HomeMy WebLinkAboutD.2 - Staff Report - 2025 Academic Scholarship Program Application CycleSCHEDULED ITEM
D-2
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
VIA: SERGIO GONZALEZ, CITY MANAGER
FROM: TALEEN NAZARIAN, MANAGEMENT ANALYST
DATE: JULY 21, 2025
SUBJECT: 2025 CITY OF AZUSA ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM APPLICATION
CYCLE
BACKGROUND:
The City of Azusa Academic Scholarship Program was established to provide financial assistance to
qualified residents who intend to pursue post-secondary education and, in turn, develop into outstanding
residents and leaders who will benefit their community. Last year, upon the Azusa City Council’s direction
to reinstate the Academic Scholarship Program - which had been suspended during the Covid-19
pandemic - a series of updates were made to modernize the program and incentivize participation.
Upon its review, the program was updated to reflect an increase in funding and a modified application
process to minimize barriers to entry. As a result of the enhancements, the Program now awards a total of
up to four scholarships annually – two to high school seniors and two to adult learners. First-place
recipients in each category receive $2,000, while second-place recipients are awarded $1,000, for a total
of up to $6,000 annually. An Academic Scholarship Ad-Hoc Committee of the City Council, comprised
of Councilmembers Jesse Avila, Jr. and Andrew Mendez was established for the purposes of evaluating
qualified scholarship applications and making a final recommendation for award to the City Council.
The 2025 Academic Scholarship Program application cycle received 20 total applications. The City
Council’s Academic Scholarship Ad-Hoc Committee convened to review all submissions and finalize this
year’s recipients. In the High School Category, Jayden Fisher was awarded 1st Place, and Aubrey Gomez
was awarded 2nd Place. In the Adult Learner Category, Laura Lopez was awarded 1st place, and Joshua
Lopez Delgado was awarded 2nd place.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff Recommends that the City Council take the following action:
1)Approve the Azusa City Council Academic Scholarship Ad-Hoc Committee’s selection of the
2025 Academic Scholarship award recipients.
Approved
City Council
July 21, 2025
2025 City of Azusa Academic Scholarship Program Application Cycle
July 21, 2025
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ANALYSIS:
Funded as part of the development agreement with Vulcan Materials Company, the mission of the
Academic Scholarship Program is to support qualified, aspiring high school graduates and adult learners
in their pursuit of higher education at accredited educational or trade institutions by providing financial
assistance.
Up to four scholarships can be awarded per year, with a 1st place prize of $2,000 and a 2nd place prize of
$1,000 in both the High School Senior and Adult Advancement, totaling $6,000 annually. Scholarship
funds may only be used for tuition, student fees, room and board, and books.
Applicants were required to meet several qualifications, including residency in Azusa, minimum 2.75
GPA, demonstration of leadership or community involvement. In addition, applicants had to show proof
of financial need and acceptance into an accredited college, university, or trade school. The application
process was designed to be thorough, requiring a recommendation letter, copy of transcript, an essay
response to the given prompts, and financial information.
From January through April 2025, the City Manager’s Office led a promotional campaign to raise
awareness of the City’s community benefit programs. This included updates to the City website, creation
of digital content, and collaboration with community partners including Azusa Pacific University, Citrus
College, and Azusa Unified School District. The office also conducted outreach meetings with school and
community groups to promote the scholarship program, including:
• Virtual meeting with Azusa Unified School District community assistants and counselors
• An in-person principal meeting with parents and school staff at Azusa High School
• An in-person faculty and staff meeting at Sierra High School
The application cycle opened in March 2025 and closed in April 2025. A total of 20 applications were
received: 13 in the High School Senior category and 7 in the Adult Learner category. Following the
application review process, the City Council’s Scholarship Ad-Hoc Committee met to review all
submissions and select the final recipients. In the High School Category, Jayden Fisher was awarded 1 st
Place, and Aubrey Gomez was awarded 2nd Place. In the Adult Learner Cateogry, Laura Lopez was
awarded 1st place, and Joshua Lopez Delgado was awarded 2nd place.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Trust account 50-08-000-146-2719 was set up to track funds for the scholarship program. As of July 21,
2025, the available balance on the stated account is $66,800.00. With Council’s approval, a total of $6,000
will be allocated from Trust Account 50-08-000-146-2719 to fund the scholarship awards, with no impact
on other City budgets. Scholarship funds will be directed to the recipient’s educational institution and
deposited into the student’s designated academic account.
2025 City of Azusa Academic Scholarship Program Application Cycle
July 21, 2025
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Prepared by: Reviewed by:
Taleen Nazarian Nico De Anda-Scaia
Management Analyst Deputy City Manager
Reviewed and Approved:
Sergio Gonzalez
City Manager