Creative Arts and Science Scholarship

The scholarship was established to provide financial support to Esparto High School students who exemplify creativity in their lives, and was created in honor of Jonathan Durst who graduated from Esparto High School in 1964. The Durst family settled in Hungry Hollow just north of Esparto and south of the Yuba county line around 1860. Jon is a third generation Durst to have lived in the area. The Durst family is from Glarus, Switzerland. They first settled in New Glarus, Wisconsin before moving west to Yolo County.

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be a graduating high school senior in from Esparto High School or have graduated from Esparto High School in Yolo County planning to attend a 2-year or 4-year college/university in the upcoming academic year.
• Have a minimum unweighted GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Demonstrate financial need – Need is based on the Student Aid Index (SAI) scores from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or The California Dream Act Application.
• Applicants must intend to enroll full-time 12 units or more or the equivalent in the upcoming academic year.

Application Requirements

• Submit the General Application before applying to the Creative Arts and Science Scholarship.
• Essay topic: write an essay on how creative thinking has played a part in your life/studies/volunteering. We would encourage you to include any community service and/or extracurricular activities you have participated in that will show your creativity. Examples of “creativity”: creativity – spawns innovation, involves imagination, is imaginative nonconformity and there is a connection between creativity and freedom – also imagination & creativity
• Reference letter: provide one letter of reference from a teacher, employer, community organization or an individual who you are not related to. The reference letter must identify the individuals name, title, and relationship to you.

Scholarship Award

• Scholarship Award is renewable up to 3 years. Applicants must reapply for a renewal award and will be considered in the overall applicant pool.
• Award payment is sent to the college/university in one (1) payment and divided evenly between the academic term.
• The scholarship can be used for cost of attendance (includes tuition, fees, books, educational expenses, supplies, and housing).