Y2L Scholarship Programs

This scholarship is dedicated to supporting undocumented students in their pursuit of higher education. The scholarship program was founded in 2010 by a group of community leaders and led by Dr. Jim Young. Since then, Y2LEF continues the great work that the College Dream Fund has done for deserving students in Kern County. The amount of this scholarship is $1,000 for the academic year.

Eligibility Requirements:

• • • Must be a 2026 graduating high school senior, current college student, or graduate student continuing their enrollment in college for the 2026 – 2027 academic year
    • Must be working on, or planning to work on, an undergraduate or graduate
    • degree
    • Must be a first-generation college student
    • Must demonstrate financial need
    • Must have a minimum GPA of 2.5
    • Be a DREAMer or AB540 student
    • This scholarship is renewable.

This is a merit-based scholarship awarded to students who have demonstrated academic achievement, goal setting, persistence through obstacles, and have financial need. Students who are awarded this scholarship will receive $1,000 for the academic year.

Eligibility Requirements:

• • • Must be a 2026 graduating high school senior or current college student
    • continuing their enrollment in college for the 2026 – 2027 academic year
    • Must be working on, or planning to work on, an undergraduate degree
    • Must be a first-generation college student
    • Must demonstrate financial need
    • Must have a minimum GPA of 2.5
    • Be a U.S. Citizen or Legal Permanent Resident
    • This scholarship is renewable.

This scholarship is dedicated to

supporting Arvin High School undocumented students in their pursuit of higher education. Although living outside the area, Jake Cavazos returned often to actively

participate in local fundraisers for DACAmented and undocumented students. His generosity and desire to help undocumented students and their families achieve the American Dream are reflected in this scholarship. The amount of this scholarship is $1,000 for the academic year.

Eligibility Requirements:

• • • Must be a 2026 graduating high school senior or current college student continuing their enrollment in college for the 2026 – 2027 academic year
    • Must be working on, or planning to work on, an undergraduate degree or career technical certification (CTEC) leading to employment
    • Must be an Arvin High School senior or graduate
    • Must be a first-generation college student
    • Must demonstrate financial need
    • Must have a minimum GPA of 2.5
    • Be a DREAMer or AB540 student
    • This scholarship is non-renewable.

 As a first-generation college student, Ivan Melendez was thoroughly involved in the campus community via being an exemplary Brother of the Delta Zeta Tau Fraternity, all while simultaneously pursuing the completion of his Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. With his helpful demeanor, studious nature, and various contributions to the community at large, we now look to honor Ivan’s memory through this scholarship. The amount of this scholarship is $750 for the academic year.

Eligibility Requirements:

• • • Must be a 2026 graduating high school senior or current college student continuing their enrollment in college for the 2026 – 2027 academic year
    • Must be working on, or planning to work on, an undergraduate degree at
    • California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB)
      • Enrolled in or have completed a minimum of 12 semester units
      • Must be a member of a recognized CSUB club/organization
    • Must be a first-generation college student
    • Must demonstrate financial need
    • Must have a minimum GPA of 2.7
    • Be a U.S. Citizen, Legal Permanent Resident, DREAMer, or AB540 student
    • This scholarship is non-renewable.

Focused on helping Central Valley, first-generation, and disadvantaged students, this scholarship seeks to create a path for aspiring college-goers pursuing a career in Artificial Intelligence. With the Central Valley being the harvesting hub of the nation, Skylar Payne & Jacqueline Aguilar created the Payne Pathway Scholarship Fund with the mission of helping Central Valley students unlock pathways into the tech. industry and economies.

Eligibility Requirements:

• • • Must be a 2026 graduating high school senior or current college student continuing their enrollment in college for the 2026 – 2027 academic year
    • Must be working on, or planning to work on, an undergraduate degree
    • Must be a first-generation college student
    • Must demonstrate financial need
    • Must have a minimum GPA of 3.0
    • Be a U.S. Citizen, Legal Permanent Resident, DREAMer or AB540 student
    • This scholarship is non-renewable.

This scholarship is offered in memory of Porfirio and Angelita Morales. Porfirio and Angelita leave behind a legacy of valuing higher education for first-generation students. The amount of this scholarship is $500 for the academic year.

This scholarship is dedicated to supporting graduate-level students who have achieved an undergraduate post-secondary degree and would like to keep persevering higher levels of education, such as a master’s or doctorate program (e.g. MA, MBA, MD, JD, PhD, EdD, etc.), at California State University, Bakersfield. The amount of this scholarship is $1,000 for the academic year.

Eligibility Requirements:

• • • Must be a graduating college student with a bachelor’s degree or current graduate student continuing their enrollment at CSUB for the 2026 – 2027 academic year
    • Must be working on, or planning to work on, a graduate-level degree
    • Must be a first-generation college student
    • Must demonstrate financial need
    • Must have a minimum GPA of 3.0
    • Be a U.S. Citizen, Legal Permanent Resident, DREAMer, or AB540 student
    • This scholarship is non-renewable.

Motivated to cause impact inhis community, Victor Santiago was a giving individual who believed in the power of community involvement. His drive to attain a post-secondary education inspired those he surrounded himself with, such as his Brothers of the Delta Zeta Tau Fraternity. His thoughtful actions and generous efforts went a long way for all those who knew him. The amount of this scholarship is $750 for the academic year.

Eligibility Requirements:

• • • Must be a 2026 graduating high school senior or current college student continuing their enrollment in college for the 2026 – 2027 academic year
    • Must be working on, or planning to work on, an undergraduate degree at CSUB
      • Enrolled in or have completed a minimum of 12 semester units
      • Must be a member of a recognized CSUB club/organization
    • Must be a first-generation college student
    • Must demonstrate financial need
    • Must have a minimum GPA of 2.7
    • Be a U.S. Citizen, Legal Permanent Resident, DREAMer, or AB540 student
    • This scholarship is non-renewable.

This scholarship is offered in memory of Javier Lozano. Javier leaves behind a legacy of valuing our youth, and providing developing opportunities, in addition to community involvement and engagement. The amount of this scholarship is $1,000 for the academic year.

Eligibility Requirements:

• • • Must be a 2026 graduating high school senior
    • Must be planning to work on an undergraduate degree at CSUB during the2026 – 2027 academic year
    • Must be a first-generation college student
    • Must demonstrate financial need
    • Must have a minimum GPA of 2.5
    • Be a U.S. Citizen, Legal Permanent Resident, DREAMer, or AB540 student
    • This scholarship is non-renewable.

This scholarship is dedicated to supporting varsity wrestling students from Highland High School in their pursuit of higher education. Passionate about his extracurricular education, Zachary Blackhurst was an exceptional football player and outstanding wrestler for the Highland High School Wrestling Team. Blackhurst understood the power of attaining a higher education, but never forgot his sports roots. Through this scholarship, Blackhurst lives on and leaves a legacy of supporting aspiring, sports-involved high school youth. The amount of this scholarship is $2,000 for the academic year.

Eligibility Requirements:

• • • Must be a 2026 graduating Highland High School senior
    • Must be planning to work on an undergraduate degree during the 2026 – 2027
    • academic year
    • Must be a varsity wrestler- male or female
    • Must have a minimum GPA of 2.5
    • Be a U.S. Citizen, Legal Permanent Resident, DREAMer, or AB540 student
    • This scholarship is non-renewable.