City of Hawaiian Gardens Academic Scholarship Program
The City of Hawaiian Gardens has established a scholarship fund to provide financial assistance to qualified residents who wish to pursue an education and/or trade at an accredited institution.
The Scholarship Program was created to assist High School Seniors and Adult Students advancing in their career through scholarship opportunities.
Applicants who reside in the City of Hawaiian Gardens meeting all the requirements will be eligible to receive an award of up to $3,500. The scholarships that may be awarded are contingent based on budget and may be modified as necessary.
Opportunity 1: Youth Scholarship- 9 Scholarship offered - (3) - $3,500; (3)- $2,500; (3) - $1,500
Opportunity 2: Adult Student- 3 Scholarship offered
- (1) - $3,500; (1)- $2,500; (1) - $1,500
Applicants are eligible to apply to one (1) of the two (2) scholarship opportunities. The City will send awards directly to the applicant’s school of choice upon receipt of registration verification to an accredited college, university or trade school to assist in tuition, fees, room & board and books.
Guidelines
Applications can be obtained at w w w . h g c i t y . o r g or at City of Hawaiian Gardens- C . R o b e r t L e e A c t i v i t y C e n t e r. Applications must be filled out completely. Incomplete applications will be disqualified from the application process.
Requirements
All applicants awarded a scholarship must meet the following requirements:
1. Proof of Acceptance to Accredited College, University or Trade School All applicants awarded a scholarship will be required to provide proof of acceptance to an accredited college, university or trade school. A receipt of registration verification is required before any funds are disbursed directly to the applicant’s school of choice. If evidence is not provided the scholarship is forfeited.
2. Proof of Adjusted GrossIncome (Adult Scholarship Applicants- ONLY) Adult applicants awarded a scholarship will be required to provide proof of the most recent tax return with adjusted gross income. Pay stubs alone are not an adequate form of information. If evidence is not provided the scholarship is forfeited.
Attachment B
3. Proof of Residency
Scholarship recipients must have been residents of the City of Hawaiian Gardens Awardees will be required to provide proof of residency. Two (2) proofs must be provided with dated one (1) year prior to the application due date. Proof must be under the applicants name or parent’s name if the applicant is a dependent student. Acceptable proofs of Hawaiian Gardens residency include but are not limited to:
• Tax returns giving Hawaiian Gardens as the home address • Pay check stub
• Checking or saving account statements
• Utility Bill
• Driver’s License or Identification
• Passport
4. Attendance at Council Meeting- Recognition Ceremony
Scholarship recipients will need to attend the Recognition Ceremony that will be hosted at one of our City Council Meetings. Date TBD.
YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
• Must be a Hawaiian Gardens Resident
• Must be a High School Senior
• Minimum 2.5 Overall GPA required
• Must indicate the scholarship category
• School Transcript
• (1) Letter of Recommendation/Reference
• Scholarship Application must be submitted by Thursday, January 22, 2026 by 5:00pm • Interview will be conducted face to face (Professional attire required) • Interviews dates and times are set and final
ADULT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
• Must be a Hawaiian Gardens Resident
• Must provide proof “low income” status (according to the CDBG standards) • Application must be submitted by Thursday, January 22, 2026 by 5:00pm • Must volunteer at one city sponsored special event (TBD) • Interviews are face to face (Professional attire required) • Interviews dates and times are set and final
• City employees are not eligible to apply
• Only eligible for a one time award
Basis for Selection
Applicants will be selected based on the following items:
• Academic Achievement;
• Dedication to extracurricular activities and/or community involvement; • Essay.
• Top applicants will be invited to attend an interview session as part of the screening and selection process. • Financial need.
Each application will be evaluated and ranked based on the applicant’s academic achievement, community involvement or extracurricular activities, interview and financial need. Applications will be reviewed by the Scholarship Selection Committee. The committee will be consisted of local school personnel, principals or designee. All decisions of the committee will be final.
Disbursement of Award
The City will distribute funds directly to the applicant’s school of choice upon receipt of registration verification to an accredited college, university or trade school.
GENERAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM CONDITIONS:
a. The City reserves the right to withdraw or cancel the Scholarship Program at any time without prior notice.
b. The City reserves the right to postpone the Scholarship Program at any time. c. The City reserves the right to seek clarification of information submitted in response to the Scholarship Program Application.
d. The City reserves the right to modify the Scholarship Program as it deems necessary. e. Any material misrepresentations made by the applicant(s) will void the application and eliminate the applicant from further consideration.
f. The City reservesthe right to take all reasonable and appropriate stepsto recover diverted funds.
For More Information:
Questions regarding this scholarship application should be submitted to:
Cristian Rodriguez,
City of Hawaiian Gardens
Neighborhood Counselor
21815 Pioneer Blvd.
Hawaiian Gardens, CA 91702 Phone
Number: 626.633.4314
Email: [email protected]