Scholarship Program

For over 25 years, SWACO has been committed to offering schools environmental educational programs and today our program includes dozens of curriculum resources for the classroom, landfill tours and grants for school-wide recycling and composting programs. As part of SWACO’s vision to create a sustainable future for our region, in 2025, SWACO launched a Scholarship Program for high school seniors pursuing degrees in sustainability, the waste industry and related fields. The Scholarship Program is intended to nurture the next generation of sustainability and waste leaders, while helping to remove financial barriers to higher education.

SWACO’s Scholarship Program will award one eligible student $2,500 every academic year (not to exceed $10,000 over four years) to an accredited community college, four-year college or university of their choice.

The 2026 scholarship application period is closed.

Please check back at a later date for information about the 2027 scholarship application cycle.

Eligibility Requirements

SWACO pledges to uphold the policy that all persons shall have equal access to this program, regardless of race, color, age, sex, marital or veteran status, creed, religion, or disability.

Please continue reading to review the SWACO Scholarship Program eligibility requirements.

Applicants must:

Applicants must be students who reside within SWACO’s District and have been accepted to an accredited college or university, or students who reside outside the District but have been accepted to and plan to attend an accredited college or university within SWACO’s District.
Applicants must be accepted for enrollment in an accredited community college, four-year college or university.
Applicants must be graduating students with a minimum of 20 credit units or graduating GED students.
Applicants must be pursuing a degree in environmental science, environmental studies, engineering or other majors applicable to the solid waste management field.