New Chancellor’s Associates Scholars Program Helps Make Dream of College Reality

While getting into a top college is a dream come true for many high school students, paying for it can become something of a nightmare. But for a few local students, the cost of college will be significantly easier to bear thanks to UC San Diego’s new Chancellor’s Associates Scholars Program.

Photo by Erik Jepsen/UC San Diego Publications

The undergraduate scholarship program, announced by Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla last spring, provides $10,000 a year for four years at UC San Diego to eligible graduates of three local high schools: The Preuss School UCSD, Gompers Preparatory Academy and Lincoln High School. The three schools, which partner with UC San Diego, work with historically under-served communities to support their youth through high school, and in seeking an education that prepares them to be college-ready.

For Gompers student Daniela Valez, the scholarship means she’ll be able to attend UC San Diego in the fall to study psychology, something she was unsure of before due to the cost.

“What this scholarship has done is it is making my dream come true,” she said. “This is what I needed and I’m so grateful. It is not only for this year but assuring me four years.”

Valez was one of six students at Gompers who qualified for the scholarship. Ten students at Lincoln High School and 29 students at Preuss were offered the scholarships as well. Of the 45 students offered the scholarships, 29 accepted: 17 from Preuss, 7 from Lincoln and 5 from Gompers.

To be eligible for the program, students from the three schools must be accepted at UC San Diego and be eligible for the University of California’s Blue + Gold Opportunity Plan. Under the plan, student services fees will be covered for California residents whose families earn less than $80,000 a year and qualify for financial aid. The Chancellor’s Associates scholarships will cover other costs including books, transportation and living expenses.

“I think what is happening with the Chancellor’s Associates scholarship fund builds a bridge between schools and higher education,” said Gompers Director Vincent Riveroll. “That’s a great thing.”

The scholarships were made possible by funding from Chancellor’s Associates, a university donor group. This loyal network of alumni, parents and friends makes an annual investment of $2,500 each, giving the chancellor the flexibility to respond to the university’s most urgent needs and critical priorities.