California Association of Winegrape Growers Foundation Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by California Association of Winegrape Growers Foundation

Overview

Description: The California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) Foundation offers scholarships to graduating high school seniors who meet employment-related eligibility criteria. The program provides multiple awards each year and supports students pursuing a variety of academic subjects. Applicants must download and complete the online application and provide documentation verifying parental or guardian employment in a California vineyard during the specified growing season. This section summarizes the program and directs applicants to the detailed eligibility and application requirements below.

• Scholarships awarded by the CAWG Foundation to graduating high school seniors.
• Applicants must submit a completed online application and supporting documents.
• Employment verification for a parent or legal guardian is required.

Award Value

Award Value: The CAWG Foundation provides a minimum of six scholarships in 2027, distributed across two award tiers. Awards for students entering a four-year University of California or California State University campus are $8,000 each. Awards for students entering a California community college (two-year) are $2,000 each. Students may study any subject area.

• $8,000 awards for UC/CSU-bound students.
• $2,000 awards for California community college students.
• At least six scholarships will be awarded in 2027.

Eligibility

Eligibility: Applicants must be graduating high school seniors planning to attend a University of California, California State University, or a California community college in the fall of 2027. Current college students are not eligible. Eligibility generally requires that a parent or legal guardian was employed by a California winegrape grower during the 2026–2027 growing season; children of growers may request a waiver for financial need by submitting a supporting letter. Children of current CAWG Foundation directors or employees are ineligible.

• Must be a high school senior graduating in 2027 and planning fall enrollment.
• Parent or legal guardian employment in the California winegrape industry is normally required.
• Waiver possible for children of growers with documented financial need.

Selection Process

The CAWG Foundation board is responsible for awarding scholarships based on a set of established criteria. Selection emphasizes financial need and academic performance, along with community involvement, work experience, and the applicant’s determination to succeed. A required 500-word essay is a key component of evaluation. The board considers a combination of these factors when making final award decisions.

• Selection by the CAWG Foundation board.
• Primary criteria include financial need and scholastic ability.
• Community involvement, work experience, determination, and a 500-word essay are evaluated.

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit a completed application along with required supporting documents to be considered. Required materials include an official high school transcript, a signed letter of recommendation from a school official with contact information, and a current photo. Applicants must also submit the 500-word essay described below. Complete and accurate documentation is essential for eligibility verification and selection.

• Completed application form and official high school transcript required.
• Letter of recommendation must be signed and include the referee’s contact details and position.
• Current photo and the required 500-word essay must be submitted.

Essay Guidance

The 500-word essay should introduce the applicant to the CAWG Foundation board and clearly address financial need, career goals, and ways the applicant plans to help their community. Suggested topics to consider include family relationships and financial circumstances, whether college is common in the family, motivations for continuing education, extracurricular and work experience, and proudest accomplishments. The essay is required and should be concise, personal, and focused on how the scholarship will support the applicant’s educational and community objectives.

• Essay must be approximately 500 words and explain financial need and goals.
• Possible prompts include family context, motivations, activities, and community plans.
• The essay is a central element of the selection process.

Conditions and Forfeiture

The CAWG Foundation reserves the right to withdraw awards if scholarship conditions or foundation policies are violated. Typical grounds for forfeiture include enrollment in fewer than 12 units per semester, semester grades that fall below a 2.0 GPA, submission of false or misleading information, and any form of plagiarism. Recipients are expected to maintain academic progress and honesty throughout their award period. Applicants and recipients should review and comply with all foundation requirements to retain eligibility.

• Scholarship may be revoked for enrolling in fewer than 12 units per semester.
• A semester GPA below 2.0 can result in forfeiture of the award.
• Providing false information or committing plagiarism will void the scholarship.