Scholarships
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 Community Colleges Foundation.
SMCCCD/Cañada College Scholarships
Apply now for the SMCCD/Cañada College Scholarships! Deadline: CLOSED
How to Apply- Deadline: CLOSED
Follow the steps below to complete and submit your scholarship application.
1. Create an account
Through the San Mateo County College Foundation(please make sure to use your my.smccd.edu email).
2. Fill out your information
Complete your scholarship profile by selecting your major and career goals to filter scholarships that best fit your academic goals.
3. Personal statement
Check out our workshops for assistance with personal statements.
4. Reference
One reference from staff, a professor, or a counselor who knows your academic history. The reference will receive a link to access the scholarship portal,they will be asked to answer questions about you as the student.
5. Unofficial Transcript
Go to your WebSMART account, then "Student Records" and request an Unofficial Transcript.
6. Submit Scholarship Application
You are now ready to submit your scholarship application!
If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your subsmission, contact Jackie Flores (floresj@smccd.edu).
Additional Scholarships
The San Bruno Community Foundation
Deadline: March 5, 2024 at 5pm
Qualifications for Applicants:
- Complete application
- Live in San Bruno or attend a high school or community college located in San Bruno at the time of the application
- Plan to enroll, during the fall of 2024, as a transfer student from a community college at an accredited four-year college or university
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or, for AB 540 students, the California Dream Act Application
- Awards are up to $10,000.
- Deadline to apply is: March 5, 2024 @ 5pm.
Questions?
Email: scholarshis@sbcf.org
UC Santa Cruz 2024 Karl S. Pister Leadership
Deadline: March 4, 2024
Attention UC Santa Cruz Students: $20,000 Karl S. Pister Leadership Opportunity Award
Program at UC Santa Cruz.
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 Dr. Mary Ho (hom@smccd.edu), c/o Cañada College Transfer Center by the deadline.
- 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.
Applicants must apply for financial aid by submitting the FAFSA or California Dream Act application by March 2,2022.
Questions?
Contact: Dr. Mary Ho, Director of Post-Secondary Success and the University Center.
Email: hom@smccd.edu
Office: (650) 306-3407
Monterra Credit Union 2024 Scholarship
Deadline: March 29, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.
Monterra Credit Union believes that a higher education is a catalyst for success.
That's why, year after year, Monterra Credit Union Education Scholarship helps students
with the growing expenses that come along with a college education. Monterra is proud
to offer four $5,000 scholarships to graduating high school seniors to help cover
the costs such as tuition, housing, books, and meals.
Qualifications for Applicants:
- Complete application
- Be a class of 2024 high school senior or a 2023 graduate who took a gap year and is enrolling in a college or technical school for the first time.
- Have a GPA of 3.0 or greater and submit an unofficial transcript
- Be a member of Monterra Credit Union and/or live, work, worship, or attend school in San Mateo County, the City of Palo Alto, or select San Francisco zip codes: 94110, 94112, 94116, 94122, 94124, 94132, or 94134.
- Essay Prompt: Provide a minimum 500-word essay in APA or MLA style with the following prompt: We love our community. We believe in the bond of community — and here, those bonds run deep. That's why we're invested in making it stronger. Explain how you have helped enrich your community, and how these experiences have shaped your values and aspirations.
- Submit a resume highlighting work experience or extra-curricular activities and two (2) letters of recommendation.
Contact Person: Gustavo Castillo
Email: gcastillo@smcu.org; communityrelations@smcu.org.
Phone: (650)562-1233
Woodside Terrace AM Kiwanis Club
Deadline: April 15, 2024
2024-2025 Woodside Terrace AM Kiwanis Club $5,000 Community College Transfer Scholarship
Link to scholarship application
David Amann/WTAM Kiwanis Transfer Scholarship for Community College Students (2/$5,000):
This scholarship is to recognize the hard work and accomplishments of a transferring
community college student that has overcome personal and/or financial hardship. The
scholarship will be awarded over two years ($2,500 junior year and $2,500 senior year).
Two scholarships will be awarded this year.
Applications will only be accepted by email to carringtonmargie@gmail.com.
Minimum eligibility to be considered for a scholarship include the following:
- San Mateo County resident
- Transferring from Cañada College, College of San Mateo, Foothill College, or Skyline College
- Transferring to four-year university in fall 2024
- Demonstrated financial need and personal or family hardship
- Extracurricular activities including service to community, volunteerism and/or student leadership a plus
- Additional consideration given for students that must work, homeless youth and former foster youth
- Big Future by College Board - Visit Big Future to review the thousand of scholarship applications you may apply for.
- IEFA.org - IEFA is the premier database of scholarships for international students and information for US and international students wishing to study abroad. On this site, you will find the most comprehensive scholarship and grant listings, plus international student loan programs and other information to promote study abroad. Please visit IEFA.org for more info.
- Silicon Valley Community Foundation - SVCF administers scholarship programs for high school seniors, college and graduate students, re-entry students, and vocational and technical school students. Visit SVCF for more info.
- Best Colleges - Many scholarships for women are available, but finding them can be daunting. Browse our list of the best scholarships for women by field and degree - Scholarships for Women.
| Outside scholarship name | Type | Amount | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palo Alto Rotary Vocational Scholarship | Career/Vocational | $500-$2,000 | TBD |
| San Carlos Rotary Scholarship | San Carlos resident | Varies | TBD |
| Silicon Valley Community Foundation Scholarships | All Students | Varies | Varies |
| Chicana/Latina Foundation Scholarship Program | Students Who Identify as Chicana/Latina | $1,500 | March 31, 2024 |
| Crestmoor Scholarship | San Bruno Residents | $5,000-$20,000 | Every March |
|
Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley - Latinos in Technology Scholarship |
STEM | $30,000 |
Passed, check again in January 2024 |
| All students | $1,000 |
2/1/2024- 5/31/2024 |
|
| Foster Youth | Varies |
3/31/2024 |