The Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara, in partnership with the Santa Barbara Foundation, honored hundreds of area students in awards ceremonies at Allan Hancock College on May 24 and the Courthouse Sunken Garden on May 25.  The annual events recognize new and returning Scholarship Foundation recipients. Attendees at each ceremony included students, parents, educators, and community leaders.

Scholarship Foundation Board Chair Matt Rowe and Santa Barbara Foundation Board Chair Steve Hicks were the featured speakers at both ceremonies. The Santa Barbara Foundation contributed almost $800,000 in scholarship funds this year, and is one of the Scholarship Foundation’s largest partners.

This year the Scholarship Foundation will award college and vocational scholarships totaling more than $7.7 million to 2,139 students throughout the county.

“These were our first awards ceremonies since 2019, so each was extra special. It is always inspiring to meet the students who benefit from our assistance, and to realize that we are in a sense partners in their education,” said Scholarship Foundation President and CEO Barbara Robertson. “Congratulations to this year’s scholarship recipients and their families.”