Scholarship Application 2026

2026 REDWOOD EMPIRE CHINESE ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP

GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES

Program Background:

The Redwood Empire Chinese Association (RECA) is a non-profit organization with the purpose of providing educational and charitable services relating to the preservation and sharing of Chinese culture, language, and heritage with the Northern California community. RECA's activities include performances and demonstrations of traditional lion dances and folk dances for the public schools and the community at large, as well as classes to teach traditional lion and folk dances. More information is available at www.recacenter.org.

The scholarship program was set up to provide a service to the community, and it is funded by donations from RECA members and friends and fundraising events sponsored by RECA. In 2026, three $1,000 scholarships will be available.

Program Objective:

The scholarship program recognizes students who have good academic records and have also spent time in community service activities. It encourages outstanding high school seniors to continue their education beyond high school. Students may plan to attend any post-secondary school, including community college, 4-year college or university, or accredited trade school.

Eligibility Requirements:

To be eligible, the applicant must meet the following requirements:

- Be a resident of Sonoma County
- Be of Asian descent, OR a member of RECA (membership of parents is sufficient)
- Be a graduating high school senior who is planning to enroll full-time next school year in a post-secondary school

Application Process:

All applicants must submit the following items before the deadline of March 31, 2026.

1. Completed application form. Please type or print clearly in ink.

2. An up-to-date transcript of grades from your present school.

3. Two letters of recommendation. One letter should be from a teacher, counselor, or principal; the other letter should be

from someone who has supervised you in community service activities or in a job.

4. A one to two-page typed biographical essay, describing your background, future goals, and plans. Applicants may want

to include information about community activities or financial need.

All materials should be mailed to:

Scholarship Program

Redwood Empire Chinese Association

P.O. Box 7854

Santa Rosa, CA 95407

Documents can also be scanned and submitted by email to reca_scholarship@yahoo.com. Letters of recommendation should be emailed directly by the person providing the recommendation.

Selection Process:

Applicants will be evaluated based on academic achievement, community service (especially activities relating to RECA, or to preserving or enhancing the community's awareness of Chinese/Asian culture), extracurricular activities, financial need, and other factors. Some of the scholarships will be awarded to well-rounded students with emphasis on excellent academic achievement. Other scholarships may emphasize involvement with RECA and consideration of financial need. The scholarship committee will select finalists by May 1, and all finalists will be interviewed by the committee. The awards will be announced by the end of May.

Payment of Scholarship:

To receive the award, the recipient must submit proof of enrollment at an accredited post-secondary school. Items which will be accepted as proof include copies of course enrollment lists and receipts for paid registration fees. Proof of enrollment should be sent (by email or USPS) to RECA at the above addresses as soon as possible, along with the applicant's current address. RECA will mail a check to the student upon receipt of these materials.

REDWOOD EMPIRE CHINESE ASSOCIATION

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

Please type or print neatly in ink. This application form should be submitted with your transcript, letters of recommendation,

and essay to: RECA Scholarship Program, P.O. Box 7854, Santa Rosa, CA 95407. Documents may also be sent via email to

reca_scholarship@yahoo.com. Please attach additional sheets if more space is required. See the "Application Process"

description for more information.

Name ___________________________________________________ Home Phone (______)_________________

Address ______________________________________________________________________________________

Email: _________________________________________________ Mobile phone (______) __________________

Note: Primary contact will be by email, so please provide an email address that you check regularly.

Eligibility: _____ Applicant is of Asian descent

_____ Applicant or parents are RECA members. Member's name: ______________________________

School _______________________________________________ Cumulative GPA: ________ out of _______

School you plan to attend in 2026-2027: _____________________________________________________________

Extracurricular/school-sponsored activities: _______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Community activities: ________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Jobs held during last 3 years: ___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Outside interests/hobbies: _____________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

The information given in this application is correct and true to the best of my knowledge. I understand that if this information

is found to be false, if I fail to meet the eligibility criteria, or if I fail to enroll in an accredited post-secondary school for the

2026-2027 school year, I will be disqualified from this scholarship.

Signature ________________________________________________ Date ___________________________

Report abuse