The article below originally appeared on MercuryNews.com and is being reprinted with permission.
Local junior colleges are currently accepting 2015-2016 scholarship applications. Annually, the three colleges of the San Mateo Community College District (Skyline College, College of San Mateo and Cañada College), award institutional scholarships to new, continuing and transfer students. The scholarship awards are based on “academic achievement, financial need or specific interests such as clubs, athletics, and service.”
Funding for these scholarships comes from contributions to the San Mateo County Community Colleges Foundation. Since its inception in 1966, the Foundation’s mission is to make sure that “quality, affordable higher education is available to every member of our community.” For the 2013-14 school year, the Foundation funded scholarships totaling $717,986 and provided $450,596 in program support. Generous donors to the Foundation include alumni, faculty, staff, civic groups, community organizations, businesses and other foundations.
Students wishing to apply for a scholarship should visit the San Mateo County Community Colleges Foundation, http://www.smcccfoundation.org/apply-for-scholarships and click into the college of their choice and follow the directions. Each junior college is currently running scholarship application workshops for anyone needing assistance. In addition, each college website also provides scholarship tips. Applicants are advised to give equal weight to each component of the application as each component will be reviewed by a committee. The application deadline for the three colleges of the San Mateo Community College District is February 12, 2015 by 11:59 p.m.
The deadline for City College of San Francisco scholarship applications is March 6, 2015. Completed applications must be received in the Scholarship Office, City College of San Francisco, 50 Phelan Avenue Multi Use Building 130B, San Francisco, by 4:00 p.m. on the deadline date. City College of San Francisco (CCSF) notes that scholarships are generally awarded to students with special qualifications, such as: “academic achievement, artistic abilities, demonstrated leadership and athletic talents, or to students who are in particular fields of study, who are from a particular heritage, who are members of underrepresented groups, or who demonstrate a financial need.”
In spring 2014, the CCSF Scholarship Office distributed over $573,000 directly to approximately 1,200 students. These scholarships included the Osher Endowment and Osher Initiative scholarships, Basic Skills scholarship, Book Vouchers, and various select and departmental scholarships. It takes approximately two months for the reviewing committee to evaluate applications and make award decisions.
Dates for scholarship workshops for spring 2015 are posted on the CCSF website. For detailed information, visit http://www.ccsf.edu/en/student-services/financial-aid/OtherFAResources/Scholarship.html.
