Deadline for Scholarship Application is Wednesday, March 16, 2016, at 5:00 p.m.
Change a Life Foundation’s Scholarship Program is designed to bridge the financial gap for college-bound students. Scholarships assist economically disadvantaged students who excel academically to attend the university or college of their choice. Scholarships are awarded up to $5,000 for unmet university expenses in the areas of tuition, housing, meal plan, books, and health insurance.
The Foundation provides scholarships to students with:
- Excellent potential
- Great financial need
- Superior academic demonstration, and
- Active commitment to community and civic involvement.
Eligible scholarship recipients are either:
- Graduating public high school seniors in Los Angeles, San Diego and Orange Counties, or
- Emancipated and/or Foster Youth residing in the state of California, as either a graduating high school senior or a student attending community college ready to transfer to a four year university (with the correct number of units)
Selection Criteria for Change a Life Foundation Emancipated/Foster Youth Scholars
- 12th grade student enrolling in a four-year College or University, or students currently attending community college may apply when transferring to a four-year College or University
- Weighted Grade Point Average of 2.75 or above from ninth grade to first semester of 12th grade, or 2.5 cumulative GPA from Community College
- Minimum SAT score of 1,350 (not applicable for transfer students)
- Family income at or below HUD income guidelines (Please note that income information of parents or foster parents of emancipated youth is not required.)
- U.S. Citizen or Permanent Legal Resident with a Green Card
- Demonstrates strong leadership skills and responsibility (leadership/responsibility skills should be evident in the student essays and honor/activities/community service portion of the application)
- Evidence of extracurricular activities (school/community involvement/employment)
- Community Service
- Must apply through our emancipated youth scholarship program, which is available to former foster youth throughout California
Application Procedure
Required Supplemental Information
- Two letters of recommendation from a teacher, college/guidance counselor or mentor
- Digital photograph of applicant, preferably a headshot
- Transcript of grades
- Electronic Student Aid Report (SAR)
- SAT and/or ACT score verification
Documents Required Before Scholarships Can Be Funded
- Copy of financial aid award information from the university to be attended
- Cost of attendance provided by the university with expense budget breakout for entire year
- Copy of Health Insurance Fee Verification from university
- Thank you letter addressed Change a Life Foundation Board of Directors
- Copy of university acceptance letter