The Rotary Club’s motto is “Service Above Self,” and
Gilroy Rotarians are actively involved in humanitarian,
educational, and cultural programs that touch people's
lives both in the local community and throughout the world.
Scholarships
The Gilroy Rotary Club Scholarship and Awards Program will be offering up to $113,500 in college scholarships to the following:
- Qualified Gilroy area high school seniors graduating in 2025 who will enter their first year of college in Fall 2025; and
- Gavilan College or other students who are transferring to a four-year college in Fall 2025
The scholarships are as follows:
General Rotary Scholarships: up to $13,000 total. Each scholarship will range from $250 to $2,500 for academic achievement and service.
Gilroy Rotary reserves the right to change the number and/or dollar amount of scholarships awarded.
Goldsmith/Gilroy Rotary Horticulture/Biological Sciences Scholarship(s): up to $7500 total scholarships. These scholarships are specifically designed for students planning a career in Horticulture, Plant Science, Biology, or a related field.
(These awards are also available to Gavilan College students in these fields who are transferring to a four-year college).
To qualify for the Goldsmith Scholarship, applicants must:
- live in Gilroy or be attending a Gilroy High School or Gavilan College
- have an excellent record of service in the community and/or extracurricular activities
- graduate from high school or Gavilan College in June 2025
- A minimum 3.0 GPA for the last two years is required
Susan J. Seledon/Rotary Continuing College Scholarship: Three scholarships of $10,000 each ($5,000 per year for two years), These are designed to assist individuals who have completed their first two years of college education, and who have demonstrated their potential for success. Applicants must be returning to school after an interruption in their education. To qualify for this scholarship, students must also be transferring to a four-year-college in Fall 2025.
To qualify for the Susan J. Seledon Scholarship, applicants must:
- be a resident of South Santa Clara County or North San Benito County,
- • or have attended Gavilan Community College.
- Have had an interruption in studies for a few years, and
- Be transferring to a four-year college in Fall 2025
Susan J. Seledon/Rotary Fine Arts Scholarship: Up to $20,000 total – Up to $5000 per year for up to four years while the student remains in the art major.
- This scholarship is designed for a student who will be pursuing a four-year college degree in traditional 2D painting, drawing, or a graphic fine art
Susan J. Seledon/Rotary First Generation College Scholarship: Up to two scholarships for $20,000 each – Up to $5,000 per year for up to four years.
- These two scholarships are designed for students who will be the first in their immediate family to attend a four-year college
Download the application here (PDF)
Your completed application with all required attachments must be received at the Gilroy Rotary Club’s P.O. Box 1912, Gilroy, CA 95021 by 5:00PM, Wednesday March 5, 2025. Please select which scholarships you are applying for (be sure you qualify for each scholarship you check).