Scholarships

What are Scholarships?

Scholarships are cash from private/public, corporate, community, or institutional donors who want to invest in student learning and education. Scholarships are typically awarded to students who understand how to apply and can show promise in certain fields of study in their application.

If you look closely enough, you can find a scholarship that you are eligible for. Financial Aid is here to help you see what's available and how to apply.

San Mateo Community College District which Skyline is apart of uses a system called AcademicWorks that lets you apply for a wide range of scholarships offered to students enrolled at our district.

Why Apply?

• Scholarships are not loans,
• They do not need to be paid back,
• They can be used for your cost of attendance, not just tuition,
• The odds of earning a scholarship here at Skyline are much higher than an external scholarship

There are students who routinely earn hundreds and thousands of dollars in scholarship earnings to reduce their financial stress and be able to focus on the learning and projects that matter to them. Completing your financial aid application may be viewed as you first form of "scholarship" and that truly is just the beginning.

How to Apply?

1. Create an San Mateo County College Foundation Account
2. Draft your General Application
   1. Draft your Academic Statement, Extra Curricular, Supplemental Info in a Google Document or equivalent platform, so you can build off your writing
3. Request and Upload Unofficial Transcript
4. "Finish and Submit" your general application
5. Look at what specific scholarship applications you qualify for and also "Finish and Submit" those applications
   1. It's not until you do this step will you have applied for a scholarship using AcademicWorks, so do not stop at step 4.
6. Research external scholarships, internships and fellowships and create a plan of action

Facts about Scholarships

• You are eligible and encouraged to apply to as many scholarships as you can!
  • As long as you meet eligibility and minimum requirements
  • Do not get discouraged about not hearing back or not being awarded
• Many scholarships do not have unattainable GPA requirements
• Many scholarships are not contingent upon financial need
  
• Application for our SMCCD internal scholarships are due Mon. 3/3/2025 at 4:30PM
  
  • Awardees get paid out in May 2025
• Scholarships pay for more than just tuition
• While most scholarships require full time enrollment status, not all of them do
• Incoming high school students are eligible to many internal scholarships here at Skyline College
  

Tips for Applying

• Applying for financial aid (FAFSA / CADAA) will make you eligible for more scholarships, and may be thought of a scholarship in itself
  
  • Applying for financial aid also makes students eligible for various other programs and communities on campus!
  • Unsure which application to do? Check out FAFSA's FAQ   and CADAA's FAQ  .
• Get writing support on your personal statements / supplemental questions
• Navigate student services and instructor's office hours so scholarships lead into internships and fellowships
• Focus on effective and efficient learning techniques in class; this will allow you to spend more time applying for scholarships and leave you more time for high quality leisure 

SMCCCD 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 which ensures that quality, affordable higher education is available to every member of our community. Visit the San Mateo County Community Colleges Foundation website to learn more.