Purpose
The RHSF Scholarship Committee recognizes and awards students who are continuing their education after graduation from Redwood High School. All scholarships are used for tuition or school expenses at an accredited community college, trade school, 4-year college, or university. 

Criteria
*Financial need (required and highest priority)
*Perseverance and determination
*Academic achievement
*Good moral character
*Good citizenship
*Criteria specific to the endowed awards 

Awards
Scholarship awards are based on the availability of funds and through the application that meets the established criteria with particular emphasis on financial need. After reviewing all applications, recommendations for awards are made by the RHSF Scholarship Committee, except for the Chelini awardees who are selected by the RHS Counseling Department. The Committee will mail award checks directly to student accounts at their respective Colleges and Universities in summer, 2022.  Funds are not mailed to students. Individual details will not be made public; only the names of the winners will be announced.

Applications must be completed by each student personally. The decisions of the RHSF Scholarship Committee are final. Any information you submit is confidential; however, if you are an award recipient, your name, the award name and the name of your university/college may be announced or printed.

About the Redwood High School Foundation Scholarships   The Redwood High School Foundation seeks to recognize and support the continued education of students who have excelled at Redwood and have demonstrated financial need. In addition to offering numerous general awards, the Scholarship Committee and its partners use this common application to grant multiple specialized, named scholarships, each with its own unique criteria. These include awards specifically intended to recognize students who:

• Have demonstrated leadership and community spirit and/or
• Have exhibited character, courage, and grit by overcoming significant obstacles and/or
• Have dedicated themselves to excellence as a student and/or
• Have exhibited exceptional intellectual acumen and promise and/or
• Have participated in athletics at Redwood High School and may possibly play during their post-high school education, though not necessary

RHS Specialized Awards include:

Redwood High School Awards Recognizing students who excel and have demonstrated financial need.

James Pierce Scholarship for Academic Excellence Recognizing students who demonstrate intellectual acumen and promise.

RHS Alumni Scholarship Recognizing students who demonstrate leadership,intellectual acumen and community spirit.

The Sylvia Jones Award Recognizes a student who best exemplifies a love of language, a commitment to lifelong learning, and a genuine interest in and care for others.

The Giant Scholarship Recognizing students who show courage and grit towards building a bright future

The Bill Wilkinson Award

The Myles Kawashima Scholarship Recognizing student athletes who have demonstrated a commitment to athletics throughout their high school career, who have exhibited perseverance, moral character, and leadership.

Over the past 3 years, The Foundation has awarded over 140 scholarships ranging from $500 to $5,000.

Award decisions are made without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, gender or gender identity. After reviewing the applicant’s submission, recommendations for awards are made by the RHSF Scholarship Committee and approved by the RHSF Board. Only the names of winners will be announced. All applicant’s personal information and applications are kept confidential. 

All awards are made possible through generous donations to the Redwood High School Foundation from our alumni and the family and friends of our students, faculty and staff.

Financial Need Criteria: Completed FAFSA or CADAA (CA Dream Act Application) is required for consideration of financial need based on Expected Family Contribution (EFC), as calculated through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or CADAA. The following EFC (Estimated Family Contribution) limits are required and will be strictly adhered to: RHSF awards: maximum EFC $20,000   Exception: *James Pierce Award: maximum EFC $40,000.  If your family’s EFC is higher than the EFC limit, you may submit an application, but must include an explanation of extenuating circumstances that result in financial need. The RHSF Scholarship Committee will use discretion in considering applicants with an EFC above the required limit, but make no promise or guarantee of exceptions.

The Online Application
Complete the application which contains four sections: 1) Personal & Financial, 2) Academic, 3) Awards & Activities, 4) Writing Section. The writing section has two short essay questions. The first will help the committee understand your financial situation, and the second will help the committee understand your goals and why you want to pursue a higher education. ALL INFORMATION MUST BE PROVIDED. IF ANY INFORMATION IS NOT APPLICABLE, INDICATE WITH N/A.

♦ In addition to the online application, you are being asked to provide the name and email of one Redwood staff member whom you would like us to ask for a recommendation on your behalf. Email your recommender's name  to Becky Bjursten, College & Career Specialist at bbjursten@tamdistrict.org by the March 10th deadline.

♦ Please either take a photo or scan and email your  FAFSA or CADAA Student Aid Report (SAR) printed from FAFSA or CADAA website to Becky Bjursten, College & Career Specialist at bbjursten@tamdistrict.org by the March 10th deadline. If desired, have your parent/guardian email the Optional Confidential Letter on Finances explaining the family’s financial situation.

If you feel you need to make any changes after submitting please contact Becky Bjursten, College & Career Specialist at bbjursten@tamdistrict.org

To request a scholarship application:  https://forms.gle/y6NWyzDbPZV3gVbR6https://forms.gle/y6NWyzDbPZV3gVbR6