Last Call For Petaluma Educational Foundation College Scholarship Applications

Now that the Christmas glitz has settled and high school seniors are in the final stretch for a June 2010 graduation, Petaluma students are looking closely at a whole new set of figures - a mathematical equation that might not have arisen in their collective grade school experience.

It's the hot topic here in California for sure, as cash-strapped State colleges and the University of California ramp up tuition fees to unprecedented highs. To solve this daunting equation is to figure out a feasible financial action plan to pay for college fees, whether it is a likely acceptance at Santa Rosa Junior College, Fresno State, UC Davis, New York University or Lewis and Clark.

With tuition and living expenses realistically ranging from $3,000 to a whopping $50,000 plus a year for a four year degree, depending upon educational institution of choice, every penny of every scholarship counts.

And that's why Petaluma Educational Foundation's graduating high school senior Scholarship Program is about to be saturated with worthy applications this New Year, as hundreds of high-achieving, college-bound seniors at all city schools compete for a wide range of coveted grants.

Outstanding graduates from each of the city’s six public, private and continuation high schools were awarded a substantial $178,000 in some 220 individual awards at the annual Petaluma Educational Foundation (Sonoma Country Life Sponsor) Scholarship Reception ceremony held at the Petaluma Sheraton Hotel, in 2009.

Each and every PEF Scholarship grant is privately funded by an individual, Southern Sonoma County corporation or family trust and specific criteria varies for each scholarship area.

Individual scholarships have certain requirements students must meet before beginning the application process: minimum GPA and the type of school the student will attend after graduation. In addition, a scholarship may be weighted in favor of a special skill, such as academics, athletics, leadership, community service, or financial need. Final awards are based on evaluation of all eligible applicants, using an objective scoring matrix. Award amounts are subject to change.

High School Seniors in Petaluma are able to download applications at the PEF website or they may obtain paperwork from school counselors. All applications must be completed and in the hands of the high school counselors by February 2nd, 2010.

To be eligible to qualify for a PEF Scholarship Grant:

• Your post-secondary education will begin the fall semester following your high school graduation and will carry a minimum of 6 units.
• “Higher education degree” refers to an Associate Degree, Bachelor Degree or Certificate you hope to earn at a trade/vocational school, apprenticeship/certificate program, community college or 4-year college or university.  

One of the most profound ways that Petaluman families find to honor and remember a lost loved one is to pledge an annual scholarship award in his or her name. The smile on a deserving high school senior's face upon receiving the award at the public PEF Scholarship Reception is worth every penny. Scholarships awarded in the name of a late family member generally call for specific requirements in characteristic and accomplishment of the award recipient, to create a living legacy of the honorees contributions to his or her family and the community. For as little as a few hundred dollars to several thousand, these are amongst the most poignant of scholarships awarded to Petaluma high school seniors on their path to higher education. To honor a lost loved one in this way, check out PEF today. There's still time to pledge a scholarship for 2010.