DEF Scholarship Information

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The Dysart Education Foundation supports learning beyond a student’s K-12 experience. Each applicant will fill out ONE General application from the Arizona Community Foundation (ACF) website to be eligible for multiple scholarships from the Dysart Education Foundation (DEF) and other organizations.  

Whether seeking support at a 2-year community college program, trade school, or a 4-year university program, DEF wants to help! 

***NOTE: We have one Scholarship available for senior high school students graduating in May of 2024. 

Students graduating from the four high schools in the Dysart School District including Sundown Alternative High School are encouraged to apply. Please check out this helpful info TUTORIAL before you fill out the scholarship application. Donor awards favor the two-year community colleges, trade school or university tuition.  THE ONLY SCHOLARSHIP STILL AVAILABLE IS FOR THE SURPRISE PUBLIC SAFETY. IT CLOSES 31 MAY 2024. SEE THE REQUIREMENTS BELOW.

The minimum DEF requirements are:

- Attend one, two or four years trade school, community college, technical college or a university 

- Maintain full time status (12 credit hours) per semester 

- Cumulative GPA 2.5 (or 3.0 per required) or better 

- Volunteer/Community service

- Extra curricular activities 

- Leadership offices held in clubs/organizations 

- School participation in clubs, sports, the arts, etc  

 Surprise Public Safety Scholarship, $500 (one year scholarship, $500 given in first semester)  4 scholarships in total will be awarded to all 4 high schools, with 1 award each    

- Community service involvement 

- Cumulative GPA 3.0 or better

- Write a short 3 paragraph essay detailing your anticipated career and interest in public safety.  (The Surprise Public Safety Scholarship is a financial award offered to individuals aspiring to contribute to the safety and well-being of the community. This scholarship is designed to support those pursuing education and careers in areas such as emergency response, firefighting, law enforcement, or public safety management. It serves as a recognition of the importance of dedicated individuals committed to safeguarding and enhancing the security of the public.)  

Use the following link below to APPLY. ONLY ONE APPLICATION PER STUDENT IS REQUIRED TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR ANY DEF SCHOLARSHIPS AS WELL AS OTHER ORGANIZATIONS ON THE ACF SCHOLARSHIP WEBSITE. :https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=azcfscholar. 

You will need to create a username and password to begin the process. 

COMPLETE ONE "GENERAL APPLICATION ONLY".  Students must answer “yes” to Financial Need consideration, as well as meeting all the other criteria. If anyone answers “no” they will not sort into the DEF scholarships.

Remember, read everything carefully, take your time filling in the application and talk to your counselor if you need assistance!

Student scholarship recipients are responsible for keeping ACF/DEF informed of all current information concerning home address, emails, class schedules, GPA, and transcripts. A separate link will be provided via email from DEF's scholarship chair to students each December and June to update our association and its scholarship donors each semester. 

Failure to do provide required documents may result in the loss of the scholarship.

The Dysart Education Foundation accepts donations towards student scholarships all year. In addition, individuals or organizations may donate towards a dedicated scholarship administered by DEF. Interested in establishing a scholarship? See the requirements and form to fill out and email to: scholarships@dysarteducationfoundation.org

Surprise Public Safety Scholarship: 

$2,000 (4 one-year scholarship at $500 each)

2024 CLOSED AND AWARDED SCHOLARSHIPS:

DEF/Subaru Share the Love Scholarship of Surprise: 

$40,000 (8 two-year scholarships at $5,000 each)

SFE-Southwest Foodservice Excellence Scholarship: 

$10,000 (2 two-year scholarships at $5,000 each)

The Randy Sterna Grand Opportunity Scholarship: 

$10,000 for female students attending community college achieving an Associate's Degree

(2 two-year scholarships at $5,000 each)

Dysart HS Alumni: Eddie Rios Memorial Scholarship: 

$10,000 (2 two-year scholarships at $5,000 each)

Shadow Ridge HS Alumni Scholarship: 

$5,000 (1 two-year scholarships at $5,000)

Valley Vista HS Alumni Scholarship: 

$5,000 (1 two-year scholarships at $5,000)

Willow Canyon HS Alumni Scholarship: 

$5,000 (1 two-year scholarships at $5,000) 

Tyrus Timbrooks Memorial Scholarship, Established 2020 for DHS students:

 $5,000 (2 one-year scholarships at $2,500 each)