Academic Scholarship Program

The Rotary Club of Santa Cruz wishes to encourage young people to pursue higher education. Rotary’s motto is “Service Above Self” and we are looking for applicants who exemplify this through their service their school and our community.
Students who reside in Santa Cruz County and are graduating from Santa Cruz High School, Harbor High School, Pacific Collegiate, Kirby, Delta and Costanoa are eligible to apply for a Santa Cruz Rotary Scholarship. The application deadline is March 17, 2023.
Academic performance is important and should reflect a GPA greater than 3.3 for applicants from Santa Cruz, Harbor, Pacific Collegiate and Kirby High Schools. For Delta and Costanoa schools the academic performance must be evaluated by the counselor as to the ability of the applicant to move forward successfully to a 2- or 4-year college or university for an academic degree. Applicants will only be considered if they plan to enroll in college for the Fall 2023 term. Applications with attachments must be completed by the applicant and filed with their respective scholarship counselors by 5 p.m. on Friday March 17, 2023.
Interviews with the selection committee will take place April 17-19 for finalists to discuss academic goals and community service. Awards to selected applicants will be made in early May and selected scholars will be asked to attend the Rotary luncheon meeting on Friday, May 12 along with their scholarship counselors. Award amounts range between $500 and $5,000, depending upon the candidate’s performance and financial need. If the selected scholars progress successfully in their first year, they are eligible to be considered for a second-year scholarship.
Application Requirements
Any questions regarding the application should be directed to the Santa Cruz Rotary representative for your school or Richard Beach at 831-239-4449 or RealtorBeach@gmail.com.
Students who reside in Santa Cruz County and are graduating from Santa Cruz High School, Harbor High School, Pacific Collegiate, Kirby, Delta and Costanoa are eligible to apply for a Santa Cruz Rotary Scholarship. The application deadline is March 17, 2023.
Academic performance is important and should reflect a GPA greater than 3.3 for applicants from Santa Cruz, Harbor, Pacific Collegiate and Kirby High Schools. For Delta and Costanoa schools the academic performance must be evaluated by the counselor as to the ability of the applicant to move forward successfully to a 2- or 4-year college or university for an academic degree. Applicants will only be considered if they plan to enroll in college for the Fall 2023 term. Applications with attachments must be completed by the applicant and filed with their respective scholarship counselors by 5 p.m. on Friday March 17, 2023.
Interviews with the selection committee will take place April 17-19 for finalists to discuss academic goals and community service. Awards to selected applicants will be made in early May and selected scholars will be asked to attend the Rotary luncheon meeting on Friday, May 12 along with their scholarship counselors. Award amounts range between $500 and $5,000, depending upon the candidate’s performance and financial need. If the selected scholars progress successfully in their first year, they are eligible to be considered for a second-year scholarship.
Application Requirements
- Completed application (see form below).
- High School transcript showing completed courses, grades, GPA, AP courses.
- Page 1 and 2 of Form 1040 of parent’s Individual Income Tax Return with the SSN blanked out.
- A maximum 500-word letter which reflects the importance of receiving a Rotary Scholarship and how it will help the applicant achieve their career and community service goals and how their extracurricular activities, community service and dreams for the future demonstrate "Service Above Self."
- Two letters of recommendation. One from a teacher who can evaluate the applicant’s academic performance. The second from a person who can evaluate the applicant’s service and leadership abilities.
Any questions regarding the application should be directed to the Santa Cruz Rotary representative for your school or Richard Beach at 831-239-4449 or RealtorBeach@gmail.com.

2023academicscholarshipapplication.pdf |

2023rotaract_application.pdf |