Pasadena Water and Power Creates Its First Scholarship for Utility Trade Students

For years, Pasadena Water and Power has handed scholarships to high school seniors headed to four-year colleges. Now the city-owned utility is betting on a different kind of student. 

PWP has created a $1,000 Utility Trade Scholarship — its first financial award for students pursuing vocational training in water or power — open to Pasadena residents attending technical schools or community colleges in Southern California. Applications are due June 30 for the upcoming academic year, according to PWP’s website. 

The scholarship marks an expansion of a program that previously recognized only college-bound seniors. PWP said it broadened eligibility to reach students at technical and vocational schools and community colleges, not just those planning to attend four-year institutions, according to a press release issued by the utility in February. 

General Manager David M. Reyes announced the new scholarship alongside PWP’s existing programs in February. PWP described itself as committed to “developing the future of the utility industry” through its annual scholarship offerings, according to the press release. 

One Pasadena resident will receive the award for the 2026-2027 academic year. To apply, students must submit a  three-to-five-minute video describing their background and what motivated them to pursue a skilled trade in water or power. The application, along with academic transcripts, must be emailed to PWPCommunications@CityOfPasadena.net by the June 30 deadline. The application form is available for download at PWPweb.com/Scholarship. 

Applicants must live within PWP’s service territory, be currently enrolled in school, and hold or be on track to earn a high school diploma or GED by the 2026-2027 academic year. Immediate family members of PWP employees are not eligible. Students who qualify for both the trade scholarship and PWP’s Educational Scholarship for high school seniors must choose one. 

That educational scholarship — which PWP has offered for years — awards $5,000 to a first-place winner and $2,500 to a second-place winner among Pasadena high school seniors headed to accredited colleges or universities. The 2026 educational scholarship application period has closed. Last year’s recipients were Luciana Piro of Polytechnic School and Alyssa Yepez of Pasadena High School. 

PWP is a not-for-profit utility owned and operated by the City of Pasadena, serving more than 65,000 electric customers and nearly 38,000 water customers in Pasadena and adjacent San Gabriel Valley communities.

For questions about the scholarship, residents can call (626) 744-4005 or email  PWPCommunications@CityOfPasadena.net. 

It is the first time the utility has put scholarship money behind the trades — a small stake, but a new door.