2024 YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP

The NAACP Santa Cruz County Branch is seeking to award scholarships to local Black-identifying high school seniors. Over the past 20 years, our branch has awarded thousands of dollars to the youth of our community. Our mission is to provide local Black youth support in their pursuit of post-secondary education.

If you are (or know of) a graduating senior in Santa Cruz County who is planning to further their education by attending a community college or university, please take this opportunity to fill out the attached scholarship application.

Requirements:

• At least a 2.0 GPA for a community college scholarship

• At least a 2.5 GPA for a 4-year undergraduate scholarship

• Unofficial high school transcript

• Two letters of recommendation with your completed application. One recommendation must be from an instructor, preferably on your school’s letterhead. The other must be from an established resident of Santa Cruz County. 

• A brief (no more than 500 words) essay with:

1. A personal outline of your background and why you would benefit from this award, and

2. How will you, if selected, as a scholarship recipient envision your college education addressing the needs of the African American community in Santa Cruz County?

You may use a separate sheet of paper. All essays must be typed (12 pt., Times New Roman) and double-spaced. All applications must be completed and postmarked no later than Thursday, August 1, 2024. All material requested including accommodations must be enclosed with the completed application and mailed or emailed by the deadline date.

Accommodations for Special Need applications will be taken into consideration.

Please note that proof of full-time registration (12 or more units) at a university or community college must be received before the monetary award will be sent out.

Please send your completed application to:

NAACP Santa Cruz County Branch

Attn: NAACP Scholarship Committee

P.O. Box 1433

Santa Cruz, CA 95061-1433

Send your completed application electronically to:

santacruznaacpscholarship@gmail.com

Click here for a downloadable scholarship application