Overview

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Since 2022, Just Us 4 Youth has proudly awarded scholarships to select high school seniors and program participants. This year, we are excited to introduce the official name of our scholarship: the Just Us 4 Youth People, Scholars, and Leaders Scholarship.

 

This scholarship is designed to help graduating seniors take the next step toward their goals and embodies our holistic mission to uplift and invest in the at-promise communities we serve. Whether our graduating seniors plan to attend college, enroll in a trade school, pursue certification programs, serve in the military, or enter the workforce, Just Us 4 Youth remains committed to supporting their continued growth, leadership development, and long-term success.

 

For the 2026 scholarship cycle, we are proud to offer 20 scholarships of $1,000 each to graduating seniors who are current or former Just Us 4 Youth participants.

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Eligibility 

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To apply for the Just Us 4 Youth People, Scholars, and Leaders Scholarship, applicants must:​

• Be a high school senior graduating in 2026

• Be a current or former participant in a Just Us 4 Youth program

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Application Components

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The Just Us 4 Youth People, Scholars, and Leaders Scholarship application is comprised of three sections:

 

Section 1: Basic Information
Applicants will provide general information such as contact details, school information, and Just Us 4 Youth program participation.

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Section 2: Post–High School Plans
Applicants will share their intended plans after graduation, including college, trade school, certification programs, military service, or entering the workforce.

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Section 3: Reflection Responses
Applicants will complete three reflection responses, which may be submitted in written or video format.

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Selection Criteria

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Our scholarship recipients come from diverse backgrounds and pursue a wide variety of post-high school pathways. To ensure a fair and meaningful review process, we use three key criteria to select.

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Response to the Prompt
How clearly and thoughtfully the applicant answers the reflection prompts, including the depth, clarity, and relevance of their response.

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Alignment with Just Us 4 Youth’s Values
The extent to which the applicant demonstrates values that align with the mission and principles of Just Us 4 Youth, including: compassion, healing, transformation, mentoring, creativity, reconciliation, diversity, excellence, integrity, and passion

 

Articulation of Financial Need
How effectively the applicant communicates their need for scholarship support and how the award will help them pursue their post–high school goals.

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Selection Process

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Program Nominations
Five scholarships are awarded through direct program nominations. Each of the following programs may nominate one outstanding high school senior who exemplifies the values and impact of their program:

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• On-Point

• RESQ

• Safe Passages

• VIP

• Y.E.S.

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Program staff review eligible participants within their programs and select a nominee based on the scholarship’s established criteria.

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Selection Board Review
The remaining 15 scholarship recipients are selected through a competitive application process reviewed by the Just Us 4 Youth People, Scholars, and Leaders Scholarship Selection Board.

 

To ensure fairness and equity, applications are reviewed through an anonymized evaluation process. Identifying information is removed from each application before they are evaluated. Selection Board members review and score applications based on the scholarship’s established criteria.

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Through this process, the Selection Board identifies applicants who best reflect the mission and values of Just Us 4 Youth.

 

Timeline

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• Applications Open - Wednesday, March 4th, 2026

• Scholarship Support Workshop 1 - Tuesday, April 7th, 2026

• Scholarship Support Workshop 2 - Wednesday, April 8th, 2026

• Scholarship Support Workshop 3 - Thursday, April 9th, 2026
  (All workshops will be held at Just Us 4 Youth from 4:00-6:00 PM)

• Application Deadline - Wednesday, April 13th, 2026

       (Full application must be submitted by 11:59 PM PST)

• Award Notification - Friday, April 24th, 2026

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All scholarship recipients will be recognized in-person at JU4Y's annual Graduation Banquet on

Friday, May 8th, 2026

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We are beyond honored to celebrate and support the next generation of people, scholars, and leaders.

 

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