Cal Water Scholarship: Requirements and Opportunities for Students

California Water Service (Cal Water) is committed to enhancing the quality of life in the communities it serves. As part of this commitment, Cal Water has established a scholarship program to assist students residing within its service areas who plan to continue their education in college or vocational school programs. This article details the requirements, opportunities, and key aspects of the Cal Water Scholarship program.

Overview of the Cal Water Scholarship Program

The Cal Water Scholarship program aims to support exceptional future leaders by providing financial assistance for their higher education pursuits. The scholarship is part of California Water Service Group’s stockholder-funded philanthropic giving program and does not affect customers’ rates. The program is administered by Scholarship America, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and the nation’s largest designer and manager of scholarships and other education support programs.

Scholarship Amounts and Awards

If selected as a recipient, students can receive awards ranging from $2,500 to $10,000. Notably, four grand-prize scholarships of $10,000 each are awarded annually, along with additional scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $5,000. In one instance, from almost 500 applications, four students were each awarded a $10,000 grand-prize scholarship based on academic achievement, community service, and financial need, while seven others received $5,000 scholarships and two others received $2,500 awards. In total, Group provided $80,000 in scholarships to 12 students living in its California, Hawaii, New Mexico, and Washington service areas for the 2021-2022 academic year.

Administration by Scholarship America

The Cal Water Scholarship Program is administered by Scholarship America. Scholarship America processes scholarship payments on behalf of Cal Water. Selection of recipients is made by Scholarship America. Other than verifying and confirming eligibility, no officer or employee of Cal Water plays a part in the selection.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the Cal Water Scholarship Program, applicants must meet certain criteria:

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Residency: The applicant or the applicant’s parents or guardians must reside in one of Cal Water’s service areas.
Enrollment Plans: Applicants must plan to enroll in a full-time undergraduate study program at an accredited college, university, or vocational-technical school for the upcoming academic year. For example, to be eligible for the 11th annual College Scholarship Program cycle, applicants must plan to enroll in a full-time undergraduate study program at an accredited college, university, or vocational-technical school for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Academic Standing: Applicants are typically evaluated based on academic achievement, community service, and financial need.

Required Application Materials

Applicants are typically required to submit several documents to support their application:

Transcript: A current, complete transcript of grades is required. Grade reports are not accepted.
Test Scores: If providing SAT or ACT test scores, and those scores are not listed on the high school transcript, a copy of the test score report(s) must be uploaded separately.

How to Apply

Students interested in applying for the Cal Water Scholarship should follow these steps:

Visit the Website: Go to learnmore.scholarsapply.org/calwaterscholarships to learn more about the scholarship program and access the application portal.
Review Guidelines: Select the guidelines and application for the specific award to understand the eligibility criteria and required documents.
Complete the Application: Fill out the application form with accurate and detailed information.
Submit Required Documents: Upload all necessary documents, including transcripts and test scores.
Submit Before Deadline: Ensure the application is submitted before the deadline. For example, the application period for the 12th annual College Scholarship Program cycle will close on Thursday, March 27, 2025.

Key Dates and Deadlines

It is crucial to be aware of the important dates and deadlines associated with the Cal Water Scholarship Program:

Application Period: The application period typically opens in January and closes in late March. For instance, the application period for the 11th annual College Scholarship Program cycle closed on Thursday, March 28, 2024.
Notification Date: Applicants will be notified of their selection status in late May.
Customer Service Availability: Customer service is available until 1:00 pm Pacific / 3:00 pm Central Time on the deadline date. For example, customer service for the 12th annual cycle will only be available until 1:00 pm Pacific / 3:00 pm Central Time on March 27.

California Water Service Group’s Commitment

California Water Service Group is committed to enhancing the quality of life for its customers, communities, employees, and stockholders. Guided daily by their promise to provide quality, service, and value, Group's 1,200+ employees lead the way in working to protect the planet, care for people, and operate with the utmost integrity. Integral to Group's strategy is investing responsibly in water and wastewater infrastructure, sustainability initiatives, and community well-being. The company has been recognized as one of "America's Most Responsible Companies" and the "World's Most Trustworthy Companies" by Newsweek and as a Great Place to Work®.

Impact on Communities

The scholarship program is one of the ways that the utility demonstrates its commitment to improving the lives of those it serves. By investing in the education of tomorrow's leaders, Cal Water aims to have a lasting impact on the communities within its service areas.

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