a strong desire to pursue their higher education.

Available: One $1,000 one-time award

Eligibility:

• Graduating senior from Watsonville High School
• Financial need
• 2.0 GPA
• U.S. Citizen

Recipient Obligation:

• Enroll at least part-time (minimum of six units) at a two- or four-year college, university or vocational school in the fall following graduation

Deadline: February 24, 2013

Dan Wood is remembered for his unselfish community service. Before his death in 2002, and between his other activities, he served on the Santa Cruz City Schools District Board of Trustees. On January 7, 2004, on what would have been his 34th birthday, his family and friends established a scholarship fund in his memory at the Foundation.

Available: One $750 one-time award

Eligibility:

• Graduating senior from a high school in Santa Cruz City School District
• Financial need
• History of service activities or volunteer work
• 3.0 GPA
• U.S. Citizen

Recipient Obligation:

• Enroll at least part-time (minimum of six units) at a two- or four-year college, university or vocational school in the fall following graduation

Deadline: February 24, 2013

"We want the Matt's Climb Scholarship to be a turning point for some young person, someone who would ordinarily never be able to participate in a wilderness experience."
– Eliza Livingston, Matthew Kennedy's grandmother

Matthew Kennedy, a graduate of Santa Cruz High School, was killed in a snowmobile accident in 2001. His family established this scholarship so students could experience the kind of outdoor adventure he loved. 

It provides for a high school student to attend an outdoor wilderness program through Camp Unalayee in California's Trinity Alps.

Available: One award up to $2,000 toward tuition and transporation expenses

Eligibility:

• Santa Cruz County High school student, who is or will be sixteen years of age on July 1 the year of the award

Details:

• Camping equipment, hiking boots, clothing and other gear the responsibility of the scholarship awardee
• Transportation to and from the camp's offices in Palo Alto and the Trinity Alps included in the cost of tuition
• Camp Unalayee staff will help determine which of its programs is appropriate for the awardee. We will discuss any additional costs with the awardee.

The 2013 application deadline for this scholarship has passed. For questions email Robin Larsen or call her at 831.662.2061.