San Diego Foundation Awards Record $4.9 Million In Scholarships

SAN DIEGO, CA — The San Diego Foundation awarded a record $4.9 million in 1,555 college scholarships for 1,272 local students, the nonprofit announced Monday.

The scholarship recipients were recognized during the SDF annual scholarships celebration on Sunday.

"Through the Community Scholarship Program, San Diego Foundation is ensuring that local students' preparation for college is matched with the financial support needed to succeed and grow our region's future workforce," said Mark Stuart, CEO of San Diego Foundation.

Of this year's scholarship recipients, 74% are first-generation college students or the first in their immediate families to pursue higher education, and 95% of the students are considered low-middle income, according to their Student Aid Index data, according to the nonprofit. Additionally, 41% identified as Latino and 16% as U.S.-born Black.

According to the foundation, applications were submitted by more than 3,000 local high school, community college, graduate and adult re-entry students studying a variety of subjects, including science, technology, engineering and math; health sciences; business; and arts and education, among others. Of those who received scholarships, 66% were affiliated with a college access and readiness program such as AVID, Reality Changers and TRIO/Upward Bound.

The Community Scholarship Program is made possible through donor support by 154 charitable funds at San Diego Foundation and, since 1997, has awarded more than $53 million to more than 14,000 college students from San Diego.

City News Service