Professional BusinessWomen of California

Purpose

PBWC’s Academic Scholarship Program provides exceptional young women leaders with funds to help cover the costs of their undergraduate studies. As of 2022, PBWC has awarded high-achieving female high school seniors with scholarships totaling over $450,000, with individual awards of up to $15,000.

Eligibility

Applicants must meet the following requirements to apply for a PBWC Scholarship:

●  Identify as female

●  Current high school senior

●  California resident

Scoring & Selection Process

PBWC’s Scholarship Committee includes PBWC Board Members and community volunteers who review hundreds of applications annually.

A complete scholarship application consists of:

●  A completed application form,

●  a 500-word personal essay, and

●  three letters of reference (two academic and one non-academic)

All application materials must be submitted by the deadline noted on PBWC’s website and scholarship application materials. No deadline exceptions will be granted.

Scoring for PBWC’s Scholarship Program includes multiple rounds of review. Each application is carefully reviewed by multiple Scholarship Committee members. Applicants are weighted and ranked through demonstrated excellence in leadership and community building, notable or unique academic or work achievements, personal story and goals, and letters of recommendation.

The number of scholarships granted depends on the funds available as the result of program donations in each year.

Awards & Disbursement Policy

By applying for a PBWC Academic Scholarship, Applicant agrees:

All scholarship award funds must be disbursed in full in the same year that the award is granted.

If the Applicant receives a PBWC Academic Scholarship and other scholarships in excess of the total cost of tuition and room and board for the year that the award is granted, the Applicant foregoes the PBWC Academic Scholarship, and the awarded funds will be deployed in the sole discretion of the Scholarship Committee. PBWC will not defer the award of a PBWC Academic Scholarship to a subsequent year.

Scholarship Program awards will be sent directly to an accredited college or university where the awardee is enrolled in an undergraduate academic program, and awards must be used to cover tuition or room and board costs. Scholars must provide proof of enrollment along with disbursement instructions from the school’s finance office.

Scholarship award recipients must provide a headshot, short biography, video, etc. to promote the Scholarship Program and each awardee. Award recipients will be acknowledged on PBWC’s website, https://pbwc.org, and during PBWC’s Annual Conference. Each winner will receive a ticket to PBWC’s Annual Conference.

The Scholarship Committee may decide to grant Book Scholarships, in which case funds must be used to purchase books. Once a Book Scholarship recipient provides proof of enrollment to an accredited college or university where the awardee is enrolled in an undergraduate academic program, funds will be mailed via check directly to the scholar.