Scholarships
SMCCD/Cañada College Scholarships is Open!
Application Deadline: March 2, 2024 at 11:59 PM
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.
If you are a New Applicant, click Sign Up to create your account
If you are a Returning Applicant, click Sign In to complete or update your scholarship application
If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your subsmission, contact Jackie Flores directly at floresj@smccd.edu
Plan ahead and review the step by step videos on SMCCCD Scholarship Application TV
If you need assistance with your application join us for a scholarship workshop. Scholarship presentation followed by the Writing Center staff support for your scholarship personal statement.
Additional Scholarships
The San Bruno Community Foundation
Deadline: Contact San Bruno Community Foundation by email.
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 2023, 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 7, 2023 @ 5pm.
Questions?
Email: scholarshis@sbcf.org
UC Santa Cruz 2023 Karl S. Pister Leadership
Deadline: Contact organization by email.
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
San Mateo Credit Union 2023 Scholarship
Deadline: Contact Organization by email.
San Mateo Credit Union (SMCU) believes that a higher education is a catalyst for success.
That's why, year after year, the SMCU Education Scholarship helps students with the
growing expenses that come along with a college education. SMCU is proud to offer
two $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 2023 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
- Submission requires a minimum 500-word essay in APA or MLA style
- Essay Prompt: Credit unions believe in the philosphy of People Helping People. Tell us how you have helped your community during your high school experience or how a college education will assist you in helping your community overcome the financial wellness challenges they face.
- Applicants must 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.
- Immediate family members of SMCU employees or board members are not eligible
- All applicants who have memberships are eligible to apply
Contact Person: Gustavo Castillo
Email: gcastillo@smcu.org; communityrelations@smcu.org.
Phone: (650)562-1233
Woodside Terrace AM Kiwanis Club
Deadline: Check back on 2/15/2024 for updated information.
2023-2024 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 2023
- 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 | Application will open 01/01/2023 |
| 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 |