Who are we?
Dollars for Tustin Scholars is a community non-profit organization with the sole purpose of raising scholarship monies for the graduating high school seniors of the Tustin Unified School District. Since 1987, thousands of dollars have been awarded to deserving and talented students. At the beginning of 2023 DFTS left Scholarship America® and Dollars for Scholars® and has since taken on the name Dollars for Tustin Scholars.
Who do we help?
Scholarships make a difference to our students and their families. Not only do they provide financial assistance, they also encourage students and help them understand that the community believes in them and their potential. Since 1987, DFTS has awarded scholarships to 109 students totaling over $589,000.
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DFTS awards $1,500 renewable scholarships for four years, for a total of $6,000. We currently have 20 scholarship recipients ongoing through our program. Any senior in the Tustin Unified School District who plans to attend a four-year college or university is eligible to apply. Students can go to the "Scholarship" tab to apply. Our recipients are chosen based on financial need, community service, leadership qualities, grade point average, and all-around achievements.
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The revenue to support this program is raised by DFTS through special fundraising events, including Concerts in the Park, the Kentucky Derby Party, Italian Fest, Potato Party, and Sip & Stroll, as well as through individual and business donations.
MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT
As President of Dollars for Tustin Scholars, it is my pleasure to welcome you to our website. The 2025–2026 school year is underway, and I am thrilled to share that this past May we awarded six scholarships to graduating seniors of the Tustin Unified School District. Each scholarship, valued at $6,000 and renewable over four years at $1,500 per year, helps open doors to higher education and brighter futures. We are especially proud that we now have 20 students on scholarships, attending colleges and universities across the country.
At Dollars for Tustin Scholars, our mission is simple but powerful — to provide life-changing opportunities for local students. Our fundraising efforts continue throughout the year with community-centered events such as the Kentucky Derby Party in May, ItalianFest in the fall, our spirited Spring Potato Party, and our partnerships with the OC Riptide baseball team and the City of Tustin. These events succeed only through the generosity of our sponsors, donors, and volunteers, whose commitment allows us to impact more students each year.
Our next major event is ItalianFest on Saturday, September 27, and I invite you to join us. Please visit our new website, www.dollarsfortustinscholars.com, where you can purchase tickets, become a sponsor, or learn about other ways to get involved. Every contribution makes a difference, and together, we can provide even more scholarships to deserving students in our community.
Thank you for supporting Dollars for Tustin Scholars. With your help, we are changing lives through education.
Warmly,
Jonathan Abelove
President, Dollars for Tustin Scholarship