The Chandler Education Foundation has announced what it states is a new milestone in its scholarships program.

This year, 239 scholarships totaling $335,200 have been awarded to achieving seniors at one of the Chandler Unified School District’s six high schools, according to a news release.

The achievement represents the largest amount ever distributed in the Foundation’s history, far surpassing the 2024 total of $240,000, the release states.

Scholarships can be for four-year degree institutions, a trade certification or an associate program.

CEF currently stewards nearly 100 donor-established awards, each with its own unique purpose and criteria, along with two Foundation-administered scholarships: the IMPACT Chandler Scholarship and the newly launched Foundation Award.

This year, more than 2,200 applications were reviewed, using the time and effort of dozens of volunteer evaluators and donors.

Among the highlights of this year’s awards is the debut of the Bison Scholarship, awarding more than $47,000 to students pursuing careers in trades and technical fields, with an emphasis on entrepreneurship.

In addition to donor-funded awards, CEF continues to grow its IMPACT Chandler Service Leadership Program, which recognized 242 graduates for exemplary community service and academic achievement.

Among those, a record 132 seniors earned the competitive IMPACT Scholarship — made possible through proceeds from CEF’s popular Winner’s Choice Car or Cash Raffle.

“To me, these awards represent the opportunity to create my own path using the support of the incredible community around me,” said Sierra Powers, recipient of both the Basha High Pay It Forward Scholarship and an IMPACT Chandler Scholarship.

Powers was one of the nearly 200 students who attended celebratory events held at each of CUSD’s six high schools, where donors had the chance to meet and honor the students they support.

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