Local Scholarships

Each year we raise money to award scholarships to Cabrillo College and the University of California at Santa Cruz County students. Our donations, together with funds from our three endowments allow us to continue making a difference for these students.

• • • AAUW Santa Cruz Branch, Carol M. Symons Endowed Scholarship
    • AAUW, Santa Cruz County (Watsonville) Branch Scholarship
    • AAUW Santa Cruz County (Watsonville) Branch Maybelle M. Congdon, Clara Dickson, and Grace Dickson Smith Endowed Scholarship

In 2024 we granted scholarships to eight Cabrillo College students. We encourage donations to this tax–exempt fund. Donors who wish to support this worthwhile project can donate here.

Tech Trek

Our branch works with the American Association of University Women (AAUW) California to organize their STEM camps called Tech Trek. This six-day camp is for 8th-grade girls from across the central coast who are recommended by their science/math/ technology teachers and will have competed for their place at camp. These are excellent students eager to learn. The selection criteria include choosing Santa Cruz County girls who might not otherwise have the opportunity for this type of experience.

This year 80 girls will attend classes all week that include hands-on activities they might not normally do in school. We also hope to broaden their career options by having them meet women with STEM Careers. Our goal is to encourage girls to take as much science and math in high school as possible, which will allow them the full range of majors in college and career choices.

Our AAUW branches support the camps so there is no cost to camper families. We appreciate our members’ and community’s continued support. You can donate here.

AAUW Funds:

In the 2022-23 academic year, AAUW awarded over $6 Million in fellowship grants. We gave 320 awards to women and community projects in 2022-23 in the United States. Locally we donate to the AAUW Fund.  You can contribute here.