Category: Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego

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Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego Our Programs

College Scholarships

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College Scholarships

Group photo of 2025-2026 college scholarship recipients with family, staff, and board members at the office of the Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego County.

The Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego County provides scholarships ranging from $250–$6,000 annually to multiple college undergraduates, including two in-memoriam scholarships:

  • The Michael Zapoticzny Memorial Scholarship, established in 2002, is named for 18-year-old Michael Zapoticzny, who passed away in 2001, from epilepsy during his freshman year at Rutgers University in New Jersey. His parents Steve and Sue Zapoticzny award up to $6,000 annually to one college undergraduate in Michael’s honor. 
  • The Kim Tallian Memorial Scholarship, established in 2024, will award $2,000 annually through 2028 to one college undergraduate. The scholarship honors the late Kim Tallian, PharmD, APh, BCPP, FASHP, FCCP, FCSHP who served on the Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego County’s Board of Director’s and Professional Advisory Board. Kim was a speaker at many epilepsy conferences, teacher and school nurse trainings and Camp Quest.
2026-27 Scholarship Program Information
College Scholarship Application

Eligibility

Scholarship applicants must reside in or be permanent residents of San Diego County, Imperial County, or Southern Riverside County. Students from these areas may attend school elsewhere, and out-of-state students currently enrolled in a San Diego school are also eligible. Scholarship applicants must also meet one of the following criteria:

1. Students currently being treated for epilepsy that are currently enrolled or will be enrolled in a college, university or trade school in the fall of 2026.  Applicants must provide a letter from their doctor verifying that they are currently being treated for epilepsy/seizure disorder.  Applicants must also show satisfactory academic performance and demonstrate financial need. (The criteria for “satisfactory academic performance” does not necessarily mean high GPA.  It will be considered according to the capabilities of the student given any learning disabilities, medication side effects, etc.).

OR

2. Full-time college or university students involved in epilepsy research projects in the fields of health or social science. Applicants must provide a letter from their professor documenting project details. Students must also have a GPA of at least 3.0 for all work completed and demonstrate financial need.

The following documents must be included in the application package:

  1. Completed scholarship application
  2. Community Service and Volunteer Experience/Academic Achievements
  3. Statement of Eligibility
  4. Statement of Financial Need
  5. Current Transcript (official or unofficial) verifying enrollment and GPA
  6. Letter from your doctor stating you are currently being treated for epilepsy OR letter from your professor stating you are currently working on an epilepsy research project (please include project details)
  7. Two Letters of Recommendation

For more information, please contact Sarah Waters, Programs & Client Services Manager at sarah@epilepsysandiego.org.

2025-26 Academic Year Scholarships

Get to know college students Raygan Carroll, Nikhil Raisinghani, Elliana Haines, Matthew Henderson, Amy Chan, and Scarlett Wales, who each received our college scholarships in 2025.

Get to Know Our 2025-26 College Scholarship Recipients

We’re grateful to the Zapoticzny family, the Tallian family, and our generous community who continue to make these scholarships possible.

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Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego Events

Epilepsy Foundation to Host Gingerbread City Drive-Thru Event at Liberty Station

‘Tis the season for giving and helping others and the latter may be especially important this season due to the extra hardships brought upon countless communities by the coronavirus pandemic.

In typical years, year-end galas and holiday fundraisers would be held to help those in need. This year, however, has organizations shifting to virtual events or modifying their plans to keep attendants safe. The Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego County will be one of those organizations as they host their annual fundraising event but this time, with a twist.

The organization’s Gingerbread City will be a drive-thru affair at Liberty Station that will feature awe-inspiring (and delicious) gingerbread structures. The sweet aroma of the holiday classic cookie will be accompanied by festive music and decorations.

The event takes place this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

And the best part? You’ll safely be in your car the whole time there.

“We have 11 gingerbread artists joining us this year and when I say artists, it’s not like me building a little house from Michael’s,” said Wendy Urushima-Conn, President & CEO, of Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego County. “They are these incredible pastry creations so we have a working mom who is an incredible artist on the side. We also have someone who has been on the Food Network and has won in their pastry challenge.”

The Epilepsy Foundation has been serving the San Diego community since 1954, offering personal advocacy and counseling, seizure first-aid training, and various services like expressive arts therapy and camp.

All of these services are free and available to anyone whose life is touched by epilepsy. That number may be more than you think; 50,000 San Diegans are impacted by the disorder.

Those who are interested in supporting The Epilepsy Foundation with this festive event can purchase tickets online.

Tickets start at $25 per car and the event is expected to sell out due to limited capacity. There are VIP upgrades available that include getting a family photo with Santa and a take-home wine and cheese package.

All of the money raised goes back into the foundation and the services it provides.

This article was originally written by NBC 7 San Diego.