Valleywide : Deadline Extended to Apply for Scholarship

Valley high school students looking for help paying college or trade school tuition have an extra two weeks to apply for the San Fernando Valley Opportunity Through Education Scholarship.

The deadline for the scholarships was extended to Jan. 26 from the original closing date of Jan. 12.

The scholarship fund of at least $15,000 was the dream of a California Youth Authority parole agent, Patricia Franco, who established it with a $500 award she received for her community work. Franco set a goal of raising $15,000 to be used for scholarships.

With help from local high school students and community leaders, more than $5,000 was raised through car washes and other events. On Friday, Jess Gutierrez, co-chairman of the scholarship fund, said that judging by the tables to a March scholarship banquet that have been sold, the goal has been surpassed.

“The way things are going, we should have a full house,” said Gutierrez, another parole agent. Of 25 tables at the banquet, all but eight have been reserved at $1,000 each.

The Miller Brewing Co. is sponsoring the banquet, which will be held at the Odyssey restaurant in Granada Hills.

Scholarship application packets have been sent to all Valley high schools. They can also be picked up at Franco’s office at the California Youth Authority, 8737 Van Nuys Blvd., Panorama City.

Students with at least a C average who are active in their community are eligible.

To qualify, a student must also:

* be a Valley resident;

* demonstrate financial need;

* submit letters of recommendation from a teacher and a community member;

* write a short essay about him- or herself.

Those who attend a two-year college or vocational/trade school are eligible for a $500 scholarship. Students at four-year colleges are eligible for a $1,000 scholarship.