Scholarships

Kern Community Foundation Scholarship

Kern Community Foundation manages more than two dozen scholarship funds. Community stakeholders have created these scholarships to honor their loved ones, to support higher education, and to foster the improvement of students as they pursue their diverse ambitions. Students have access to all our scholarship resources through one simple application.

Graduating Kern County High School Senior Scholarship Information

One Application – Dozens of Opportunities!

Kern Community Foundation’s College Scholarship Application Period is closed.

The application window will open in December 2023.

Regardless of who you are, where you come from, or what you hope to become, as long as you are graduating from a Kern County high school, financial support from our wide range of scholarship opportunities can be the springboard to help you fulfill your educational goals.

If you have a 2.0 or higher GPA, and are a senior graduating from high school, we encourage you to apply. One online application, for dozens of scholarship opportunities. Many of which have renewal opportunities. You do not need to decide in advance which scholarship you are applying for. Just submit the best application you can and we will handle the rest.

College Success Program

Every student who is awarded a scholarship from Kern Community Foundation takes part in our College Success Program. Here they are provided Academic Advising, Career Counseling, Transcript Review and Accountability, and Coordination with Financial Aid Offices.

For additional information, please visit our College Resources page or write to us at info@kernfoundation.org.

Already a Kern Community Foundation Scholarship Recipient? To access your account, click on the “Log In” button below.

For more information or assistance, please contact Angie Griffith at 661.325.5346 or Angela@kernfoundation.org.

Special Scholarship Opportunities through Kern Community Foundation

Peter Anthony Catholic Education Fund Scholarship for K-12 Catholic Education

Established in 2017, the Peter Anthony Catholic Education Scholarship provides tuition assistance to qualifying students for a Catholic education in Kern County.

This scholarship opportunity is open to students/families who fulfill the following criteria:

Active and practicing Catholics as verified by the parish pastor
Demonstrate financial need as verified by Kern Community Foundation
Attend or plan to enroll in a Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)-accredited K-12 Catholic school in Kern County
Complete the Peter Anthony Catholic Education Scholarship application through Kern Community Foundation with all materials by the deadline.

For more information or assistance, please contact Angie Griffith at 661.325.5346 or write to Angela@kernfoundation.org.

David Moore Agricultural Scholarship Fund

Established in 2005, the David Moore Agricultural Scholarship Fund (“Fund”), in memory of David Moore, is a permanently endowed scholarship fund. The Fund provides academic support to graduates of Kern County high schools who wish to pursue a career in agriculture. The current chair of the Fund’s Scholarship Committee is John Moore III, David Moore’s grandson.

The Fund provides financial assistance to students who are U.S. citizens, and graduates of a Kern County high school who demonstrate motivation, perseverance, and a sincere desire to pursue a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, and who wish to pursue a career in agriculture. Students are required to have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 at the time of application

Nickel Family Scholarship for Agricultural Education

The Nickel Family Scholarship for Agricultural Education (“Fund”) was established in 2015 by Adele Nickel, on behalf of the Nickel Family and the Nickel Family Trust. The permanently endowed scholarship fund provides academic support to Central Valley students interested in Agriculture.

The Fund provides financial assistance in the form of scholarships to students who are U.S. citizens, residents or former residents and high school graduates of Kern, Merced, Kings, Tulare and Fresno counties of California. Eligible students must have an interest in production agriculture and/or a career in farming or agribusiness. Students must demonstrate motivation, perseverance and a sincere desire to pursue a higher education. The scholarship is available to students admitted to community colleges, and public and private colleges and universities, including accredited technical schools. Students are required to have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 at the time of application.

Derek Brown Memorial Scholarship

In 2016, the Derek Brown Memorial Scholarship Fund (“Fund”) was established to preserve the legacy of Derek Brown. The permanent endowed scholarship fund provides academic support to student athletes from Sherman E. Burroughs High School in Ridgecrest, California.

The Fund provides financial assistance in the form of scholarships to student athletes who are U.S. citizens, residents or former residents and graduates of Sherman E. Burroughs High School and demonstrate motivation, perseverance and a sincere desire to pursue an associate’s or bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. The scholarship is available to students admitted to community colleges, and public and private colleges and universities, including accredited technical schools. Students are required to have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 at the time of application.

The Caratan Family Scholarship Fund

The Caratan Family Scholarship Fund was established in 2018. The permanently endowed scholarship fund provides academic support to graduates of Kern County high schools who wish to study STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics).

The Fund provides financial assistance to students who are U.S. citizens, residents, or former residents and graduates of a Kern County high school and demonstrate motivation, perseverance, and a sincere desire to pursue a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a STEM-related field. Selection is based on financial need, as well as a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 at the time of application.