Scholarship Program
2009 Scholarship Application Materials Now Available.
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California Strawberry Industry Awards $124,550 in Scholarships to 115 Students
One hundred and fifteen students recently received scholarships for the 2008-09 academic year through the California Strawberry Commission and the California Strawberry Growers’ Scholarship Fund. The Commission awarded 53 scholarships to high school seniors for the first year of college, totaling $44,600. The Growers’ Fund awarded 62 scholarships to continuing college students, totaling $79,950. Awards luncheons recognizing the students’ achievements were held in Oxnard, Santa Ana, Santa Maria and Watsonville on May 19, 20, 21 and 23 respectively. Students’ families and teachers, as well as local dignitaries and officials attend these events, celebrating the students’ accomplishments.
“Over the past 13 years, the California strawberry industry has been proud to award 371 students first-year college scholarships, and 358 continuing student scholarships,” said Neil Nagata, President of the Commission’s scholarship program and the Growers’ Scholarship Fund. “Since 1995, we’ve look forward to watching these dedicated students meet new challenges and reach their goals.”
2008 Watsonville/Salinas Scholarship Recipients - May 2008
The California Strawberry Growers’ Scholarship Fund provides continued funding to students who received the Commission’s first-year scholarship. Students can apply annually for up to four years of undergraduate education and the first year of a graduate program.
Awards from both programs are based on merit and are sent directly to the student’s school to be applied toward tuition and books. To qualify, scholarship applicants must have at least one parent who has been employed as a strawberry farm worker for the past two consecutive seasons. Students must attend an accredited vocational trade school, junior college or 4-year university to be eligible for the scholarship.
2008 Oxnard Scholarship Recipients - May 2008
Since 1995, the Commission scholarship program has granted $286,150 to 371 graduating high school students for their first year of college, and the Growers’ Fund has awarded $583,225 for 358 continuing students.
California Strawberry Industry Increases Scholarship Awards
More Than $8,000 Committed to Match UC/CSU Fee Hikes
2008 Orange County Scholarship Recipients - May 2008
The California strawberry industry announced the commitment of more than $8,000 in additional funding to scholarship recipients following Wednesday’s announcement of fee hikes by the University of California and California State University systems.
Recently, 115 students received scholarships totaling $124,550 for the 2008-09 academic year. With the fee-hike matching funds, the total given to students this year is increased to $132,741.
2008 Santa Maria Scholarship Recipients - May 2008
“Over the past 13 years, the California strawberry industry has awarded nearly $1 million in scholarships, making it possible for more than 700 students to advance their education beyond a high school diploma,” said Neil Nagata, President of the Commission’s scholarship program and the Growers’ Scholarship Fund. “This increase underlines the California strawberry industry’s commitment to educational opportunities for farm workers children.”
