SDG&E Inspiring Future Leaders
STEM Scholarship Program

Investing in the next generation through higher education is one way SDG&E is committed to building stronger communities together

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The 2023 SDG&E Inspiring Future Leaders STEM Scholarship Program is now closed.
Meet our 2023 Scholarship Recipients

Program Overview

 The SDG&E Inspiring Future Leaders STEM Scholarship Program, also called the SDG&E Scholarship Program, provides financial assistance to historically underrepresented students who reside within SDG&E’s service territory and are pursuing or plan to pursue a STEM degree at a college or university.

Eligibility Requirements

 Applicants to the SDG&E Scholarship Program must …

  • Self-identify as either:
    • Women (all races/ethnicities are eligible) OR 
    • Black or African American; American Indian or Alaska Native; Hispanic or Latino; Asian, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander (all genders are eligible).
  • Be high school seniors, high school graduates or current college undergraduates.
     
  • Plan to enroll in a full-time, undergraduate STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) area of study at an accredited, two- or four-year college or university for the entire 2023-24 academic year.*
     
  • Have a permanent address in SDGE’s service territories of San Diego County and South Orange County.
    • Service territories in South Orange County include Dana Point, Ladera Ranch, Laguna Niguel, Rancho Mission Viejo, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Laguna Hills (southern part), Mission Viejo (southern part) and Laguna Woods (southern part).**

*Healthcare and educational areas of study are not eligible for the scholarship.

**Enter your zip code below to confirm zip code eligibility.

 Employees and children of employees of Sempra Energy, SDG&E, Southern California Gas Company and any of their affiliates are not ineligible for the scholarship.

Find Out if Your Zip Code Qualifies

Type in your zip code here. 

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Award Details

Scholarship recipients will receive a $10,000 award; up to 10 awards will be granted.

Awards are granted for undergraduate study only. Awards may be renewed for up to three additional years or until a bachelor’s degree is earned — whichever occurs first. Renewal is contingent upon satisfactory academic performance in a full-time course of study.

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Notification & Payment Timeline

All scholarship applicants will be notified mid-June 2023.

Scholarship America processes scholarship payments on behalf of SDG&E. Payments to scholarship recipients will be made in early August 2023. The payment will be sent directly to the college or university that the recipient indicated.

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Recipient Selection Criteria

Scholarship recipients are selected based on the following criteria:

  • Academic record
  •  Demonstrated leadership and participation in school and community activities
  • Paid work experience during the past four years
  • A statement of educational and career goals and objectives
  • Unusual personal or family circumstances
  • An online recommendation from someone (e.g, school counselor, job supervisor, professor/teacher, coach or mentor) who can provide details about applicants’ skills, strengths and goals
  • Demonstrated financial need

Additionally, preference will be given to students who self-identify as first-generation college students.

Please note that selection of recipients is made by Scholarship America. In no instance does any officer or employee of SDG&E play a part in the selection. Not all applicants to the program will be selected as recipients. All applicants agree to accept the decision as final.

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Required Materials

To apply for the scholarship, applicants must upload the following:

  • A current, complete transcript of grades.
    • Grade reports are not accepted. Transcripts must display student name, school name, grades and credit hours for each course and term in which each course was taken.
  • A copy of the first two pages of the most recently filed IRS Form 1040, which will be used for the “Financial Information” section of the application.
     
  • One online recommendation form, which must be submitted on the applicant's behalf no later than Tuesday, May 2, 2023 at 1 p.m. Pacific Time.

In addition to the above requirements, applicants may also choose to provide SAT or ACT scores. If SAT or ACT test scores are not listed on the applicant's high school transcript, they will need to upload a copy of their test score report(s) separately. SAT or ACT scores are not necessary for college transcripts.

Your application is not complete unless all required materials are submitted electronically.

How to Apply

The 2023 SDG&E Inspiring Future Leaders STEM Scholarship Program is now closed.