FAQs

• You must be a high school senior.
• You must live in Redwood City.
• You must have performed significant, uncompensated volunteer activities.

Yes, if you meet the above requirements.

Yes, if you meet the above requirements.

No. You must live at a Redwood City address.

Probably, yes. Addresses in Emerald Hills and North Fair Oaks are considered part of the greater Redwood City community. You are not eligible if your home’s postal address is in the Town of Woodside, or if your neighborhood is traditionally considered under the jurisdiction of another city.

In recent years we have awarded multiple scholarships ranging from $5,000 to a single top scholarship of $25,000.

The application form is on our website.
The deadline for applications is October 31.

We are most interested in your recent volunteer activities. Your volunteer work can be done in a school environment, in the community, through a religious organization, or on a broader level nationally or internationally.

We are less interested in your academics, athletics, hobbies, or activities prior to high school. We ask for background information only to get a more complete picture of you as a person, but we are primarily interested in your non-compensated, voluntary community service.

No. The evaluation committee is just interested in your personal experience with volunteering in our community.

No. The letter supporting your application can be from any non-relative who is familiar with your volunteer work.

Yes. Attendance at the awards dinner is mandatory. Scholarship awards may be withdrawn due to lack of attendance at the dinner. We have allowed an exception to this requirement only in the most extreme circumstances. If you are interested in a scholarship, you should plan on being available the night of the dinner. It is held each year in early March. Check this website for the date of this year’s event, and mark your calendar.

After you submit proof of enrollment in a post–secondary educational institution, your scholarship will be processed. You will receive instructions before the awards dinner.

The IRS usually classifies donations to tax-exempt nonprofit organizations as deductible. The Sequoia Awards is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation.  Our EIN number is 94-3148844.

A portion of the ticket price may be tax deductible.  Please check with your CPA.