Ventura College Foundation Scholarship Program

Any student currently enrolled at Ventura College in the Fall 2025/Spring 2026 academic year who has previously passed or is on track to pass a minimum of 6 units by the close of the semester in which they have applied.

Undocumented, international, and dual enrollment (those enrolled in high school and VC classes simultaneously) students are also eligible given that they too have met the 6 unit minimum requirement.

*More details about credit minimum:

• Most classes at VC are 3 credits. If you've passed 2 VC classes, it is highly likely that you've completed at least 6 units.
• Units earned in previous semesters at Ventura College count towards this unit requirement.
• Units at Oxnard College and Moorpark College may be counted towards Ventura College Foundation Scholarships under special circumstances.

If a student is not currently enrolled at Ventura College, applications will be considered for approved situations (all units completed and on waiting list for the nursing program, took a semester abroad, or special circumstances).

Applications MUST be submitted by the deadline. No exceptions will be made.

Components of the application are as follows:

• 1 Letter of Recommendation; it MUST be academic in nature and come from a VC faculty or staff person (ex: current or former instructor, counselor, etc.). Students can seek additional recommendation letters and members of the VCF Review Committee will score the strongest one. Recommendations that come from friends or family will not be accepted.
• 2 short essays; a) Educational/Career goals, b) Community Well Being (Community service, family responsibilities, extracurricular school activities, work responsibilities, etc.)
• Copy of current unofficial transcripts (found in student portal)
• Copy of Fall 2025 or Spring 2026 Student Schedule/Bill (found in student portal)

The Phoenix Scholarship Program was established in November 1999 by Ventura College Foundation board members who learned about the unique needs of Ventura College non-traditional students.

Non-traditional students are those who have taken a break in their educational endeavors due to various life circumstances (military service, working, caring for a loved one, financial troubles, incarceration, etc.) for a minimum of one year but have returned to Ventura College to earn an education and/or learn new skills.

The Phoenix Scholarship is designed to assist these students who have minimal or no resources to fund the cost of their education.

Students can apply for these scholarships through our general scholarship application.

Most of the scholarships are available for any type of study focus but some are for specific majors, such as:

• General STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics)
• Environmental Sciences such as Agriculture, Botany, Conservation and Ecology, Entomology, Floriculture, Horticulture, Forestry, Landscape Architecture, Urban Planning
• Physical or Life Sciences such as Physics, Geology, Chemistry, Biology, Zoology
• Applied Science such as Water, Electronics, Machine Shop, Welding, Manufacturing, CAD
• Computer Sciences
• Health Care, Medicine (General or Specializations), or Paramedics
• Holistic Health Studies
• Nursing, including prospective or accepted into Nursing Program
• Fine Arts, Creative Arts, or Applied Arts
• Music, Performing Arts, Choir, Choral Conducting, or Organ Conducting
• Journalism or Public Relations
• Political Science, Government, Economics, or Public Affairs
• Photography
• Humanities
• Education, Teaching, or Early Childhood Education
• Library Science or English
• Psychology or Anthropology
• Social Science or Sociology
• History or Chicano studies
• Business or Real Estate
• Pre-Law, Criminal Justice, or Law Enforcement

Some of the scholarships with specific studies-focus only require an intent to study in the area of study, but most require some credits which verify interest and success in the area. Some require as many as 24 credits in the area of study. Applicants with such area of study goals and progress should describe them in their applications, identifying applicable credits, and successes. Descriptions should be specific and concise.

Much of the information needed to match applicants to scholarships with these requirements is gathered in the application form, but if the applicant has relevant information to add, it can be done in the essays. For instance, if an applicant has overcome a hardship, it is helpful to have a description of how this was achieved and how the applicant is ready to benefit from a scholarship.

Most scholarships are available to any applicant without any special conditions, but some seek to support students with certain backgrounds, such as:

• Financial need
• Head of household with dependents
• Returning to college after a substantial interruption
• School or community involvement
• Residents of specific cities in Ventura County
• Athletes
• Veterans
• Relatives of current or former classified employees
• Emancipated or current foster kids, or transitional living residents
• Marginalized groups
• Boys or Girls Club of Ventura County alumni
• ADA handicapped
• Undocumented students

Ventura College Foundation staff are eager to support students in the application process.

Join us for one of the following scholarship application workshops.

Together we will break down the essays into small pieces. Students will leave with outlines for each essay and knowledge of best practices. Students also have the opportunity to ask questions, express concerns, and provide feedback. Each workshop will be recorded and provided to students upon request.

Additionally, students are encouraged to visit the Ventura College Stan Weisel Tutoring Center for assistance with their essays during normal tutoring center hours.

Finally, students may refer to the rubric that the VC Foundation Scholarship Review Committee uses when scoring scholarship applications. Click here!