Scholarship Programs
Academic Scholarships
The Santa Cruz Chapter supports scholarships for students from public Santa Cruz County high schools and from Cabrillo College. In recent years, our Chapter has awarded $20,000 annually in scholarships to Santa Cruz County students, placing the Santa Cruz Chapter ahead of most Alumni organizations in the CSU system in the amount of scholarship funds awarded. Most scholarships are in the amount of $1,000 annually and are renewable for four years for high school students and for two years for Cabrillo transfers. Applications for high school students and for Cabrillo students can be found here: Scholarship Applications. The deadline for filing applications is usually March 30 or 31 each year.
Donations to all scholarships may be made using our Scholarship Donation Form.
Margaret Pedulla Scholarship
The Margaret Pedulla Scholarship is being offered by the Pedulla and Murdock families in honor of the late Margaret Murdock Pedulla (1941-2020.) Margaret earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish from San Jose State University with Highest Honors in 1960 and was inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi international collegiate honor society. She earned her Masters’ Degree in Spanish Translation at the Monetary Institute of International Studies. Her family wishes to support the educational goals of a student entering San Jose State University after graduating from Watsonville or Pajaro Valley High School or Cabrillo College. We intend to select a student who shares Margaret’s commitment to academic excellence, literacy, life-long learning, language development and service to the community.
Lynda Phillips Business Scholarship
Lynda Phillips, a De Anza College transfer student, attended SJSU part time at night while working at Lockheed Martin and being a single parent. She overcame several challenges including work, finances, time management and family obligations to obtain her lifetime goal of a college degree, graduating in 1987 at age 40. Preference for the award of this scholarship will be a Business major who is facing additional challenges in completing their degree such as single parenthood, working, and/or being a returning student. If no applicants meet the preferred criteria, this scholarship is to go to the most deserving applicant.
Jeanne Ulwelling Memorial Scholarship
Jeanne Ulwelling (1941-2020) was a fluent speaker of French who taught for many years at Aptos High School. As the plaque commemorating her retirement states, Mrs. Ulwelling was ”a classy professional woman of hard work, integrity and kindness.”
Jeanne was very active in the affairs of her community, volunteering her services in an after-school French program for elementary students, and organizing a middle school orchestra in the Scotts Valley School District. In retirement, she served as Director of the Alliance Française Adult Education School. Finally, Jeanne helped to spearhead a drive to establish the Glenwood Open Space Preserve in Scotts Valley.
Jeanne passed away after succumbing to cancer. This scholarship is given to assist students who wish to pursue a career in nursing, medicine or education at San Jose State University.
Gurbachan Singh "Bachi" Jauhal Memorial Scholarship
Bachi Jauhal (1935-2020) was born in the Punjab State of India. He received his Bachelor of Arts and Masters degrees in school psychology from San Jose State University. He worked in the Morgan Hill School District for 32 years as a school psychologist and retired in 2000.
Bachi was a resident of Aptos since 1970 and a long time Santa Cruz Area Chapter member of the SJSU Alumni Association. This scholarship is given to assist students who wish to pursue a career in psychology or education at San Jose State University.
SJSU Marching Band Scholarships
The Chapter awards scholarships to the Spartan Marching Band, helping students who are members of our award-winning band with related expenses. Recipients are determined by the SJSU Marching Band director.