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 Beat the Odds scholarship program by/from a teacher, counselor, caseworker, or other adult who can speak to the following: his/her character, academic achievement, commitment to social justice issues/community, and the tremendous odds he/she beats every day. Ten students will be selected from the nomination pool by the Beat the Odds Selection Committee, and after a year of participation in the program they will be interviewed and qualified as one of five finalists or one of five semi-finalists who will receive the following:

• Five finalists will each receive a $10,000 scholarship, and five semi-finalist will receive a $1,000 scholarship. Both finalists and semi-finalists will receive: intensive SAT preparation; one-on-one college counseling; life skills development; college tours; career guidance and other services that will provide academic and support through college or post-secondary education matriculation process.
• The five finalists will be honored at the 24th Annual Beat the Odds Awards, in the winter of 2014. Professional, autobiographical films of each finalist’s story will be produced and shown at the dinner. These films may also be shared with the media, sponsors, supporters and the broader public as well as posted on our website.
  

Please check back in the fall for the 2014 Applications. For more information about Beat the Odds, contact Joanna Flores at jflores@childrensdefense.org.