SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Through a variety of events and private and corporate donations, the CWC raises significant sums that finance scholarships awarded to promising Half Moon Bay High School graduates. Our fundraising efforts and distribution of scholarship awards define our primary mission.
The Deserving Students
According to US News and World Report, 36% of students attending Half Moon Bay High School come from an economically disadvantaged household, determined by student eligibility for California’s reduced-price meal program. Despite this statistic, graduating seniors’ SAT scores have consistently averaged well above the overall California state mean. An overwhelming majority of the school’s students matriculate to college upon graduation, many needing extra financial help!
How We Help
CWC is proud to provide the largest total amount of scholarship money of any local charity as well as the largest single scholarship amount of $8,000!! Will you help us support students as they begin their journey?
RECIPIENT HIGHLIGHT
Faline Howard
Awarded the Instar Award by the Western Monarch Advocates and won our scholarship for her conservation movements to protect monarch butterflies.
“I would like to thank you for your kind and generous scholarship that has relieved my financial stress for my academic career. I have been raised as a strong and independent woman, so I am proud to represent the Coastside Women's Club scholarship. The Coastside Women's Club inspires me to give back to my community and I am forever grateful for your support.
I am currently on the pathway for obtaining an Associates degree in Biology to transfer to UC Davis for Environmental Science. I am also interested in animal science, which has the same pathway as Environmental Science for the first year. Whichever route I eventually take, I aspire to contribute to environmental conservation either via habitat restoration or veterinary medicine.
Last month, I completed and achieved my Girl Scout Gold Award. My project focused on the concerning decline in the monarch butterfly population by planting milkweed and educating my community. I had germinated and raised 1,700 native narrowleaf milkweed plants and planted them at schools, a local farm, and gave them away to spread monarch habitat. I also presented my education component including conversations about the importance of monarchs, pollinators, and native species, as well as led age- appropriate crafts and activities.
I strengthened my leadership skills, communication, organization, networking, and much more. I was featured on a segment for ABC7 News as well as local papers.
In January 2023, I was awarded the Instar Award by the Western Monarch Advocates.
Please know how much you are appreciated!”
-Faline Howard
Read about her in ABC 7 News:
“Girl scout Faline Howard spearheads conservation movement to protect monarch butterflies”
Read about her in the Sonoma Index-Tribune News:
“Sonoma student honored for monarch habitat restoration”
APPLICATION PROCESS
In February of each year, the Scholarship Committee reviews transcripts and scholarship applications selected by the high school. Students attending a post-secondary two-year, four-year, or vocational training program are eligible to apply through the Guidance Department at the school. Based on the Scholarship Committee’s selection criteria which include financial need and academic achievement, the guidance counselors select several candidates for the committee to consider. The committee then narrows the list of candidates to those students who most closely satisfy our criteria. After the candidate selection is made, the committee further studies their applications and corresponding high school transcripts.
Each recipient is responsible for providing the Scholarship Director proof of registration, class schedule, and a personal note prior to award disbursal. Beginning in 2024, one-fourth of the total scholarship amount is disbursed annually upon receipt of the required documents. Every year, our members are inspired by the accomplishments and goals of our candidates. The selection process is always enjoyable but not always easy.
These students best express their promise and appreciation.
Dear Coastside Women's Club,
I would like to thank you for your kind and generous scholarship that has relieved my financial stress for my academic career. I have been raised as a strong and independent woman so I am proud to represent the Coastside Women's Club scholarship.
During my first year, I have some flexibility regarding deciding my major. I am currently on the pathway of obtaining an Associates to Transfer in biology to transfer to UC Davis for environmental science. However, I am also interested in animal science, which has the same pathway as environmental science for the first year. I am fortunate to have this year to explore my interests and confirm my decision when the time comes. Whichever route I eventually take. I aspire to contribute to environmental conservation either via habitat restoration or veterinary medicine.
Please know how much you are appreciated!
-Jaline S.
Dear members of the Coastside Women's Club,
Thank you for your extremely generous contribution to my college ambitions. I did not expect such strong support and I am honored to have received it. This award could not have come at a better time! I will be attending Cal Poly SLO, which has a program called Quarter. Plus, where students come half a quarter early and get a head start settling in and taking credits. This program appealed to me because I know that it takes me a while to settle into new places. I want to take full advantage of opportunities at college, so this will give me time to find my way around before I start a full course load. Your scholarship will completely cover the cost of the program. Thank you, and I will be thinking of you during Quarter Plus. I will not let you down.
-Matthew S.
Dear Coastside Women’s Club,
I am writing to express my sincere gratitude in receiving the Coastside Women’s Club Scholarship in the amount of $6000. Let me tell you, when I heard that I received your scholarship at scholarship night, my heart was jumping from excitement. Thank you so much for selecting me for being the recipient of your scholarship.
I am going to attend UC Santa Cruz in the fall and I will study psychology. I also plan on getting a minor in computer science or business. I will be attending UCSC as a full-time student. I wish to study abroad for a year during college. After getting my bachelor’s degree I will reach to get my master’s or even my doctorate. Thanks to your scholarship, I am one star toward getting to the moon.
By awarding me the Coastside Women’s Club Scholarship, you have reduced my financial burden which will allow me to focus on my school work and not worry so much about how I am going to pay for college. This experience and award gives me inspiration. I hope that one day I will give back to my community and help struggling students reach the moon. From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for helping and being there with me as I go on my path to the moon.
-Veronica V-H.
Dear Coastside Women’s Club,
I cannot express my gratitude enough. Your generosity has touched me, and I am very grateful you have decided to choose me for the scholarship. I will continue on to college with your help and keep my promise of sending updates on my studies and research in biology and chemistry. I will be close to home and our community for the next couple of years at California State University Monterey Bay. Thank you all for helping me achieve my goals and especially my dreams.
-Dylan W.