Ventura College Foundation Scholarship Program
More than 300 scholarships are available to Ventura College students who are ready and able to benefit from the financial support, via the single Ventura College Foundation Scholarship Application. Our scholarships are designed to enable and encourage students to achieve their goals.
Fall 2019 Cycle Important Dates
Paramedic Scholarship
- Application Opens: 9/1/19
- Application Closes: 11/10/19
General Scholarship
- Applications Open: 10/1/19
- Applications Close: 1/15/20
General Scholarship Program
Any student currently enrolled at Ventura College in the Fall 2019/Spring 2020 academic year who has successfully completed at least 12 units at the College by the end of the Fall 2019 Semester.
Credits earned in previous semesters at the 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 11:59pm of Wednesday, January 15, 2020. No exceptions will be made.
Components of the application are as follows:
- 2 Letters of Recommendation; 1 must be from a Ventura College instructor, and the other may be from another instructor, or a counselor, supervisor/manager from volunteering or work, etc. Recommendations from family members will not be accepted.
- 2 short essays; a) Educational/Career goals, b) Impact on others (Community service, family responsibilities, extracurricular school activities, work responsibilities, etc.)
- Copy of current unofficial transcripts (found in student portal)
- Copy of Fall 2019 or Spring 2020 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 re-entry students.
Re-entry 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.
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.
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
- Minority groups
- Boys or Girls Club of Ventura County alumni
- ADA handicapped
Ventura College Foundation staff are eager to support students in the application process.
Please join us at one of our upcoming scholarship workshops:
- Thursday, October 10th - 12:30pm-1:30pm - MESA Center
- Wednesday, October 16th - 3pm-4pm - MCE 125
- Thursday, October 17th - 11am-12pm - First Year Experience (FYE)
- Thursday, October 24th - 3pm-4pm - VC East Campus Classroom 2
- Wednesday, November 13th - 4pm-5pm - MCE 342
- Friday, November 15th - 3pm-4pm - MCE 125
- Monday, January 6th - TBD
- Tuesday, January 7th - TBD
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. Descriptions should be specific and concise.
To be considered for any Ventura College Foundation Scholarship, including a Phoenix Scholarship, apply via our Scholarship Application.
- Log into MyVCCCD Student Portal
- Click on the “MyCollege” tab
- Scroll to the “Student QuickLinks” section
- Click on “Ventura College Foundation Scholarship Application”
- Locate and complete the online application prior to the deadline to be considered
Paramedic Scholarship Program
The Paramedic Scholarships run on a different cycle in comparison to our general scholarships.
Currently enrolled Ventura College students who are in the Paramedic Studies Program.
- Log into MyVCCCD Student Portal
- Click on the “MyCollege” tab
- Scroll to the “Student QuickLinks” section
- Click on “Ventura College Foundation Scholarship Application”
- Locate and complete the online VCF Paramedic Scholarship Application prior to the deadline to be considered
Additional Documentation:
- Submit a copy of current Unofficial Transcripts
- Fall Student Schedule/Bill (found in student portal)
Include two letters of recommendation…
- One from a Ventura College instructor or your EMT instructor
- The other from another College instructor, College counselor, past or current employer, or a supervisor from volunteering or work
And one essay!
- Tell us about yourself and why you are interested in becoming a Paramedic
- What are your future career plans, and how will you accomplish them?
If you have any questions, please fill out and submit our contact form.