Objective: The K-COCA Scholarship Committee seeks to help fund and support qualified students by helping to fill the unmet financial needs of students pursuing educational opportunities at accredited colleges, universities, and technical institutions.

Eligibility: Applicants must not need a minimum G.P.A. but must be enrolled in a Kern County High School District school or at an accredited post-secondary institution in Kern County. Applicants must have demonstrated an interest in pursuing higher academic learning, and for those who have an interest in, or a connection to, the oil & gas, agriculture, construction, utility, and energy industries. Applicants must have a full-time class schedule in the upcoming semester-quarter at an accredited post-secondary institution. Scholarships awards are only eligible for 4 years. Applicants must plan to remain in, or return to, Kern County after completing their post- secondary education. Applicants must be a dependent of or employee of a company in Kern County in association to Oil/Gas/Construction/Ag/Energy. Applicants must provide a current sealed transcript.

Applicant Instructions: The application form must be filled out completely by the applicant and have a parent/guardian signature. Please type or print your answers. If the application is illegible it will be returned to you. Application forms and all supporting materials must be returned to K-COCA by mail:

Attn. Scholarship Committee 7221 Downing Ave. Bakersfield, CA 93308

All Applicants: No late applications will be accepted. No applications will be processed without a copy of the most recent official college transcripts, a typed 400-word maximum personal essay explaining why you believe you’re the best candidate for this scholarship, one letter of support from a KHSD teacher (for high school students), and a recent picture of the applicant.

Funding Policy: A check will be mailed to the awarded student that is made payable to the student only after proof of an upcoming full-time class schedule (fall 2023).

The following criteria will be considered in the selection process, please include these in your essay: Association to the Oil/Gas/Construction/Ag/Energy Industries, Leadership qualities, responsibility, grooming, communication skills, personality, community and school involvement, career plans in Kern County, scholastic achievement, and commitment.