The Redwoods College Scholarship Program

Geographic Scope: Marin County, California

Program Duration: Over 30 years of awarding scholarships

The Redwoods Scholarship Committee awards college scholarships to graduating high school seniors from Marin County high schools. The program has been operating for more than three decades and is administered by resident volunteers.

Award Details

• Amount per Award: $3,000 - $4,000 per recipient (varies by year)
• Number of Awards: 7-8 scholarships annually
• Total Funding: Approximately $24,000 - $32,000 per year

Eligibility

• Who: Graduating high school seniors from Marin County
• Schools Served: All public and private high schools in Marin County (12+ schools participate)
• Residency: Marin County

Selection Criteria

Winners are selected based on:

• Academic achievement
• Community involvement and activities
• Work experience
• Classes and coursework
• Awards and honors
• Financial need
• Personal essays
• In-person interviews with top candidates

Committee

• Size: 9-10 volunteer members
• Leadership: Resident-led (examples: Elizabeth Small, Jean Spencer, Louetta Erlin, Sylvia Schwartz, Barbara Lombardi)
• Process: Committee members review applications, interview top candidates, and vote on winners

Application Volume

• Recent year (2025): 31 applicants from 8 high schools
• Earlier year: 47 applicants from 12 high schools

Recent Recipients

Examples from 2025:

• Tia Asleim (Terra Linda High)
• Disha Divakar (San Marin High)
• Jacob Forman (Tamalpais High)
• Edy Ramos (Terra Linda High)
• Stella Smoot (Archie Williams High)
• Dhanya Subramanian (Novato High)
• Grace Underwood Bowler (Novato High)
• Bertha Velazquez (Novato High)

Contact Information

The Redwoods, A Community of Seniors

• Address: 40 Camino Alto, Mill Valley, CA 94941
• Phone: (415) 383-2741
• Website: theredwoods.org

Application Process

1. Application Period: Typically in spring for graduating seniors
2. Required Materials:
   • Application form
   • Academic record/transcript
   • Personal essay(s)
   • Documentation of extracurricular activities
   • Work experience information
   • Awards and honors
   • Financial need information
3. Selection Process:
   • All applications reviewed by 9-10 member volunteer committee
   • Top candidates invited for in-person interviews
   • Committee votes on final recipients
   • Award ceremony held at The Redwoods community
4. Timeline:
   • Applications accepted in spring
   • Selection process conducted over several weeks
   • Award ceremony typically held in June-July
5. Notification: Selected recipients are notified and invited to attend award ceremony with families

How to Apply

• Contact The Redwoods directly for application materials and specific deadlines
• Phone: (415) 383-2741
• Website: theredwoods.org
• Address: 40 Camino Alto, Mill Valley, CA 94941