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It’s Scholarship Season Seniors!

In the U.S. student debt has reached around $1.8 trillion as of late 2025. The average graduate takes about 20 years to pay off their loans. Some professional graduates take over 25 years to repay college debt. Scholarships can help prevent this by providing aid and assistance to students seeking higher education.

Brielle Lee, Photo Editor • January 16, 2026

Iman Elkoustaf

For many seniors, scholarships are a vital part of the college application process. Check out these scholarships to know eligibility and deadlines.

Scholarships

Anne Ford and Allegra Ford Thomas Scholarship

$10,000 scholarship for students with a documented learning disability. Students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) who also have a learning disability are highly encouraged to apply. Eligible disabilities include: dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, and dyspraxia. The scholarship is international and the application process involves submitting FAFSA information, detailed Estimated Family Contribution (EFC), one or more recommendations, and responses to three questions, answered in either text, video, or audio format. Apply here.

SoCal Edison Award

50,000 STEM College scholarships for high school seniors. Scholarship goes to 30 high school seniors passionate in science, technology, engineering or math. Requirements is at least a cumulative 3.0 GPA, in an eligible STEM major. Apply here.

Sonance Foundation Scholarship

Deadline is January 31, 2026 and is only available for San Juan Hills and San Clemente high school students with at least a 3.0 GPA. The scholarship supports higher education alongside a focus on community service and beach protection. Apply here.

Professional Business Women of California (PBWC) Scholarship

$1,000-$15,000 to high school seniors who are female and California residents and demonstrates community involvement, leadership, and notable academic or extracurricular achievements. Application deadline is on January 26. Apply here.

Cherry Hawk Scholarship

Offers $5,000 to students seeking higher education who have been diagnosed with cancer in the past. Over 2,000 scholarships are available and applications are due on January 31st. Apply here.

California Assn. of Collectors Educational Scholarship Foundation

Up to $2,500 scholarship and is open to all California high school juniors and seniors. Applicants must write an original essay following the topic: The importance of establishing and maintaining good financial credit during your college years. Applications are due on January 31st. Apply here.

APIQWTC Scholarship

Scholarship offers up to $3,5000 to Asian and Pacific Islander Queer Women and Transgender communities. The application process involves a personal statement highlighting your community involvement and leadership goals. Apply here,

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About the Contributors

Brielle Lee, Photo Editor

Brielle Lee is a senior at San Juan Hills Highschool and has been apart of The Express for two years now. During school she is a part of Model United Nations and is president of the club chapter Best Buddies. Brielle’s passion in life is traveling; she’s only been to three continents so far but plans on visiting all before the age of 50. Brielle loves all forms of art, from music, to film, painting, and photography. Some of her favorites include Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind to any movie directed by Jordan Peele. In her free time she enjoys swimming in the ocean, scrapbooking, and binge watching her favorites. Brielle is excited for her senior year and hopes to bring a positive lens to her school’s campus.

Iman Elkoustaf, Feature Editor

Iman Elkoustaf is a senior at San Juan Hills. This year marks her second year on The Express, and she is so excited to continue growing connections, meeting new people, and producing great journalism. Within San Juan Hills, Iman is very spirited and loves staying involved on campus. Outside of school, Iman is a principal dancer at Repertory Ballet San Clemente, teaches ballet to young girls, and loves spending time with friends and family. She is looking forward to growing her journalism skills as Feature Editor of The Express this year!

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