Community Foundation Santa Cruz County Scholarships Opening Soon
Offered by Community Foundation Santa Cruz County
About This Scholarship
Community Foundation Santa Cruz County pools its donor-established scholarship funds into one application cycle for students from Santa Cruz County, California. The foundation has posted the full timeline for the next cycle: the application opens for all applicants on November 1, 2026, closes January 28, 2027, applications are reviewed February through April, all applicants are notified in April 2027, and award funds are disbursed in June and July.
Named funds cover a spread of student profiles and amounts. Examples include the Barbara J. Thompson Scholarship ($1,000 and up for Santa Cruz City Schools District graduates), the Bert & Carolyn Post Scholarship ($2,500 for Watsonville High School seniors aspiring to teach), and renewable awards up to $5,000 such as the Giles Family Scholarship for art and music students and the Burton Scholarship, open to graduates of any Santa Cruz County high school.
Students apply through the foundation's online scholarship portal, and a dedicated scholarship coordinator is available to help applicants through the process. Most funds carry a 3.0 GPA minimum, and no application fee applies.
Eligibility
- Graduate of a Santa Cruz County high school or specific district schools, depending on the fund
- Most named funds require a minimum 3.0 GPA
- Some funds target specific paths, such as teaching, art and music, or attendance at Cabrillo College, SJSU, or UCSC
- Open to graduating seniors, with some renewable funds supporting students through college
How To Apply
- Open the foundation's scholarship portal (linked from cfscc.org/scholarships) on or after November 1, 2026
- Complete the application before the January 28, 2027 deadline for all applicants
- Watch for status notification in April 2027; funds are disbursed June–July 2027
Frequently Asked Questions
When will I hear back about my application?
The foundation reviews applications from February through April 2027 and notifies all applicants of their status in April, with scholarship funds disbursed in June and July.
Are any of the scholarships renewable?
Yes. Several funds, including the Giles Family Scholarship and the Burton Scholarship, offer renewable awards of up to $5,000 for students who maintain eligibility.