Dr. Frank W. Wells Legacy
$1000 College Scholarship
CAAASA believes higher education is crucial for the advancement and empowerment of African American and other students of color. We recognize that obtaining a college degree opens doors to greater opportunities, increased earning potential, and the ability to positively impact the community. We believe that every student deserves access to quality higher education and are committed to ensuring that students have the resources and support they need to thrive in their academic endeavors. Financial support is one aspect that often hinders access to higher education, which is why we are thrilled to share the 2025 Frank Wells College Scholarship.
Dr. Frank Wells was a distinguished leader in education with a proven track record of success across multiple roles, including teacher, principal, director, assistant superintendent, superintendent, and elected school board president. His dedication to raising the bar for student excellence at every level was recognized not only statewide but also nationally. He was truly the mission of CAAASA in motion.
He achieved many profound successes, which earned him the Governor’s Top Student Achievement Award and national recognition, including commendations from Congresswoman Barbara Lee for his equity-focused leadership in improving outcomes for underserved students. Dr. Wells was a results-driven leader whose efforts left a lasting impact on education.
In his memory, the Dr. Frank Wells College Scholarship was created for a graduating high school senior who plans to major in education, political science, history, or social science.
Applicants must demonstrate:
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Academic Growth: Significant improvement in academic performance.
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Financial Need: Demonstrable financial need as shown in personal financial statements.
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Community Service and School Participation: Active involvement in community projects, school activities, or extracurricular programs such as ROTC.
We encourage you to share this directly with students, families, or others who may know of an eligible high school senior. More information can be found in the Scholarship Packet. All application materials are due January 31, 2025.
How to Apply
Eligible applicants are encouraged to submit their applications by January 31, 2025. Submissions can be made via email or hard copy and must be time stamped on or before the deadline to be considered.
Eligibility Criteria:
Graduating high school seniors who plan to major in education, political science, history, or social science are eligible to apply.
Applicants must also be available for a potential interview with the selection committee.
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Selection Process
Applications will be reviewed by the CAAASA Scholarship Committee using a standardized, nondiscriminatory rubric to ensure equity and objectivity in decision-making. The selection criteria include:
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Lived Experience Essay (heavily weighted)
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GPA and Academic Growth
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Community and School Involvement
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Financial Need
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Letter of Recommendation
This scholarship is made available by F3 Law and the California Association of African American Superintendents and Administrators (CAAASA).
Decisions will be made by majority vote, and all decisions of the CAAASA Scholarship Committee are final. Financial awards will be made directly to the recipient's school of enrollment.
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About Dr. Frank W. Wells
Dr. Frank Wells was a distinguished leader in education with a proven track record of success across multiple roles, including teacher, principal, director, assistant superintendent, superintendent, and elected school board president. His dedication to raising the bar for student excellence at every level was recognized not only statewide but also nationally.
Notably, Dr. Wells doubled CAHSEE (California High School Exit Exam) scores in just two years as a high school principal and dramatically improved state test scores at the elementary level from the 30th percentile to the 70th percentile within a single year. These outstanding achievements earned him the Governor’s Top Student Achievement Award and national recognition, including commendations from Congresswoman Barbara Lee for his equity-focused leadership in improving outcomes for underserved students. Dr. Wells was a results-driven leader whose efforts left a lasting impact on education.