2024-2025 Scholarship Winners
The Cash for College Scholarship honors Inland Empire students who are taking meaningful steps toward their postsecondary goals.
Congratulations to Our Cash for College Scholarship Winners!
Each year, Inland Empire students rise to the challenge of planning for college and completing their financial aid applications, and we are thrilled to recognize their dedication. These scholarship recipients represent the hard work, determination, and bright futures that Cash for College is all about. Their success reminds us that when students take the important step of applying for financial aid, they open doors to education, careers, and opportunities that strengthen our entire region.
Check back soon for the next cycle’s recipients—new winners are announced after the state financial aid deadline each year.
Past Scholarship Winners
Aiden Guerra
Chemistry & Criminal Justice
Copper Mountain College
My Story
My name is Aiden Guerra, and I am an 18 year old military child. I graduated from Twentynine Palms High School. I will be pursuing a dual major of chemistry and Criminal Justice at Copper Mountain College.
Aiden Rodriguez
Fire Technology
Mt. San Antonio College
My Story
My name is Aiden Rodriguez, an only child from Upland, California. I’m attending Mount San Antonio College to prepare for a bachelor’s in Fire Technology at CSU Los Angeles, planning to work as an EMT while gaining experience for paramedic training.
Amy Cuahuey
English
Cal State University San Bernardino
My Story
My name is Amy Cuahuey and I am a first-generation college student. This money will go towards my education to help me pursue my career. My goal is to become an english teacher to help and educate students I will be pursuing an English major as CSUSB.
Amy Ramirez
Riverside City College
Business Administration
My Story
Alexandra Isabella Puentes Rosales
California State University Northridge
My Story
I’m Alexandra Puentes Rosales, a first-generation college student and Riverside Preparatory High School graduate. I’m Hispanic and currently studying criminology and justice studies at Cal State Northridge to pursue my goal of becoming a lawyer. As a first-year student, I’m exploring new opportunities and learning to navigate college life.
Anthony Garcia
Biology
Riverside City College
My Story
My name is Anthony Garcia, and I am a first-generation college student graduating from Hillcrest High School. I plan to pursue a career in medicine to help save lives and will begin my journey by studying biology and completing my general education at RCC.
Ariana Guevara Rodriguez
Pharmacology
University Santa Barbara
My Story
My name is Ariana Gabriela Guevara Rodriguez, and I am a first-generation college student. I graduated from Jurupa Hills High School class of 2024! I am exited to be attending California State University Santa Barbara in the fall as I study Pharmacology.
Brianna Machuca
Nursing
TBD
My Story
My name is Brianna Machuca, and I’m a senior at Rialto High School. As a first-generation college student, I plan to attend a four-year university and pursue a nursing major.
Diana Puente
Nursing
Vanguard University
My Story
My name is Diana Puente, and I recently graduated from Cobalt Institute of Math and Science High School. As a proud Mexican-American, I’ve been actively involved in academics, athletics, and volunteering. I will be attending Vanguard University, where I plan to major in nursing.
Esmeralda Olvera-Hernandez
Sonography
College of the Desert
My Story
My name is Esmeralda Olvera, and I am currently a senior at Indio High School. After graduation, I plan to attend COD and then transfer to San Jacinto to pursue a career as an ultrasound technician. I am passionate about helping my local community and am grateful for the support I’ve received to achieve my goals for the future.
Esmeralda Perez Bravo
School Counseling
Redlands University
My Story
Hello, my name is Esmeralda Perez, a resident from the Coachella Valley, currently a first year on the Masters program in education majoring in school counseling. The goal is to a future highschool counselor in the Coachella Valley. A fun fact about me is that I am bilingual in english & spanish.
Gary Romero
Aerospace Engineering
UC Berkley
My Story
My name is Gary Romero, a senior at San Bernardino High School graduating on May 31st. As a first-generation college student, I’ll pursue Aerospace Engineering at UC Berkeley in Fall 2024, inspired by my high school robotics experience.
Giovanni Guardado
TBD
Chaffey Community College
My Story
Hans Chundekad
University of California, Riverside
My Story
I’m Hans Chundekad, a second-generation college student at UC Riverside and an Eleanor Roosevelt High graduate. I developed a strong interest in technology and business and now study Computer Science with Business Applications. I volunteer through campus clubs and design websites for local businesses. My goal is to break into big tech and help drive innovation in the industry.
Johnny Bernard Cowart
Business Management
Moreno Valley College
My Story
I’m Johnny Cowart, a first-year college student and Vista Del Lago High graduate from Moreno Valley. I was a multi-sport athlete in high school, competing in basketball, volleyball, cross country, and track, and made the playoffs my junior and senior years. Though I had offers to run collegiate track, I chose to focus on earning a business degree.
Johnny Mojica
Welding
Victor Valley College
My Story
My name is Johnny Mojica, and I recently graduated from Sultana High School. I have experience in the automotive industry and am ASE certified. I plan to expand my skills by learning welding at Victor Valley College.
Nathaly Velasco
Nursing
TBD
My Story
Hi, I’m Nathaly Velasco, and I’m passionate about my cats, reading, and writing. I’m majoring in Nutrition and Dietetics, aspiring to become a registered dietitian.
Osvaldo Gonzalez
Design Studies
Cal State University San Bernardino
My Story
My name is Osvaldo Gonzalez, and I am a first generation college student who graduated from Pacific High School. I will be pursuing a Design Studies degree from California State University, San Bernardino.
Rachael Covarrubias
Animation
Rio Hondo Community College
My Story
My name is Rachael Covarrubias and I just graduated from Montclair High School. I have always had a love for art and I am very excited to pursue my dream career as becoming an animator. I will be starting the process of getting my Associates Degree at Rio Hondo in the fall.
Sebastian Morales
Business-Finance
Riverside City College
My Story
My name is Sebastian Morales, and I am a first-generation student. I am in multiple clubs at school and I maintain a job outside of school while holding down decent grades. I will be going to Riverside City College to study Business-Finance and hopefully transfer to a UC after a year or two.
Yaniz Aparicio
Biology
San Francisco State University
My Story
My name is Yaniz Aparicio, a proud Latina from the Inland Empire and a graduate of Cobalt Institute of Math and Science. I will pursue a biology major at San Francisco State University, aiming to become a nurse and give back to my community, inspired by my love for science and the support of my family and friends.
Ying Yu
Business
Victory Valley College
My Story
My name is Ying Yu, and I am a first-generation immigrant and college student who graduated from Apple Valley High School. I’m passionate about community service, having organized a clothing drive and Christmas care packages for the homeless with friends. I am currently completing my general education at Victor Valley College and will transfer to UC Riverside to pursue a degree in Business.
Yalaila Marmolejo
Nursing
Ontario High School
My Story
My name is Rodrigo Morales and I am a first-generation college student. I will graduate from San Bernardino High School and will be pursuing a electrical engineering major at University Of California, Riverside
Take Your First Step Toward the Cash for College Scholarship
The best way to start your scholarship and financial aid journey? Attend a Cash for College workshop. These free events—open to students and families—are designed to make the financial aid process simple and stress-free. With guidance from trained advisors, you’ll get hands-on help completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA), discover available grants and scholarships, and leave with a clear plan for what comes next.
For students, it’s the first step toward qualifying for the IE Cash for College Scholarship and taking control of the college journey. For parents and educators, it’s a chance to ensure young people receive the guidance and confidence they need to access money for college and see just how possible higher education can be.
Other Scholarship Opportunities
Learn about opportunities available to high seniors and college students.