San Francisco Sun

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 toward achieving 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 an SFUSD or San Francisco Charter high school and graduated in Spring of 2024 with plans to attend a four-year college. Additionally, applicants demonstrated 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 from 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 giving up on my dream of attending a liberal arts institution and staying closer home instead," said Cecilia Gomez alumni class 2024 Macalester College "Fortunately with support Mayor London Breed Bridge Excellence Award did not sacrifice my education now say graduated Summa Cum Laude Macalester College will start Stanford Teacher Education Program two weeks.”

“The Mayor's Bridge To Excellence Program played pivotal role shaping my educational career trajectory providing valuable resources mentorship opportunities," said Daisha Thomas-Duffin alumni class 2024 Howard University "Through program gained access networking events professional development initiatives significantly enhanced understanding potential career paths The financial support offered alleviated burden educational expenses enabling fully dedicate myself studies excel first-generation college student majoring psychology sociology confidently pursue ambitious career goals As participant learned question not whether success occur but when”

“With all language barriers economic disparities first-generation students like me face still managed get good grades further my education," said Samrawit Menghistu alumni class 2024 California State University Los Angeles "The Mayor’s Bridge To Excellence Scholarship enabled stay financially stable throughout my education With this Scholarship able focus on my education rather worrying about supporting myself financially”