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, make time to apply, and can show promise in certain fields of study in their application.

If you look, 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 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, a rough draft is fine as you can go back and update your general app before 3/3/25
5. Look at what specific recommended 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. Click General Application and update your statements or make edits to your entries
7. Research external scholarships, internships and fellowships and create a plan of action to apply

How to Write a Winning Scholarship Statement?

When writing a winning scholarship statement, it’s essential to combine persuasive writing with your authentic self. Scholarship committees want to see who you truly are—not just a list of accomplishments, but a genuine portrayal of your passions, values, and unique qualities. You should use persuasive writing techniques to convince them why you deserve the scholarship, but do so in a way that feels natural and true to you. Authenticity makes your essay stand out and resonates more deeply with readers, showing them that you're not only qualified but also someone they can believe in.

Equally important are the key strategies of responding directly to the prompt, using rhetoric effectively, and structuring your writing with clarity. Always address the prompt fully, staying focused on what the scholarship committee is asking and ensuring that every part of your statement is relevant. Rhetoric—persuasive techniques like ethos, pathos, and logos—helps you connect emotionally, build credibility, and present logical arguments to make your case. Lastly, organizing your ideas in PIE (Point, Illustration, Explanation) paragraphs ensures that your writing is clear, structured, and compelling, making it easier for the reader to follow your argument and be persuaded by your reasoning.

Please visit your local library and rent a scholarship book and work through it while you do your apps!

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 such as EOPS, Promise, and MESA 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 your classes; this will allow you to spend more time applying for scholarships and high quality leisure 

Scholarship Opportunities: view open scholarships and apply!

Scholarship Award Ceremony: See past recordings and photos.

Please Note: External scholarships have their own terms and conditions. The donor determines which academic costs are covered by their scholarship. For example, some scholarships require the cost of books and supplies appear on a student's college invoice and they don't cover items purchased outside of the bookstore. It's important that you review the Terms and Conditions of your scholarship. The Financial Aid Office is a third party, we assist with the disbursement of these funds and follow the requirements set by the donor. We don't have the authority to override these requirements.

Please Note: Awarding notification of Scholarship Recipients have been sent to students directly via their @my.smccd.edu accounts.On behalf of Skyline College's Scholarship Committee, we thank you for applying and wish you continued success in your educational goals!

**If you are a Transfer Student, who received a scholarship for 2024-2025, do not forgot to submit proof of your Enrollment Status of your new school. The proof must contain a class summary, total enrolled units and your name.  Submit enrollment verification via DropBox with your G#. 

Need help on writing your Thank You Letter? Check out our helpful tips and advice  .

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Skyline College (SMCCD) Scholarships Due 3/3/25 at 4:30pm

View the wide variety of scholarship you can apply for as a Skyline College student! Use filters or search by keyword to find scholarships that are relevant to you. You can apply for multiple scholarships.

Scholarship Opportunities →

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2025 Crestmoor Scholarship Due 3/4/25 at 5pm

The application for the 2025 Crestmoor Neighborhood Memorial Scholarship will be available online in early December. This program honors the community members who most directly endured the destruction of the 2010 gas pipeline explosion in San Bruno's Crestmoor neighborhood by investing in San Bruno students headed to college. The application deadline is March 4, 2025.

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Gilman Scholarship Abroad Progam Due 3/6/25 

The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program (Gilman Program) supports students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad, providing them with skills critical to our national security and economic prosperity. To be eligible for the Gilman Program, applicants must be receiving a Federal Pell Grant during the time of application or provide proof that they will be receiving a Pell Grant during the term of their study abroad program or internship. 

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2025 Woodside Terrace Foundation Due 3/15/25 

Woodside Terrace AM Kiwanis Club of Redwood City is offering up to three each $5,000 scholarships for students who will be transferring from community college to a four-year institution in fall 2025. They also have many other scholarships that you may qualify for too.The deadline to apply is Saturday, March 15, 2025. Awards will be announced in mid-April.

 

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Rotary Club of Palo Alto Robert Smithwick Vocational Scholarships Due 3/21/2025

Our scholarship program is needs-based, designed to support students who are facing financial hardship and may otherwise struggle to afford their education.

Eligibility:

• High school seniors graduating in June 2024 who will enroll in a career/vocational program in Fall 2025.
• Current students enrolled in an accredited career/vocational program and continuing in Fall 2025.
• Returning students with a high school diploma who are re-entering school for career/vocational education.

 

 

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Deblinger Family Scholarship (for parents) Due May 2025

The Deblinger Family Foundation wants to enable non-traditional students to focus on achieving their academic goals and performance, so that they can create a successful future. Please check their website here

 

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California Student Aid Commision CAL - HBCU Transfer Grant Due June 2025

Students who transfer from California Community Colleges to eligible, partnered Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) can receive up to $5,000 in one-time grant funds. For more information, check out the California Student Aid Commission website. 

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Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship

To qualify for the scholarship, students must be:

• Pell-eligible
• Have a Pell-eligible EFC or SAI
• Must be less than 24 years of age
• Or enrolled at an institution of higher education at the time of his or her parents or guardians death

Check out the Children and Fallen Heros Scholarship Act for more information regarding this scholarship and to view definitions.

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Cooke Campus Transfer Scholarship Due 1/9/26, it will open around Fall 2025 semester

The Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship is a highly selective scholarship for the nation’s top community college students seeking to complete their bachelor’s degrees at four-year colleges or universities. Each Cooke Scholar has access to generous financial support for two to three years, college planning support, ongoing advising, and the opportunity to connect with the thriving community of fellow Scholars.

 

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UCSC Pister Scholarship Due 1/24/25 at 11pm

Have interest in transfering to UCSC? Don't miss out on this opportunity There'll be an info session on Thursday, December 5th 2024 at 5:00 PM. If you would like to register, please sign up HERE. If you cannot attend the session, please use these links below as a resource. Any questions please email Henry Fan: fanh@smccd.edu

Pister 25’ Application Link

CC application guidelines

Webpage with more information

Pister Flyer

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External Scholarship Opportunities

There are plenty of scholarships available to apply for outside of the district. See a list of scholarships we recommend looking into based on your personal background, interests, and goals.

External Scholarship Opportunities

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Name of Scholarship	Type	Amount	Deadline
Panda Scholars Program	All Students	Up to $4000	Ongoing
David Sidoo Scholarship for Entrepreneurs	All Students	Up to $1000	July 15, 2025
CNCDA Foundation's Car Career Scholarship	Automotive Students	$5000	March 16, 2025
CNCDA Foundation's Car Career Scholarship	Automotive Students	$5000	March 16, 2025
Study.com Scholarship for Military Children	Military Dependent/Children	$500	Ongoing
Asian American/ Pacfic Islander Scholarship	Asian Americamn/Pacific Islander Students	$750	Ongoing
Asian Pacific Fund	Asian Americamn/Pacific Islander Students	Varies	Ongoing
Tona Law Veteran's Scholarship	Military Students	$2500	November 30, 2025
Silicon Valley Community Foundation	All Students	Varies	December 2024
Hispanic Scholarship Fund	Hispanic Hertiage Students	Up to $5000	January 1, 2025
The American Hat Makers Scholarship	All Students	$750	March 29 ,2025
The Florin Roebig Scholarship Essay	All Students	Up to $1500	May 1, 2025
Scholarship America	All Students	Varies	Ongoing
Scholarships for Teachers	Education/Teacher Track	Varies	Ongoing
The Elizabeth Greenshields	Art	Varies	Ongoing
G2 Crowd Entrepreneur	All Students	$5000	Ongoing
Native American Student Support Guide	Native American Students	Varies	Ongoing
TTR Data Recovery	High School Students	$1000	Ongoing
Same Day Loans 365	All Students	$500	Ongoing
GoTranscript	All Students	$1000	Ongoing
Price It Here	Business	$1000	Ongoing
Win-Win-Win	All Students	$1000	Ongoing
Lowenberg & Kumar	All Students	$1000	Ongoing
Photonify	All Students	$!000	Ongoing/Monthly
FlatPyramid 3D	Art	$1000	Ongoing/Quarterly
CFF Foundation	All Students	$1500	Ongoing/Quarterly
Youth Forward - DmvEdu.org	All Students	$3000	Ongoing/Trimester
American Muscle Automotive	All Students	$2000	Ongoing/Semester
MedEvac	All Students	$5000	Ongoing/Yearly
Hedding Law Firm	All Students	$2500	Ongoing/Yearly
The Youthist	All Students	$1000	Ongoing/Yearly
Food Stamps Now	All Students	$1000	Ongoing/Yearly
TastyPlacement	All Students	$1000	Ongoing/Yearly

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Additional Scholarship Resources

Scholarship Application Tips

• Personal Statement  
• Letter of Recommendations
• Thank You Letter  
• Strategies
• Scholarship Scams

For more tips on searching for scholarships, please visit:

• Finaid: find scholarships
• College Board Scholarships
• The Simple Dollar Guide

If you have questions, please contact the Financial Aid Office

Americorps Educational Award

Application Process

1. Student must go to My AmeriCorps Website and electronically submit a request indicating Skyline College as their school.
2. Student must be registered for classes in the semester they are requesting funds for.

Please note: To ensure proper and timely payment of your award, it is our practice to accept only one Americorps award request per term. Skyline College must see that you are enrolled in at least 0.5 units for the term you are requesting. If you are not enrolled, your request will be denied. Your award is then pending the release of federal funds to Skyline College.

Timeline for Americorps Scholarships

• The process may take up to 6 weeks
• Contact Brandon Gutierrez-Kitto at gutierrezkittob@smccd.edu once you complete your electronic voucher
• A check will be mailed to Skyline College's Financial Aid Office (2 weeks)
• Check requisition forwarded to Cashiers Office (2 weeks)
• A check will be mailed to student's address on file with the Admissions & Records Office (1-2 weeks)
• Please note: mailing address can be updated through your WebSMART account

Payment Schedule for Financial Aid and Other Scholarship Payments

There are two major payment days at the beginning and at the mid-point of each semester for all students eligible for payments by those dates. These are followed by secondary payment dates every week to pay students who were not previously ready for payment. For disbursement dates, please see the Financial Aid Status page.

Additional Assistance

If you have any questions, please contact Henry Fan

fanh@smccd.edu| (650) 738-7168

Study Abroad Program Scholarships & Resources

How do I pay for a study abroad experience?

Study abroad can seem expensive, but there are sources of financial aid available to help with the costs. Please visit the Study Abroad website for more information.