The South Bay Business Women’s Association is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide an effective education and mutual support for working women. The SBBWA offers financial help to women through its scholarship program in addition to providing support, encouragement and inspiration through the association’s activities.
Amount of Support: Scholarship amounts and the number of scholarships awarded by the SBBWA is determined annually. In 2016 the scholarship awards will be $2000 each.
Who May Apply: Women who are graduating high school seniors, college students who have completed at least one year of study, or students continuing with post-graduate work may apply. Candidates must be planning to enroll full-time for the upcoming academic year in a college or a specialized education program. Applicants must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (for high school seniors a weighted average is used).
Applicants must reside in the Greater South Bay area. Specific cities include San Pedro, Wilmington, Harbor City, Carson, Rancho Palos Verdes, Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Torrance, Lomita, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, Hawthorne, Gardena, Lawndale, El Segundo and Westchester.
Use of Funds: Scholarship checks are issued to the awardee’s educational institution listed on her application. Awardee must show proof of enrollment for the upcoming term. The funds may be designated to cover the cost of tuition, fees and books.
Application Deadline: Applications and transcripts must be received by Monday, March 28, 2016. Scholarships are announced in late April. Awardees will be recognized at the South Bay Women’s Conference on Friday, May 6, 2016 and scholarships will be awarded at a dinner on Wednesday, June 1, 2016.
Frequency of Application: Applicants may apply each year as long as eligibility criteria are met. Past scholarship awardees are not eligible to reapply.
Application Requirements
1. Complete an online SBBWA Scholarship Application. Two links are provided, one for graduating high school seniors and one for college and graduate students (see bottom of post).
2. Have official transcripts of all relevant course work mailed to SBBWA Scholarship Committee, 703 Pier Avenue Suite B359, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254.
3. Three current letters of reference; one from an academic source, one from a community service source, and the third may be work related or another source. Letters may be uploaded with the online application or may be mailed to the Hermosa Beach address if the letter writer prefers.
4. A 500 word personal essay including pertinent information about background, educational objectives, future goals, etc. The online application includes a space for the essay, along with instructions for content.
5. Financial need is a strong consideration of the scholarship program and financial information is required on the online application. A copy of the applicant’s Student Aid Report (SAR), which is a summary of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), is required to support the financial information submitted.
Questions regarding the Scholarship requirements may be emailed to [email protected]; please include “Scholarship” in the subject line. A member of the Scholarship Committee will reply to all requests for information.
Mail can be sent to:
SBBWA Scholarship Committee
703 Pier Avenue Suite B359
Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
All mailed and/or e-mailed supporting documents must be received by March 28, 2016.
Application for College Students: http://sbbwa.com/scholarships/college-applications
Application for High School Seniors: http://sbbwa.com/scholarships/high-school-applications
College costs are quite high for most students, and a $2000 scholarship would be quite helpful! I encourage you to apply for this scholarship!
