California Water Service Group Opens 13th Annual Scholarship Program to Students in its Service Areas

Rhea-AI Summary

California Water Service Group (NYSE: CWT) opened its 13th annual Scholarship Program for students in its California, Hawaii, New Mexico, and Washington service areas. Up to $80,000 in scholarships are available, including four $10,000 grand prizes and awards of $2,500–$5,000.

Eligibility requires full-time undergraduate enrollment for 2026-2027; applications close March 26, 2026, winners announced in late May. The program is administered by Scholarship America and is stockholder-funded, not affecting customer rates. To date, the company has provided $839,000 in scholarships.

Key Figures

Scholarship pool: $80,000 Grand-prize awards: 4 x $10,000 Additional awards: $2,500–$5,000 +4 more

7 metrics

Scholarship pool $80,000 Total funds available in 13th annual Scholarship Program

Grand-prize awards 4 x $10,000 Four grand-prize scholarships offered for 2026-2027 year

Additional awards $2,500–$5,000 Range for non-grand-prize scholarships

Program duration 13th annual Years the Scholarship Program has been offered

Application deadline March 26, 2026 Scholarship application period closing date

Scholarships to date $839,000 Total scholarships provided through the program so far

Centennial year 100th year Company’s year of service referenced in the announcement

Market Reality Check

Price: $44.49 Vol: Volume 292,762 is about 0...

normal vol

$44.49 Last Close

Volume Volume 292,762 is about 0.82x the 20-day average of 357,405 shares. normal

Technical Shares at $43.99, trading below the 200-day MA of $45.97 and about 14.8% under the 52-week high of $51.63.

Peers on Argus

CWT fell about 1.08% while key water peers were mixed: AWR -0.53%, CPK -0.57%, M...

CWT fell about 1.08% while key water peers were mixed: AWR -0.53%, CPK -0.57%, MSEX -0.7%, WTRG -1.05%, and ARIS up 1.72%. No momentum scanner signals or peer news suggest this philanthropic update was a sector-driven catalyst.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Feb 05 (Neutral)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Feb 05	Earnings call setup	Neutral	-1.4%	Announced dates for 2025 full-year and Q4 earnings release and call.
Feb 03	Leadership recognition	Positive	+1.1%	CEO joined CalCEO Council focused on economic policy and affordability.
Jan 28	Dividend increase	Positive	+1.9%	Declared 324th quarterly dividend and announced 8% annual dividend increase.
Jan 26	Centennial milestone	Positive	+0.1%	Celebrated 100th anniversary and highlighted scale and market position.
Jan 08	Texas expansion	Positive	-0.1%	Agreed to acquire remaining interests in BVRT utilities serving Texas corridor.

Pattern Detected

Recent news (dividend increase, centennial, expansion) generally saw modest price moves, with mostly aligned reactions and one mild divergence on Texas expansion.

Recent Company History

Over the past months, CWT has highlighted strategic and milestone updates. On Jan 8, 2026, it expanded Texas operations via a BVRT acquisition agreement. A centennial campaign on Jan 26 underscored its 100-year history and scale. On Jan 28, the Board announced an 8% dividend increase to $1.34 and a $0.3350 quarterly dividend. Early February brought governance and earnings-call scheduling news. Today’s scholarship release fits this broader community- and stakeholder-focused narrative.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement details CWT’s 13th annual Scholarship Program, offering up to $80,000 in awards, i...

Analysis

This announcement details CWT’s 13th annual Scholarship Program, offering up to $80,000 in awards, including four $10,000 scholarships for the 2026–2027 academic year. It ties into the company’s 100th year of service and broader philanthropic initiatives, with $839,000 in scholarships granted to date. Investors may view it as reinforcing long-term community relations rather than altering near-term financial fundamentals.

Key Terms

501(c)(3)

1 terms

501(c)(3) regulatory

"The program is administered by Scholarship America, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization."

A 501(c)(3) is a U.S. federal tax designation for organizations organized and operated for charitable, educational, religious, scientific or literary purposes, which exempts them from federal income tax and generally makes donations to them tax-deductible. Investors pay attention because the designation shapes how the organization raises money, what activities it can legally pursue (for example, limits on political lobbying), and how transparent and financially stable it must be—factors that affect risk, reputation, and potential partnerships.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

SAN JOSE, Calif., Feb. 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Students living in California Water Service Group’s (Group) (NYSE: CWT) California, Hawaii, New Mexico, and Washington service areas can now apply for the company’s 13^th annual Scholarship Program. Up to $80,000 in scholarship funds are available to help offset the cost of post-secondary education.

To be eligible for one of four $10,000 grand-prize scholarships or additional scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $5,000, applicants must plan to enroll in a full-time undergraduate study program at an accredited college, university, or vocational-technical school for the 2026-2027 academic year. Scholarships will be awarded based on academic achievement, community service, and financial need.

“As we kick off our 100th year of service to our customers, we are pleased to again offer scholarships to lessen the financial barriers that can deter students from pursuing their dreams,” said Marty Kropelnicki, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “This program is part of our commitment to customers, and one that we hope will make a meaningful impact for years to come.”

To learn more about the scholarship program or to apply, students should visit scholarshipamerica.org/scholarship/cawater. The application period will close on Thursday, March 26, 2026. Winners will be announced in late May.

Group’s Scholarship Program is part of the company’s stockholder-funded philanthropic giving program and does not affect customers’ rates. The program is administered by Scholarship America, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. To date, Group has provided $839,000 in scholarships to students through the program.

About California Water Service Group

California Water Service Group (NYSE: CWT) is the largest regulated water utility in the western United States. It provides high-quality, reliable water and/or wastewater services to more than 2.1 million people in California, Hawaii, New Mexico, Washington, and Texas through its regulated subsidiaries, California Water Service, Hawaii Water Service, New Mexico Water Service, and Washington Water Service, and its utility holding company, Texas Water Service. This year, the company commemorates a century of service.

Group’s purpose is to enhance the quality of life for customers, communities, employees, and stockholders. To do so, it invests responsibly in water and wastewater infrastructure, sustainability initiatives, and community well-being. The company’s nearly 1,300 employees live by a set of strong core values and share a commitment to protecting the planet, caring for people, and operating with the utmost integrity. The company has been named one of “America’s Most Responsible Companies” and the “World’s Most Trustworthy Companies” by Newsweek, a USA Top Workplace, and a Great Place to Work®.  More information is available at www.calwatergroup.com.

MEDIA CONTACT: Yvonne Kingman, (310) 257-1434

FAQ

How much total funding is available in California Water Service Group's 2026 scholarship (CWT)?

The program offers up to $80,000 in scholarship funds. According to California Water Service Group, that includes four $10,000 grand prizes plus additional awards of $2,500–$5,000 for eligible students.

Who is eligible to apply for the California Water Service Group (CWT) 2026 scholarships?

Students living in CWT service areas planning full-time undergraduate study for 2026-2027 are eligible. According to California Water Service Group, candidates must enroll at an accredited college, university, or vocational-technical school and show academic achievement and need.

When is the application deadline for California Water Service Group's 13th annual scholarship (CWT)?

The application period closes on Thursday, March 26, 2026. According to California Water Service Group, winners will be announced in late May and the program is administered by Scholarship America.

How are winners chosen for California Water Service Group's scholarship program (CWT)?

Winners are selected based on academic achievement, community service, and financial need. According to California Water Service Group, Scholarship America administers the selection process for impartial evaluation and award distribution.

Will California Water Service Group's scholarships affect customer water rates (CWT)?

No, the scholarship program is stockholder-funded and does not affect customer rates. According to California Water Service Group, the program is part of its philanthropic giving and funded separately from customer charges.

How much has California Water Service Group awarded through its scholarship program to date (CWT)?

To date, the company has provided $839,000 in scholarships through the program. According to California Water Service Group, this cumulative funding reflects scholarships awarded across previous program years.