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PG&E Offers Substantial Scholarships for Students

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) recently launched a scholarship program aimed at supporting college-bound high school students, as well as current college and continuing education learners with a primary residence in Northern and Central California. With more than $250,000 in funds available, this initiative is paving the way for numerous students to pursue their educational dreams. The application process is now open and will close on March 22, 2025.

Financial Support from Employee Groups

The funds for these scholarships come from PG&E's 11 employee resource groups (ERGs) and two engineering network groups (ENGs), which are designed to foster a culture of inclusivity and support among coworkers. These resources are critical in helping talented individuals from diverse backgrounds access the higher education they seek. The scholarships typically range from $1,000 to $6,000 and are awarded based on academic excellence and community involvement.

Deb Sinta, Senior Vice President of Talent, Culture, and People at PG&E, emphasized the importance of these awards, stating, "Our ERG and ENG scholarships open doors to develop future leaders and breakthrough thinkers. These awards support the ambitions and dreams of young people in our communities. This assistance is part of how we're living our purpose at PG&E—delivering for our hometowns, serving our planet, and leading with love."

Past Recipients Share Their Experiences

The impact of these scholarships is profound, as articulated by previous awardees. Donovan Jones, a recipient of the 2024 ERG scholarship, shared, "I am grateful for this award, as the financial burden of out-of-state tuition is daunting. This scholarship will significantly decrease my college tuition and lessen the need for student loans." Donovan is set to major in pre-law and computer science at the University of Oregon.

Katherine Lopes, another 2024 ERG scholarship recipient and history major at the University of California, San Diego, expressed her aspirations, saying, "I am incredibly interested in using history to inform the future. I hope to be able to affect change in the world around me by studying what came before me."

A Legacy of Giving

Since the inception of these scholarships in 1989, PG&E has awarded over $6 million to thousands of students, highlighting their long-standing commitment to educational support. Currently, more than 6,500 of PG&E's 28,000 employees are part of these ERGs and ENGs, reinforcing the company’s dedication to community service and employee engagement.

The 13 groups supporting this scholarship initiative include:

• - Access Network (for individuals with disabilities)
• - AAPI (Asian American, Pacific Islander)
• - Black
• - Latino
• - Legacy (for tenured coworkers)
• - MEENA (Middle East, Europe, and North Africa)
• - National Society of Black Engineers (focused on STEM careers)
• - NuEnergy (for newer employees)
• - PrideNetwork (LGBTQ+ coworkers)
• - Samahan (focused on Filipino culture)
• - Society for Hispanic Professional Engineers (related to STEM careers)
• - Veterans
• - Women’s Network

Additional Opportunities

In addition to the ERG and ENG scholarships, other scholarship options are available through the Pacific Service Employees Association (PSEA), a nonprofit organization that serves PG&E coworkers and retirees by offering scholarships to their dependents. Additionally, PG&E Corporation is rolling out STEM-focused scholarships under its Better Together STEM scholarships program.

Conclusion

PG&E remains committed to empowering the future generation by providing essential resources and support to students in Northern and Central California. By leveraging the strength of its employee groups, the company creates pathways that help talented individuals overcome financial barriers to education, thereby fostering their potential as leaders and innovators in the community.

For more information about the scholarships, including specific eligibility criteria and the application process, visit the PG&E website.