Scholarship Information

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.

 

SMCCD/Cañada College Scholarships 

The application is now CLOSED. We will reopen the scholarship application on 11/01/2023 for the 2024-2025 aid year.

Plan ahead and review the step by step videos aSMCCCD Scholarship Application TV


Outside Scholarships
  • SVCF Latinos in Technology Scholarship:http://www.siliconvalleycf.org/scholarships/latinos-technology-scholarship
  • 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.
  • Immigrants Rising - 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.
  • Scholarships for Black and African American Students-Many organizations and schools offer college scholarships for Black and African American students. Learn about the top scholarships for these learners.
  • 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.
  • Sleep Family Scholarship for Those with Disabilities: Earning a college degree is more expensive than ever, especially for those with disabilities, who not only have to pay for typical college-related expenses like tuition and books, but other medical-related costs as well. That is why we here at Sleep Family do our best to level the playing field for those with disabilities by providing a $1,500 annual scholarship to one disabled student in need. Please apply at: https://sleepfamily.org/scholarship/
  • Addicted.org - Addicted.org is devoted to helping individuals affected by substance use. We also believe that everyone should have a chance to receive higher education. We are excited to announce our scholarship program to honor both above commitments. Max award: $1000. https://www.addicted.org/scholarship.html

 


Private Scholarship Search Engines

Cappex - College student scholarships are scholarships awarded to students who are currently attending or are about to attend college. Visit Cappex to review scholarships you may apply for.

Big Future by College Board - Visit Big Future to review the thousand of scholarship applications you may apply for. 

Bold.org - The average student today will graduate more than $30,000 in debt and is far less likely to start small businesses, seek the highest impact careers, buy homes, or start families. At Bold.org, we believe that’s a problem worth solving. Please visit Bold.org to review their scholarships.

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. 

Sallie Mae - SallieMae.com/scholarshipSearch -Free way to get access to more than 6 million college scholarships  

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.

DegreeChoices - Use our database to put together a list of scholarship options that match your criteria and circumstances. Don’t leave your scholarship on the table. Visit DegreeChoices to review scholarship applications.

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.                                                                                                                                   

 

 


UC Santa Cruz 2023 Karl S. Pister Leadership Application
Attention UC Santa Cruz Students: $20,000 Karl S. Pister Leadership Opportunity Award Program at UC Santa Cruz

Deadline has passed. 

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, 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's 2023 Educational Scholarship

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


The San Bruno Community Foundation Scholarship

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 


Woodside Terrace AM Kiwanis Club

2023-2024 Woodside Terrace AM Kiwanis Club $5,000 Community College Transfer Scholarship

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.

The deadline to apply is 11:59 pm on Saturday, April 15, 2023.  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

 

Terri Higa Memorial Scholarship
CLOSED AS DEADLINE HAS PASSED

APIQWTC
(Asian and Pacific Islander Queer Women and Transgender Community) is a fun, welcoming, multi-generational group of Asian & Pacific Islander queer women and transgender people in the Bay Area who are building community together. We are the legacy of API queer activism, stemming from earlier-founded organizations going back to 1987. APIQWTC is a wholly volunteer-based organization that provides opportunities for API queer women and transgender people to socialize, network, build community, engage in inter-generational organizing, and increase community visibility.

AWARD CRITERIA

Current students in a U.S.-based, non-profit certificate or degree-granting program as well as high school seniors and other future students about to enter into a certificate or degree-granting program in Summer 2023 or Fall 2023 and have not received the APIQWTC Scholarship in the past five years are eligible to apply. Applicants should demonstrate professional commitment as well as community involvement.

APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS
Please submit an electronic copy of the following to the email address below:

  • A one-page cover letter (300 words or less) describing why you are interested in applying for this scholarship
  • Resume
  • Portfolio of your work if relevant to your training or educational pursuits
  • In two double-spaced pages or less, respond to the following questions:
    • How has your cultural heritage, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity influenced your life and decision to pursue your certification, training, or degree?
    • APIQWTC values API queer community and visibility. What are your current activities that align with these values?
    • What are your future goals and planned community involvement, either through your career or otherwise?
    • Describe any ties you may have to the San Francisco Bay Area. (Please note a connection to the SF Bay Area is not required.)
  • One to two letters of recommendation:
    • Letter(s) of recommendations should come from an instructor, employer, academic counselor, coach, community leader, or any other individual not related to you who is familiar with your personal or leadership qualities.
    • Letter(s) of recommendation MUST be emailed directly from the author’s email address.

Please send an official transcript either as:

  • A secure, digitally signed electronic transcript file from your current or last school.
  • Or, if your school cannot send an official electronic transcript, then please mail your official, sealed transcript to the address below.

Email the cover letter, resume, and two-page response no later than 11:59 pm Pacific time, February 14, 2023 to: scholarship@apiqwtc.org.

Letters of recommendation must be emailed by the letter’s author no later than 11:59 pm Pacific time, February 14, 2023 to: scholarship@apiqwtc.org.

If you must mail your official, sealed transcript, it must be postmarked by or before February 14, 2023 and sent to:

Joanne Park
2000 Hearst Ave., #205
Berkeley, CA 94709


Additional Scholarships


NAME OF SCHOLARSHIP 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
Latinos In Technology Scholarship STEM Students Up to $30,000 Application will open December, 2022.
TheDream.US Scholarship Opportunity Immigrant Students $14,500-$29,000 February 28, 2023
Crestmoor Scholarship San Bruno Residents $5,000-$20,000 TBD
POE Scholarships High School & Community College Students Varies February 28, 2023
Innovation in Education Scholarship  Citizens/Permanent Residents/Visa Holders  $500 On Going
Marie Calderilla Scholarship  Female Students  $20,000 TBD
The Achievement Award Program (TAAP) Scholarship at UC Berkeley   All Students  $6,000 TBD
180 Medical Scholarship Program   US Citizens/Permanent Residents  $1,000 On Going
Mills-Peninsula Hospital Scholarship Program  Healthcare Majors/Careers  Varies TBD
The Pursuit of Excellence (POE) Scholarship UC Transfers $4,000-$6,000 TBD
The Huggable Supermom Scholarship US Citizens/Permanent Residents $2,000 On Going
The Emery Reddy Legal Studies Scholarship  All Students  Varies November 30th (annually)
CCIS Future Contractor Scholarship Contractor Career $750 TBD
Akkadian Labs Scholarship All Students $1,000 TBD
Simeone & Miller Scholarship  All Students  $1,000 On Going
Little Bundle Supermom Scholarship-College Award All Students Varies On Going
The Chairish "Design Your Future" Scholarship All Students  $2,500 On Going
The Kreeger Law All Students  $1,000 On Going
Test Prep Insight All Students  $1,500 TBD
"Test Yourself" Scholarship From STDLab All Students $1,500 On Going
Radiology Scholarship  Radiology   $1,000 TBD
San Mateo Credit Union's 2021 Educational Scholarship All Students  $5,000  TBD
Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley - Latinos in Technology Scholarship STEM $30,000 TBD
Earnest All Students $5,000 TBD
San Francisco Alumnae Delta Community Foundation Single Parent $1,500 TBD