--- title: "Scholarship Opportunities" id: "14960" type: "page" slug: "scholarships" published_at: "2022-08-31T17:10:35+00:00" modified_at: "2026-11-06T23:05:48+00:00" url: "https://www.bgcaz.org/scholarships/" markdown_url: "https://www.bgcaz.org/scholarships.md" excerpt: "There are multiple opportunities for you to grow at Boys & Girls Clubs. Take a look at our different scholarship opportunities specifically for you!" --- # Scholarship Opportunities # Scholarship Opportunities - [About](#) - [Renee Parsons Scholarship](#) - [S.T.E.P. Scholarship Fund](#) - [Clark Foundation Academic Award](#) - [Kaizen Scholarship](#) - [Diamondbacks Branch Scholarship Fund](#) - [BGCAZ Scholarship](#) - [Chloe Jacobsen Scholarship](#) - [Henry "Leke" Olea Scholarship](#) There are multiple opportunities for you to grow at Boys & Girls Clubs. Take a look at our different scholarship opportunities specifically for you! ## 1. About Why should teens continue to be involved in the Boys & Girls Clubs? 1. 1. All clubs offer volunteering opportunities/ community service that a teens can use when applying for scholarships 2. Club Teens can receive additional college access support such as: applying for FAFSA, applying for scholarships, understanding college admission, etc. 3. BGCAZ offers several post-secondary education scholarships 4. BGCAZ offers club teens with career exposure and professional contacts that help them grow in to the career. 5. Club teens can explore what post-secondary education pathway is a best fit for him/her (community college, 4-year university, trade/technical program) [^ Return to Top](#) ## 2. Renee Parsons Scholarship This scholarship recognizes young women who demonstrate leadership qualities in collaboration, assertiveness, exhibit empathy, display outstanding academics, and show motivation. - Girls Leadership Award winner can receive a scholarship valued up to $80K ($10K per semester) - Girls Excellence Award winner can receive a scholarship valued up to $40K ($5K per semester) #### **Scholarship Requirements:** - Be an active Club member, volunteer or AZYouthforce participant (Club membership will be verified) - Be a Junior or Senior in high school - Must have a GPA 2.8 or higher - Demonstrate financial need #### **Application Process:** - This application is powered by Google forms; you will need to sign-in into your Gmail account; If you do not have one you will need to create one - Applicants will be allowed only one submission - you will not be allowed to edit your response after your application is submitted - Applicants will receive a copy of application Applications open August 1 at 10:00 am and close October 3 at 11:59 pm MST. [Apply Now](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc-dekqV35C02PlxfpHTu4dxi0ZiECJcM2cweYBjKcnHVTPDQ/viewform?usp=header) [Download Renee Parsons Scholarship Flyer (PDF)](https://www.bgcaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Renee-Parsons-Scholarship-BRPF-Flyer-2026.pdf) [^ Return to Top](#) ## 3. Skilled Trade Education Program Scholarship Fund (S.T.E.P.) This scholarship is to assist underserved teens interested in Skilled Trades as a career with the cost of (tuition, books, and tools). Scholarship funds will be granted twice a year, one scholarship in the summer and one scholarship in the fall. The first year will focus on the areas of Automotive, Electrical, and Apartment Maintenance. AZYouthforce will take in consideration other trades based on cost and additional financial aid resources. #### Why the establishment of a Skilled Trades Scholarship Program is Important to the Bloss Family: The neighborhood my wife and I grew up in consisted mainly of factory workers, mom and pop small businesses, etc; the typical blue-collar environment. Both of our fathers lost their jobs when the Studebaker Auto plant closed it’s doors in the mid 60’s. This not only devastated our families but the entire community as well. Not having any technical skills to fall back on, they both took jobs that paid the bills, but not much more. They were the fortunate ones. We decided to establish this AZYouthForce Skilled Trades Scholarship fund because we believe that having a skilled trade capability is vital for a person’s long-term financial stability, especially for those teens that don’t see themselves succeeding in a 4-year college degree environment. With a background in a sought-after trade, a young person has the opportunity for a meaningful future, full of promise, success and personal accomplishment that will last a lifetime. #### **Criteria:** - HS Seniors or graduating within the application year - High School Diploma or GED - Complete an AZYF internship - Apply for FAFSA (if available at the chosen institution) - Male or Female - Financial need statement - Unofficial transcripts GPA 2.0 - One letter recommendation - Applicants will use Pell Grant first then scholarship funds - Scholarship amount $3000 up to $5000 depending on FAFSA #### Process: 1. Interested applicants must submit application, which includes financial need statement and letter of recommendation. 2. AZYF team along with other staff members will review application and recommend the candidate to receive scholarship 3. AZYF staff member will remain in touch with student during the training to provide support [Download Flyer (PDF)](https://www.bgcaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/STEP-Scholarship-Fund-Flyer.pdf) Please contact [Samantha Hansen](mailto:samantha.hansen@bgcaz.org) if you have any questions! [Apply Now](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1mF8eovo6qdpborAUJHgqxB1vyroi0-j75cagQtKJomY/viewform?edit_requested=true) ## 4. Clark Foundation Academic Award #### Award Guidelines: - Eligible institutions include Accredited Post-Secondary Education Institutions - Awards of $1000 per academic year are available - Allowable Expenses: tuition; test fees; lab fees; books or required class supplies - Awards are renewable for 2 years after initial award #### **Criteria:** - Applicants must have been active members of the **Robson Branch** of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley within their last three years of high school (sophomore, junior, or senior year) and have documented Club attendance of 20 or more days per year - First time applicants must have completed their 1st year Post-Secondary course work (Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC) students will receive preference - Renewing applicants must show successful progress through applicable program - Applicants must complete a FAFSA application and provide verification of having done so #### Application Process: ##### New Applicants - Complete an application form - Attach copy of most recent college transcript - Provide a letter of recommendation from a former instructor or acquaintance (other than a family member) who has known for 3 years or longer ##### Renewing Applicants - Complete a renewal application form - Personal letter including program progress and intentions for continued enrollment - Copy of upcoming program schedule - Copy of most recent program progress report - [Download Flyer (PDF)](https://www.bgcaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Clark-Foundation-Award-Flyer.pdf) [Apply Now](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc5aUIkQ_7GZavrk655OPomUBmBfozrcKkdrsIYKBOzlXNubw/viewform?usp=header) ## 5. Kaizen Scholarship The Kaizen Scholarship recognizes a club member that demonstrates the following leadership qualities: - ***Collaboration:*** the ability to work with a team, reach consensus and achieve results - ***Communication:*** successful at conveying and/or sharing of ideas and feelings. - ***Critical Thinking:*** disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered - ***Resiliency:*** the process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences, especially through mental, emotional, and behavioral flexibility and adjustment to external and internal demands - ***Social Activism/Community Service:*** working with other people to bring about a change in society and/or voluntary work intended to help people in a particular area #### Criteria: - Must be a Youth of the Year participant - Must maintain 2.5 GPA - Must demonstrate leadership qualities including social activism [Download Flyer (PDF)](https://www.bgcaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Kaizen-Scholarship-Flyer.pdf) [Apply Now](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc_528L62XfEqB3oZBce8Q0QnVP8ZGv9JmPeUJ70x4LiltXVA/viewform?usp=header) ## 6. Diamondbacks Branch Jackie Robinson Scholarship Fund The Arizona Diamondbacks Branch Jackie Robinson Scholarship Fund gives current and alumni Diamondbacks Branch members the opportunity to receive up to $35,000 in scholarships. #### Criteria: - This academic scholarship is available to Diamondbacks Branch current and alumni members. [Download Flyer (PDF)](https://www.bgcaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Arizona-Diamondbacks-Foundation-Scholarship-Flyer.pdf) [Apply Now](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe_7Qd5YJt5htyBwEoEAQgG6lPAMl7XQsRm0497awm9fNuFxw/viewform?usp=header) ## 7. BGCAZ Scholarship Are you in need of financial aid for academic pursuits? Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley may be able to assist with high school and/or college fees associated with dual enrollment classes, lab fees, certifications, and other school-related expenses. Please feel out this form to see if you are eligible for an academic grant. #### Criteria: - Must be a Youth of the Year participant - Must maintain 2.8 GPA - Must demonstrate leadership qualities including social activism #### Application Process: This application requires that you upload a copy of high school/college transcripts and a letter of recommendation from a Boys & Girls Club staff member. Please have both documents ready to upload prior to starting the application. [Download Flyer (PDF)](https://www.bgcaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/General-Scholarship-Flyer.pdf) Any questions can be directed to the Academic & Scholarship Manager, [Malajisa Harris](mailto:malajisa.harris@bgcaz.org) . [Apply Now](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSesJAMi1IdZrpchWFyDDd5e3miS1z51KivkDRAkNbf4CjkFug/viewform?usp=header) ## 8. Chloe Jacobsen Scholarship The Chloe Jacobsen Scholarship recognizes a member of an East Valley Club that demonstrates the following leadership qualities: - ***Collaboration:*** the ability to work with a team, reach consensus and achieve results - ***Communication:***successful at conveying and/or sharing of ideas and feelings. - ***Critical Thinking:*** disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered - ***Resiliency:***the process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences, especially through mental, emotional, and behavioral flexibility and adjustment to external and internal demands - ***Social Activism/Community Service:*** working with other people to bring about a change in society and/or voluntary work intended to help people in a particular area #### Criteria: - Must be a High School Junior or Senior - Must be attending an East Valley Branch - Must have a 2.5 GPA or higher - Must submit 2 letters of recommendation and a copy of an unofficial transcript [Download Flyer (PDF)](https://www.bgcaz.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Chloe-Jacobsen-Scholarship-Flyer-2026.pdf) Any questions can be directed to the Academic & Scholarship Manager, [Malajisa Harris](mailto:malajisa.harris@bgcaz.org) . Applications close October 31 at 11:59 pm MST. [Apply Now](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf8beLJcuesJipbwq_VFHjt-Kz-eFWrk6GZlIZveGf7N0nyxA/viewform?usp=header) ## 10. Henry "Leke" Olea Alumni Scholarship #### Name of Award: Henry "Leke" Olea Alumni Scholarship #### Target: Junior and Senior Club members #### Scholarship requirements: - Must have a 2.8 GPA or higher - Must be Junior or Senior in high school Any questions can be directed to the Academic & Scholarship Manager, [Malajisa Harris](mailto:malajisa.harris@bgcaz.org) . [Apply Now](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc64L30faFVGqq49BdfeugHZYJeT8Peabk0iexJLrGVqXBgBw/viewform?usp=header) [^ Return to Top](#)