The City of Commerce Scholarship Application

Apply now, Download the Scholarship Application

Please review the instructions carefully before submitting the application form and documents.

2026 Scholarship Application Fillable

Scholarship Recommendation Form Fillable

2026 Requirements & Eligibility

• Must be a current resident of the City of Commerce for at least one year. You must present a valid City of Commerce Resident Card and California Identification (Driver’s License or I.D.). A copy of the two forms of ID must be submitted with the application and, if awarded, they will need to be presented to receive the award check. High school students who do not have a California Identification can submit their current school ID.
• Applicants must be attending an accredited college or university where they are working towards an Associate’s, Bachelor’s, or Postgraduate degree.
• Official sealed copy of current school transcript. Address on school transcript must match Commerce address on resident card. Official sealed transcripts can be mailed directly to the office: Commerce READs Center, 5655 Jillson Street, Commerce, CA 90040 or included in your application package. School officials can email transcripts directly to CommerceScholarship@commerceca.gov
• Undergraduate students currently attending a college/university must be carrying 12 or more units (Full-time status). Postgraduate students do not need to carry full-time status.
• City of Commerce Employees who are residents are eligible to apply, as long as they have not received tuition reimbursement for the year. If the employee is awarded a scholarship, they will be ineligible for tuition reimbursement for the year awarded.
• All students must provide proof of college/university acceptance clearly establishing financial need for next term.
• Undergraduate students must have an overall grade point average of 2.0 if they are currently attending or plan to attend a community college, or 2.5 if they are currently attending or plan to attend a university or four year college. Postgraduate students must have an overall grade point average of 3.0.
• If you have volunteered for more than 24 hours in the last calendar year, please provide a letter from the program director where you volunteered.
• If an applicant falsifies any official documents (e.g. school transcript), that applicant will be barred from applying to the City of Commerce Scholarship Program in the future.
• Be advised Letters of Recommendation should be current (no older than two years).
• Complete application information (see below) must be received on Thursday, April 15, 2026.

A.    Checklist Form completed and signed.
B.    Application Information Form completed and signed (Address must be a Commerce address).
C.    Financial Analysis Sheet completed and signed.
D.    Autobiographical Essay
E.    Two (2) Recommendation Forms with letters attached (Must be in English).
F.    Proof of University acceptance.
G.   An official & sealed copy of current transcript
H.   Volunteer Letter if applicable (Must be in English).
I.     A copy of a current Commerce Resident Card and California I.D. High school students who do not have a California Identification can submit their current school ID.
J.   W-9 Form (Must be filled out with applicant information only).

• Applicants must be available for interviews on both Friday, June 12, 2026 and Saturday, June 13, 2026. Although applicant will only interview on one day they need to be available for all listed days until notified by letter of day and time of the interview. We will do our best to accommodate your preferred date but can not guarantee the day will be granted.
• As the applicant, it is your responsibility to inform us if one interview date is better than the other. Failure to be available for an interview will disqualify you.

NO EXCEPTIONS!

Failure to submit all requested materials by the deadline will disqualify you. If you have questions or concerns please email CommerceScholarship@commerceca.gov

How the Selection will be made?

Applicants will first be scored on the complete application, then on their verbal presentation. The verbal and written presentation will be scored by an unbiased panel of individuals from the City of Commerce industrial community and networking agencies. Award of Scholarship will be based on those with the highest score and highest unmet financial need.

Important Dates

• Deadline to turn in the application is on Thursday, April 16, 2026
• Interviews will be held on Friday, June 12, 2026 and Saturday, June 13, 2026

Submit your complete application to:

Commerce READS Center
5655 Jillson Street
Commerce, CA 90040

If you are emailing your application, it should be sent to the following email CommerceScholarship@commerceca.gov

Have questions?

View answers to frequently ask questions, or contact the READs Center at (323) 887-4423.