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Napa County Scholarships

Founded in 1981, 10,000 Degrees has expanded to eight Bay Area counties serving more than 16,000 high school and college students each year. In 2019, we launched our College Access and Success programs in Napa County. Our local impact includes near-peer mentoring, financial aid advising, scholarships, and college matriculation support at six high schools—American Canyon, Valley Oak, Napa High, Vintage High, New Tech High, Calistoga Junior/Senior High. Our growing high school presence resulted in more scholarships awarded to Napa Valley College students than previous years.

Established in

2018

High School Students Served Annually

300
High School Participants
0
College & Financial Aid Workshops

Scholarships in FY23

$ 500
Awarded to
200
College Students

Partner Schools

High Schools

American Canyon High
Calistoga Junior/Senior High
Napa High
Valley Oak High
Vintage High
New Tech High

Colleges

Napa Valley College

Bring 10,000 Degrees to Your School
Contact Your Fellow

The Opportunity in Napa County

Meaningful change. Lasting impact.

As a world-renowned wine region and luxury destination, Napa County’s economy is driven by a multigenerational immigrant workforce. Families have overcome unimaginable hardships to build a better life for their children and give them access to higher education. The college dream remains out of reach for many Napa high school students, as the troubling statistics at right demonstrate.

10,000 Degrees works to change that. We are committed to increasing student applications for free financial aid at our partner schools, and helping more socioeconomically disadvantaged students in Napa County get into college, persist in college—and graduate with their degree. That’s our promise.

What we do: We work directly with Napa County students from low-income backgrounds to:

  • Foster a college-going culture
  • Introduce 2- and 4-year college pathway options
  • Assist students with college applications and enrollment
  • Help students apply for and manage free financial aid (FAFSA & CA Dream Act)
  • Provide scholarships and near-peer mentoring to successfully navigate the entire college journey
  • Offer community college transfer support
  • and more!

Our support extends to, through, and beyond college: We offer paid internships and career development opportunities through our local business partners.

0 %
of Napa high school students are socioeconomically disadvantaged
0 %
of Napa high school seniors graduate without meeting the academic requirements to attend a four-year college
0 %
of Napa high school students did not submit applications for free financial aid

Your gift to 10,000 Degrees will allow us to help more Napa students from low-income backgrounds achieve their college and career dreams.

Support Our Program

What our partners, students, alumni, and staff have to say about 10,000 Degrees

Regional Stories

"We are thankful for partnerships that provide our students with access to new and expanded college and career readiness opportunities. Our partnership with 10,000 Degrees is one way we support our students now and as they transition into college.”
Pat Andry-Jennings
Pat Andry-JenningsAssistant Superintendent of Instructional Services
Napa Valley Unified School District
"If students are able to access 10,000 Degrees and stay with it, as a high school principal, this is one of the greatest gifts I can give to graduating seniors."
Maria Cisneros
Maria Cisneros10,000 Degrees Napa Valley Advisory Board Member since 2018
Principal, Valley Oak High School & Napa Valley Independent Studies
Sonoma State University, 1994
Sonoma State University, 1992
"10,000 Degrees provides remarkable services and support to students. I have been working with 10,000 Degrees for quite a while, formerly as one of their Fellows and now as a community partner. 10,000 Degrees has the ability to connect with students and support them in their native language. Students work with a designated staff member who can answer their questions and support them through the college journey! We continue to find ways to collaborate and support 10,000 Degrees and their work."
Leidy Tovar Almanza10,000 Degrees Former Fellow
Workforce Development Coordinator, Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation
"Long-distance education and COVID-19 have impaired my academic journey but through 10,000 Degrees I was able to get consultation and able to persist knowing I have people to talk to and relate to ... I would not have the courage to do such programs like NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars unless I had the emotional support from 10,000 Degrees."
Arvin C.
Arvin C.10,000 Degrees Student
Napa Valley College, 2024
“10,000 Degrees has given me so much and has helped me feel less financially pressured with my college education and I am incredibly grateful to 10,000 Degrees for that. The counseling support that 10,000 Degrees has given me has also helped me with feeling less afraid of what the future holds and more confident knowing that I have someone who can help me with my next steps during and after community college.”
Daniela S.O.
Daniela S.O.10,000 Degrees Student
Napa Valley College, 2023
"Education is the key to a happier and more successful life. I feel I’ve honored my family in prioritizing education in my life and it’s a value my wife and I have also instilled in our children. Education provided me with the opportunity to pay-it-forward in the biggest way possible."
Eli Weinzveg
Eli Weinzveg10,000 Degrees Director of College Pathways, Sonoma, Napa & Lake Counties
M.A., Sacramento State University, 2012
B.A., Sacramento State University, 2008
"I love the work I do at 10,000 Degrees because as a first generation college graduate, I am aware of the hardships associated with navigating higher education and financial aid. 10,000 Degrees allows me to create positive relationships with students and their familIes and serve as an additional support system for them while they figure out what they will do after high school. In addition, I enjoy the work I do because I can provide students with resources and options that will best support them throughout their college journey. It is always rewarding to me when I meet with students and families and they feel supported and heard."
Fabiola Alvarez
Fabiola AlvarezProgram Manager, Napa County
“Thinking back to how my parents left everything behind in Mexico to give us a better life in America, I knew that college was my only way out of being lower-income. I worked so hard to get A’s; but it wasn’t until I got my college acceptance letters yet rejected for scholarships that I knew what it meant to be undocumented. 10,000 Degrees helped me with scholarships and provided a mentor who believed in me. I used to think that my dream to open a business and provide scholarships to undocumented students was so far-fetched. But the day I figured out I could, I was crying. Just to know that with every meal or drink my customers buy, they are supporting students - there’s no question that‘s what I want to do, especially with organizations like 10,000 Degrees that have helped me so much.”
Cinthya Cisneros
Cinthya Cisneros10,000 Degrees Alum
Sonoma State University, 2012
Owner of La Cheve Bakery & Brews, Napa
Founder of the La Cheve American Dream Scholarship for 10,000 Degrees students
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Regional Leadership Team

Christopher Gonzales - Chief Strategy Officer in 10,000 Degrees

Christopher Gonzales

Chief Strategy Officer

Contact
Eli Weinzveg – Director of College Pathways for Sonoma, Napa, and Lake County

Eli Weinzveg

Director of College Pathways for Sonoma, Napa, and Lake County
Contact
Katrin Ciaffa - Regional Director in Sonoma & Napa County

Katrin Ciaffa

Regional Director, Sonoma & Napa County
Contact

Napa Regional Office
3299 Claremont Way #2
Napa, CA 94558

Napa Advisory Board

Deborah Goldman, Chair
Graham Alcott
Cinthya Cisneros
Maria Cisneros
Jennifer Dacus
Steve Dacus
Yuan D’Antilio
Natalie deLeuze
Jeff Dodd
Matt Eisenberg
David Freed
Carol Guthrie
Daniel Ha
Micki Hambro
Manbin Khaira Monteverdi
Beth Painter
Bertha Rodriguez
Chris Roth
Ira Schwartz

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