AAUW Atascadero (CA) Branch Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by American Association of University Women Inc

## AAUW: Mission and Local Impact
**Mission:** The American Association of University Women (AAUW) advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research.
**Local impact:** Local branches translate that mission into concrete support, including scholarships that help women continue their higher-education paths. This article focuses on the Atascadero Branch’s scholarship offerings and how candidates are selected.

Key takeaways:
- AAUW works at national and local levels to promote gender equity.
- Local branches provide scholarships as a primary means of support.
- Scholarship programs align with AAUW’s advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research goals.

## Atascadero Branch Scholarship Program
**Purpose:** The Atascadero Branch awards scholarships each year to women who have completed at least one year of college and who have local ties to the North County.
**Award size and frequency:** Recent awards have ranged from $500 to $2,000, and scholarships are granted annually to help defray educational costs.

Key takeaways:
- Scholarships are awarded annually by the Atascadero Branch.
- Applicants must have completed one year or more of college at an accredited institution.
- Recent awards have typically been between $500 and $2,000.

## Georgie Arnold Scholarship Fund
**Origin:** The Georgie Arnold Scholarship was established in memory of Georgie by her family and friends through the Atascadero AAUW.
**Designated use:** This fund is specifically reserved for women pursuing careers in education and is administered as part of the branch’s scholarship program.

Key takeaways:
- The Georgie Arnold Scholarship is a memorial fund managed by the Atascadero AAUW.
- It is dedicated exclusively to women training for careers in education.
- It is awarded alongside other branch scholarships.

## Eligibility Requirements
**Geographic and membership conditions:** Eligibility is limited to residents of Atascadero, Santa Margarita, Templeton, or Paso Robles, or to women who graduated from one of those local high schools but now attend college elsewhere. Applicants must also be members of the Atascadero Branch AAUW.
**Academic standing:** Applicants must have completed one year or more of study at an accredited institution.

Key takeaways:
- Must live in or have attended high school in Atascadero, Santa Margarita, Templeton, or Paso Robles.
- Branch membership in Atascadero AAUW is required.
- Applicants must have completed at least one year of college at an accredited institution.

## Education Levels and Fields Encouraged
**Accepted education levels:** Women at all stages of higher education are eligible, from continuing undergraduates to graduate students.
**Field emphasis:** While all fields are welcome, applicants pursuing degrees in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) are especially encouraged to apply.

Key takeaways:
- Applicants at undergraduate and graduate levels may apply.
- STEM fields receive special encouragement.
- The Georgie Arnold fund separately prioritizes education careers.

## How Applications Are Evaluated
**Evaluation approach:** Applications are reviewed holistically against a set of criteria that balance academic performance and personal circumstances.
**Specific criteria:** Reviewers consider academic progress, demonstrated financial need, a clear description of educational and career goals, volunteer activities, and letters of reference.

Key takeaways:
- Evaluation is holistic and considers multiple aspects of each applicant.
- Primary criteria: academic progress and financial need.
- Supporting materials include goals statements, volunteer history, and reference letters.