Our Story

The Onward Scholars Program was established in 2009, formerly as Victorian Scholars, at St. Matthias High School. Rooted in the values and excellence of Catholic education, our founders want to make this gift available to students who might otherwise be unable to afford it.

We began with two scholars at one high school and have since expanded to 252 Onward Scholars at six Los Angeles Catholic high schools. In the Fall of 2026, our program will serve 288 scholars at six partner sites.

The Smet Foundation provides over $1,100,000 in OSP tuition.

Optimists by nature, the Smets know that you can do well in life if you have a good education, a strong work ethic, and a positive attitude. Onward Scholars creates a supportive environment where students feel safe to take risks, broaden their skills, discover their potential, and get a head start on their dreams for college and beyond.