Orfalea Scholarship Awards

Scholarship Overview

These scholarships are for graduating seniors and graduates of high schools in Ventura County, California. To qualify for these scholarships, applicants must live in Ventura County, demonstrate financial need, and enroll at an accredited vocational school, community college, or four-year college/university. Eligible applicants will meet at least one of the following criteria: (1) participated in the Montana Yellowstone Expeditions/R.E.A.C.H. Program;(2) is a single parent of a minor child/children; (3) has a documented learning difference or is a non-traditional learner; (4) has been a ward of the court or in foster care in Ventura County; (5) plans to have career in Early Childhood Education; (6) plans to have a career as a Teacher (K to grade 12); (7) majoring in sustainable agriculture (includes organic gardening, permaculture, biodiversity, water, food and nutrition, or interdisciplinary studies that combine these areas); (8) majoring in an approved health field including nursing, certified nursing assistant program, dental hygiene, occupational or physical therapy, public health and plans to practice this health-related career in Ventura County upon graduation; (9) is a dependent student under age 24 and is the child of a single parent home; (10) applicant is a minor child or dependent of a migrant or seasonal farm worker; (11) student is a dependent under age 24 and has a parent employed at a 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency; (12) planning a career in social work; (13) planning a career in psychology/counseling; (14) demonstrated consistent employment while enrolled in school; (15) is a dependent student under age 24 of a parent employed as a nurse; (16) is a dependent student under age 24 of a parent employed as a teacher (pre-K to grade 12); (17) is a dependent student under age 24 of a parent employed as a Ventura City or County firefighter; (18) is a dependent student under age 24 of a parent employed as a Ventura City Police Officer or a Ventura County Sheriff Officer; (19) is a prior year recipient of an Orfalea Scholarship Award and still meets qualifying criteria listed above. To apply for the scholarship, applicants must register online by January 9th and submit application by January 11th.