Give Where You Live

Scholarships for Students

At Gilroy Foundation, we firmly believe that access to education should be within reach for all aspiring scholars. Our application process is designed to be straightforward and accessible, ensuring that every deserving student has an equal opportunity to pursue their educational journey.

Transforming Lives through Scholarships: Gilroy Foundation’s Impact

At Gilroy Foundation, our journey towards educational excellence began in 1999 with the Julie and Richard Hayes Award, a scholarship valued at $250. Little did we know, it was just the beginning of something remarkable.

To this day, Gilroy Foundation has proudly awarded nearly $6 million in scholarships to deserving high school graduates and college students in the Gilroy area. In 2022 alone, we received an overwhelming response, with over 480 applications competing for 98 prestigious awards ranging from $250 to $50,000.

At Gilroy Foundation, we firmly believe that investing in our young students means investing in the future of Gilroy. With the generous contributions from local donors and dedicated community members, we stand united in our commitment to ensuring a promising future for both our students and our beloved community.

Join us in our mission to empower the next generation. Explore our website to learn more about our scholarship programs, success stories, and ways to get involved. Together, we are creating a pathway to success and fostering a brighter future for Gilroy and its talented students.

Discover how you can make a difference today. Gilroy Foundation: Transforming Lives through Scholarships, Building a Brighter Gilroy. Together, we can shape a future filled with endless possibilities.

Want to fund a deserving student’s education? Make a donation to our General Grantmaking Fund, open your own fund, or work with us to administer a custom scholarship.

List of current scholarships

Click on any link below to learn more about the scholarship opportunity and how to apply.

Scholarship Name

Amount

Basic Criteria

Julio Mata Family Scholarship Criteria

 

$50,000

(1) Graduating student from a GUSD High School

Uvas Creek Scholarship Criteria

Uvas Creek Scholarship Re-Application Form

$20,000

(5) Graduating students from CHS
(5) Graduating students from GHS

(2) Graduating students from GECA

(3) Graduating students from Mt. Madonna

Don Christopher CHS Scholarship Criteria

$20,000

(1) Graduating student from CHS

Bill Christopher Scholarship Criteria

$10,000

(1) Graduating student from CHS

Don and Karen Christopher CHS Scholarship Criteria

$10,000

(1) Graduating students from CHS

Don and Karen Christopher CHS Scholarship Criteria

$5,000

(2) Graduating students from CHS

(2) Graduating students from GHS

Ken Christopher CHS Scholarship Criteria

$5,000

(1) Graduating student from CHS

Dr. Joseph Kraut Jr. Memorial Scholarship Criteria

Dr. Joseph Kraut Jr. Memorial Scholarship Application

$5,000

(2) College senior accepted to medical school or currently enrolled in medical school who was born in, raised in or graduated from a high school in South Santa Clara County or San Benito County

Donna and George Archer Scholarship Criteria

 

$2,500

(1) Scholarship will be given to a Gilroy High School graduating senior

Don and Karen Christopher Community College Scholarship Criteria

$2,000

(2) Graduating students from CHS; (2) Graduating students from GHS

Valerie Roberts Memorial Scholarship Criteria

$2,000

(1) Graduating student from CHS

David and Valerie Vanni Agriculture Education Scholarship Criteria

$2,000

(1) Graduating student from GUSD

Natalia Salcido Legacy Foundation Scholarship Criteria

 

$2,000

(1) Male Graduating student from CHS $2,000

(1) Female Graduating student from CHS $2,000

Jan and Avis Kelley Memorial Scholarship Criteria

$1,500

(1) Graduating student from GHS

Ashford Family Scholarship Criteria

 

 

Ashford Family Arts Scholarship Criteria

 

$1,200

 

 

$1,200

(1) Graduating Student from Mt. Madonna HS

 

 

(1) Graduating Student from Mt. Madonna HS

Kim Ordaz Memorial Scholarship

$1,250

(1) Graduating students from CHS or GHS

Gelman Family Educational Scholarship Criteria

$1,000

(1) Graduating student from CHS $1,000

(1) Graduating student from GHS $1,000

(1) Graduating student from GECA $1,000

GF Technical Career Education Scholarship Criteria

$1,000

(1) Graduating student from GUSD or a current Gavilan College student

Kai and Libby Lai Family Scholarship Criteria

$1,000

(3) Students attending or graduating from Gavilan College

Terri Ortiz Family Scholarship Criteria

$1,000

(2) Graduating students. One from Christopher High School and one from Gilroy High School.

Saint Louise Regional Hospital Scholarship Criteria

$1,000

(1) Graduating student from Gavilan College

Sarah Villar Memorial Scholarship Criteria

$1,000

(1) Graduating student from CHS or GHS

Sontag Family Scholarship Criteria

 

$1,000

(1) Graduating student from a GUSD High School

Sean Michael Merriman Memorial Scholarship Criteria

$1,000

(10) Graduating students from Mt. Madonna High School

Tom S. and Hedy Obata Memorial Scholarship Criteria

$1,000

(1) Graduating student from CHS or GHS

Tony Vigna Memorial Scholarship Criteria

$1,000

(1) Graduating student from GHS

“We Are All Connected” Scholarship Criteria

$1,000

(2) Graduating student from GHS

(2) Graduating student from CHS

(2) Graduating student from GECA

Alice Sakahara Memorial Scholarship Criteria

$750

(1) Graduating student from GHS

SakaBozzo Scholarship Criteria

$750

(3) Graduating students from GUSD High Schools

Jacob Vasquez Memorial Scholarship Criteria

Jacob Vasquez Memorial Scholarship Application

$500

(2) Graduating students from Mt. Madonna

Erin Kinkel Memorial Scholarship Criteria

$500

(1) Graduating student from GHS

Robert J. Galaviz Memorial Scholarship Criteria

$500

(1) Graduating student from a GUSD High School

Kevin A. “Mike” Gilroy Memorial Scholarship Award Criteria

$500

(1) Graduating GUSD or Gavilan College student who is a veteran of, or will be enlisting in, a branch of the United States military.

Esther Costales Forman Criteria

$250

(1) Graduating Gavilan College student, continuing on to a four year college/university, pursuing a degree in education

Scholarship FAQs

How do I apply for a scholarship?

View our list of current scholarships in the table just above and click on any link to learn more. Each scholarship provides instructions on how to apply as well as the deadline.

Am I eligible to receive a scholarship?

Eligibility varies from scholarship to scholarship. Please view our list of current scholarships in the table above (on the Scholarships page) to learn more about the eligibility requirements for each scholarship award.

I would like to fund a scholarship. Can you help?

Yes! There are several ways you can fund a scholarship. One way is to make a donation or become a member; 5% of all year-end balances of these funds go toward our grantmaking fund. Another way to fund a scholarship is to open your own fund or work with us to create a custom giving opportunity.

Have other questions? Please contact us at any time!