Don Diego College Scholarships for Fair Participants
Offered by Don Diego Scholarship Foundation
About this scholarship
The Don Diego College Scholarships reward San Diego-area high school students whose 4-H, FFA, livestock, exhibit, entertainment, or equestrian participation connects them to the Del Mar Fairgrounds and San Diego County Fair. This record covers the 4-H, FFA, Junior Livestock Auction, and Exhibitor/Participant routes; the foundation has separate Employee and Vocational Education pathways. The 2027 application is open through midnight on March 30, 2027. The foundation lists $10,000 in awards within each main college category, while some named four-year scholarships provide $5,000 annually for a $20,000 total. Exact individual awards depend on the category and annual selection, so applicants should not assume the category pool is a single award. Applicants must be San Diego-area residents graduating from high school by July 31, 2027 and must document the qualifying fair or organization activity. The online application requires a transcript, a biographical essay of no more than 500 words or 3,000 characters, and two references; 4-H and FFA applicants need an adviser recommendation. Candidates are assessed for academics, organization, leadership, innovation, service, and Fairgrounds involvement. Semifinalists complete an interview, and previous Don Diego scholarship winners cannot apply again.
Eligibility
- Be a San Diego-area resident graduating from high school by July 31, 2027
- Apply in only one main Don Diego scholarship category except the permitted 4-H or FFA plus JLA combination
- Document qualifying 4-H, FFA, Junior Livestock Auction, exhibit, entertainment, or equestrian participation connected to the Del Mar Fairgrounds
- Plan to use the scholarship for eligible postsecondary study
- Submit a high school transcript and the required biographical essay
- Provide two references, including an adviser reference when required for 4-H or FFA
- Not be a previous Don Diego Scholarship Foundation winner
- Submit the complete online application by midnight on March 30, 2027