Scholarship Stories - Timeline

Since 1936, Alumni Scholarships has brought together thousands of UCLA students, alumni, donors and volunteers. Without the enthusiasm of students, the loyalty of alumni, the support of donors and the dedication of volunteers, Alumni Scholarships would not have achieved this level of success for more than 70 years.

From receiving a scholarship to the camaraderie of the Alumni Scholars Club, the Alumni Scholarships experience has created countless opportunities for Bruins. While the total amount of awards has grown from $300 in 1936 to more than $1.1 million in 2007, the personal impact on every individual involved with the program exceeds its monetary value.

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» View Alumni Scholarship recipients in the last 70 years.

Alumni Scholarships Timeline

1936 – UCLA Alumni Association awards two $150 scholarships

1945 – Number of high schools represented by scholarship awards jumps from two to 29

1949 – 371 donors give $13,978.48 for scholarships

1961 – Association recognizes 139 students with scholarships totaling $32,000

1971 – Scholarship awards range from $700 to $6,000

1973 – First Dr. Ralph J. Bunche Freshman Scholarships awarded

1976 – Alumni Scholars Club is founded

1980 – Distinguished Scholar Awards (now Distinguished Senior Awards) established for current UCLA students

1981 – First Community College Transfer Scholarship awards given to six students at $1,000 each

1994 – Lew and Edie Wasserman Grant Program established to provide additional need-based funding

1995 – Art Scholarships established to assist the schools of Art and Architecture and Theater, Film and Television to recruit students

2001 – Freshman scholarships extended from one-year to four-year awards; transfer scholarships extended from one year to two years

2003 – Alumni Scholarships exceeds $1 million in annual awards

2006 – Celebrating 70 years of Alumni Scholarships

Then and Now

In 1936:

$27 - Annual incidental fee charged to California residents
$85 - Monthly living expenses per person (clothing, food, fuel, housing)
$150 - Amount of original scholarship, one-time award, worth $2,181.82 in 2006 dollars

In 2006:

$6,522 – Annual registration fee charged to California residents
$1,156.84 – Monthly living expenses per person (clothing, food, fuel, housing)
$4,000 – Amount of typical scholarship today for four years, worth $275 in 1936 dollars