Scholarship Information

Here are a few reasons why you should consider applying for scholarships:

1. Financial Relief: Scholarships can help cover tuition and other expenses, potentially reducing or eliminating the need for student loans.

2. Recognition: Winning a scholarship can be a great acknowledgment of your hard work and achievements.

3. Opportunities: Some scholarships come with additional benefits like networking opportunities, mentorship, or career guidance.

4. Reduced Debt: By receiving scholarships, you might graduate with less student debt, which can make a big difference in your financial future.

5. Increased Focus: With less financial worry, you might be able to dedicate more time to your studies and extracurricular activities.

Remember to research and apply for as many relevant scholarships as possible, and tailor your applications to each opportunity to increase your chances of success.

If you’re taking the time to apply for a scholarship, be sure to follow the instructions. Give accurate, complete information to avoid your application getting tossed out. Start early. Don’t wait until you receive your award letter to start applying for scholarships. You can start as early as freshman year of high school. Keep applying.

Palomar Promise applications are considered on a first-come, first-served basis dependent upon availability of funds. Please encourage your high school seniors to apply to the Promise program if they are considering attending Palomar College in fall 2025. The application is quick and simple and can be completed now before submitting their financial aid application!

What is the Palomar Promise Program?

The Palomar Promise program is a comprehensive student success program for first-time college students enrolled full time (12 or more units). The program offers up to two years of free tuition (up to 19 units per fall & spring semester), textbook assistance, and access to specialized academic and career planning with related support services to eligible students who meet the program eligibility requirements.

How to Apply?

After applying to Palomar College, students should log on to their MyPalomar student portal, click on the Financials tab, and select Palomar Promise to access the Promise application (link will appear on the right side of the screen). See screenshot below. If they have problems accessing the Promise application link, please have the student contact our office at promise@palomar.edu using their Palomar email account and include their full name and Palomar Student ID. For more information on how to apply, please visit: https://www.palomar.edu/palomarpromise/application/

Promise Application Timeline

• For information about our Promise application 25/26 timeline, please click here.

Virtual Information Sessions

• The Promise Program is conducting several Virtual Palomar Promise Information Sessions via Zoom for students, parents and counselors to learn about the Promise program, including eligibility requirements, benefits, how to apply and much more! Click here to view flyer. Please share with your students.

Promise Bookmark

• Click here to download a copy of the Promise bookmark.

1. CSAC Presentation and NCAN Presentation's community of practice presentations: These decks are a great reference from November’s convening on what to expect in the 2025-26 financial aid cycle.
2. CSAC’s undocumented student guide: This updated guide provides the latest resources (in multiple languages) on how to support undocumented students with accessing financial aid in California (including in-state tuition, state financial aid, etc.).
3. CSAC’s mixed-status families guide: This updated guide provides the latest resources on how to support mixed-status families with navigating their financial aid options.
4. CSAC Memo: Financial Aid Applications for Mixed-Status Students and Families: This memo provides practitioners and financial aid professionals with detailed information on how to guide mixed-status families through choosing whether to fill out the FAFSA or the CADAA.
5. CSAC Memo: Upholding the Dream For All Students: This guidance highlights the ways the CADAA keeps students and families safe and reaffirms California’s commitment to making college accessible for all students. The CADAA is available for undocumented students AND students from mixed-status families.
6. FAFSA Hub for Mixed-Status Families: This collection of resources provides up-to-date information and resources to support students from mixed-status families with completing the FAFSA.
7. Protecting Student Data in CA: This resource provides practitioners with details on complying with federal and state laws to ensure students have access to resources while also ensuring that their data is protected.
8. Fin Aid: The SmartStudentTM Guide to Financial Aid.
9. California Student Aid
10. College Solution: Lynn O’Shaughnessy is a nationally recognized college expert, who is a higher-ed journalist, speaker and educator. Her chief goal is to help families with teenagers become smart college shoppers as they search for schools.
11. FAFSA: Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is necessary to determine eligibility for state and federal aid to cover college expenses.
12. Cal Grant: The Cal Grant is a California-specific financial aid allocation that does not need to be paid back. Cal Grant applicants must apply using the FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application by the deadline and meet all eligibility, financial, and minimum GPA requirements of either program.

What are scholarships?

Scholarships are a type of financial aid commonly referred to as “free money” or “gift aid.” Scholarships usually require an application and are often awarded to students based on a combination of factors including merit. Merit scholarships tend to have specific requirements and are awarded to applicants based on certain skills and accomplishments and may not be based on financial need. Scholarships may be renewable, meaning you can receive scholarships for more than one year. A new application may be required along with maintaining certain eligibility requirements, such as GPA or a certain major.

Why do I need scholarships?

Scholarships are a great type of financial aid because they do not have to be repaid. Receiving scholarships can help cover the remaining bill and indirect costs, while also minimizing the amount you need to borrow in loans while in college.

What are some common scholarship application requirements?

Many scholarships require similar application materials, which commonly include:

• The application, which can be paper or an online form.
• Essays, often personal statements, that provide insight into your activities inside and outside the classroom.
• Letters of recommendation from teachers, coaches, guidance counselors, community members, or other mentors.
• Honors or awards you have received, academic or otherwise.
• Information about your high school or college, which may include your transcript, GPA, Student Aid Report, or financial aid offer.
• A résumé that includes any employment, volunteer, or extracurricular experiences.

Specialized scholarships may require additional information and may have a priority deadline. For example, scholarships supporting the arts may require portfolios or writing samples. Be sure to read each application thoroughly for requirements so you don’t miss any.

What should I do before college to increase my chances?

Since many scholarships are merit based, maintaining good grades and increasing your involvement in school and community activities are important. Some scholarships have GPA requirements, so keeping your grades up will help open more opportunities. Additionally, many applicants with varied extracurriculars and volunteer or job experiences may stand out. The more scholarships you’re eligible for and apply for, the better the odds you have of receiving one.

What are the best ways to find and receive a scholarship?

There is no guarantee that you’ll receive a scholarship, but there are a few things you can do to increase your chances while applying. One of the most important things to remember is that the scholarship committee wants to get to know you through the applications—you want to show why your college education is worth investing in.

There are a few things that you can do to increase your chances, including:

• Start early and search year-round: No matter what stage in the college process you’re at, you should start looking for scholarships now. There are even scholarships that high school students can receive before senior year. Scholarship deadlines vary, so setting some time aside every few weeks to search and apply will open up more opportunities of securing a scholarship.
• Use the right search engine: Finding scholarships to apply for can be difficult, but with the right search engine you can narrow your search and find scholarships you’re eligible for. BigFuture’s scholarship search is a great resource to use.
• Find a balance: You should apply for several scholarships—the more you apply for, the better your chances of receiving one. However, it’s important to use your time wisely. You should only apply for those you’re eligible for, based on the requirements.
• Research local scholarships: Local scholarships tend to have fewer applicants, meaning you may be more likely to get them. Your high school counselor or college financial aid department might have insight about where to find and apply for local scholarships. Be sure to talk to others in your community, and check with local businesses and organizations like banks and churches.

How do I know a scholarship is legit?

While plenty of legitimate scholarships are available, some fake scholarships are set up to scam students out of money or personal information. Using reliable search engines, like BigFuture, can help avoid this. Scholarships should always be free to apply. Some may ask for your bank account information after choosing you as a recipient, but they should not ask for this information as an application requirement. If you’re unsure, contact the organization or company providing the scholarship to ensure they are legit.

Finding and applying to scholarships sounds like a lot of work—how can I make this process easier?

Because scholarships don’t need to be repaid, they can be an important part of making college affordable. However, we know that it might not always be feasible to spend a lot of time applying. There are a few things you can do to simplify the process and save time where possible.

• Start early: Prioritize getting two or three letters of recommendation, and write your essay/personal statement before you start searching to help save time.
• Time management: Plan to spend a day or two a month searching and submitting applications with your prepared materials to avoid last-minute applications, missed deadlines, and stress.
• Stay organized: Collecting and organizing your application materials and tracking due dates will help you stay on track and avoid missing out on opportunities.
• Reuse essays when possible: Many scholarship essay topics are similar, so editing one of your previously written essays to fit the scholarship you’re applying for can save you time.

With these tips and resources, you’ll be better prepared for scholarship applications and increase your chances of receiving scholarships to help cover your college costs. Check out your chance to earn $500 and $40,000 scholarships in monthly drawings offered by BigFuture to students who complete the steps to plan for college.

The Poway Unified School District (PUSD) is an equal opportunity employer/program and is committed to an active Nondiscrimination Program. PUSD prohibits discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying based on actual or perceived protected characteristics under the law, including but not limited to ancestry, age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, nationality, race or ethnicity, immigration status, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or association with a person or a group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. For more information, please contact the Title IX/Equity Compliance Officer, Associate Superintendent of Personnel Support Services, Poway Unified School District, 15250 Avenue of Science, San Diego, CA 92128-3406, 858-521-2800, extension 3019.

Email: DBeccarelli@powayusd.com
Website: https://powayusd.com/en-US/Schools/HS/WVHS/Counseling/Counseling-Home
Location: 13500 Camino Del Sur, San Diego, CA, United States
Phone: 858-780-2000
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