Solano Community Foundation Scholarships

Solano Community Foundation has once again passed the rigorous National Standards Compliance for U.S. Community Foundations administered by the Council on Foundations. National Standards represent the highest measure of accountability and transparency in philanthropy. We are proud to have achieved reconfirmation of these rigorous standards in donor services, investment management, grantmaking, and administration. 

The Harry and Eleanor D. Nelson Scholarship 

Recognizes continued academic excellence and community service while attending high school. This generous scholarship is made possible by the Harry and Eleanor D. Nelson Vacaville Endowment Fund, a component fund of the Solano Community Foundation.

AWARD AMOUNT: five $20,000, renewable over four years, made in payments of $5,000 each in the fall of each academic year.

APPLICATION START DATE: January 26, 2026

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: April 1, 2026

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS:

• Vacaville resident and a graduating senior currently attending Vacaville High School, Will C. Wood High School, or Buckingham Collegiate Charter Academy
• have been enrolled at one of the above schools for their entire junior and senior years

ALL APPLICANTS MUST:  

• have earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 at the time their transcript is submitted
• demonstrate financial need
• provide a verifiable record of involvement in school and community service activities
• be accepted to (and planning to attend) a four-year college or university as a full-time student

HOW TO APPLY: Fill out the Google Form Scholarship Application.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

• A copy of of your most recent transcript from your high school office/registrar and it must include Senior Year Fall Semester Grades
• One academic letter of recommendation from an instructor, teacher, employer, coach, or community member

Note: All Scholarship recipients must complete and return a Student Enrollment Verification Form. Students awarded a renewable scholarship are required to submit a verification form each year, to receive renewal payments.

JAMES W. CAUGHY AND FLORENCE L. CAUGHY VERBEEK VACAVILLE HIGH SCHOOL MEMORIAL SERVICE AWARD FUND

2026 Scholarship Cycle Now OPEN - Deadline to apply is April 1, 2026

The James W. Caughy and Florence L. Caughy Verbeek Vacaville High School Memorial Service Award recognizes sustained academic excellence and community service. This scholarship is made possible by the James W. Caughy and Florence L. Caughy Verbeek Vacaville High School Memorial Service Award Fund, a component fund of the Solano Community Foundation.

AWARD AMOUNT: two $4,000

APPLICATION START DATE: January 26, 2026

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: April 1, 2026

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS:

having attended Vacaville High School for their entire junior and senior years

ALL APPLICANTS MUST:

• have minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
• be planning to attend a four-year college/university in California
• have a record of community volunteer service or employment for at least two years

HOW TO APPLY: Fill out the Google Form Scholarship Application.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

• A copy of your most recent transcript from your high school office/registrar and it must include Senior Year Fall Semester Grades
• One academic letter of recommendation from an instructor, teacher, employer, coach, or community member

DR. ETHAN R. SELLERS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND

2026 Scholarships Cycle - Deadline to apply extended to April 1, 2026

The Dr. Ethan R. Sellers Memorial Scholarship was established to honor the memory of Dr. Ethan Ross Sellers. The recipient must:

• come from a disadvantaged/underserved background or
• plan to work in an underserved or underrepresented community or
• belong to a community which is underrepresented in healthcare professions

Scholarships awarded are made possible from the Dr. Ethan R. Sellers Memorial Scholarship Fund, a component fund of the Solano Community Foundation.

AWARD AMOUNT: One scholarship at $5,000

APPLICATION START DATE: February 18, 2026

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: April 1, 2026

ELIGIBLE APPLICANT:

• Has completed at least three years of undergraduate studies by the end of June of the year in which the scholarship will be awarded, with at least a 3.2 cumulative grade point average (GPA)
• Is pursuing a degree in the healthcare field AND attends a school in either Solano County, Yolo County, Napa County, or the state of Pennsylvania
• Must meet one of the following criteria:
  • Be in pursuit of a 4-year university degree, at a minimum
  • Be accepted to a post-graduate program
  • Be a post-graduate student

HOW TO APPLY: Fill out the Google Form Scholarship Application.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

• A copy of your most recent transcript
• Two letters of recommendation (one from an academic provider and one from a non-academic provider)
• Demonstrate financial need

GEORGE C. PAPPAS SCHOLARSHIP FUND

2026 George C. Pappas Scholarship Cycle Now OPEN - Deadline to apply is April 10, 2026

This generous scholarship is made possible by the George C. Pappas Scholarship Fund, a component fund of the Solano Community Foundation.

AWARD AMOUNT: two $15,000 (This scholarship will be made in payments of $3,750 in the fall of each academic year, renewable up to four years, for a total award amount of up to $15,000.)

APPLICATION START DATE: March 9, 2026

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: April 10, 2026

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS:

• Must be a member of the Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Vallejo, CA
• Must be a U.S. citizen

APPLICANTS WHO ARE CURRENT HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS:

• Will have maintained at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) during their high school junior and senior years if planning to attend a four-year college or university
• Will have maintained at least a 2.5 cumulative grade point average (GPA) during their high school junior and senior years if planning to attend a certified vocational or trade school
• Must submit copy of your most recent transcript from your high school office/registrar and it must include Senior Year Fall Semester Grades
• Must submit one academic letter of recommendation from an instructor, teacher, employer, coach, or community member

APPLICANTS WHO ARE RETURNING LEARNERS:

• Must be planning to enroll in an accredited four-year college, university, or certified vocational/trade school
• Must submit one academic letter of recommendation from a community member

ALL APPLICANTS:

• Must demonstrate financial need
• May be awarded for one to four years of study (with annual renewal requirements and payments)
• Must complete a written Essay on the meaning and purpose of the U.S. Constitution, find the prompt online.

HOW TO APPLY:

Google Form Scholarship Application for Current High School Seniors

Google Form Scholarship Application for Returning Learners

Note: All Scholarship recipients must complete and return a Student Enrollment Verification Form. Students awarded a renewable scholarship are required to submit a verification form each year, to receive renewal payments.