PG&E Corporation (PCG) shares slipped 1.40% to $13.05 on the session, a loss of $0.18, even as the stock recovered from intraday lows near $12.95. The decline coincided with an announcement from the PG&E Corporation Foundation, which is awarding $327,500 in scholarships to 57 students pursuing college degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The announcement arrives just ahead of National STEM Day on November 8, an annual observance promoting STEM education, and underscores the company's continued support for higher education across its California service area.

$327,500 Awarded Through the Better Together STEM Scholarship Program

The PG&E Foundation distributed the scholarships, which range from $2,500 to $10,000 per student, through its Better Together STEM Scholarship Program. The program supports students across PG&E's California service area, including those attending eligible Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). PG&E's utility operations deliver electricity and natural gas service across northern and central California, so the awards reach students in the same communities the company serves. Since the initiative launched in 2012, it has provided nearly $8 million in total support to students pursuing higher education.

The scholarship program is funded by PG&E shareholders, and the company does not recover those expenses through customer rates. The foundation selects recipients based on academic performance, financial need, leadership experience, and participation in community activities. Eligible students may reapply each year and can receive scholarship support for up to five years.

According to the foundation, the program is intended to help students develop technical skills and pursue careers across STEM-related industries. It also backs students seeking opportunities to address challenges within their own communities, and it provides financial assistance to those attending accredited institutions while working toward their first undergraduate degrees.

UC Berkeley Students Among This Year's Recipients

Among the 57 recipients, Quennel Kempe of Fresno received a $5,000 award to support computer science studies at the University of California, Berkeley. Caden Kelly of Shingle Springs secured $2,500 while pursuing a degree in electrical engineering at the same university. Both students come from California communities located within PG&E's service territory.

Kempe highlighted the scholarship's role in supporting academic goals and easing financial pressure during college. Kelly, in turn, emphasized that financial assistance opens up more opportunities to concentrate on education and community service. Their experiences reflect the program's central focus: helping students complete their studies and move into technical careers.

For the 2026-2027 academic year, the program's next scholarship cycle, applicants must plan to pursue full-time undergraduate studies at eligible institutions. The foundation recently expanded eligibility to Historically Black Colleges and Universities after more applicants gained admission to those institutions outside of California. The change broadens educational opportunities for students while maintaining the program's focus on those from PG&E's service area.

Employee Groups Have Raised More Than $6 Million Since 1989

Beyond the foundation's program, PG&E employees also contribute to scholarship funding through 11 employee resource groups and three engineering networking groups. These groups raise money through direct contributions, fundraising activities, and the company's Campaign for the Community program. Since 1989, their scholarship efforts have generated more than $6 million for thousands of students.

The employee-funded scholarships complement the foundation's broader efforts to support education and technical workforce development. Taken together, the programs provide financial assistance while encouraging students to pursue careers in engineering, technology, and related fields. PG&E continues to run these education initiatives alongside its core utility operations across California.