Statement of Purpose 

The purpose of the Marbella Scholarship Foundation scholarship is to provide local area, high school  golfers, with needed assistance in obtaining a quality four (4) year college or university education.  

Scholarship Funding 

The total scholarship amount is $16,000 paid over the course of the recipient's four (4) year college career of $4,000 per year, as long as the maintenance requirements are met. The scholarship funds are to be used solely for the following undergraduate college or university educational expenses: tuition, books, and fees. Scholarship funds may also be used for room and board so long as it is undergraduate college or university housing and dining. If the combination of MSF scholarship funds and scholarship funds from other sources more than pays for the above-described expenses, the recipient may petition MSF to allow the excess funds to be used for other necessary undergraduate college or university educational expenses. The scholarship funds cannot be used toward Graduate School.

Scholarship Eligibility 

A candidate for the Scholarship must meet the following criteria: 

1. Have a high school grade point average of no less than 3.2 from the sophomore through the senior  year. 

2. Have been a member of a high school golf team in South Orange County for at least one season.  (Saddleback, Laguna Beach, and Capistrano School Districts, as well as the private schools that are  within their geographic boundaries). Schools must permit a representative of the Foundation Board  to present the Scholarship at their School Awards Assembly. 

3. Demonstrate financial need for a college scholarship to supplement family support, student loans,  and/or work during the academic year. The candidate's family may be required to submit tax returns  or fill out detailed financial disclosure forms. It is not the intent of the Committee to provide college  funds for any candidate whose family can well afford the cost of a college education. The judgment  as to whether or not the candidate's family financial situation merits the award of the scholarship  rests with the Committee. 

4. Be an upstanding citizen of the community, without any occurrences of drug use or abuse, gang related activities, or anti-social behavior in any form. 

5. Be accepted and plan to attend a four (4) year college or university.  

6. Must not be the recipient of a full athletic or academic scholarship. All financial aid from any  source must be disclosed. 

Scholarship Application Process 

For the Committee to consider a candidate for the Scholarship, he/she must agree to the following: 

1. State that he/she is not the immediate relative of a current Marbella member. (Children and  grandchildren of members are not eligible to apply) 

2. Write and submit an essay of 250-300 words. The purpose of the essay is to provide insight into the  candidate's objectives in obtaining a college education and to explain the part golf has played in  his/her life. 

3. Provide the Committee with a transcript of high school grades and S.A.T. or A.C.T. scores by April 21, 2025.

4. Submit to the Committee 3 letters of recommendation by April 21, 2025. One letter must be from a golf coach or  athletic director. One letter must be from a teacher of an academic subject. Letters must be specific  and pertain to the applicant (no form letters). There will be no extension for late letters. 

5. Respond promptly to all Committee requests for information including, but not limited to:  Family financial status 

 Status of college plans for the upcoming year 

6. Agree that the final decision of the Committee regarding the recipient of the scholarship is binding  and will not be challenged for any reason. 

7. Deadline for ALL Applications - Monday, April 21, 2025, Midnight. 

Finalists for the scholarship are required to attend an interview that will be scheduled at Marbella Country Club on Saturday, April 26, 2025. All finalists will be informed of the interview time by email. Please provide a legible personal email address on the first page of the application where indicated. Interviews will not be scheduled by telephone nor social media and there are no alternative dates. 

Scholarship Maintenance 

1. The scholarship recipient will agree to attend any activities of the Marbella Scholarship Foundation  at a mutually agreed upon time and place. This includes any banquet or awards presentation. 

2. The recipient will agree to allow his/her picture and biographical information to be used in press  releases and other public relations activities consistent with winning a college scholarship. 

3. Starting with the second year of the scholarship, and prior to the beginning of each academic year,  the recipient must submit to the Committee a verification of enrollment and a transcript of grades for  the preceding academic year. A transcript must confirm that the student has met the minimum  academic requirements listed in #2 below.  

4. The recipient must notify the Foundation of any transfer between colleges or universities or if he/she  is no longer attending college.  

5. The recipient must notify the Committee of any change in contact information, including a  permanent address, email address, or phone number.  

6. The recipient must provide the Committee with his/her telephone number and email address at the  college they are attending. 

7. Upon successful award of the scholarship, the applicant will be assigned a Scholarship Foundation  Director with whom to maintain communications. All correspondence, after the award, will be with the appropriate Director. 

Scholarship Termination 

1. If the recipient of the scholarship receives a "full-ride" scholarship at the college or university he/she  is attending, the recipient is not eligible to continue to receive the Marbella scholarship. 

2. If a recipient becomes ineligible to continue his/her college education due to inadequate grades,  fails to maintain a C average in at least 12 academic units, or because he/she has dropped out or been  expelled from college for any reason, scholarship funding will be terminated. The recipient of a  scholarship may petition the Committee to reinstate funding upon future eligibility to return to  college or when his or her academic performance has improved. 

3. If at any time in the course of a recipient's college career it comes to the attention of the Foundation that the recipient's social conduct is unbefitting a representative of the scholarship program, the  funding will be terminated. The recipient may petition the Foundation to reinstate the funding by  appearing in person and accounting for the actions that caused the cancellation of the scholarship.