Independent Scholarship Awards

List of 11 items.

• Honors at Entrance Scholarship - Open to Prospective Freshmen

  These scholarships range from $500 to $1,000 and are awarded to students from one of three local partner schools (listed below) as well as one other local school and is determined by the top score on the Entrance Placement Test given in early 2025. These are one-time awards to enrolling freshmen students for the 2025 - 2026 school year.

   

   - A $1000 Scholarship will be awarded to applicants with the highest cumulative Entrance Placement Test score from each of the following schools:

  Our Lady of Mount Carmel School
  Notre Dame School
  Saint Raphael School
  One additional local school (public or private)- A $500 scholarship will be awarded to the applicant with the top math score- A $500 scholarship will be awarded to the applicant with the top English score

  
  To qualify, the Entrance Placement Test must be taken at Bishop Diego High School in January or February 2025. A completed online application and submission of the application fee are required to sit for the exam. This award is not based on financial need. No additional application is required to be eligible for this award. Awardees will be honored at Bishop Diego's Evening of Excellence ceremony in the spring of 2025. 

• Regional Bishop's Tuition Assistance Fund

  The first apostolic work of every family and every parish is to pass on the faith to our children and the Regional Bishop's Tuition Assistance Fund exists for the simple purpose of not allowing that need to go unmet. 

  
  

  Each year CEF (Catholic Education Foundation) reports that approximately 120 students are unable to gain admission to a Catholic school in the Santa Barbara Region for lack of funds. The goal of the Regional Bishop's Award is to eliminate that statistic by providing funding so that every child who wishes to attend one of our schools will find the support necessary.  

  
  

  The Regional Bishop's Tuition Assistance Award is awarded to students who have never enrolled in a Catholic school before and requires recommendations from both a pastor and principal. It is open to students of all grade levels and is not renewable.  Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Students and families interested in applying for this award should contact Emily Diaz, Director of Admissions, ediaz@bishopdiego.org or 805-967-1266 ext. 111, for more information.

• The Christie Green Memorial Scholarship for Lady Cardinals

  Christie Green was an ardent supporter of Catholic education and Bishop Diego High School. In addition to teaching at San Roque and Marymount, she also taught religious education to many generations of Santa Barbara’s Catholic youth.    
  
  

  Christie had a lifelong passion for sports and games. Starting at an early age, she was an avid participant, coach, and spectator in many different sports. In every endeavor, Christie always prioritized - and sought to instill in others - the importance of good sportsmanship, fair play, and respect for one's opponent over the eventual outcome of the game. Christie was issued a rare Lifetime Sports Pass by Bishop Diego High School, allowing her to cheer on her beloved Cardinals through the highs and lows of many seasons in many different sports.
  
  

  In addition to her formal education, capped by the Bachelor's degree she proudly earned at UCSB after raising her three children, Christie believed that travel provided the truest form of education. With family and friends, she traveled to all 50 states and over 50 foreign countries. Each journey was meticulously researched, planned and then archived, and a number of those trips tied into Christie's love of genealogy studies.
  
  

  As a wife, mother, grandmother, teacher and mentor, Christie was greatly admired by all who knew her for her tireless commitment to finding - and then gently fostering - the best qualities in others.

  
  The Christie Green Memorial Scholarship for Lady Cardinals, made possible by the Green family and generous donations from friends made in her name, seeks to award five $1,000 scholarships each year to female students entering grades 10, 11, or 12. To qualify, candidates must exhibit the following characteristics:

  • A cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher
  • Participation in a Bishop Diego sport, leadership role, or other campus activity
  • A deep passion for their sport or activity
  • The ability to seek out and foster the best in others
  • Extraordinary effort in all they do
  • An emphasis on fairness
  • Love for Bishop Diego High School

  AND

  Write an essay detailing how they believe they embody the characteristics detailed above, which activities they are involved in, and how they would honor Christie Green’s legacy of, learning, sportsmanship, and a love for Bishop Diego if they were to receive the scholarship.

  
  The applicant’s family must also demonstrate financial need through the FACTS application for a Personalized Tuition plan. This award is not automatically renewable and must be applied for annually. Essays must be submitted by January 17, 2025 to scholarships@bishopdiego.org. Awards will be announced in early March.

• The Knights of Columbus, Council #1684 Scholarship

  This scholarship is open to any BDHS student (incoming and/or currently enrolled). One-time scholarship awards may range from $500 to $4,000. Students must have a strong GPA, good citizenship, participation in athletics and/or the arts, positive contribution to the Bishop Diego community and financial need. Additionally, students must be on track to meet or exceed the mandatory 25 hours of community service required. Priority consideration may be given to students whose family members are active Knights.
  
  

  Please click here to download the scholarship application and return it, with the personal statement, to scholarships@bishopdiego.org by January 17, 2025. This scholarship is not automatically renewable and must be applied for annually.

• The Margaret Cavaletto Memorial Scholarship

  Margaret Cavaletto loved Bishop Diego football and had a special spot in the stands where she would sit with her family and her Cardinal family. To honor her memory, friends and family have established a scholarship available to students entering Bishop in the 9^th, 10^th, 11^th, or 12^th grades and who appreciate the mission of Bishop Diego High School.

   

  To qualify, candidates must exhibit the following characteristics:

  • Participation in a Bishop Diego sport, leadership role, or other campus activity
  • A deep passion for their sport or activity
  • Love for Bishop Diego High School

  AND

  Write a 250 - 500 word essay detailing how they believe they embody the characteristics detailed above, which activities they are involved in, and how they would honor Margaret Cavaletto’s legacy.

  
  The applicant’s family must also demonstrate financial need through a FACTS application for Tuition Assistance (refer to Bishop Diego’s Personalized Tuition page for information on how to apply).

  
  This award is not automatically renewable and must be applied for annually. Essays must be submitted by January 17, 2025 to scholarships@bishopdiego.org. Awards will be announced in early March.

• The Mark Kooi Memorial Scholarship

  The Mark Kooi Memorial Scholarship is a $1500 award to one current Bishop Diego High School student. 
  

  
  Coach Mark Kooi was a beloved husband, father, son, brother, uncle and friend. He was a charismatic, selfless person that loved with his whole heart. He cared deeply, gave the best bear hugs and was never at a loss for a good joke. Coach Kooi was a United States Army Veteran, a Phoenix Police Officer, and a high school history teacher, football and track and field coach in Gilbert, Arizona. Besides being a father to his son, Randall, Mark truly made his biggest impact in his role as a teacher and a coach. He believed athletics was the perfect way to connect to youth, teach them responsibility and hold them accountable for their actions. Coach Kooi valued hard-work, loyalty, dedication, positivity and inclusiveness.  He was also proud of his Catholic faith. Coach Kooi is best known for his phrase, “Head Up, Chest Up.”

   

  Coach Kooi passed away suddenly in 2010, but the Maho Family and their friends created this scholarship to continue his legacy.  Coach Kooi was the beloved uncle of Luc, Parker and Logan Maho (BDHS class of 2021).

   

  To qualify for the Mark Kooi Memorial Scholarship, the following criteria must be met:
  

  • Must be a current BDHS student entering 10th, 11th or 12th grade.
  • Must demonstrate good citizenship and leadership.
  • Must be an enthusiastic participant in BDHS athletics. Must be hardworking, loyal, inclusive and a team player.
  • All grades must be a C+ or better.
  • Must write a 250 word essay on how a BDHS coach has inspired you to be a better person.  The essay must include your name, your current grade, the sports you participate in and your GPA. 

  This award is not automatically renewable and must be applied for annually. Essays must be submitted by January 17, 2025 to scholarships@bishopdiego.org. Awards will be announced in early March.

• The Red Bird Scholarship

  This scholarship is open to any BDHS student (incoming and/or currently enrolled). Scholarship awards may range from $500 to $3,000. Students must have a minimum 2.5 GPA, exhibit good citizenship, participate in athletics and/or the arts, describe how they will make a positive contribution to the Bishop Diego community. Additionally, students must be on track to meet or exceed the mandatory 25 hours of community service required. Families must also demonstrate financial need by completing a FACTS application for a personalized tuition plan.
  
  

  To apply for the scholarship, complete the FACTS application for a Personalized Tuition plan and submit an essay on “Why it is important for you (the student) to attend Bishop Diego High School.” Essays should be a minimum of 250 words.
  
  

  Essays are due by January 17, 2025 to scholarships@bishopdiego.org. This scholarship is not automatically renewable and must be applied for annually. Awards will be announced in early March.

   

• The Rodney Shull Memorial Scholarship

  $3,000.00 awards available to two current BDHS students (entering the 10th, 11th, or 12th grades) who demonstrates good citizenship, college-preparatory academic standards with a minimum 3.0 G.P.A., and participation in athletics and/or the arts. Families must also demonstrate financial need through submission of a FACTS application for a Personalized Tuition plan.
  
  

  Rodney Shull was a graduate of Bishop Garcia Diego High School, Class of 1982. Following a successful football career at SBCC, he was awarded a full athletic scholarship to Stanford University for his junior and senior years. He graduated in 1987. Rodney Shull was a natural leader. He was a great listener but could filibuster with the best of them. At Bishop, he was elected ASB President over a more technically qualified candidate, by the sheer force of his personality. He was the type of person who lit up the room when he entered it. He was a gifted athlete, innately intelligent and a loyal friend. He set high standards for himself on the athletic field and in the classroom, but nobody had a better time than Rodney. He loved school and school traditions.
  
  

  He loved children, everybody’s children, especially his own. He wouldn’t take no for an answer and heaven help you if you didn’t agree with him on something. Rodney Shull’s life ended far too soon, as he succumbed to medical complications from a sudden illness in 1998. His wife, Ashley, his children and his parents helped establish the Rodney Shull Memorial Scholarship.
  
  

  To apply for this scholarship complete the FACTS application and submit a 250-word essay on why you are deserving of this scholarship and how you will strive to live the ideal and spirit of Mr. Rodney Shull.  Essay should be submitted to scholarships@bishopdiego.org by January 17, 2025. This scholarship is not automatically renewable and must be applied for annually. Awards will be announced in early March.

• The Santa Barbara Catholic/Bishop Diego Legacy Scholarship

  Awards are $1,000 and are available to students (incoming and/or currently enrolled) who are the children, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren of BDHS or Santa Barbara Catholic alumni. Students must have a minimum 3.0 GPA, good citizenship, demonstrated financial need, and express interest in athletics and/or the arts. This award renews annually as long as the student maintains the aforementioned requirements. A portion of the proceeds from the annual Alumni Golf Tournament is used to support the Bishop Legacy Scholarship.
  
  

  To apply, families must complete the FACTS application for a Personalized Tuition Plan and prospective students must submit a 250-word essay about how they will continue the legacy of school spirit and Christian values that their parents and/or grandparents demonstrated while at Bishop Diego or Santa Barbara Catholic High Schools. Further, in what positive manner will you leave your own legacy?
  
  

  If you are applying for this scholarship, you must complete the required essay and return it to scholarships@bishopdiego.org by January 17, 2025. 

• The Sister Helen Scholarship

  Sr. Helen, who retired in 2018, served the students of Bishop Diego High School for 42 years and left a lasting impact on all who were blessed to know her. Her belief in the power of Catholic education was an inspiration to multiple generations of students and families and this scholarship honors the sacrifice families make to ensure that their students continue on in Catholic school.
  
  

  Awards range are based upon the financial need of the family:
  
  

  Total Family Income	Sister Helen Award Amount
  Under $100,000	$7000
  $100,000-$150,000	$4000
  $150,000 and above*	$2000

  
  This scholarship affirms the family's choice to provide a Catholic education throughout a student's PK - 12 journey and beyond. Students who have attended Notre Dame School, Our Lady of Mount Carmel School, or St. Raphael School in Santa Barbara may qualify for an award if they meet the following criteria:
  
  

  1. The applicant must have attended one of the local Catholic partner schools listed above for grades 5 - 8. The applicant must also be on-track to graduate in good standing from the partner school. 
  2. The applicant must submit a 250 - 500-word essay that reflects how they currently strive to live out the mission of Bishop Diego High School.
  3. The applicant's family must demonstrate financial need through submission of a FACTS application for the $7000 and $4000 award levels. *Families who do not file a FACTS application who have attended a Catholic partner school for grades 5-8, and whose applicant writes an essay, will automatically be granted a $2000 award. 

  
  This award is renewable for the student's tenure at Bishop Diego, but recipients must submit an essay annually indicating how they continue to grow from their Catholic education. Bishop families with students currently in grades 9, 10, or 11 as of January 2025 do not need to submit a FACTS application to renew this award. Essays are due by January 17, 2025 to scholarships@bishopdiego.org. Awards and amounts will be announced in early March.
  
  *The updated award structure will apply to new students enrolling for the 2023-24 school year.

• Vaya Con Dios Scholarship

  This scholarship recognizes multiple students with awards valued at up to $3,000 each. Recipients must currently be enrolled at Bishop Diego preparing to enter grades 10, 11, or 12 in the coming fall, have a minimum GPA of 3.3, exhibit good citizenship, and participate in athletics and/or the arts. Families must also demonstrate financial need through submission of the FACTS application for a Personalized Tuition plan. Additionally, students must be on track to meet or exceed the mandatory 25 hours of community service required annually.
  
  

  To apply for the scholarship, submit an essay of 300 words or less addressing each of the following questions:

  • What does it mean to you to be a part of the Bishop Diego community?
  • What will you do to contribute to the Bishop community?
  • What are the goals you want to achieve as a Bishop High School alumnus?

  Applicants must complete the required essay and return it to scholarships@bishopdiego.org by January 17, 2025. This scholarship is not automatically renewable and must be applied for annually. Awards will be announced in early March.