More than 100,000 children between the ages of five and 17 live in poverty in the Bay Area, and many are underserved by local public schools. Despite dedicated family support, they are unable to break cycles of poverty, drug abuse and violence. Every year The Guardsmen provides scholarships for over 250 students to attend private schools that give them the intense support and quality education they need.
The Guardsmen Scholarship Program is based on a partial private voucher educational assistance model that establishes a collaborative partnership between The Guardsmen, the student, and the parents or guardians. Students in grades K-6 who come from families that meet the income eligibility guidelines for the Reduced School Lunch Program can apply for a tuition voucher (up to a maximum of $2,000 per year, per student) to be applied toward any California registered private school tuition within the nine-county Bay Area. The student's parents or guardians are required to fulfill the remaining school tuition requirements, a model The Guardsmen believe places responsibility and accountability for student achievement in the hands of students and parents. Once accepted into the program, subject to available funding, a student who maintains a 2.0 GPA and continues to meet the annual application criteria will receive scholarship support through high school.
The Guardsmen helps to break systemic poverty by piloting a more responsive and engaged society by providing help to families and students dedicated to improving their lives and their communities, at the schools they feel best serve them.
Annual Program Size
Over 250 students participate at 78 schools
Qualifying Schools
California registered, non-public
Financial Qualifications
Students meet Federal Free School Lunch Program eligibility
Academic Qualifications
Students meet 2.0 minimum GPA, reviewed annually
Counties Served
Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma
Program Entry
K-6th grade
Educational Years Covered
K-12th grade
Maximum Voucher Award
$2,000
Family Responsibility
50% of Tuition
Average Voucher Award
$1,800
Fundraising
Scholarships are funded through The Guardsmen's events and by donations and planned gifts from foundations and individuals, matching gifts from corporations, and corporate sponsorships.
For inquiries regarding specific scholarship donation opportunities please contact, scholarship@guardsmen.org.
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