Scholarship Information

Congratulations to the recipients of the 2016-2017 Cañada College Scholarship. On behalf of the Cañada College community we want to congratulate you on your accomplishments. Please take a moment to view the pictures from the ceremony here.

Each year, the three colleges of the San Mateo County Community College District (SMCCCD) -- Cañada College, College of San Mateo, and Skyline 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 our scholarships comes from contributions to San Mateo County Community Colleges Foundation. The Foundation is the colleges' partner in promoting student success at our colleges and in ensuring that quality, affordable higher education is available to every member of our community. It is due to the ongoing generosity of donors since the Foundation's inception in 1966 that many thousands of students have attended college and realized a better life. Contributions to the Foundation are received from many sources: individuals (including Cañada College, College of San Mateo, and Skyline alumni, faculty, and staff), businesses, civic groups, community organizations, and other foundations. Learn more about the San Mateo County Colleges Foundation here.

2016-2017 Scholarship Application

The 2016-2017 Scholarship Application will be available November 2, 2015 through February 18, 2016 at 11:59 pm

In order to apply for scholarships, students must have a college-issued "my.smcccd.edu" email address and be enrolled within the San Mateo County Community College District (Cañada College, College of San Mateo and Skyline College). If you are not currently enrolled for fall 2015 or spring 2016 semesters but plan to attend next year, please Apply for Admissions to attend the summer 2016 or fall 2016 semesters. Once admitted, you will be sent your "my.smccd.edu" email address and be able to apply for our scholarship program.

Please click HERE to view our Scholarship Opportunities and apply. If you are a new applicant, click the Sign Up button to create your account. If a returning applicant, click Sign In to complete or update your scholarship application. Please click here to download instructions and plan to attend a Cañada Scholarship Workshop if you have questions or need assistance in completing the application. All workshops are in the Financial Literacy Lab, Building 9-123.

Need Help Writing a Personal Statement?

Outside Scholarships

• STEM Center Scholarship page:   http://www.canadacollege.edu/stemcenter/scholarships.php
• See list of funding opportunities for Non-U.S. Citizens. Published by the National Association of Fellowship Advisors (NAFA); includes applications for an array of nationally competitive and merit-based scholarships.
• Educators for Fair Consideration (E4FC) - List of scholarships that don't require proof of U.S. citizenship or legal permanent residence. This carefully researched list contains 52 pages of up-to-date information about scholarships available for immigrant students that don't have U.S. citizenship or legal permanent residency as well as advice and tips for writing winning scholarship applications.
• EngineeringDegree.com/Scholarships - a comprehensive database of scholarships for anyone interested in pursuing an engineering degree
• Scholarships for California Students - Since 2003, StudentScholarships.org has been providing scholarship management services for companies, as well as a comprehensive database of scholarships for students.
• MALDEF - Mexican-American Legal Defense and Education Fund Scholarship List  - A list of scholarships for all students regardless of immigration status. http://maldef.org/leadership/scholarships
• Latino College Dollars, Scholarships for California's Latino Students Directory (current) - The Latino College Dollars Scholarship Directory contains clear information on more than 300 scholarships targeting Latino high school, undergraduate, and graduate students across the United States. A guide on how to apply for scholarships in both Spanish and English is included in the directory. For the ease of students and parents, scholarship listings are categorized by education level, deadline, minimum GPA, by whether citizenship is required as well as by region. The online directory is searchable by key categories such as grade level, grade point average (GPA) and citizenship at http://www.latinocollegedollars.org.

Western Union Foundation Family Scholarship Program

Deadline to Apply: May 25, 206

The Family Scholarship Program provides two members of an immigrant family. currently living in the United States, with a scholarship to support their education. Scholarships may be used for college tuition, language acquisition classes, technical training and GED classes. Two family members must submit one application jointly for the program, and they can request up to $5,000 in scholarship funds per family. The Family Scholarship Program is helping immigrant/migrant fathers and songs, mothers and daughters, and brothers and sisters move up the economic development ladder through education.

Eligibility Requirements:

• All applicants for scholarships must be age 18 or older.
• Both applicants are members of the same family.
• Applicants must have been in the United States for seven years or fewer.
• Both applicants must have been born outside of the United States.
• Both applicants must be living in the United States currently.
• The educational institutions for both of the family members must be in the United States.
• The application must include educational institutions for both the primary and secondary award recipients (the two family members).

For more information to apply please click here.

Big Fish Scholarship

Deadline to Apply: May 31, 2016

The scholarship is a way for Big Fish to help one promising student on his or her journey through higher education. The $2500 scholarship will be awarded to one qualifying student with the most thoughtprovoking and well-reasoned essay as judged by a panel of Big Fish staff members.

For more information please click here.

 $20,000 Karl S. Pister Leadership Opportunity Award Program at UC Santa Cruz for 2016-17

Dealine to Apply: February 1, 2016

This scholarship is for outstanding UC-qualified junior-level community college students to complete their undergraduate studies at UC Santa Cruz. The program provides a $20,000 scholarship distributed over two years, mentoring and academic support, and assistance finding paid or volunteer summer work experience.

Submit these items in one packet to Soraya Sohrabi, c/o Cañada College Transfer Center by the deadline, February 1, 2016, no later than 4:30 p.m.: 

• Karl S. Pister Leadership Opportunity Program application (with personal statement attached - single-sided paper, no staples)
• Two letters of recommendation
• All official college transcripts (unopened)

Applicants must have applied to UCSC by January 4, 2016
Applicants must apply for financial aid by submitting the FAFSA or California Dream Act application by March 2, 2016

Questions:
Contact:  Soraya Sohrabi, Transfer Services Coordinator
Email: sohrabi@smccd.edu
Office: (650) 306-3493

 2016 - 2017 Palo Alto Rotary Club Robert Smithwick Vocational Scholarship

Deadline to apply: March 1, 2016

The Rotary Club of Palo Alto vocational scholarships are intended to provide financial assistance to students who will enroll in an accredited career program or vocational program at a community college in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties.  These scholarships are named in honor of Dr. Robert Smithwick, a founder of the Foothill-De Anza Community College District and long-time Rotarian. Dr. Smithwick was active in community service and devoted to improving health and education locally and abroad.

Eligible students will enroll in a program leading to a certificate or degree, and will plan to go directly into employment in that field upon completion of the program. Examples of vocational programs include but are not limited to: automotive technology, accounting, child development, dental hygiene, fashion design, graphic design, medical assisting, and many others. The scholarships are primarily need-based rather than grade-based. The scholarships are not intended for general academic pursuits, for students intending to transfer to four-year colleges, or for graduate degrees.

Eligible applicants include:

• High school seniors who will graduate in June, 2016 and will enroll in a career/vocational program in fall of 2016
• Students currently enrolled in an accredited career/vocational program described above, and continuing in that program in fall of 2016
• Returning students: individuals with high school degrees who have been out of school and are returning to pursue a career/vocational education
• All applicants must enroll in no fewer than 6 units in an accredited career/vocational program in fall of 2016, and must intend to remain enrolled in 6 units or more for the full 2016-2017 academic year.

Instructions for Submission of Application:

• E-mail your completed application as an attachment to: PARotaryRecords@aol.com. In the subject line, please type: Vocational Scholarship Application (add your last name)
• If e-mail is not possible, please mail to the address below:

                         Rotary Club of Palo Alto
                         Vocational Scholarship Committee
                         P.O. Box 592
                         Palo Alto, CA 94302

If you wish to apply or know someone who wishes to apply for a Vocational Scholarship, please download the application here http://www.rotarypaloalto.org/VocationalScholarships.cfm.

 Chicana/Latina Foundation Scholarship Program

Deadline to apply: March 31, 2016

The purpose of the Chicana/Latina Foundation (CLF) Scholarship Program is to assist Chicana/Latina students in completing their undergraduate and graduate college education.

Toward this end, the CLF awards $1,500 scholarships and the accompanying leadership training on a competitive-basis to continuing full-time undergraduate and graduate college students of Chicana/Latina heritage.

Eligibility:

Applicants must meet ALL of the following criteria to be eligible for the CLF Scholarship.

• Be a woman of Chicana/Latina heritage
• Be enrolled in an accredited college, university, or community college in one of the listed Northern California counties
• Have lived at least two years in one of the listed Northern California counties at the time of application
• Community College and Undergraduate students must:
  • Be enrolled as a full-time college student (as defined by your institution) when applying and for the following academic year and
  • Have completed 12 college units after high school graduation, and
  • Have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 of college course work
• Commit to attending the CLF Leadership Institute (one weekend in August after being selected and one weekend the following year in February)
• Commit to volunteering ten (10) hours for CLF before March the year after being selected
• Past CLF awardees may not re-apply until four years after receiving the award.

Additional information, instructions and the application can be found here http://www.chicanalatina.org/scholarship.html. For any questions regarding this scholarship please email CLFinfo@chicanalatina.org.

Scholarships for Undocumented Students:

Within the link below please find scholarships that have an upcoming deadline and that are open to undocumented students. These scholarships are provided by either foundations, organizations, or individual donors who believe that all students should have the opportunity to compete for resources that would make their educational dreams a reality.

http://genprogress.org/about/scholarships-for-undocumented-students-2/

Havamart Wireless Scholarship Essay Contest

Deadline to apply: February 28, 2016

Havahart Wireless is offering a $500 scholarship. To be eligible, applicants must be enrolled at an accredited college or university in the United States. Essay must be submitted by February 28, 2016. For contest details please see http://www.havahartwireless.com/scholarship.

AccuWeb Hosting College Scholarship - $1,000 Scholarship

Deadline to apply: June 1st, 2016

Accuweb Hosting will award a $1,000 scholarship to an incoming or currently enrolled college student for the best Youtube video submission on the following topic: As you know, Cloud Computing is currently a hot topic in the technology industry. Record a 3 minute video on what you feel the next big technology trend will be within 10 years.

For more information and instructions, please see https://www.accuwebhosting.com/college-scholarship.

Peninsula Chapter of the American Council of Engineering Companies of California Scholarship

Deadline to apply: April 29, 2016

Several Scholarships of $1,500 or more will be awarded

To be eligible, a student must be:

• A resident of San Mateo County
• Enrolled at a California Community College, a California State University or University of California campus
• Indicate an interest in engineering or land surveying based on courses taken
• Have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher through fall 2015

For complete information and applications instructions click here.

American Institute of Architects, San Mateo County Chapter

Deadline to apply: April 22, 2016

2016 Academic Scholarship Awards Program:

Up to $2,000 scholarship Available

The AIASMC is pleased to announce the 2016 Academic Scholarship Awards Program. The awards program is intended to encourage and assist students graduating from high school and currently enrolled college student in their pursuit of a degree in architecture.

For more information and scholarship application please click here.

Sponsored Scholarship Contests - The following scholarships are being offered by various companies as a means of promoting their services and products. Students are advised to review each carefully before making a decision to apply.

Varsity Tutors College Scholarship Contest - For more information please click here.

Karman Healthcare Scholarship - For students who have a mobility disability. For more information please click here.

2015 Bay Area Gardeners Foundation Scholarship – Check back in January 2015 for application dates.

The BAGF Scholarship program was created to provide financial resources to deserving graduating high school seniors and current college and university students committed to achieving a college degree. Education prepares students to be competitive and contributing members of their community. Students must have a minimum 2.5 GPA, demonstrated financial need and have completed at least 25 hours of community service or volunteering at BAGF and live in San Francisco, San Mateo or Santa Clara counties. Apply at www.bagf.org. 

2015 Silicon Valley Community Foundation Scholarships – Several opportunities for new continuing and transferring students! Applications accepted in January and February 2015.

SVCF's believes that a good education is key to a bright future. Each year we offer more than 40 different scholarships, with awards up to $40,000.  Scholarships are available for graduating high school seniors and undergraduates, graduates, re-entry and non-traditional students. Some awards are renewable and you may be eligible to receive multiple scholarships.

Online application opens on January 5, 2015, and most program applications have a February 25, 2015, deadline. Visit www.siliconvalleycf.org/scholarships to learn more about the 2015 scholarship opportunities, their eligibility requirements and application instructions.

2015 Marie Calderilla Scholarship, for female students attending Skyline, CSM or Cañada with awards up to $20,000. 

Deadline to apply: Monday, March 23, 2015

Established in 2007 through a generous gift from Marie A. Calderilla, who believed deeply in the importance of education, this scholarship is to enable women to pursue courses of study that they would otherwise be unable to follow due to limited financial means. The selection committee looks for academic promise, women who have demonstrated a commitment to completing a degree or certificate program or to increasing their work skills, and personal characteristics such as honesty, good judgment and perseverance. Up to 20 awards will be provided. See http://www.siliconvalleycf.org/scholarships/marie-calderilla-scholarship.

San Mateo County Calif. Retired Teachers Association (CalRTA) Division 22 Scholarship

Deadline to apply: March 16, 2015

$1,000-$2,000 Scholarships will be awarded to students planning to attend a public or private college or university enrolled in teacher preparation programs with plans to teach at the elementary or secondary level.

Qualifications for Applicants:

• Complete application
• Currently attending Cañada College, College of San Mateo or Skyline
• Maintaining a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
• Will transfer to a 4-year public or private college or university in 2015-16 year
• Plans to enroll in a teacher preparation program

Completed applications must be received by the Cañada College Financial Aid Office no later than Monday, March 16, 2015 by 4:30 pm. 

Completed applications may be scanned and emailed to Margie Carrington at carringtonm@smccd.edu .

Questions?
Contact Person: Lyn Chan
Email: lchan0680@aol.com
Phone: 650-490-0125

The Achievement Award Program (TAAP) Scholarship at UC Berkeley

This is a scholarship opportunity offered through the Cal Alumni Association. The scholarship is available to incoming freshmen and community college transfer students, including AB 540 Students. TAAP seeks high-achieving, community service-oriented students and provides them with the financial capital necessary to fund their higher education. In addition, the program fosters a strong support network with Berkeley alumni and provides academic, professional, and personal guidance as students pursue their individual academic journeys at the university.

For more information, please see http://alumni.berkeley.edu/services/scholarships/achievement-award-program or brochure

For prospective Cal Junior Transfers:
• November: Prospective students file UC Berkeley application
• December 15: TAAP application opens
• December–February: Students apply online for The Achievement Award Program (TAAP)
• April–May: Finalists interview with alumni for the award
• June: Recipients are notified

Should you have any additional questions, comments, or concerns, please email: achieve@alumni.berkeley.edu

2015 180 Medical Scholarship Program – 5 each $1,000 scholarships – Deadline- June 1 each year

Students attending a two-year, four year, or graduate school fulltime in the fall are eligible to apply. Applicants must be under a physician’s care for a spinal cord injury, spina bifida, transverse myelitis, or neurogenic bladder. For more information and to apply, see http://www.180medical.com/scholarships.

Mills-Peninsula Hospital Scholarship Program

The purpose of the Mills-Peninsula Scholarship Program is to offer financial assistance to students enrolled in health care career programs. Scholarship awards are based on financial need, scholastic achievement and career potential.  Students seeking high level degrees (PhD, MD, DDS, etc.) are not eligible to apply.  Application deadline: May, 31, 2015

Eligibility Criteria:

• Resident of San Mateo County for at least one year (except MPHS employee)
• Minimum grade point average of 2.7 (based on a 4.0 scale)
• Enrolled in a health care service career program with completed prerequisites

Additional information, instructions and the applications can be found here http://www.mills-peninsula.org/scholarship/. Please call the MPHS Auxiliary Office at (650) 696-2465, option 1, with any questions regarding the application process.

Kay Ellis Nursing Scholarship for Women

This scholarship opportunity is for student nurses in honor of Kay Ellis, who dedicated her life to helping others and the nursing profession. Three to five scholarships of up to $2,500 per semester will be offered. This scholarship is intended to help low-income female students with preference given to single parents, recent immigrants and students of color in their pursuit of an Associates or Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing.  Application deadline: April 10, 2015

General eligibility:

•          Female students must have a minimum 3.0 grade point average and be enrolled in or planning to enroll in an accredited undergraduate nursing program.
•          If selected for a scholarship, recipients must be enrolled at least half time (6 or more units) in degree-applicable units for program.
•          Applicants must be attending a nursing program in San Mateo, San Francisco and/or Santa Clara counties.  Applicants need not be a citizen of the United States to apply.

Check back in January for application.

2015 Woodside Terrace A.M. Kiwanis “Bootstrap” Community College Transfer Scholarship

This is a $5,000 transfer scholarship for a currently enrolled community college student who is a San Mateo County resident attending Cañada College, College of San Mateo, Foothill College or Skyline College that has been accepted for transfer as a junior to a four-year university in fall 2015. This award is for a student who has demonstrated perseverance and commitment in attaining a college education in spite of financial need and/or personal or family hardship. The deadline to apply is Monday, March 23, 2015

Criteria:

• San Mateo County resident
• Currently enrolled in community college
• Minimum 2.5 GPA in degree-applicable course work
• Transferring to four-year university in fall 2015
• Demonstrated financial need and personal or family hardship
• Extracurricular activities including service to community, volunteerism, work in the arts (Music, Drama, Art), or student leadership a plus
• Younger students that have to work, transitioning youth and former foster youth given first consideration though ALL transferring students who meet the criteria are encouraged to apply

Check back in mid-January for application.

The Al Teglia Jobs for Youth Endowment Fund Scholarship

Deadline to apply: Friday, January 30, 2015 at 5:00 pm. 

The Al Teglia Jobs for Youth Endowment Fund is a component of the Jobs for Youth program, which provides vocational and college scholarships. Each year, the program awards scholarships to deserving youth who would like to pursue their college/vocational education. Scholarship recipients will be recognized at the annual Jobs for Youth Fundraising Breakfast on Thursday, May 28th at 7:30 am at Foster City Crown Plaza Hotel, 1221 Chess Drive. Applications must be:

• A San Mateo County resident
• A current or past Jobs for Youth participant (between the ages 16-21)
• At least a current high school junior (11th grade)
• Have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA

 See application for full details.

2015 National Association of Women of Construction Founder's Scholarship

Deadline to apply: Sunday, February 28, 2015

The Santa Clara Chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction will be awarding a scholarship through the NAWIC Founders Scholarship Foundation. All students enrolled in a construction-related program with a GPA of 3.0 or higher are eligible to apply. See application for detailed instructions.

All applications, with supporting material, must be submitted online at nfsfscholarship@gmail.com

2015 Chen Foundation Scholarship Program

Deadline to apply: Midnight, March 31, 2015

The Chen Foundation is focused on helping economically-challenged youth fulfill their dreams of obtaining higher education. The scholarship is renewable, allowing scholarship recipients to receive an additional $2,000 award for the Fall quarter/semester of their 2nd year of college if they maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA and active service in the community.

For eligibility requirements and further information please see application flyer.

TASF Taiwanese American Scholarship Fund

Deadline to apply: Midnight, March 31, 2015

The Taiwanese American Scholarship Fund is focused on helping economically-challenged Taiwanese American Youth fulfill their dreams of obtaining a high education. The scholarship is open to high school seniors planning to attend college in the Fall of 2015 and 1st year college students continuing with their education in the Fall of 2015.

For eligibility requirements and further information please see application flyer.

 Bay Area Gardener's Scholarship Foundation (BAGSF)

Deadline to apply: May 4, 2015 (hand delivered by 3PM)

BAGSF provides financial support to low-income, underserved and underrepresented students who are pursuing college their college education. Students must reside within the counties of San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara.

Yearly, BAGSF awards twenty scholarships of $1,500; two of the twenty recipients who display community involvement and who are excelling academically will receive an additional $1,000 to students. The BAGSF scholarship is open to high schools seniors expected to graduate in spring of 2015, high school graduates, GED recipients, and students attending college. This scholarship is renewable new and past applicants can apply each year. All applicants must apply using the most current year’s scholarship application

Please click here for scholarship application and more information regarding the scholarship.

 2015 AFCOE Symposium Student Scholarship

Deadline to apply: September 11, 2015

Eligibility Requirements:

• Full-time students enrolled in personal finance, financial counseling, personal financial planning and consumer science majors.
• Students who have demonstrated a high level of commitment to the field either through service or research.

Submission Process:

• Applicant must complete, sign and submit the Student Scholarship application form.
• Applicant must submit one major financial project from 2015 (examples include, but are not limited to, video, research paper, factsheets, case studies, etc.). While the project should be professional, it does not need to be purely academic. A creative project to get people interested or excited about personal finance (example: writing and performing a song on a financial topic or instituting a marketing campaign or competition on a personal finance topic) would also be appropriate.
• Applicant must submit a formal resume. (PDF format preferred)
• Applicant must include a letter of recommendation from a University professor. Letter must be on formal letterhead or from the professor’s email clearly stating his/her name, position and contact information.
• All materials required for the Student Scholarship must be received no later than September 11, 2015.
• Applicant is responsible for reviewing and following all Symposium Student Scholarship guidelines for submission.

Please click here for scholarship application and more information.