Residents in communities served by LifeSTEPS may be eligible for a variety of scholarships for themselves or their children, including academic, vocational/trade school, and youth sports opportunities.
695
academic and vocational scholarships awarded since 2011
2.1M
dollars awarded since 2011
About
Academic & Trade School Scholarships
Through our partnership with the JB Brown Fund, USA Properties Fund residents can access scholarships that support college or vocational pathways. These awards not only help cover the cost of education — they also encourage students to believe in their potential and feel supported by their community.
Youth Sports Scholarships
USA Properties Fund residents may also qualify for Youth Sports Scholarships provided by the JB Brown Fund. These scholarships help offset expenses like registration fees and equipment, making it possible for young people to participate in organized sports, stay active, and build lifelong skills such as teamwork, confidence, and resilience.
For more information visit: www.jbbrownfund.org
About
Patrick R. Sabelhaus Scholarship Fund
Founded in 2023, the Patrick R. Sabelhaus Scholarship Fund honors a visionary leader in affordable housing whose work helped create 25,000 homes across California, Nevada, and New Mexico. In partnership with LifeSTEPS and the California Council for Affordable Housing (CCAH), this fund helps residents pursue higher education and trade school training — continuing Patrick’s legacy of opportunity through education.
Who is eligible:
High school seniors, GED recipients, or undergraduate students
Residents of a CCAH-member affordable housing community
Previous recipients returning for renewal
Scholarship amounts
University of California: $5,000
Private 4-year university: $3,500
California State University: $2,800
Community Colleges:$750
Trade/Vocational School: $4000
For more information or to apply: www.californiacouncil.org/patrick-r-sabelhaus-scholarship-fund
About
HOPE Scholarships
Through the HOPE (Housing Opportunities and Personal Empowerment) Fund, created in partnership with AMCAL, LifeSTEPS residents can access scholarships that support personal and educational advancement. These funds help remove financial barriers, allowing individuals to grow their skills, pursue their goals, and build brighter futures.
For More Information visit: www.amcalhousing.com/changing-lives
Scholarship Recipients
Justice
California Baptist University / Software Engineering
Justice’s Story: Setting a New Standard for Generations to Come
When Justice first applied for the JB Brown Scholarship in 2019, he was about to begin his very first semester of college. A resident at Rancho Carrillo since 2017, Justice grew up alongside his three younger brothers in a home filled with love, encouragement, and the constant support of their mother.
With the help of the JB Brown Scholarship, Justice pursued his passion for technology and graduated from California Baptist University in 2022 with a degree in Software Engineering. Today, he is living his dream as a Software Development Engineer at Amazon.
Looking back, Justice knows how transformative the scholarship was, “Being the recipient of the JB Brown Scholarship had a significant impact on my academic and personal life. Financially, the scholarship helped to alleviate pressure that came with committing to higher education. This in turn allowed me to focus more on my studies rather than worrying about loan balances. It motivated me to push myself academically, strengthened my confidence, and gave me a sense of pride.”
For Justice, earning his degree was more than a personal achievement—it was a milestone for his entire family, “My parents didn’t finish college, so earning my degree and starting a career in tech felt like a realized dream for me and them. It’s like being able to start a new standard for the next generation of my family.”
Now, that standard is inspiring the next generation—his younger brother Jackson is also a JB Brown Scholarship recipient. “I think a lot about how my journey can help them,” Justice reflects.
Most importantly, the scholarship helped create the financial stability Justice once dreamed of. “I didn’t grow up with the most, so getting a good job out of college has been a big change. Having that kind of stability is freeing—it’s one of the first times I’ve been able to make decisions based on what I want, not just what I need.”
Justice’s story shows how access to education, combined with the JB Brown Fund’s support, can break cycles of poverty, create stability, and open doors for generations to come.
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