By Cal Lutheran NewsCalifornia Lutheran University is teaming up with The Steele Family Foundation to help exceptional high school students reach their full potential by removing financial barriers to a college education.
Ninth grade students involved with the Boys & Girls Clubs, just keep livin Foundation, Debbie Allen Dance Academy or other partner organizations can apply for the foundation’s WISE Scholarship Program. Over their four-year high school career, the student picked for the program will receive personalized mentorship, career guidance and access to academic and early-college experiences at Cal Lutheran.
If they meet specific benchmarks, the student can earn a four-year scholarship to Cal Lutheran, with additional support provided for housing and meals.
Brandy Yee, PhD, assistant to the provost for summer programs and partnerships at Cal Lutheran, said the university is excited to partner with the foundation and “support talented students from diverse backgrounds.”
“Together, we are creating pathways that not only provide access to college but also ensure students are positioned to succeed and contribute meaningfully to their communities,” Yee said.
WISE — the acronym stands for World Impact Scholarship and Education — is not a typical one-time scholarship. It’s a structured, multiyear scholarship and educational support program created and funded by The Steele Family Foundation to further the education of economically disadvantaged youths.
The program is not for “the average student,” the foundation said. It’s designed for what it calls “Stranded Superstars — the hidden gems who have the drive, potential and determination to make a real difference.”
The program’s “Earn to Learn” approach tracks student achievement across three categories: academic performance, extracurricular activities and nonformal education. Reference letters and a closing essay also count toward a student’s point total. High school students who reach 70 to 89 points over four years qualify for prorated college scholarship funding, while those with 90 points or more earn full-ride scholarships. Students who earn less than 70 points do not receive financial support, but they retain full access to WISE tools, connections and future opportunities, the foundation said on its website.
WISE scholars will participate in early college programs, summer intensives, campus shadow days and professional development experiences at Cal Lutheran. The university also will provide career coaching, internship placements and service-learning opportunities, while WISE offers mentorship, life-skills training and long-term success coaching.
The combination of financial support, early-college experience and ongoing mentorship is designed to help WISE scholars succeed from admission through graduation and beyond, the foundation said.
“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to providing equitable access to education and empowering students to thrive academically, professionally and personally,” said Ryan Gurr, corporate development and strategy manager at WISE. “Cal Lutheran’s dedication to student success, community engagement and holistic development aligns seamlessly with our mission to expand opportunity and impact for the next generation of leaders.”
For more information on the program, visit wisescholarship.org.
