Supporting the next generation of students through educational opportunities at Sonoma State University and Santa Rosa Junior College.
Thank you to all our Association members who through the years have so generously contributed to education in our community by means of our scholarship program.
2 × $6,000 - $10,500
✓ Full-time student
✓ Minimum 3.0 GPA
✓ Non-repeating scholarship
✓ High school seniors eligible
3 × $4,500
✓ Full-time student
✓ Minimum 2.5 GPA
✓ Non-repeating scholarship
✓ High school seniors eligible
Applications are available directly through each institution's scholarship office.
Students interested in the Sonoma State University SCARE Scholarship may obtain applications at the Sonoma State University Scholarship Office.
Contact: 707-664-2261
Website: scholarships.sonoma.edu
Application Period: Normally opens in October and closes in mid-January
Students interested in the Santa Rosa Junior College SCARE Scholarship may obtain applications at the College Scholarship and Outreach Department, Barnett Hall, Room 1284, Santa Rosa, 95401.
Contact: 707-527-740
Website: scholarships.santarosa.edu
Application Period: Normally begins in January and ends around March 1
Contact the schools or their websites for current application period information.
1985: The SCARE Scholarship Program began with a $250 scholarship to a graduating high school senior. The money was used toward the student’s higher education goals. One high school a year was selected, rotating in alphabetical order. The high school scholarship counselor selected the student to receive the award. Analy High School was the first school selected. To be eligible, the student had to be a child of an employed, full-time Sonoma County employee who resided in Sonoma County and contributed to the retirement system.
1987: The Association voted to raise the scholarship amount to $500. The criteria were amended to add that the student could also be a child of a Sonoma County Water Agency employee who contributed to the retirement system. The residency requirement was dropped.
1989: The SCARE Executive Board voted to provide the $500 scholarship to a student attending Sonoma State University who met the qualifying criteria, rather than to a high school graduating senior. The selection would be made by the college scholarship committee.
1997: The Association voted to raise the SCARE Scholarship to Sonoma State University to $750 and to add a $500 scholarship for a student attending Santa Rosa Junior College.
2006: The Association voted to raise the scholarship amounts to the following: $1,500 to a Sonoma State University student and $1,000 to a Santa Rosa Junior College student who met the qualifying criteria.
2013: The SCARE Board voted to extend the scholarship eligibility requirement by making it available to any child or grandchild of a Sonoma County employee or retiree who is a member of SCERA. This is a non-repeating scholarship.
September 2017: The SCARE Board voted to increase the scholarship number and amount. Starting for the 2018/19 year, we will give two scholarships of $2,000 each to students at Sonoma State University and two scholarships of $1,500 each to students at Santa Rosa Junior College.
May 1, 2019: The SCARE Board passed resolution approving that high school seniors now be able to apply for SCARE’s Santa Rosa J.C. and Sonoma State University scholarships. The applicant must be a child or grandchild of an employee or retiree and must have a GPA of at least 2.5 for SRJC or 3.0 for Sonoma State.
January 15, 2020: The SCARE Board increased contribution to scholarships by increasing the SRJC scholarships to three at $1,500 each and increasing the 2 SSU scholarships to $3,000 each.
July 6, 2022: The SCARE Board approved the following change to eligibility criteria for the SCARE scholarships. The applicant must be a child, grandchild or spouse/domestic partner of a Sonoma County employee or retiree who is a member of the Sonoma County Employees’ Retirement Association (SCERA).
Contact SCARE for more information about our scholarship program.
