AGC Construction Education Foundation (CEF) Scholarships 2026 | Eligibility and How to Apply

The AGC Construction Education Foundation (AGC CEF) Scholarships are a collection of financial awards designed to support students and trade professionals who are building careers in the construction industry in California. Offered by the Associated General Contractors of California, these scholarships range from $500 to $2,500 and cover a wide range of education pathways, from apprenticeship programmes and certified trade training to two-year and four-year college degrees. For anyone serious about a career in construction, this is one of the most accessible and targeted scholarship opportunities in the state.

What makes this opportunity particularly valuable is the range of awards available under one application umbrella. Whether you are a high school graduate entering a trade programme, a community college student, a university student pursuing construction management, or even a union member in the landscape industry, there is a specific scholarship designed with you in mind. The AGC CEF also offers the CLIC Scholarship and the Marina Landscape Scholarship for students and professionals focused on landscape construction and related disciplines.

This post covers all four scholarships under the AGC CEF umbrella for 2026. You will find full eligibility requirements for each award, the fields of study covered, how to apply, what documents to prepare, key dates, and practical tips to strengthen your application.

Scholarship Overview

Eligibility

The AGC CEF offers four distinct scholarships, each with its own eligibility criteria. Review each one carefully to identify which applies to you.

AGC CEF Skilled Trades Scholarship:

• You must be currently enrolled in or accepted to a pre-apprenticeship, apprenticeship, or certified construction programme.
• You must be pursuing a career in the construction industry.

AGC CEF College Scholarship:

• You must be enrolled in a two-year or four-year college degree programme.
• Your degree must be in construction or a construction-related field.
• You must be pursuing a career in construction.

CLIC Scholarship:

• You must be pursuing a degree in landscape construction, contracting, engineering, construction management, business administration, or a related field.
• You must demonstrate academic excellence.
• You must be a resident of Southern California.
• The scholarship is also open to members of union trades specific to landscape careers.
• Award amount: $1,000 (one award)

Marina Landscape Scholarship:

• You must be pursuing a degree in landscape construction, engineering, construction management, business administration, or a related field.
• You must demonstrate academic excellence.
• The scholarship is also open to members of union trades specific to landscape careers.

Eligible Countries

These scholarships are offered by a California-based construction organisation and are intended for students and professionals based in California and the broader United States. They are not international scholarships.

Americas:

• United States of America (California-based applicants, with the CLIC Scholarship specifically requiring Southern California residency)

These awards are location-specific. Eligibility is based on your place of residence and enrolment, not your citizenship or country of origin.

Eligible Fields of Study

Each scholarship covers specific fields. Review the list relevant to the award you are applying for.

AGC CEF Skilled Trades Scholarship:

• Construction industry trade programmes (all branches covered under certified construction training, pre-apprenticeship, and apprenticeship pathways)

AGC CEF College Scholarship:

• Construction
• Construction management
• Construction-related degree programmes 

CLIC Scholarship:

• Landscape construction
• Contracting
• Engineering
• Construction management
• Business administration
• Related fields in landscape and construction

Marina Landscape Scholarship:

• Landscape construction
• Engineering
• Construction management
• Business administration
• Related landscape and construction disciplines

Benefits

The AGC CEF Scholarship programme offers the following awards depending on which scholarship you receive:

AGC CEF Skilled Trades Scholarship:

• Award amount between $500 and $2,500, intended to support the costs of post-secondary construction trade training.

AGC CEF College Scholarship:

• Award amount between $500 and $2,500, intended to assist college students with tuition and education-related costs.

CLIC Scholarship:

• A one-time award of $1,000 for a student demonstrating academic excellence in landscape and construction-related fields.

Marina Landscape Scholarship:

• Award amount: To be Determined

Additional benefits across all scholarships:

• Recognition from the Associated General Contractors of California, a respected industry body.
• Connection to a professional network within the California construction and landscape industries.

Note: These are partial financial awards and do not cover full tuition costs. There is no mention of living allowance, health insurance, travel support, or visa assistance as part of any of these awards.

Required Documents

The specific document requirements for each scholarship are:

1. Completed scholarship application form (submitted online via the AGC CEF application portal)
2. Current academic transcripts showing your GPA
3. Proof of enrolment or acceptance into an eligible programme (enrolment letter, acceptance letter, or student ID)
4. Proof of California residency (for the CLIC Scholarship, proof of Southern California residency is specifically required)
5. Personal statement or essay demonstrating commitment to a construction career 
6. Letters of recommendation 
7. CV or resume highlighting relevant training, work experience, or industry involvement 
8. Proof of union membership (for union trade member applicants where applicable)

Visit the official AGC CEF application page or review the Scholarship FAQs 2026 document to confirm the exact list of required documents before submitting.

How to Apply

Follow each step carefully. Submitting an incomplete application may disqualify you from consideration.

Step 1: Review all four scholarships and decide which one or ones you are eligible for. Read the eligibility criteria for each award and confirm that your programme, location, and academic background qualify.

Step 2: Download and carefully read the Scholarship FAQs 2026 document available on the official AGC CEF website. This document will answer many common questions and clarify submission requirements.

Step 3: Gather your academic transcripts. If an official copy is required, contact your institution’s registrar early. Processing can take several days or longer.

Step 4: Obtain proof of enrolment or acceptance. This may be a letter from your programme administrator, a class schedule, or a formal acceptance letter. Confirm the accepted format on the official application page.

Step 5: Prepare your personal statement or essay. Focus on your reasons for choosing a construction career, your academic achievements, your goals, and why you deserve the award. Be specific and genuine.

Step 6: Identify and contact your referees. Give them advance notice and enough time to write a strong letter before the April 15th deadline. 

Step 7: Prepare proof of residency if applying for the CLIC Scholarship. This typically includes a utility bill, government-issued ID, or official correspondence showing your Southern California address. Confirm accepted documents with the organisers.

Step 8: Gather any proof of union membership if you are applying as a union trade member in the landscape industry.

Step 9: Complete the online application form in full. Access the form through the official AGC CEF website. Do not leave required fields blank.

Step 10: Upload all required documents according to the instructions on the application form. Double-check that every attachment is correct and clearly labelled.

Step 11: Submit your application before April 15, 2026. Apply at least one week early to allow time to resolve any technical issues or missing documents.

Step 12: After submitting, contact Cecilia Palomera at palomerac@agc-ca.org if you have any questions or need to confirm receipt of your application.

Key Dates and Timeline

Application Deadline

The application deadline is April 15, 2026.

Applications submitted after this date will NOT be accepted.

Aim to submit at least five to seven days before April 15th. This gives you time to correct errors, gather missing documents, or follow up with referees.

Selection Criteria

The AGC CEF evaluates applications based on the following factors:

1. Academic excellence: Each scholarship, particularly the CLIC and Marina Landscape awards, specifically requires applicants to demonstrate academic excellence. Your transcript is a key part of the evaluation. Strong consistent grades in relevant subjects will strengthen your application.
2. Commitment to the construction industry: All four scholarships are built around one purpose: growing a skilled construction workforce. Applicants who can clearly demonstrate their dedication to a long-term career in construction, landscaping, or a related trade will stand out.
3. Relevance of programme or trade: Your field of study or trade must align with the specific scholarship you are applying for. A strong application makes this connection clearly and directly.
4. Industry involvement: Union membership and hands-on trade experience are explicitly welcomed in several of these awards. Active participation in the construction or landscape industry, beyond classroom study, is a positive differentiator.
5. Quality of application: The completeness of your application, the clarity of your personal statement, and the strength of your supporting documents all contribute to the overall evaluation. One award is a significant responsibility, and the committee will look for applicants who take the process seriously.

Important Tips

1. Read the Scholarship FAQs 2026 document before starting your application. It is available on the official AGC CEF website and likely contains specific instructions, document requirements, and answers to common questions that are not fully detailed in the general programme description.
2. Identify the right scholarship before applying. There are four awards under this umbrella. Make sure you understand which one matches your programme, location, and career focus. Applying for the wrong scholarship wastes time and reduces your chances.
3. Apply early. The April 15th deadline is firm. Transcripts, reference letters, and proof of residency can take time to collect. Start gathering documents as soon as possible.
4. Contact Cecilia Palomera if you have any questions. Her email is palomerac@agc-ca.org. If you are unsure about your eligibility, the documents required, or any other aspect of the application, reach out directly rather than guessing.
5. If applying for the CLIC Scholarship, confirm your Southern California residency eligibility before investing time in your application. The residency requirement is a firm condition for this specific award.
6. Make your personal statement specific to your chosen scholarship. A generic statement about wanting to work in construction will not stand out. Reference the specific scholarship you are applying for, explain why your programme fits, and describe concrete career goals.
7. Union members should make their membership and role clearly visible in their application. The CLIC and Marina Landscape scholarships explicitly include union trade members in landscape careers. If this applies to you, do not bury that information.
8. If you are applying as a student rather than a union member, make sure your academic transcript is up to date and reflects your strongest recent performance. These scholarships reward academic excellence alongside career commitment.
9. Do not wait until you have all documents before starting the form. Begin the application early and note what you still need. This gives you a clear picture of what remains and reduces last-minute stress.

Frequently Asked Questions

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