CardinaleWay Mazda Drive Forward Scholarship
$500 Scholarship for Nevada Students — Awarded Twice Per Year — No GPA Required
Are you a Nevada student working toward something real — and could use a little fuel for the road?
CardinaleWay Mazda, a proud Las Vegas dealership, is awarding $500 every semester to one Nevada student who is chasing their passion and building their future. Whether you're studying at UNLV, CSN, UNR, Nevada State University, or enrolled in a trade or vocational program anywhere in Nevada — this scholarship was made for you.
No minimum GPA. No specific major required. Just your story, your drive, and your commitment to moving forward.
🗓️Next Deadline:
Fall 2026 — Apply by July 1, 2026Email your application to: CW-SOCIAL@cwmazda.com
A Las Vegas Scholarship Built for Every Kind of Nevada Student
At CardinaleWay Mazda, we've spent years serving the people of Las Vegas — and we know how hard this city works. We see it every day: parents driving kids to school before a double shift. Students studying in their cars between jobs. Young people in trade programs learning a skill that will carry them for life.
We created the CardinaleWay Mazda Drive Forward Scholarship because we believe that every student who is moving forward deserves someone in their corner. Mazda's brand is built on the idea of being moved — by passion, by purpose, by the road you choose to take. We apply that same belief to this scholarship.
This is not a scholarship for the most polished application. It is a scholarship for the most real one. We want to find the Las Vegas or Nevada student who knows where they're going — and needs $500 to help them get there.
| Scholarship Name | CardinaleWay Mazda Drive Forward Scholarship |
|---|---|
| Award Amount | $500 — paid directly to your school's Financial Aid Office |
| How Often | Twice per year — Spring Semester & Fall Semester |
| Spring 2027 Deadline | December 1, 2026 |
| Fall 2026 Deadline | July 1, 2026 — OPEN NOW |
| GPA Requirement | None — no minimum GPA required/td> |
| Major Requirement | None — all fields of study welcome |
| Who Can Apply | Nevada residents enrolled at accredited NV colleges, universities, trade & vocational schools |
| How to Submit | Email CW-SOCIAL@cwmazda.com with subject: CardinaleWay Mazda Drive Forward Scholarship — [Name] — [School] — [Semester] [Year] |
$500 Scholarship Open to Students at These Nevada Schools
The CardinaleWay Mazda Drive Forward Scholarship is open to any Nevada resident currently enrolled — or accepted for enrollment — at an accredited Nevada institution. Eligible schools include:
🎓 Four-Year Universities in Nevada
- University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) — Las Vegas, Nevada
- University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) — Reno, Nevada
- Nevada State University — Henderson, Nevada
🎓 Nevada Community Colleges
- College of Southern Nevada (CSN) — Las Vegas, Nevada — North Las Vegas, Henderson campuses
- Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC) — Reno, Nevada
- Great Basin College (GBC) — Elko, Nevada
- Western Nevada College (WNC) — Carson City, Nevada
- All Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) accredited institutions
🔧 Trade Schools & Vocational Programs in Nevada
We are proud to say this loudly: trade and vocational students are not an afterthought in this scholarship — they are a priority.
- Automotive technology and diesel mechanics programs
- HVAC, plumbing, and electrical trade programs
- Healthcare, nursing assistant, and medical programs
- Welding, machining, and manufacturing programs
- Information technology and cybersecurity certifications
- Cosmetology and esthetics programs
- Culinary and hospitality programs
- Construction trades and related certifications
- Any accredited Nevada vocational or trade certification program
Not sure if your school or program qualifies? Email us at CW-SOCIAL@cwmazda.com or call 702-538-7011. If you are enrolled in an accredited Nevada institution, you are very likely eligible.
Tell Us What Moves You — 500 Words Minimum, 1,000 Words Maximum
The heart of your application is your essay. This is your opportunity to tell us who you are, where you're going, and what drives you to keep moving forward. We don't want a formal academic essay — we want your real story, written in your own voice.
📝 Your Essay Prompt — CardinaleWay Mazda Drive Forward Scholarship:
Mazda believes that life is better when you are truly moved — by purpose, by passion, by the road you choose to take.With that in mind, tell us: What moves you — and where is it taking you? Share your passion for the career or field you are studying. Tell us what drew you to this path, what keeps you going when it gets hard, and how your education is part of a bigger journey you are building for yourself and your community. We want to understand not just what you are studying, but what drives you — and what you hope to put into the world when you get there.In your essay, please also tell us the name of your school or program and what you are studying. This helps us understand your journey and verify your eligibility.Minimum: 500 words. Maximum: 1,000 words. Write honestly. Write from the heart. There is no wrong answer here — only your story, told in your own words.
How to Apply for the CardinaleWay Mazda Scholarship — Las Vegas, Nevada
To be considered, your application must include all of the following. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
- Your essay — minimum 500 words, maximum 1,000 words — responding to the prompt above. Include your school name and program of study within your essay.
- A copy of your current student ID or official enrollment verification letter from your Nevada school or program
- A valid government-issued photo ID — driver's license, Nevada state ID, or passport
- Proof of enrollment for the upcoming or current semester — acceptance letter, enrollment verification, or current class schedule
- Your full legal name, phone number, email address, school name, and program of study
📧 How to Submit Your Application:
Email all materials to: CW-SOCIAL@cwmazda.com Subject Line Format: CardinaleWay Mazda Drive Forward Scholarship — [Your Name] — [School Name] — [Spring or Fall] [Year]Example: CardinaleWay Mazda Drive Forward Scholarship — Maria Gonzalez — CSN — Fall 2026 Questions? Call 702-538-7011
What Happens After You Apply
- All complete applications are reviewed by the CardinaleWay Mazda team within 30 days of the deadline
- The scholarship winner is notified by email — we will reach out to you directly
- We contact your school's Financial Aid Office on your behalf to coordinate the $500 award
- The award is applied directly toward your tuition, fees, or other eligible educational expenses
- You do not need to follow up with your school's financial aid office — we handle that step for you
- Winners may be invited to share a quote or photo for our website and social media — participation is appreciated but never required
- This scholarship is non-renewable per cycle — but previous recipients are welcome and encouraged to reapply each semester
Yes. The CardinaleWay Mazda Drive Forward Scholarship has no minimum GPA requirement. We believe that a student's passion, purpose, and commitment matter more than a grade point average. Any Nevada resident enrolled in an accredited Nevada school or program is encouraged to apply regardless of their GPA.
Absolutely — and we mean that. The CardinaleWay Mazda Drive Forward Scholarship was specifically designed to include trade and vocational students in Nevada. If you are enrolled in an automotive technology program, HVAC training, a welding certification, a nursing assistant program, or any other accredited Nevada trade or vocational program, this scholarship is open to you. The skilled trades are the backbone of Las Vegas, and these students deserve investment just as much as anyone else.
Yes. Students currently enrolled at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) are eligible to apply for the CardinaleWay Mazda Drive Forward Scholarship. There is no GPA requirement, no major requirement, and no specific field of study required.
Yes. Students at the College of Southern Nevada (CSN) — including all CSN campuses in Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, and Henderson — are eligible to apply. Community college students are fully welcome and encouraged.
Yes. The CardinaleWay Mazda Drive Forward Scholarship is open to all Nevada residents enrolled at any accredited Nevada institution — including the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), Nevada State University, Great Basin College, Truckee Meadows Community College, Western Nevada College, and any other accredited Nevada school or program.
The CardinaleWay Mazda Drive Forward Scholarship is awarded twice per year — once for the Spring semester and once for the Fall semester. The Spring deadline is December 1. The Fall deadline is July 1. One winner is selected per cycle.
Not at all. This scholarship is open to students in any field of study — engineering, nursing, education, business, cosmetology, automotive, IT, culinary arts, construction, and everything in between. We are investing in passionate Nevada students, not a specific major.
The $500 award is paid directly to your school's Financial Aid Office and applied toward your tuition, fees, or other eligible educational expenses. CardinaleWay Mazda handles communication with your financial aid office directly — you do not need to coordinate this step.
Yes, and we especially encourage you to apply. There is no GPA requirement, no family income requirement, and no prior scholarship experience needed. First-generation students, non-traditional students, adult learners, and students returning to school are all welcome.
If you are enrolled in any accredited Nevada college, university, community college, or trade/vocational program, you are very likely eligible. Email us at CW-SOCIAL@cwmazda.com or call 702-538-7011 to confirm your eligibility before applying.