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Each year, the Sausalito Woman’s Club Scholarship Recognition Fund awards need- and merit-based scholarships to students connected to the Sausalito–Marin City School District (ZIP 94965). Awards are given to support students attending college, graduate/professional programs, or accredited trade/art schools as full-time students (minimum 9 credits/semester) during the 2026–2027 academic year.

APPLICATIONS DUE

March 9th, 2026

(Application is closed for the 2025-2026 Cycle. Application for the 2026-2027 cycle will open in Dec 2026.)

Eligibility

OUR SCHOLARSHIPS ARE INTENDED FOR STUDENTS WHO:

  • Demonstrate ambition, perseverance, and community-mindedness.

  • Currently reside in the Sausalito Marin City School District (encompassing Sausalito and Marin City with Zip Code 94965).

Every SWCSRF award recognizes merit. We define merit broadly—achievement, effort, improvement, leadership, arts/technical excellence, service, creativity, and responsibility at school, work, or home. Need-based awards add a review of financial need to this merit foundation.

We look for students who show more than good grades. We value dedication, perseverance, and heart—the qualities that make a person keep going, keep learning, and keep giving back. Each application is reviewed with care by our volunteer board, who take pride in recognizing the promise and potential in every student’s story.

You don’t need a perfect transcript to apply—just the drive to pursue your goals and the courage to take that next step.

  • Are a permanent resident of the area and have lived there for at least the past six months.

  • Must be planning to attend college, graduate school, or a trade or art school as a full-time student (minimum nine credits per semester).

FAQs

  • Yes—if you are a permanent resident of ZIP 94965 (Sausalito–Marin City School District) and you plan to attend an eligible college, graduate/professional program, or accredited trade/art school full-time in 2026–2027.

    • Undergraduate & most programs: full-time is 9+ credits per semester (or the quarter/clock-hour equivalent).

    • Graduate/professional programs with lower full-time loads: full-time may be as defined by your institution (often 6–9 credits). If your program defines full-time below 9 credits, please upload proof of full-time status (e.g., registrar/enrollment verification or catalog page).

  • You must submit:

    A. Required recommendations

    • High school seniors (first-time applicants): Two letters

    • Current college students (reapplying): One letter

    • Re-entry / trade / art / graduate applicants: One letter

    Recommender Requirements

    • You must provide the name and contact information of recommender(s) who know you in an academic, work, or community setting (for example: teacher, counselor, coach, employer, or community program leader).

    • Recommenders may not be family members or close personal friends.

    How Letters Should Be Submitted

    • We will email your recommender(s) directly with a separate link to upload their letters, or they may:

    Important: Applications are considered incomplete without the required number of recommendation letters for your category.

    B. Transcript

    • Upload your current transcript showing cumulative weighted GPA, with your name and school name visible.

    C. Essay

    • Submit one ~500-word essay (choose one of the two prompts provided in the application form).

    D. One financial document (PDF) only if you want need-based consideration. Redact SSNs, account numbers, and full DOBs. Financial info is reviewed only by the SWCSRF committee and not shared publicly.

    Important: Applications missing required items are incomplete and will not be considered.

  • They’re truly optional and do not affect eligibility. You may include:

    • A ≤200-word academic-context note (explaining circumstances that affected your record).

  • Submit the online application by March 9, 2026 (including all required documents; recommenders should send their letters by this date). Award notifications go out in early May 2026 by email or U.S. mail. Funds are disbursed after SWCSRF receives and verifies official proof of full-time registration or transcript for a 2026–2027 term.

  • SWCSRF defines merit broadly: achievement, effort, improvement, leadership, arts/technical excellence, service, creativity, and responsibility shown at school, work, or home. All awards recognize merit; need-based awards add a review of financial need.

  • Students planning to attend college, graduate/professional programs, or accredited trade/art schools full-time in 2026–2027 are eligible. (Full-time = 9+ credits per semester.)

  • Only if you want need-based consideration. If so, upload one PDF (e.g., FAFSA SAR summary, school aid offer, counselor letter, proof of income-based program, CADAA confirmation, or other reasonable documentation).

  • It’s reviewed only by the SWCSRF application committee, stored securely, not shared publicly, and you must redact Social Security numbers, account numbers, and full dates of birth before uploading.

  • Upload your current transcript showing cumulative weighted GPA with your name and school name/logo visible.

  • The complete online application (with all required documents) is due March 9, 2026. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Recommenders should send their letters by that date.

  • Yes. Reapplying students are welcome, even if you now attend school outside the area. To be eligible, you must still be a permanent resident of ZIP 94965 (Sausalito–Marin City School District) and be enrolled full-time (9+ credits) in 2026–2027. Use your home/permanent address (not your campus address) on the application.
    Please submit all current-year materials (new transcript, current letters of recommendation sent directly, and a new essay). Need-based award requires upload a single financial document. Awards are competitive each year and not guaranteed.

Scholarship Disbursement Instructions

For the 2026–2027 academic year, SWCSRF scholarships will be disbursed as a lump sum after enrollment has been independently verified. SWCSRF requires full-time enrollment, defined as a minimum of 9 units per semester, in order to disburse scholarship funds.

Please read the instructions carefully before submitting the form, as incomplete, unclear, unofficial, or missing documentation may delay scholarship disbursement or result in forfeiture if not received by the deadline.

Please complete the Scholarship Disbursement & Enrollment Verification Form and upload all required official documentation no later than March 1, 2027:

Your documentation must verify your enrollment for Summer 2026, Fall 2026, or Spring 2027 and clearly show:

  • Your name

  • Your school or institution (name and/or logo)

  • The academic term

  • Your current enrollment status

  • The number of units or credits in which you are enrolled

Acceptable documentation includes:

  • An official enrollment verification letter from the registrar showing the number of units or credits enrolled

  • An official transcript showing current courses as “in progress” with the number of units or credits

  • Another official school-issued or portal-generated document that includes all required information listed above

Please do not submit screenshots of class schedules. Screenshots are not considered official documentation for scholarship disbursement purposes.

If you are taking courses at a school other than your regular degree-conferring institution, including summer courses, you must also provide official confirmation from your degree-conferring institution that those courses will count toward your degree or program requirements.

The form will also ask you to provide your current contact information, whether you would like the check written to you or to your school, and the address where the check should be mailed.

If we do not receive your completed form and required documentation by March 1, 2027, your scholarship funds will be forfeited.

If you have any questions or have difficulty obtaining the required documentation, please contact us as soon as possible at treasurer@swcsrf.org.