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 Colleges Foundation here.

SMCCD/Cañada College Scholarships 

Additional 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
  • Rehabs.org - We believe nothing should stand in the way of recovery. That’s why we created the industry’s most comprehensive online addiction resource, offering a library of educational content, information on addiction treatment programs, and access to a wealth of free recovery assets. Recognizing the obvious disparities associated with addiction and overdose fatalities, Rehabs.org decided to launch a free scholarship contest for BIPOC college students. By providing financial assistance to help pay for books, tuition, or daily expenses, we hope to encourage more students of color to develop a passion for raising awareness about the risks and dangers associated with addiction: https://rehabs.org/scholarship/.
  • 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.
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 (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 (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

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

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.

Deadline has passed. 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

 

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
Crestmoor Scholarship San Bruno Residents $5,000-$20,000 Every March
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
Radiology Scholarship Radiology $1,000 TBD
Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley - Latinos in Technology Scholarship STEM $30,000 Passed, check again in January 2024
San Francisco Alumnae Delta Community Foundation Single Parent $1,500 Passed, check again in January 2024