Post Scholarship
Applications for 2026 Scholarships are now being accepted!!
Due Monday, June 1, 2026
The Los Angeles Post of the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME-LA) 2026 Scholarship Program is now open! Applications will be accepted from individuals who plan to enter college or vocational/technical school or are currently enrolled in an undergraduate program or vocational/technical school and are majoring in science technology or a natural science, engineering, or math (STEM) program. Four (4) categories of scholarships are available. Eligibility requirements are:
1. High School Seniors (graduating in Spring 2026)
Accepted to a U.S. college (2- or 4-year schools) in an accredited program in a STEM-related program
2. Current/New Vocational/Technical School Students
Enrolled or continuing in a STEM-related program
3. Current Undergraduate Students
Enrolled or continuing in a STEM-related undergraduate program
4. United States Veterans
Enrolled or continuing a STEM-related program at a vocational/technical school, community college, or other U.S. college/university
ALL scholarship applicants shall:
- Begin/continue academic program by September 2026.
- Include financial need for scholarship funds in their personal statement.
- Submit a letter of recommendation.
- Attend SAME Scholarship Awards Event on Thursday, July 30, 2026 (date is tentative), to receive award.
Note: Students who reside in Los Angeles County receive a local preference of one-quarter point (.25) added to their overall score.
Application packets will be accepted through Monday, June 1, 2026, and may be (preferably) emailed or mailed to:
Cherie D. Smith, CPSM
SAME-LA Post Scholarship Chair
c/o Diaz•Yourman & Associates
1616 E. 17th Street
Santa Ana, CA 92705
cherie@diazyourman.com
SAME-LA will be awarding a minimum of five (5) scholarships this year, ranging from $2,000 to $3,000 each. We are able to do this through the generous donations and fundraising efforts of our members and supporters.
If you have any questions about the scholarship program, or if you are interested in making a tax-deductible donation to this worthy cause, please contact the Scholarship Chair by email (cherie@diazyourman.com) or phone at 714-245-2920 (Office) or 714-658-5075 (Mobile).
Students: Please confirm that your packet is complete and that it has been received by Ms. Smith prior to the due date.
Note: Reference/Recommendation letters may be sent separately but must be received by the due date.
Previous Scholarship Awards
- Seven (6) of the 2022 recipients qualified for and received 2nd year scholarships
- Brenton Dunn – UC San Diego
- Collin William Harris – Cal Poly Pomona
- Melissa Ordonez – UCLA
- Devin Rivas – Arizona State University
- Khedija Shafi – Williams College
- Rebecca Wu – Stanford University
- Luis De La Cruz – CSU Los Angeles
- Jose Hernandez – Cal Poly Pomona (Awarded Veteran Scholarship and Undergraduate Scholarship)
- Julian Ibarra – CSU Los Angeles
- Alessandro Leon-Contreras – LMU
- Diego Ochoa – LMU
- Indeyo Shaw – CSU – Los Angeles
- Alex Gutierrez – LMU
- Andrea Sanchez – LMU
- Calvin Stephens – UC Berkeley
- Emma Doyle – Penn State University
- Matthew Lacayo – UC Berkeley
- Crystal Enriquez – Cal Poly Pomona
- Fabian Ruelas – LMU
- Jonathan Zurita – LMU
- London Shaw – CSU – Los Angeles
- Gabriela Torres – LMU
- Jesus Padilla – LMU
- Jordan Edwards – Beloit College
- Jorge Salazar – CSU – Los Angeles
- Christian Aceves – UCI
- Guillermo A. Rivas – UC San Diego
- Victoria M. Ramirez – Pitzer College
- Yenifer Estrada Sandoval – UC Riverside
- Bertha Romero – UC Berkeley
- Gabriela Bobadilla – UC Berkeley
- Manuel Aceves – UC Riverside
- Spring Guilford – Tulane University
Communities of Interest
SAME’s Communities of Interest offer members a chance to engage nationally with other professionals focused on a particular technical field or demographic within joint engineering and the A/E/C industry.