Community Scholars Initiative (CSI)

Community Scholars Initiative (CSI) is sponsored by The San Diego Foundation. The Community Scholars Initiative helps San Diegans prepare for, pay for, and persist through college by providing financial assistance and personalized support to first-generation college students from families with limited financial means.

Community Scholars Initiative | San Diego Foundation Read in English Leer en Español Community Scholars Initiative Helping San Diegans prepare for, pay for and persist through college Support Education & College Access The Community Scholars Initiative has resulted in: Students supported to access and succeed in college Student scholarships awarded Students received basic needs support The Community Scholars Initiative (CSI) helps San Diegans prepare for, pay for and persist through college by providing financial assistance and personalized support that strengthens academic success, expands opportunity and builds a thriving local workforce.

Since 2017, the initiative has supported more than 570 first-generation college students from families with limited financial means through over $1. 6 million in scholarships. It has also provided $1.

9 million in grants to community partners offering college readiness programs, plus $142,000 in emergency aid and additional scholarships to help students stay enrolled and complete their degrees. In 2023, CSI conducted an evaluation to identify how the program could best meet the region’s changing needs.

The review found that the program can have the greatest impact by focusing on students facing the highest barriers to college completion, including: English language learners Students experiencing homelessness Students with disabilities The Community Scholars Initiative helps to: Providing financial support and mentoring helps students who face systemic or financial barriers complete their education and pursue meaningful careers.

Strengthen the Local Workforce Investing in local students encourages them to stay in or return to San Diego’s workforce, contributing to the region’s long-term growth and prosperity. Build Community Resilience Partnering with local organizations to offer wraparound support – such as food, housing and mental health resources – helps students and their families build stability and well-being.

When Opportunities Rise, So Do Teens San Diego Foundation Commits $4 Million to Make College a Reality for Local Students Furthest From Opportunity Pathway to Possibility: Domanick’s Scholarship Story From Dreams to Degrees: A Panel of Success Stories Support Education & College Access