Listed are characteristics that Sponsors are looking for in order to award their particular scholarship. This list should be used to encourage students with all abilities and backgrounds to complete a portfolio. This list is not exhaustive as new scholarships are added frequently.

Scholarships for Students Include (but are not limited to):

In Special Education

Participated in sports (tennis, football, etc)

Majoring in business or related field

Majoring in education or related field

Good GPA

Involvement in community service

Working students

Entering law enforcement or fire fighting

Majoring in music

Financial need

Majoring in art

Leadership in clubs or sports

Majoring in agriculture

Attending community college

Special circumstance

Foster youth

Attending UC Riverside (full ride scholarship)

Dependent of a SJUSD employee

Plan on attending MSJC for math or computers

Please follow these instructions carefully and completely. Your community scholarship application portfolio must have all of the following information in order to be accepted. All scholarship portfolio pages are available on this page or on the SJHS Counseling website. If you have any questions, see Mr. Carmona in the counseling center.

** You can stop by the library or Counseling office to print your documents needed for your portfolio. Send documents to sjhslib@sanjaconline.net

Part 1: Resume

You will need to upload a current resume that highlights any employment history, extracurricular activities, club involvement, and/or community service. You can find a resume template on the counseling website under the “Community Scholarship Portfolio” tab.

Part 2: Scholarship Application

Neatly complete the application section by answering the questions requested. A separate application is no longer needed.

• Parts B and C are optional; these sections are to be completed by students who would like to be considered for scholarship based on financial need. If you intend to apply for all other types of scholarships (merit, major-related, talent, etc.), your parent(s)/guardian(s) and you may choose to check the box provided to indicate that you will not comment in these sections.

Your electronic signature indicates that you have honestly answered all of the questions in the application.

Part 3: Personal Statement

Include a copy of your personal statement. This statement should give the reader a snapshot of you and your future plans (explain your background, your college/career plans and why you deserve a scholarship.) Make sure your English teacher has read it first and all spelling and blatant grammatical errors have been corrected. These are read closely! (1-2 pages, 12pt font, double spaced)

Part 4: Letter(s) of Recommendation

• One letter of recommendation is needed. One must be school-related. Please do not ask your school counselor or teachers to write additional letters of recommendation. You only need one!

• Ask each person to print and sign the original recommendation letter on school or organization letterhead.

• We recommend that you share a copy of your Resume with your teacher, coach, employer, etc. It may be helpful in writing your letter of recommendation. Please give the person you are requesting a letter from at least two weeks notice. Do not wait until the last minute.

Part 5: Confirmation of FAFSA or Dream Act Application

Please include a copy of your confirmation for the FAFSA or Dream Act Application. For students who have a social security number please apply at: www.fafsa.gov; For students who do not have a social security number or have one assigned through DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) then please apply at : https://dream.csac.ca.gov

Your EFC (Expected Family Contribution) must be included in the confirmation.

Both applications open on October 1st and close March 2nd. Your parent/guardian must use their 2016 taxes to fill out the 2018-2019 FAFSA/ Dream Act.

Part 6: Portfolio Google Form

• Here is the link to the 21-22 Portfolio Google Form that MUST be completed to officially submit the Community Scholarship Portfolio which is Part 9.

• You will take a screenshot of the confirmation page of the google form and upload that to your google site.

20-21 Portfolio Google Form

Optional Part 7: Honors, Awards, Activities, and Community Service (OPTIONAL)

• You are limited to a total of six one-sided pages of honors, awards, activities, and community service (in color). If you have more awards than will fit on six pages, you may shrink them down to fit multiple awards on each page. You may add new honors and awards during the spring, but you must still respect the six-page limit. Suggestions to consider:

  • Include any certificates, awards, or letters you have received during your high school years only. Do not include middle school awards.

  • Include any letters of acceptance from colleges (email is acceptable).

  • Select pictures and add short captions to depict your involvement in activities and community service; add newspaper articles or anything else that describes your commitment, or create a summary that includes hours devoted to each activity.