Our History

The Sweetwater Education Foundation (SEF) is a community-based 501(c)(3) not-for-profit established to raise scholarship dollars for South Bay students attending San Diego State University (SDSU).  Established in 2003 to support the Sweetwater Union High School District’s (SUHSD) innovative Compact for Success program, the SEF has successfully tapped into community support over the last decade.

Starting in 2000, SUHSD and SDSU, the largest K-12 system and the largest higher education institution in San Diego, partnered to support students and improve academic outcomes.  Both institutions designed a program that utilized the best resources that each institution had to offer to support students on the road to higher education.

Programmatic activities operate within each institution to ensure students are supported, prepared and engaged in the academic arenas.  The Compact works toward the goal of preparing all students for college.  Open to all students starting in the 7th grade, a variety of programs, services and supports are made available to all students. 

This unique public-private partnership between the SEF, SUHSD and SDSU has proved to be a huge success and benefit for the community.  Since the first group of students enrolled at SDSU via the Compact for Success in 2006, approximately 1249 students have attended SDSU.  And more than 400 Scholars have received over $1.6M in scholarships awards.