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Blue Shield of California Foundation Scholarship Program
Deadline to apply: April 25, 2025 3:00 pm CT

Blue Shield of California Foundation has established a scholarship program to assist children, stepchildren and grandchildren of employees who plan to continue their education in college or vocational school programs.

This program is administered by Scholarship America®, the nation’s largest designer and manager of scholarships and other education support programs for corporations, foundations, associations, and individuals. Eligibility for individual programs is determined at the sole discretion of the sponsor, and eligible applications are reviewed by Scholarship America’s evaluation team.

Applicants to the Blue Shield of California Foundation Scholarship Program must be:

  • Dependent* children, stepchildren or dependent grandchildren, age 24 and under, of Blue Shield of California and its subsidiaries regular active employees who have a minimum of one year of employment as of the application deadline.
    *Dependent status is based on ability of the Blue Shield of California employee (either parent or grandparent) to claim a tax exemption for the dependent child, stepchild, or grandchild. Blue Shield of California Foundation may request applicants to submit proof of dependent status.The child of a divorced parent who is a regular Blue Shield of California employee, whether custodial or noncustodial parent, may apply if either parent may claim the child as a dependent.
  • High school seniors or graduates who plan to enroll or students who are already enrolled in full-time undergraduate or graduate study at an accredited two-year or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical school for the entire upcoming academic year.

Dependents of Blue Shield corporate officers are not eligible.

Academic, vocational or trade school programs shorter than one year are not eligible.

Non-traditional students are encouraged to apply.

Awards

If selected as a recipient:

  • students attending an accredited two-year college, vocational or trade school will receive $3,000;
  • students attending an accredited four-year college or university in an undergraduate or graduate program will receive $4,000;
  • the top-ranking recipient enrolled or planning to enroll at an accredited four-year college or university in an undergraduate or graduate program will receive the Charles W. Stewart Award of $5,000.

Awards are for qualified education-related expenses only (tuition, fees, books, and required supplies/equipment). Awards amounts may be adjusted if the award exceeds the cost of qualified education- related expenses.

Awards are for undergraduate or graduate study only.

Awards are one-time only and not renewable.

Students who have never received a Blue Shield of California Foundation Scholarship may reapply to the program each year they meet eligibility requirements.

Selection of Recipients

Scholarship recipients are selected on the basis of:

  • Academic record
  • Demonstrated leadership and participation in school and community activities
  • Work experience
  • A statement of educational and career goals and objectives
  • Unusual personal or family circumstances
  • An online recommendation

Financial need will not be considered.

Selection of recipients is made by Scholarship America. In no instance does any officer or employee of Blue Shield of California or Blue Shield of California Foundation play a part in the selection. All applicants agree to accept the decision as final.

Only one award recipient per family can be selected.

Notification

Applicants will be notified in June. Not all applicants to the program will be selected as recipients.

Payment of Scholarships

Scholarship America processes scholarship payments on behalf of Blue Shield of California Foundation. Payments are made in one installment in early August.

Deferrals of scholarship awards are granted on a case by case basis only when student’s enrollment is delayed due to unusual medical, family, or financial circumstances.

As part of your application, you must upload the following document:

  • A current, complete transcript of grades. Grade reports are not accepted. Transcripts must display:
    • Student name
    • School name
    • Grades
    • Credit hours for each course and term in which each course was taken.

    NOTE: If you are providing SAT or ACT test scores, and those scores are not listed on your high school transcript, you will need to upload a copy of your test score report(s) separately. If you are uploading a college transcript, those scores are not required.

    One online recommendation form must be submitted on your behalf no later than April 30, 2025 3:00 pm Central Time.

    Your application is not complete unless all required documents are submitted electronically through the Scholarship America Student Hub.

    Blue Shield of California has partnered with Scholarship America. Select the button below to be directed to the Scholarship America Student Hub!

    Please make sure to add studentsupport@scholarshipamerica.org as well as the program email address provided below in the footer as safe senders in your email contact list.