Scholarships for Students
The San Mateo County Association of Grand Jurors initiated a yearly scholarship in October 2006. The scholarships are presented to high school seniors who have submitted the best essay pertaining to the importance of the grand jury system in California. The scholarship will be presented to the student at the annual school award ceremony. Our goal is to focus on those schools where student needs are greatest. We offer one $1,000 scholarship and one $500 scholarship based on student essays that best meet our criteria.
(click above for the document)
This scholarship will be awarded based on the criteria listed below:
1. The applicant must be a graduating senior or have successfully completed 24 units of community college study.
2. Students applying should have at least a 2.0 grade point average.
3. A letter of application (PDF or Word) must be submitted which includes: a) a paragraph about you and your background; (b) community service; (c) clubs, interests and offices held, and (d) plans after high school or community college.
4. An essay (PDF or Word), answering the questions below, must be submitted with no less than 300 words and, at least three paragraphs. The essay must be well written and proofread for spelling errors. AI written essays will not be considered.
5. In order to write the essay, students must visit the California Grand Jurors Association (CGJA) at www.cgja.org.
There students will find a link at https://cgja.org/californias-civil-grand-juries/ to the booklet California’s Civil Grand Juries - History, Law, How They Operate, 4th Edition. Students are asked to read the entire booklet.
6. Based on what the students have learned from the CGJA website and reading the booklet, students are asked to answer the following questions when writing their essays:
•What is the purpose of the civil grand jury system (not to be confused with the criminal grand jury system) in California?
•What are its historical origins?
•Why do you think the civil grand jury system is important?
Name:
Last First
Address:
Street City Zip
Phone:
Email: ______________________________
School:
This award may be used for tuition and/or books for education beyond high school or community college. A representative of SMCAGJ is available to present the scholarship at a school awards assembly or virtual event.
The San Mateo County Association of Grand Jurors reserves the right to reject any and all essays that do not meet the above criteria.
By checking here ______ you give permission for the SMCAGJ to submit your essay, including your name, to a local newspaper for a potential Student Opinion or Guest Editorial column.
PLEASE RETURN THIS APPLICATION TO SanMateoCoAssocOfGrandJurors@gmail.com
Note that these scholarships are only offered at specific high schools and community colleges. Check with your guidance counselor or scholarship coordinator to determine if you or others at your school are eligible and for an official application form.
Past Award Winners include:
2023
Aran O’Sullivan
2017
Nathan Mora
2016
Jessica Reyes
2015
Stephanie Barrow
2014
Julian Matthew San Miguel
2013
Graham Birks
2012
Jackelin Amorin
2011
Heather Dobbins
2010
Andrew Bleich
2009
Brenda Day
2008
Marco Genesta