Napa, CA – The PG&E Corporation Foundation has opened applications for its annual Better Together STEM Scholarship Program, offering a total of $350,000 in scholarships to students in Napa County pursuing degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields. The program aims to support the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers, providing financial assistance to help students overcome the cost of higher education.
This year, a total of 60 scholarships will be awarded, with amounts of $10,000, $5,000, and $2,500 available to eligible students. The scholarships are designed to assist students who have made an impact in their communities, demonstrated leadership, or overcome personal challenges, according to PG&E officials.
Jake Zigelman, PG&E Vice President for the Bay Area Region, emphasized the importance of STEM professions in shaping California’s future, particularly in advancing the state’s clean energy goals. “We applaud all future engineers, scientists, and innovators,” Zigelman said. “These essential professions help power the state’s clean energy progress, ultimately benefitting all Californians. The PG&E Corporation Foundation is proud to play a part in helping these local students achieve their educational goals.”
Since its inception in 2012, the Better Together STEM Scholarship Program has awarded more than $7.45 million to accomplished students who demonstrate leadership, personal resilience, and academic achievement. In 2023, the foundation expanded the program to provide an additional $5,000 scholarship, increasing the number of recipients from 40 to 60. The program also broadened its eligibility in 2022 to include students planning to attend Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), in addition to California-based institutions.
Scholarship Criteria and Application Process
The scholarships are available to a wide range of students, including:
- High school seniors or graduates
- Students with a GED certification
- Current undergraduate students
- Non-traditional students or military veterans pursuing their first undergraduate degree
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Reside in or be a dependent of someone living in PG&E’s service area in Northern or Central California
- Plan to enroll full-time in an undergraduate program for the 2025-2026 academic year at an accredited four-year institution in California or at an HBCU
- Pursue a degree in a qualifying STEM discipline, such as engineering, computer science, cybersecurity, environmental science, math, or physics
The application deadline is March 14, with scholarship awards being made by August 2025. Applicants will be evaluated based on their academic achievements, involvement in school and community activities, leadership skills, and financial need.
In addition to the Better Together STEM scholarships, PG&E also offers further opportunities through its employee resource groups and engineering networking groups, which have collectively raised over $6 million in scholarships since 1989.
The PG&E Corporation Foundation is an independent nonprofit organization, separate from PG&E and sponsored by PG&E Corporation. To learn more about the program or to apply, students can visit the PG&E Foundation’s scholarship application page.