Karl S. Pister Leadership Opportunity Award

The 2025 Pister Application Is Open. The deadline to submit your application is January 24, 2025.

The Karl S. Pister Leadership Opportunity Program Award provides $20,000 distributed over two years, wholistic advising support, and assistance in finding paid or volunteer summer work experience. The award will be included in your financial aid award package and replaces any need-based loan and/or work expectation. If you have any questions about how this award would be applied to your financial aid, please refer to this Infosheet or contact the UCSC Financial Aid Scholarship Office.

Please read all of the following before applying. The application personal statement questions are available at the bottom of this page.

Requirements to Apply

• The applicant must be applying to UC Santa Cruz as a transfer student from one of the 13 participating community colleges.

• The applicant must have applied for Fall 2025 admission to UC Santa Cruz by submitting the UC Application for Undergraduate Admission and Scholarships.

• The applicant must apply for financial aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application by March 2, 2025. Students on a non-immigrant visa (F-1, J-1, etc.) are not eligible for this award.

• Obtain one letter of recommendation. The letter should be from an individual who is able to comment on such areas as extracurricular activities, leadership skills, commitment, and dedication. Letters of recommendation must be written by someone other than a family member or relative.

• Obtain transcripts from all colleges attended (unofficial copies are acceptable).

Eligibility Criteria 

• Show exceptional achievement through academic and extracurricular accomplishments despite adverse socioeconomic conditions;

• Demonstrate an involvement in activities that assist and improve the lives of others;
  

• Exhibit outstanding leadership qualities that reflect the ideals of the Pister Leadership Opportunity Program;

• Because of financial need, would not otherwise be able to attend UC Santa Cruz;

• Qualify for Fall 2025 admission to UCSC as a new junior transfer student.

APPLICATION GUIDELINES

• Answer the three personal insight questions below and copy your responses into the online application form. Each response is limited to a maximum of 350 words. These questions come from the UC application and you may use your responses from the application for this scholarship. For guidance in answering these questions click here.   
  • Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time.

• • Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.

• • Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement?

• Have all the application materials on hand before starting the application form. This way you will be able to complete the application in one sitting. The materials needed are; 1) the name and email address of your letter writer, 2) your unofficial community college transcripts as pdf files, and 3) answers to the 3 personal insight questions.