San Francisco, CA – Mayor London N. Breed announced this year’s Bridge to Excellence Scholarship Program student recipients at a kickoff event today at City Hall. This year, 15 students are receiving awards funded by the City’s Department of Children, Youth, and Their Families (DCYF), which provides scholarships to graduating high school seniors from low-income and under-resourced communities to help overcome financial barriers they face attending college.
Now in its sixth year, Mayor Breed’s scholarship program awards $5,000 scholarships over two years to graduating high school seniors who were born and raised in San Francisco. Since the program was founded in 2019, the Bridge to Excellence Program has awarded more than $300,000 to 76 students.
“The dream of going to college is becoming out of reach for many of our young people because put simply, college is expensive. Everyone should have a shot at a pathway to higher education if they want to pursue that, and this program is a proven bridge to a future with opportunities that follow,” said Mayor London Breed. “When I launched the Bridge to Excellence Scholarship, we designed it to remove the economic barriers faced when pursuing a higher education, especially when students are the first in their family to attend college. I am proud to see another class of youth in our City receiving scholarships to support their brilliant futures.”
According to data from the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) for academic calendar year 2023-2024, 48% of the approximately 19,000 high school students who attend SFUSD public and charter schools are socio-economically disadvantaged.
“DCYF is proud to support the Mayor's Bridge to Excellence Scholarship as part of our ongoing commitment to leveling the playing field in education,” said Dr. Maria Su, Executive Director of DCYF. “We firmly believe that everyone, regardless of their financial background, deserves the opportunity to pursue higher education and fulfill their potential. By investing in our students, we are investing in a brighter and more equitable future for all.”
“The San Francisco Education Fund is proud to be involved in such a meaningful initiative,” said Ann Levy Walden, CEO of the San Francisco Education Fund. “At the SF Ed Fund, we are working towards a future when all San Francisco public school students have equitable access to high quality education, so they can thrive. Through our partnership with the Mayor’s Bridge to Excellence Scholarship Program, we are taking concrete steps to achieve this goal by fulfilling students' rights to expanded educational experiences, ultimately helping them become catalysts for positive change in their communities.”
Recipients of Mayor Breed’s Bridge to Excellence Scholarship attended high school at either a SFUSD or San Francisco Charter high school and graduated in Spring of 2024, with plans to attend a four-year college. Additionally, applicants demonstrated a significant financial need and are the first in their family to graduate from a four-year college.
Today, Mayor Breed celebrated scholarship recipients’ academic accomplishments with a ceremony at San Francisco City Hall and a college-readiness workshop led by staff in the Department of Children, Youth, and Families.
Testimonials from previous scholarship recipients:
“Four years ago, while sheltering in place, I reconsidered whether going to college out of state was worth it, or even possible. With the financial impacts of the pandemic and not knowing when universities would open up again, I thought perhaps the best decision was to give up on my dream of attending a liberal arts institution and stay closer to home instead. Fortunately, with the support of Mayor London Breed and the Bridge to Excellence Award, I did not have to sacrifice my education, and I can now say that I graduated Summa Cum Laude from Macalester College and will start the Stanford Teacher Education Program in two weeks.” - Cecilia Gomez, Alumni, Class of 2024, Macalester College
“The Mayor's Bridge to Excellence Program played a pivotal role in shaping my educational and career trajectory by providing valuable resources, mentorship, and opportunities. Through the program, I gained access to networking events and professional development initiatives, which significantly enhanced my understanding of potential career paths. The financial support offered by the program alleviated the burden of educational expenses, enabling me to fully dedicate myself to my studies, excel as a first-generation college student majoring in psychology and sociology, and now confidently pursue ambitious career goals. As a participant in the Mayor's Bridge to Excellence Program, I’ve learned that the question is not whether success will occur, but when.” - Daisha Thomas-Duffin, Alumni, Class of 2024, Howard University
“With all the language barriers, and economic disparities that first-generation students like me face, I still managed to get good grades and further my education. The Mayor’s Bridge to Excellence Scholarship has enabled me to stay financially stable throughout my education. With this Scholarship, I was able to focus on my education rather than worrying about supporting myself financially.” - Samrawit Menghistu, Alumni, Class of 2024, California State University, Los Angeles
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