College and Career Center

scholarship opportunities:

• May 1, 2025 Deadline: Tracy Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1537 Scholarship (local $500 scholarship (4 available) APPLY HERE
• May 3, 2025 Deadline: Children of Farm Worker Scholarship APPLY HERE
• May 9, 2025 Deadline: PepsiCo Agriculture Scholarship (WHS $250 scholarship (1 award) APPLY HERE
• May 9, 2025 Deadline: The Rich White Memorial Scholarship (local $250 scholarship (1 award) APPLY HERE
• May 9, 2025 Deadline: The Lynn Patteson Memorial Scholarship (WHS $250 scholarship (1 award) APPLY HERE
• May 9, 2025 Deadline: West High Blood Drive Scholarship Application (WHS scholarship) APPLY HERE
• May 17, 2025 Deadline: Kids' Chance of California Scholarship Application 2025-2026 APPLY HERE
• June 1, 2025 Deadline: Retired Public Employees of San Joaquin County Scholarship (local $2,000 scholarship (5 available) APPLY HERE

Helpful Scholarship Information:

• Class of 2025 Scholarship & Financial Aid Information Handout
• Helpful Scholarship websites and information
• Going Merry - Create an Account Flyer
• Going Merry - Six Great Options for Finding Scholarships
• fastweb Scholarships and Grants
• fastweb helpful guides for scholarships, financial aid and more
• College Board BigFuture Scholarships
• College Board BigFuture Scholarships Handout-Timeline
• College Board BigFuture Scholarships PowerPoint
• Link to TUSD District Scholarship Website Page

PLEASE NOTE: Local Scholarships become available in Spring Semester of Senior Year and will be posted here as received. For National scholarships, please create a profile at one of the sites listed above. National scholarship opportunities are posted here as received and through the national websites listed above.

• Sign up for the Career Center News and Scholarships Remind App for all updated scholarship opportunities-see Class information tabs for instructions

View Scholarships 101 for more info

FAFSA and California Dream Act (CADAA) application opens for the 2025-2026 application on December 1, 2024. 

An FSA ID is required for students and parents/guardians to electronically sign your applications. There is not a separate application to apply for Cal Grant. West High sends Cal Grant GPA verifications electronically to the State of California. The State of California pulls the information from FAFSA/CADAA to determine Cal Grant Status. Have your 2023 income tax information available to file and choose the year 2025-2026 FAFSA/CADAA. Priority deadline to file is March 2, 2025, after the December 1, 2024 application release. However, if you are attending a California Community College you may still apply until September 3, 2025. You are encouraged to apply as soon as possible once the application opens to determine your financial aid status. It is recommended you apply for FAFSA/CADAA even if you feel you won't qualify. Colleges and universities use this information to determine eligibility for financial aid and scholarships available at their campuses. When you receive confirmation your FAFSA/CADAA was accepted, be sure to read and follow all the directions provided. Ask your counselor if you have questions. 

The following links provide additional information to assist with your financial aid applications:

• Class of 2025 Scholarship & Financial Aid Information Handout
• Start your FAFSA application here
• Cal Grant Program Income Ceilings 2025-2026 here 
• Middle Class Scholarship Income Ceilings 2025-2026 here
• CA Dream Act Application Here 
• California Student Aid Commission (Cal Grant) Information Here
• Create your Cal Grant account through Web Grants 4 Students Here
• Creating the FSA ID 
• Is My Parent a Contributor Handout for FAFSA
• California Student Whose Contributor does NOT have a SSN Handout

COLLEGE BOARD-PLANNING CHECKLIST FOR STUDENT ATHLETES

STUDENTS SHOULD CONTACT THEIR COUNSELOR FOR MORE INFORMATION AND FEE WAIVER OPPORTUNITIES:

If you want to play NCAA sports at a Division I or II school, or an NAIA school, you need to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center or the NAIA Eligibility Center.  
The NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) works with you and your high school to help you prepare for life as a student-athlete.  To register, go to the NCAA Eligibility Center website.  This is where you will find the tools and information you need to begin your college experience as a student-athlete. Allow at least 15 minutes to one hour to register completely. If you need to exit and come back at a later time, you can save and exit once your account has been created.

Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center by following these steps: 
1. Visit www.eligibilitycenter.org and enter as a college-bound student-athlete. 
2. Create an account by clicking on the “New Account” button at the top right corner of the screen.
3. On the Account Creation page, provide a valid email address to create an account and begin the registration process. Be sure you provide an email address that will be active even after you complete high school.
4. On the About Me page, enter some quick facts, including your name, address, date of birth and gender.

REGISTRATION FEE AND WAIVER  Your account will be eligible for processing once the registration fee is paid or waived. You must pay online by debit, credit card or e-check. The registration fee is $90 for students.
 
The NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) is the governing  body of small athletic programs throughout the United States.  Register with the NAIA Eligibility Center by following these steps:
 
1. Visit www.playnaia.org to check out schools and to register.
2. Create a Student-Athlete Profile.
3. On the Student-Athlete Profile page, provide a valid email address to create an account and begin the registration process.  Be sure you provide an email address that will be active even after you complete high school.
4. Be sure to read all instructions regarding how to submit transcripts and required documents.

REGISTRATION FEE AND WAIVER  Your account will be eligible for processing once the registration fee is paid or waived.  You must pay online by debit or credit card.  The registration fee is $80 for students

• The Mayor's Summer Youth Internship Program will be a six-week program from June 16 - July 24.
• This program aims to give high school students who live in or attend school in the City of Tracy the chance to engage with workforce culture, which emphasizes creativity, critical thinking, and collaborative communication. The primary goal is to offer local youth valuable, paid work experience through this summer internship program, supporting and fostering the growth of emerging talent in our community.
• Students will work up to 20 hours per week in City departments and be paid bi-weekly. 
• The program will provide valuable work experience for young people interested in learning more about their local government. 
• Mayor's Summer Internship Program Website
• City of Tracy Employment Opportunities - Summer Intern Application

• Sow A Seed Community Foundation is seeking vibrant and proactive young leaders to join an
  innovative social media initiative in San Joaquin County. We need voices to enhance policies
  benefiting our local youth. Central areas of focus include equity, education, health, economic
  justice, environmental policies, and the youth's engagement within the community.

• Responsibilities include:

  • Participate in the production of visual, short-form digital content including graphics, videos and audio clips.

  • Develop and plan youth-led events, initiatives and activities

  • Develop strategies to translate social interactions for and by youth leaders that drive increased awareness of the youth justice movement.

  • Increase awareness of the youth-led initiatives through the posting of social media content

  • Attend events (in person or via online conferencing)
  • Demonstrate comfort and willingness to advocate publicly across various specific social platforms
  • Stay informed about local community development and issues affecting the youth of San Joquin County.
• Members will be meeting in person three times a week for an hour each day. Participants who complete all program requirements will receive a $1,000 stipend.
• For more information, reach out to our Youth Media Internship Coordinator, Joanna Fonseca, at (209) 229 - 4559 ext. 503 or via email at joanna@sowaseedcf.org
• Youth Media Internship Program Application