
Ventura College Foundation Scholarship Program
More than 400 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 2020 Cycle Important Dates
Paramedic Scholarship
CLOSED. Check back next fall!
General Scholarship
- Applications Open: October 1, 2020
- Applications Close: January 15, 2021
General Scholarship Program
Any student currently enrolled at Ventura College in the Fall 2020/Spring 2021 academic year who has successfully completed at least 12 units at the College by the end of the Fall 2020 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 the deadline. No exceptions will be made.
Components of the application are as follows:
- 2 Letters of Recommendation; one must be academic (ex: current or former instructor, counselor, etc.) and the other can also be academic or it can be employment related (ex: former or current employer) or activity related (ex: coach, advisor, mentor, etc.) Recommendations that come from friends or family 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 2020 or Spring 2021 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.
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
- 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.
We'll be hosting Workshop Wednesdays to support students with their scholarship applications. These virtual workshops will be held on the following dates and times:
- October 21st from 10am-11am
- November 4th from 4pm-5pm
- November 18th from 12pm-1pm
- December 2nd from 2pm-3pm
- December 16th from 6pm-7pm
- January 6th from 11am-12pm
- January 13th from 3pm-4pm
No RSVP is required to attend and students can visit this link (https://cccconfer.zoom.us/my/workshopwednesdays) on the scheduled days and times.
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!
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?
Other Scholarship Opportunities
NOTE: These scholarships are NOT funded or organized by Ventura College nor the Ventura College Foundation.
American Indian College Fund Wi'aasal Great Oak Future Leaders Scholarship Fund
Ben Crump Law School Scholarship
Benjamin Gordon Cambridge Capital Grant
Berger and Green Heart Disease Scholarship
BreoBox's "Elevate Your Education" Scholarship
California Strawberry Scholarship Program
Cocodrie Fly Fishing (CFF) Foundation Education Award
CPT James Ahn Memorial Scholarship
Diamocycle Scholarship for Future Entrepreneurs
Fish'N Dans Banks Family Education Fund
GAINSWave Veteran Continuing Education Scholarship
George Sink, P.A. Veterans & Military Family Scholarship
Hallie Gay Bagley Giving Scholarship
House Farm Workers! Ellen Brokaw Scholarship
Kryder Law Group, LLC Community Leadership Scholarship
LendUp Opportunity Scholarship
Little Bundle Superdad Scholarship
Little Bundle Supermom Scholarship
Mercer Mettl Scholarship for Emerging Leaders 2020
Morris Bart, LLC Community Service Scholarship
Newsome Melton Student Leadership Scholarship
NetPEO Lung Cancer Awareness Scholarship
OutdoorStack Financial Aid Program
Pettable Pet Lovers Scholarship
Pintas & Mullins Dangers of Vaping Scholarship
Rustic Pathways Global Perspectives Scholarship
SarahBeth Hartlage Scholarship
SeniorLivingNearMe.org Scholarship
Simmrin Law Group Entrepreneurial Scholarship
TheBestSchools.org Online College Scholarships
The Cover Guy Annual Scholarship
UberCloneApp Scholarship Program for Mobile Computing Students
WiseGeek Lifelong Learners Scholarship
American Indian Law School Scholarship at Harvard Law School
California Latino Legislative Caucus Foundation Scholarship Program
eQuality Scholarship Collaborative
Foundation for California Community Colleges Real Estate Education Endowment Scholarship
Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) Scholarships
Soroptimist Live Your Dream Award
VCCCDRA Sponsored Don B. Medley Scholarship through VCCF
Ventura County Community Foundation Scholarship Program
Women of Substance & Men of Honor’s Elisa Davis Memorial Scholarship
If you have any questions, please fill out and submit our contact form.