Please contact education@centralcoastaquarium.com with questions.
Scholarships
2026-2027
About Our Scholarships
Year round scholarship availability is dependent on grant funding and private donations. Scholarships will be awarded in the order that applications are received.
Scholarship Supporters
The Central Coast Aquarium is grateful to the foundations, organizations, and individual donors whose generous support helps make marine science education accessible to students. Their contributions provide field trip scholarships that allow schools with financial need to experience meaningful, hands-on learning opportunities.
Thanks to the generous support of the Harold J. Miossi Charitable Trust, more than 1,000 local students received Discovery Lab field trip scholarships between 2024 and 2026, with continued funding expanding student access through the 2026–27 school year. We are also grateful to our private donors, whose contributions help expand scholarship opportunities and ensure more students can experience hands-on marine science education.
Am I Eligible?
- Most scholarships are reserved for Title I schools.
- PreK-12th grade students are eligible to receive scholarships.
- Some program scholarships may apply to specific counties.
- Scholarships are applied to program fees. We are unable to cover the costs of bus transportation at this time.
How to Apply
- Complete the School Field Trip Application Form by clicking on the button below and indicate scholarship interest at the end of the form.
- Please be prepared to provide a statement of need in your application detailing how the desired program will enhance student learning.
FAQs
Scholarship funding is available! Apply today by completing the School Field Trip Interest Form and selecting “Yes” when asked if you’d like to apply for a scholarship.
To support as many students as possible, Discovery Lab field trip scholarships are awarded in amounts of $100 (up to one scholarship per class). Funding for Floating Lab and Tidepools On Tour scholarships varies depending on available grant and donor support.
Title I students from PreK-12th grade are eligible for scholarships.
Please allow 2-3 weeks for your application to be processed. If eligible, you will be notified regarding your award status.
Yes! Scholarships are available for Discovery Labs, Floating Labs, Tidepools On Tour, and Marine Life Monitoring programs for the 2026-27 school year. Scholarship funding is made possible through grants and generous community donors and varies annually. This page will be updated as additional funding becomes available.
