PRESS RELEASES | Published Oct 3, 2024
The College Skateboarding Educational Foundation (CSEF) has officially awarded $90,000 in college scholarships to 35 skateboarders studying in the U.S. in this year’s scholarship class. While skateboarders pursuing college may have been an anomaly in the past, this 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization is making higher education more accessible than ever for the skateboarders of the present and future. It is the only nation-wide college scholarship for skateboarders.
This year alone, 268 student skateboarders applied for a scholarship with CSEF. The 35 scholarship recipients represent 28 different schools in 16 different states, ranging from undergraduate to Masters and Doctorate studies.
“This year we figured out that the 268 skaters that applied for a scholarship this year pay over $1.3 million dollars per semester out of their own pocket. We all know a college education in the US is too expensive, but that number really blew us away.” says Thomas Barker, CSEF Co-Founder. “That is our north star. We want college to be affordable for every skateboarder so they can use their education to change the world and not just pay off their student loans.”
This $90,000 mark has come with continuing partnership initiatives from prior years. These include memorial scholarships in collaboration with Rollin’ From The Heart that focus on awarding grants specifically to skaters from San Diego and to those studying the arts. They also incorporate a partnership with famed photographer Atiba Jefferson to offer scholarships for skateboarders that particularly study photography and/or film.
“I’m so stoked to support the next generation of skateboard photographers and filmmakers. The Atiba Jefferson Scholarship fund is giving $8,000 to support photography/film college and graduate students in the US that are skateboarders,” said Atiba.
There were also new scholarship opportunities unveiled in 2024. The Skullcandy Scholarship for Engineers exists to help the next generation of skateboarders who will fill the crucial technical positions at companies in the action sports industry (and beyond). Justin Regan, Skullcandy VP of Global Marketing and CSEF Board Member shares, “Skullcandy makes complicated audio electronics and we know how rare it is to find qualified engineers that also understand the lifestyle of our active youth consumers. We are honored to support Augustine in his engineering journey and hope to inspire more students from within our culture to pursue their academic goals.”
The Emerald Peace Scholarship is the brainchild of CSEF Board Member Ash Martinez and serves first-generation students, DACA /Dreamer recipients and those who identify as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community. She says, “This scholarship is the first of its kind. It was created for the people who historically have not had opportunities equal to others’. My mission is to create our own doors for success, because we have the power to make systemic change. I’m beyond proud to have awarded $15k in scholarships this year to the incredible individuals who are making change in their communities.” Ash Martinez, CSEF Board Member and Emerald Peace Scholarship founder.
CSEF partnered with No-Comply Skateshop in Austin, Texas on their first ever scholarships for students attending community college. The skateshop exists on the same property as Austin Community College, so these scholarships were created specifically for students attending ACC. This is a true testament to how legacy skateshops support and look out for the best in their people.
As CSEF continues to thrive, growing their scholarship offering each year, they are currently still operated by a 100%-volunteer Board of Directors. “Every dollar that comes in from any donor, large or small, goes directly to the scholarship fund. All money from the fund goes directly to the scholarships awarded each year. So each dollar given to CSEF is not only a tax-deductible donation but also converts right to scholarship dollars in the student accounts of skaters across the country,” says Executive Director, Keegan Guizard. “CSEF’s 2018 [1st] scholarship class received a modest $3,000. While maintaining forward progress through the pandemic, CSEF was able to award $50,000 in scholarships in 2023. And now, showing continued growth, they’ve written $90,000 in scholarship checks (to 35 scholarship recipients) this year.”
Next summer will bring CSEF’s 8th scholarship class, adding to the $216,000 they’ve cumulatively awarded to their 105 unique scholarship recipients.
To learn more about CSEF, you can sign up for their newsletter, browse or make a contribution at their website (www.CollegeSkateboarding.com) and visit them on Instagram (www.instagram.com/CSEF). For anyone interested in working with CSEF or creating a new partnership, send a message to info@collegeskateboarding.com.
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