Since 1990, CDF has awarded Beat the Odds® scholarships to high school students across the country that are working hard to overcome tremendous obstacles in their personal lives, demonstrate academic excellence, and give back to their communities.

Los Angeles high school sophomores must be nominated or seek nomination for the Los Angeles Beat the Odds Scholarship Program by/from a teacher, counselor, caseworker, coach, or other adult in a student’s life who can speak to his/her character, academic success, commitment to social justice issues/community, and the tremendous odds he/she beats every day. Ten students will be selected from the nomination pool for interviews scheduled during March 2012. Based on the interviews, the Beat the Odds selection committee will determine the five finalists and five semi-finalists who will receive the following:

Five finalists will each receive a $10,000 scholarship, and five semi-finalists will receive a $1,000 scholarship. Both finalists and semi-finalists will receive intensive SAT preparation, one-on-one college counseling, leadership development, college tours, career counseling and other services that will provide academic and personal support through college or post-secondary education matriculation process.

To download the application and flyer, please click the following links: 2012 Beat the Odds Scholarship Flyer or 2012 Beat the Odds Scholarship Application.

Nominations are due no later than 5 pm. On Friday, February 17, 2012.

Please mail, fax or email (scanned in pdf.) completed application packets to: Children’s Defense Fund-California c/o: Joanna Flores 3333 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 550, Los Angeles, California 90010-4123, 213-355-8795 (fax), cdfca@childrensdefense.org