The Rogers Family Scholarship: Building Confidence, Experience, and Opportunity
Launched in 2022, the Rogers Family Scholarship was created with the goal of supporting motivated EPAA students who are attending a 4-year universities and lack access to the resources, professional exposure, and opportunities that help shape strong postsecondary and career pathways.
At East Palo Alto Academy Foundation (EPAAF), we know that our students deserve the chance to pursue their dreams of higher education and explore career opportunities, but they often don’t have the resources they need to pay for college. The Rogers Family Scholarship directly addresses this gap by providing academic scholarships and opportunities to have paying internships, which empower students to explore their interests, gain real-world experience, and build confidence beyond the classroom.
Rogers Scholars are selected not only for academic promise, but for qualities that signal long-term success: initiative, follow-through, and curiosity. Scholars are students who actively seek guidance, take ownership of their growth, and leverage the resources available to them.
As one student shared:
“Having a professional development scholarship has allowed me and will continue to allow me to engage with many opportunities throughout college without the financial worry. Nazario, Sophomore, UCLA
A defining feature of the Rogers Family Scholarship is its internship and professional development component, which helps remove financial barriers that often prevent students from participating in internships, training programs, and career exploration opportunities. This support allows students to pursue experiences that might otherwise be out of reach.
“I deeply value the fact that my current internship was funded through my Rogers Family Scholarship. In a landscape where many internships are underpaid or entirely unpaid, having the opportunity to gain meaningful professional experience without added financial strain has been significant.” Raquel, Graduating Senior, UC Berkeley
The Rogers family’s hope for each scholar is simple but profound: that students graduate with confidence, practical experience, and the ability to recognize and seize opportunities that shape their futures.
What has stood out most over the past few years is how intentionally students use this support. Scholars have demonstrated a strong sense of purpose using the momentum from the scholarship to clarify goals, build networks, and take meaningful steps toward their careers.
“This internship, along with my experience in other labs, has really shown me the behind-the-scenes side of agricultural research. Since my goal is to go to law school and work in agricultural law, it’s been incredibly valuable to understand how science connects to the policies and decisions made later on. Being part of that process has been humbling, and it makes me even more excited to bring this experience into the legal field.” Ingrid, Junior, UC Davis
The Rogers Family Scholarship is a powerful example of how targeted, thoughtful philanthropy can unlock potential and change trajectories. By investing in both access and agency, the program helps ensure that EPAA students are not only prepared for what comes next but empowered to lead their own journeys.
We are deeply grateful to the Rogers family for their vision, partnership, and commitment to EPAA students—and for believing in what’s possible when opportunity meets determination.
