Students

2026 Scholarship Program Accepting Applications

APPLY ONLINE

2026 SCAG Scholarship Program applications are due electronically by 5 p.m., Friday, March 20.  

Know an eligible student? Please share the Scholarship Program factsheet with eligible students. 

Program Requirements

• Residency: Must be a resident within the SCAG region (i.e., Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, or Ventura counties, or on Tribal lands within the SCAG region) and be eligible to work in the United States.
• School Enrollment: Must be a graduating high school senior or currently enrolled in a two-year community college in the SCAG region. Graduating high school seniors must enroll in higher education (i.e., two- or four-year college or university) immediately following graduation from high school (i.e., no gap year).
• GPA Minimum: Candidates must have a 3.0 grade point average or higher (based on a 4.0, unweighted scale).
• Other requirements: Students may be asked to submit proof of eligibility to work in the United States if selected as a recipient. Successful recipients may be asked to provide a picture and quote to publicize SCAG’s Scholarship Program.   

Application Materials

• Minimum 500-word personal statement describing your interest in community planning, regional planning, urban planning, civil engineering, political science, public administration, sustainable development, or other related fields, and future career goals.
• Provide two letters of recommendation from individuals (e.g., teacher, counselor, coach, employer, etc.) not related to you and who can attest to your leadership ability and interest in public service. Letters of recommendation must be uploaded when you complete the online application.
• Submit transcript(s) from the school in which you are currently enrolled. Community college students must provide both high school and community college transcripts.
• Complete online application. 

Things to Consider When Applying

• Application packages that demonstrate a commitment to community planning, regional planning, urban planning, civil engineering, political science, public administration, sustainable development, or other related fields will be prioritized over application packages that do not.
• Scholarship recipients will be notified by May 8 concerning their selection. Unfortunately, SCAG is unable to notify unsuccessful applications due to the volume of applications received. 

2026 Student Showcase

The 2026 SCAG Student Showcase is now open. Final projects are due March 12 by 10 a.m.

SUBMIT HERE

2026 SCAG Student Showcase finalists will receive complimentary event registration, hotel accommodation, and admission to the 2026 Regional Conference and General Assembly in Palm Desert on May 7-8. At the conference, participants will present their posters and StoryMaps to elected officials and industry leaders from across Southern California. Over 900 attendees are expected at the event. 

A panel of judges will select one poster and one StoryMap for the “Best in Show” award. During the conference, attendees will also vote for a poster and StoryMap to be recognized with an “Audience Award.” All four awards, each worth $1,500, will be announced at the end of the conference. 

The Student Showcase guidelines have more information on scoring criteria and how to participate.