UCLA Engineer Funded by 28 Scholarships Vows to Create
First-generation UCLA graduate Pedro Calderon earned 28 scholarships totaling over $250,000 to fund his engineering degrees and now plans to create his own
Pedro Calderon, a first-generation college graduate, funded his entire UCLA engineering education with 28 scholarships worth more than $250,000. The mechanical engineering alumnus now plans to pay it forward by creating his own STEM scholarships for low-income, first-generation students.
Calderon's path to the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering began with self-advocacy in high school in Oxnard, California. After learning he was not placed in any honors classes on his first day, he immediately requested a schedule change into the most rigorous courses available. He balanced this academic drive with working in the fields alongside his father to help support his family, immigrants from Mexico who dreamed of their children attending college.
"It made me realize that earning a college degree wasn't just about achieving a personal goal," Calderon told the UCLA Samueli Newsroom. "It was an opportunity to help my family and give back to my parents for everything they had sacrificed."
The Scholarship Application Journey
During his senior year of high school, Calderon stopped playing sports to focus entirely on college and scholarship applications. He faced numerous rejections but persisted, treating each application as a learning opportunity. His relentless effort culminated in a remarkable financial aid package that covered both his bachelor's and master's degrees in mechanical engineering.
He secured some of the nation's most competitive awards. The following table lists several major scholarships he received.
| Scholarship Name | Award Amount | Selection Details |
|---|---|---|
| Coca-Cola Scholars Program | $20,000 | Awarded to 150 students from over 100,000 applicants annually |
| Edison Scholar | $40,000 | One of 30 high school seniors selected yearly in Southern California Edison's service area |
| GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship | $40,000 | Not specified in source |
| Lockheed Martin STEM Scholarship | $30,000 | Not specified in source |
| Elks National Foundation Most Valuable Student Scholarship | $30,000 | Not specified in source |
| Dell Scholarship | $20,000 | Not specified in source |
"There wasn't a roadmap for me to follow, so I learned by asking questions, taking initiative and making the most of every opportunity and resource available to me," Calderon said.
Mentorship and Future Goals
Inspired by the support he received, Calderon has already begun giving back. Through the Society of Latinx Engineers and Scientists at UCLA, he has participated in engineering panels and helped run STEM workshops for high school students from backgrounds similar to his own. He shared his story of overcoming obstacles to highlight the opportunities an engineering career can provide.
Now a graduate, Calderon is interviewing for manufacturing engineering roles in the aerospace and defense sectors. However, his long-term vision extends beyond his personal career. He is already saving money with the explicit goal of funding STEM scholarships for first-generation, low-income students.
A Pledge to Pay It Forward
Calderon aims to award his first scholarship within five years. He also plans to return to his former middle and high schools to mentor students directly. For him, true success is defined by creating pathways for others.
"I want students to see that their background doesn't have to define what they can accomplish," he said. His commitment stems from a desire to honor his parents' sacrifices by smoothing the road for future generations.
