The Hawaiian Gardens City Council on Nov. 12 approved amendments to the CDC youth and adult scholarship program guidelines intended to simplify the application and expand eligibility, staff said.

Joe Jimenez, presenting the report, said staff proposed removing the 20-hour city-based community-service requirement and instead asked applicants to describe their community service in an essay; staff noted many students already perform service as part of other scholarship applications and that the change was aimed at increasing the applicant pool after only 10 youth applicants were received last year. Jimenez said the city would still promote volunteer opportunities and would convene a selection committee that includes local school personnel.

Council members discussed documenting service performed elsewhere, lowering a local minimum from 20 to 10 hours, outreach through school counselors and principals, and the possibility of recognizing winners at an Artesia High School scholarship event; staff said the policy allows attendance at trade schools and that award levels will depend on the approved budget. The policy retains a 2.5 minimum GPA requirement. The council voted to approve the amended guidelines.

Staff said the city will offer up to nine youth scholarships and three adult scholarships, and that award amounts may vary year to year depending on budget.