Applications for the Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship Are Open

Students/Education • By The Vineyard Team • Published on February 11

Vineyard Team's Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship

Helping Children of Wine Industry Workers

Higher education is important to many students but paying for college can be challenging. The Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship makes higher education investments in the children of California's vineyard and winery workers. The majority of awardees are the first in their family to attend college. First-generation students have more barriers when it comes to attaining higher education – they cannot ask their parents how to navigate the system, budgets are often tight, and they can feel guilty for leaving their families. This funding helps students and their families achieve their dream of becoming a college graduate and pursuing a professional career.

More Than a Scholarship

Because our goal is college success, the program includes multi-year scholarships to trade, two-, or four-year schools. We also provide a dedicated mentor to support the students throughout their collegiate career. With the help of our community, we can transform lives by increasing graduation rates and developing a qualified workforce that will contribute to their communities.

Apply

Scholarships are awarded based on financial need, academic excellence, and community, work and/or caregiver responsibilities. Multi-year scholarship awards range from $1,000 ‐ $6,000 per student per year. The number of scholarships awarded is based on fund availability.

Eligibility

  • Graduating high school seniors or high school graduates who have never attended college.
  • Applicant or applicant’s parent/guardian must be employed or contracted by the vineyard and winery industry.
  • Applicant must plan to enroll and complete at least one full year of study at full-time status
  • Live in California

Applicant Must Demonstrate:

  • Financial need
  • A strong academic record with at least a 2.5 GPA.
  • Involvement in: School extracurricular activities; Community service projects or activities; Workforce; and/or caregiving or home responsibilities.

Material Checklist:

  • Gmail account to complete the application. 
  • Work and extracurricular activities
  • School, volunteer, family and work-related
  • 4 Short Essay (100 to 150 words) 
  1. Explain your career aspirations and your educational plan to meet these goals. Be specific.
  2. Explain how you have helped your family or made your community a better place to live. Provide specific examples.
  3. Describe a personal accomplishment and the strengths and skills you used to achieve it.
  4. Describe a significant change or experience that has occurred in your life. How did you respond and what did you learn about yourself?
  • Letter of Recommendation (upload)
  • Unofficial Transcript (upload)

Deadline:

  • Submit applications by March 31, 2025.

Email alex@vineyardteam.org for any questions.



Are You a Wine Industry Employer?

Make sure your staff knows their college and trade school-bound students are eligible to apply for the Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship. This community-funded program helps college students achieve their dreams.