Hanford Joint Union High School District Scholarships

The Hanford Education Foundation Scholarship supports qualified students affiliated with the Hanford Joint Union High School District. Awards and the number of recipients vary; the foundation requires applicants to have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5. Applicants must submit written essays and recommendation letters, and the foundation may consider financial need for certain scholarships. The Foundation will be offering two additional scholarships this year in memory of Jillian Willhite. Jillian was a student athlete and graduated in 2019 with honors from Hanford West High School.Show Less

Note: The winner of the past cycle of this scholarship (deadline of June 30, 2026) will be announced by July 31, 2026. Stay tuned! The Scholarships360 $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship is open to all students who want some extra help paying for their education. Whether you are a high school student who hopes to go to college, a graduate student who’s in a master’s program, or an adult learner who wants to return to school, you are eligible for our no essay scholarship. This scholarship will be awarded to students who get the most out of Scholarships360 scholarships and content. You will be a strong applicant if you apply to scholarships with the Scholarships360 platform. Finalists for this scholarship will be interviewed about their process for funding their education. This scholarship has rolling monthly application deadlines. Students applying earlier will have a greater chance of winning. The final application date for the 2027 cycle is June 30, 2027; the winner of the $10,000 No-Essay Scholarship will be announced by July 31, 2027 on our scholarship winners page.Show Less

The Cancer Sucks Scholarship is a memorial award for graduating seniors in the Hanford Joint Union High School District who have personally battled cancer or have had a family member with cancer. The scholarship awards $500 to one recipient and may be used at a trade school, community college, state college, or university. Applicants must submit multiple essays including a personal statement, community service/activities statement, a financial-need essay, and a one-page essay on “How Cancer Has Affected Me.” The application also requires an official transcript and two letters of recommendation. The scholarship was started by Mrs. Elice Blevins in 2018 while she was fighting cancer; she passed away in the spring of 2019 and the award is maintained as a memorial.Show Less

The Hanford Police Officers Association (HPOA) Reverend Andrew "Andy" Abbas Memorial Scholarship supports students from Joint Union High School District who demonstrate service, compassion, and dedication. Applicants should have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5; financial need, academic achievement, and school and community involvement will be considered. Priority is given to the son or daughter of an active-duty, retired, or deceased law enforcement officer. The application requires written essays addressing personal background, community service/activities, and financial need, and asks for an official transcript and two letters of recommendation. The Hanford Police Officers Association offers this memorial scholarship in honor of Reverend Andrew "Andy" Abbas, who served as pastor of Lakeside Community Church and as the first chaplain for Department; he is remembered for his compassion and service to the community.Show Less

The Donald Taylor Memorial Scholarship, offered by the Hanford Joint Union High School District, honors Donald Leroy Taylor’s lifelong dedication to sports, service, and community involvement. It is intended for students who plan to pursue careers working with youth and/or in sports-related fields; award amounts and number of awards vary and are based on donor funds. Applicants must demonstrate involvement in community service and/or sports activities and meet a minimum GPA of 2.0. Selection gives priority to financial need. The application requires an official transcript, two letters of recommendation, and three written essays addressing a personal statement, community service/activities, and financial need.Show Less

The Hanford Breakfast Lions Club DeRemer Memorial Scholarship supports graduating seniors from Hanford High School and Hanford West High School who plan to pursue careers in the medical field. Four $500 awards are available. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA; financial need, community service, extracurricular involvement, and academic performance are given strong consideration. The application requires written essays, an official or unofficial transcript, and two letters of recommendation.Show Less

The Kings River-Hardwick Parent Booster Club Scholarship, offered through the Hanford Joint Union High School District, provides support to students who graduated from Kings River-Hardwick Elementary School and are continuing their education. Four recipients will each receive a $525 award. Applicants must have a minimum 3.5 GPA; financial need and academic performance are important factors. The application requires three short essays, an official transcript, and two letters of recommendation.Show Less

The HHS Aquatics Boosters Scholarship supports students who have participated in aquatic sports at Hanford High School. Awards are modest (listed at $100) and intended for students who can demonstrate at least three years of participation in one or more aquatic sports at Hanford High School, including their senior year. Applicants must submit written personal, community service, and financial-need essays and provide an official transcript and two letters of recommendation as part of the application.Show Less

The Thomas C. Ridley Scholarship supports a graduating high school senior who has shown determination, resilience, and a strong commitment to continuing their education despite facing challenges. It is designed for students who may not have the highest GPA or other awards but who have demonstrated perseverance and a clear desire to pursue postsecondary education. Applicants must plan to continue their education at a two-year or four-year college, university, or trade/vocational school. The selection committee considers applicants' effort to overcome obstacles, commitment to educational goals, and potential for future success.Show Less

The Craig, Lou Rice Memorial Scholarship, offered by the Hanford Joint Union High School District, awards one $2,000 scholarship to a student from Hanford High School who is planning to major in education and pursue a career in teaching. Applicants must have a GPA of 3.5 or higher; financial need, activities, and community service will be considered. The application requires an official transcript, two letters of recommendation, and three written essays (personal statement; community service/activities; and financial need). This scholarship honors Lou Rice Craig, a native of Hanford who returned to Hanford in 1932 following the death of her husband in an airplane accident in 1930. She taught in Hanford until her retirement as principal of Washington Elementary School, and later worked for the University of California as a housemother until shortly before her death in 1987.Show Less

The Hanford Police Officers Association Terry Golden Memorial Scholarship recognizes students who demonstrate service, leadership, integrity, and commitment to their community in the spirit of Sergeant Terry Golden. The award is open to students affiliated with Joint Union High School District who meet a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5. Selection gives priority to sons or daughters of active-duty, retired, or deceased law enforcement officers and considers financial need, academic achievement, and school and community involvement. Applicants must submit an official transcript, two letters of recommendation, and three written essays addressing a personal statement, community service/activities, and financial need. The Hanford Police Officers Association established this scholarship in memory of Sergeant Terry Golden, honoring his service with Department and his legacy of leadership and community commitment.Show Less

The Michael R. Taylor Memorial Scholarship supports students of Hanford High School who plan to pursue a career in agriculture. One $1,000 award is available, and applicants should demonstrate commitment to agricultural education; priority is given to students who are socially and/or economically disadvantaged. Applicants must meet a minimum 2.0 GPA and submit an official transcript, two letters of recommendation, and three short essays covering a personal statement, community service/activities, and financial need. Michael R. Taylor was an Agricultural Mechanics teacher at Hanford High School who supported students in agricultural education and hands-on learning.Show Less

The Walter Edward Potter Memorial Scholarship, offered by the Hanford Breakfast Lions, supports students with disabilities who plan to continue their education at a community college or trade school. This scholarship is in honor of Walter Edward Potter, who was born in Hanford, served in the United States Navy, was a member of the Lions Club for over 50 years, and fundraised for projects that helped children in need. One $500 award is available for applicants who have Autism or other learning or medical disabilities and who maintain at least a 2.5 GPA. The application requires an official transcript, two letters of recommendation, and three short essays addressing a personal statement (up to 500 words), community service/activities (up to 250 words), and financial need (up to 500 words). Eligibility is limited to students from Hanford High School and Hanford West High School.Show Less

The Kit Carson Educators Association Scholarship supports students connected to school community who have shown academic commitment, personal growth, and positive involvement in school and community activities. One $500 award is offered. Applicants must meet a minimum 2.0 GPA and submit required materials, including an official transcript, two letters of recommendation, and three short essays addressing a personal statement, community service/activities, and financial need.Show Less

The American Legion Auxiliary Hanford Unit 3 scholarship supports female high school students connected to the Hanford Joint Union High School District. Award amounts and the number of awards vary. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0, and attend a Hanford Joint Union HSD high school. The application requires multiple written essays (personal statement, community service/activities, and financial-need), a short paragraph about veteran relatives and Girls State participation, an official transcript, and two letters of recommendation; applicants may also include information about academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, and community service.Show Less

The HHS Bullpup Baseball Boosters Scholarship supports students from Hanford High School who have participated on the school’s baseball team. Award amounts and the number of awards vary. Eligible applicants must meet academic and team-participation requirements and submit essays, an official transcript, and letters of recommendation. The application asks for multiple short essays about the applicant, community service, financial need, and future plans.Show Less

The Roberts, Alan Memorial Scholarship honors the memory of Alan Roberts and provides financial support to students in the Hanford Joint Union High School District as they pursue postsecondary education or career training. One $500 award is offered. Applicants must have at least a 2.0 GPA and submit an official transcript, two letters of recommendation, and written essays addressing a personal statement, community service/activities, and financial need (each with stated word limits).Show Less

The Craig, Lou Rice Memorial Vocational Scholarship supports students from Hanford High School who plan to pursue a vocational certificate at a trade school or in a vocational program at a community college. One $2,000 award is offered. Applicants must meet a minimum 2.0 GPA and submit an official transcript, two letters of recommendation, and three short essays addressing a personal statement, community service/activities, and financial need. The scholarship was established to honor Lou Rice Craig, a native of Hanford who returned there in 1932 with her three children after her husband died in a 1930 airplane accident. She taught in Hanford until retiring as principal of Washington Elementary School and later worked for the University of California as a housemother for about ten years until shortly before her death in 1987.Show Less

The Robert Sisson Memorial Scholarship honors the legacy of Officer Robert Sisson and recognizes Hanford-area high school students who demonstrate integrity, dedication, leadership, and a commitment to serving others. The scholarship gives priority consideration to sons or daughters of active-duty, retired, or deceased law enforcement officers and also considers financial need, academic achievement, and school and community involvement. Applicants are asked to submit a personal statement, a community service/activities statement, a financial-need statement, two letters of recommendation, and an official transcript.Show Less

The Coaches Award: John C. Clark and Joe Maciel is a memorial scholarship intended to support deserving Hanford High School student‑athletes who plan to pursue higher education. Candidates should demonstrate financial need, leadership on and off the field, and reflect the values credited to the honored coaches and Hanford High Athletics—discipline, hard work, excellence, and a winning attitude. Applications require essays addressing personal background, community service/activities, and financial need, and applicants must submit an official transcript and recommendation letters as part of the review. This scholarship honors John C. Clark and Joe Maciel, two career football coaches at Hanford High School who dedicated their lives to developing and mentoring young athletes.Show Less