From our earliest beginnings, the Ed Fund has managed a college scholarship program benefiting low-income graduating seniors of the West Contra Costa Unified School District. Since 2005, over $1.6 million in scholarships have been awarded to over 550 students. The Scholarship Program is supported by the African American Male Scholarship, Bernice Bell Memorial Scholarship, and the Norma and Arthur Schroeder Family Foundation.

We believe everyone deserves the chance to go to college. Research shows that a college education significantly changes the trajectory of a student’s life. A college education is a difference-maker for many students. Students who attend college are more likely to enjoy greater career opportunities. From increasing annual earnings to creating our next leaders, a college education makes an impact on students, their families, and our community. College scholarships are an investment in the future of West Contra Costa County.

Over 550 graduates of the West Contra Costa Unified School District have received scholarships. All of the scholarship winners are low-income, and many of them are the first in their families to attain a higher education.

2021 Scholarship Closed

Our 2020 Scholarship Winners

In 2020, we partnered with the Office of African American Student Achievement to offer scholarships to graduating seniors. 2020 winners include:

El Cerrito High

• Ceray Seaton, Attending Contra Costa College, Schroeer Scholarship Recipient
• Destiny Obazee,Attending CSU East Bay, Gooden Award Recipient
• Jolay Futch, Attending Sacramento State, Gooden Award Recipient
• Jaszwan Veal, Attending Howard University, Schroeder Scholarship Recipient

Richmond High

• Zalea Monroe, Attending Sacramento State, Gooden Award Recipient
• Lisbeth Ledezma, Attending Sonoma State, Gooden Award Recipient

Kennedy High

• Bezawit Wassyhun, Kennedy High, Attending Cal State LA, Gooden Award Recipient
• Noelle Jones, Kennedy High, Attending Tuskegee University, Gooden Award Recipient

Middle College High

• Mya Lucas, Attending Cal State LA, Gooden Award Recipient

De Anza High

• Nyla Williams, Attending UC Berkeley, African American Student Scholarship Recipient

2021 Scholarship Closed

2020 Recipient highlights

“My name is Jaszwan Veal, I graduated El Cerrito High School and will be attending Howard University  as a physiology major in the fall. Thank you so much to Ed Fund for selecting me amongst many other bright scholars. We as the next generation hold the future in the palms of our hands and will use all we learn to make change for the better. Each one teach one!

Jaszwan Veal, El Cerrito High School, Attending Howard University

“I’m more than thankful to receive this aid and put it towards pursuing a higher education to proudly be a first gen student that advances into greater opportunities. Since I’ve had a recurring curiosity for the English subject throughout my life, I only wish to grow my interests as I transfer to UC Merced after community college.”

Ceray Seaton, El Cerrito High, Attending Contra Costa College