Academic Scholarship Program
The Rotary Club of Santa Cruz encourages 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 their community.
Students who reside in Santa Cruz County and are graduating from Santa Cruz High School, Harbor High School, Pacific Collegiate, Kirby, Delta, Costanoa, and Rotaract Club Members from UCSC are eligible to apply for a Santa Cruz Rotary Scholarship. The application deadline for the 2025-2026 academic year is March 14.
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, academic performance must be evaluated by a school counselor regarding the ability of the applicant to succeed in a 2- or 4-year college or university for an academic degree. Applicants will be considered only if they plan to enroll in college for the upcoming Fall term. Applications with attachments must be completed by the applicant and filed with their respective scholarship counselors by 5 p.m. on March 14, 2025.
Interviews with the Rotary selection committee generally take place in mid-April 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 a Rotary Award Luncheon meeting on a Friday in May. 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 to Sarah Madsen at [email protected].
Click here for the Online Application. A link to a printable form is below.
Students who reside in Santa Cruz County and are graduating from Santa Cruz High School, Harbor High School, Pacific Collegiate, Kirby, Delta, Costanoa, and Rotaract Club Members from UCSC are eligible to apply for a Santa Cruz Rotary Scholarship. The application deadline for the 2025-2026 academic year is March 14.
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, academic performance must be evaluated by a school counselor regarding the ability of the applicant to succeed in a 2- or 4-year college or university for an academic degree. Applicants will be considered only if they plan to enroll in college for the upcoming Fall term. Applications with attachments must be completed by the applicant and filed with their respective scholarship counselors by 5 p.m. on March 14, 2025.
Interviews with the Rotary selection committee generally take place in mid-April 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 a Rotary Award Luncheon meeting on a Friday in May. 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, and SAT or ACT scores if taken.
- Page 1 and 2 of Form 1040 of parent’s Individual Income Tax Return with the SSN deleted.
- A maximum 500-word essay that reflects the importance of receiving a Rotary Scholarship, how it will help the applicant achieve their career and community service goals, and how their extracurricular activities, community service, and plans for the future demonstrate "Service Above Self."
- Two letters of recommendation -- One from a teacher who can evaluate the applicant’s academic performance, and one 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 to Sarah Madsen at [email protected].
Click here for the Online Application. A link to a printable form is below.
| 2025_academic_application.pdf |
