Curry Award for Girls and Young Women

This fund was established by Eleanor Williams Curry, an active civic leader on the Peninsula. Scholarships are awarded to young women who are self-motivated, need financial support and attempt to achieve despite tremendous obstacles. Young women who have dropped out of school for reasons beyond their control, or have undergone unusual hardships to remain in school are encouraged to apply. The selection committee also considers circumstances related to possible ethnic or racial discrimination, physical disability or the choice of a nontraditional area of study. Young woman aged 18 to 26. Maximum cumulative grade point average of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale. Demonstrated financial hardship. Current resident of San Mateo County, preference given to residents of East Palo Alto, East Menlo Park, Redwood City and San Mateo. Current graduating high school senior, graduate or G.E.D. certificate holder: preference given to students who attend(ed) East Palo Alto Academy, East Side College Prep, Menlo Atherton, Sequoia, Carlmont and San Mateo high schools. Planning to enroll or currently enrolled in a four-year college or university as a full-time student. United States citizen or eligible non-citizen (eligible non-citizens include United States legal residents and A.B. 540 students). Your 500-850 word personal statement should address the following prompts: Comment on the personal characteristics, educational and extracurricular activities that have helped prepare you for college OR your intended career if you are a current college student. Reflect on your personal journey (significant accomplishments, challenges and/or hardships) and any life lessons that you think will or have help(ed) you succeed in college. Describe why you believe you are a good candidate for the specific scholarship(s) for which you are applying. U.S. citizens and legal U.S. residents: Upload a copy of your 2021-22 completed FAFSA and Student Aid Report (SAR). A.B. 540 / DACA students: Upload a copy of ONE of the following: 2021-22 California Dream Act Application and Confirmation Page. First two pages of your parent or guardianÔÇÖs most recent Federal Tax Forms 1040. Your parent or guardianÔÇÖs two most recent pay stubs. Financial Aid Award Letter (PDF) provided by the educational institution you are attending or plan to attend in the fall. Your two letters of recommendation must be signed and dated. You must obtain recommendations from both: A teacher or academic advisor on school letterhead; and A volunteer or work supervisor, community leader or personal acquaintance. (Volunteer or work supervisor letters must be on the organizationÔÇÖs letterhead. Personal acquaintance letters cannot come from parents or relatives.) There are two ways to submit your letters of recommendation. Obtain the two letters of recommendation from your recommenders and upload them yourself to your Apply SVCF application. Have your recommenders submit the letters themselves. First, include the name and email address of your two recommenders in your Apply SVCF application (be sure to ask recommenders before providing their information). Then, we will email your recommenders and request that they submit their letters to us directly. Unofficial or Official Transcripts of Grades (Submit only PDFs). Upload PDF versions of your unofficial or official transcripts to Apply SVCF under the appropriate transcript field or Confirmation tab at the end of the application. Only mail a hard copy if your school will not issue unofficial or official transcripts directly to students. Current graduating high school seniors: Submit an unofficial or official high school transcript AND unofficial or official college transcripts, if applicable.