Willits Local Scholarship Program

Hello Class of 2025!

The Willits Local Scholarship Program is up and running! What is it you ask? Only a great opportunity to earn multiple scholarships towards vocational/trade school, community college, or a 4-year college. That's right! I said MULTIPLE scholarships! Last year the Willits community organizations gave the graduating Class of 2024 a grand total of $104,550. Award amounts vary year to year but they want to help all of you on your path to success! So how do you apply?!

Step 1. Create an account on GoingMerry. Here is the link: https://www.goingmerry.com/

Step 2. Fill out your profile with as much information about yourself as you can including your graduation year, home address, and county you live in. The more information you enter, the more scholarships you will be matched to at the national, state, and local level.

Step 3. Upload your resume, at least 2 letters of recommendation, and a copy of your most recent high school transcript to the "Documents" section in your profile. If you have submitted your FAFSA, upload your FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS) from the student aid website. This is how we will be tracking FAFSA completion for your class.

Step 4. Search for local scholarships by clicking on the "Browse Scholarships" tab on the left hand side of your GoingMerry account dashboard. In order to view the local scholarships specific to Willits, click on the "Filters" towards the top left of the screen. Make sure that the only filter that is there is "Local Only". Delete any other filter like "Matches only" or "Partial Matches". Click on the button next to "Show local scholarships only" and then apply the changes by clicking the green "Apply Filters" button below. You can also view our local school page here.

Step 5. Make sure to check each scholarship’s description and eligibility requirements even if it says you are not eligible to apply! Your profile information is what determines eligibility and you can update it with any information that may be missing so you can be eligible to apply.

Step 6. Certain scholarships require their own application(s). 

• The Community Foundation of Mendocino County Scholarships

  • They have their own online application

  • Fill out the application once and apply for multiple scholarship opportunities offered through the foundation!

  • Their application will be available from 12/01/2024-3/01/2025

Step 7. Ask for help if you need it. Please make an appointment with Mrs. Burke BEFORE March 14th if you need help.

Step 8. Submit your application(s) on GoingMerry by Friday 3/14/2025. Don't forget that the application deadline for the Community Foundation of Mendocino County is 3/01/2025 by 5:00 p.m. No late applications will be accepted.

Step 9. Plan to participate in Scholarship Interview Night on Thursday April 10th from 5:00-8:00 p.m. You may also be contacted directly by different scholarship committees throughout April and May for phone or zoom interviews.

Step 10. Apply for other scholarships you have been matched with at the national and state level on GoingMerry or find more scholarship opportunities using any of the search engines below.

For Undocumented Students: