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Bill & Linda James
Scholarship Fund

Eligibility

To be eligible for this award, scholars must meet the following criteria:

  • Be a resident of one of the Eaton Fire impact zones (Altadena, Pasadena, or Sierra Madre) at the time of the fire
  • Be impacted by the Eaton Fire through loss or damage of home, loss of family or personal income, and/or temporary or permanent displacement
  • Be in good academic standing with a minimum 2.5 GPA or higher
  • Be a high school senior or current college student attending a 2-year or 4-year accredited institution of higher education
  • Demonstrate leadership, volunteer, civic, or other involvement in the community.

Application Requirements

  • Proof of residence in an Eaton Fire impact zone within one year prior to January 7, 2025
  • High School or College Transcripts
  • 2 Letters of Recommendation – 1 community member, 1 educator (letters from family are not accepted as official recommendations, but can be added as one additional letter)
  • 2 Short Essay Statements (250-500 words each) submitted as a Word document
    • In recent months, how have you seen your community show up for one another, and what was your role in that?
    • A driving force can be described as someone or something that motivates meaningful change. Who or what is your driving force, and how has this shaped who you are today?
  • A recent photo of the applicant (Photos will be included in scholarship announcement and only be viewed by the selection committee after an applicant is awarded the scholarship).
  • We are interested in your story and direct experience. Applications using ChatGPT or other AI chat bots will be disqualified.

Submit all completed applications to


[email protected]

All completed applications must be submitted to [email protected] by March 31, 2026 at 11:59PM PST. Completed applications must include all of the requirements outlined above to be considered. Please include “ART Scholarship Application – [Applicant’s First and Last Name]” in the subject line of your email.

 

Subject Line Example: ART Scholarship Application – Linda James

Bill and Linda’s Story

 

The Bill and Linda James Scholarship honors the lives and legacies of two proud Pasadena/Altadena residents whose deep roots in the community shaped generations that followed. William “Bill” and Linda were educated in the Pasadena Unified School District, attending Washington (now Octavia Butler) and McKinley Junior High Schools, before graduating from their beloved alma mater, John Muir High School. In 1968, they purchased their home in Altadena that welcomed family, friends, and neighbors for over five decades.

Their commitment to the community was reflected through more than 30 years of dedicated service—Bill as a member of the Pasadena Water Department and Linda through her work with Chandler School. Throughout their lives, they exemplified integrity, reliability, and service to others.

Together, Bill and Linda modeled the values of hard work, perseverance, and the pursuit of education, instilling in their children and grandchildren a deep respect for learning and continued commitment to the community. The couple also embodied a lasting example of love and partnership, sharing 47 years of marriage until Linda’s passing in 2006. This scholarship stands as a tribute to their enduring impact on family, community, and the belief that education is a powerful pathway to opportunity.

*Funds for the Bill and Linda James Scholarship were secured independently through ART’s general scholarship program. This scholarship is administered by ART in accordance with its established criteria and conflict-of-interest policies. Recipient selection is conducted through a double-blind review process. With the exception of ART’s CEO, who serves as a non-voting member of the selection committee, no family members participate in applicant review or award decisions.