Scholarships
Scholarships
The 2026-2027 SMCCCD General Scholarship
Application is NOW OPEN!
Apply: HERE
Deadline: February 2, 2026
Assistance:
- Weekly In-Person Workshops:
- Wednesdays, 2pm-4pm-Learning Center Building 5, Room B
- Fridays, 10am-12pm-Learning Center Building 5, Room A
- In-Person Evening Workshop October 23, 5:00pm-7:00pm-Location TBD
- In-Person Evening Workshop December 04, 5:00pm-7:00pm-Location TBD
- Need help on writing your Thank You Letter? Check out our helpful tips and advice
- Questions? Contact Stephanie Corrales at corralesstephanie@smccd.edu
Apply for a Scholarship!
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Scholarships are NOT Just for "Perfect" Students: Many scholarships don’t require a perfect GPA. They can be based on hobbies, interests, or unique experiences, meaning there’s something for everyone.
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They’re Like Free Money: Unlike loans, scholarships don’t need to be paid back. Why not apply?
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You Can Apply for Multiple Scholarships: There are hundreds of scholarships available, and applying for more increases your chances of receiving funds. You control your odds!
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Even Small Scholarships Add Up: Every scholarship can help you pay for part of your education. Multiple smaller scholarships can add up quickly!
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Scholarships Can Open Doors: Winning a scholarship can connect you with networks, internships, and job opportunities that go beyond just the financial benefits. It's a chance to boost your resume too!
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Never pay or provide your SSN to apply for a scholarship. These might be a scam.
Each year, the San Mateo County Community College District -- Cañada College, College of San Mateo, and Skyline College -- awards scholarships to new, continuing, and transfer students.
The scholarship awards are based on academic achievement, financial need or specific interests such as clubs, athletics, impact and service. You likely qualify for some scholarships.
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.
Experiencing difficulities with your submission?
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 is truly just the beginning of how much aid you can receive!
How do I Apply?
- Create an San Mateo County College Foundation Account
- Draft your General Application
- This includes your Academic Statement, Extra Curricular, and Supplemental Info
- Draft your information in an external document for easy editing & copy-pasting
- Request and Upload your Unofficial Transcript
- "Finish and Submit" your general application
- A rough draft is fine! You can go back and update your general application before the deadline.
- Explore the specific recommended scholarships you qualify for. "Finish and Submit" those applications.
- This step is when you have applied for a scholarship.
- Do not stop at step 4. Submitting the general application does not apply for anything by itself.
- Want to edit? Click General Application and update your statements or make edits to your entries.
- Research external scholarships, internships and fellowships and create a plan of action to apply.
How to Write a Scholarship Statement
When writing a scholarship statement, it’s essential to combine persuasive writing with your authentic self.
Key Strategies:
- Respond directly to the prompt
- Always address the prompt fully. Stay focused on what the scholarship committee is asking and ensure that every part of your statement is relevant.
- Use rhetoric effectively
- Rhetoric includes persuasive techniques like ethos, pathos, and logos and helps you connect emotionally, build credibility, and present logical arguments to make your case.
- Structure your writing with clarity
- Organizing your ideas in a PIE (Point, Illustration, Explanation) format ensures that your writing is clear, structured, and compelling. Structure helps the reader follow your thinking and reasoning.
- Be Yourself
- Scholarship committees want more than a list of accomplishments. Show your passions, values, and unique qualities. Authenticity makes your essay stand out and resonates with readers.
Key Points
- You can apply to as many scholarships as you want!
- All you need is to meet eligibility and minimum requirements
- Many scholarships are not contingent upon financial need
- Scholarships often 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 for many internal scholarships here at Skyline College
Tips for Applying
- Applying for financial aid (FAFSA / CADAA) makes you eligible for more scholarships & support
- Ask for feedback & support on your personal statements / supplemental questions
- Build connections so scholarships can lead into internships and fellowships
- Focus on effective and efficient learning techniques in class so you can spend more time applying for scholarships and high quality leisure
Suggested Scholarships
Skyline College (SMCCD) Scholarships
Due: Feburary, annually
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.
Osher Scholarship
The Osher Scholarship provides need-based financial support to community college students who are committed to completing their education. This award helps reduce financial barriers so you can focus on your academic and career goals. To apply, complete the SMCCCD General Scholarship Application.
Eligibility Criteria:
- GPA 2.0
- Units Completed: 24 (degree applicable)
- Minimum Units Enrolled: 6
- California Promise Grant (CCPG) recipient
- Note: Scholarship will be paid in installments over two semesters. Scholarship recipients can receive up to $800 per semester for a total of $1,600 per year.
American Public Works Assc. (APWA) Scholarship
Due: Late Spring, annually
The Silicon Valley Chapter of APWA intends to offer two (2) Scholarships (each $1,500) to Community College students who reside in the San Francisco Bay Area and will transfer to undergraduate Engineering program at any accredited 4-year University in 2025.
Gilman Scholarship Abroad Progam
Due: Spring, annually
The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program (Gilman Program) supportsstudents 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.
Woodside Terrace Foundation Scholarship
Due: Spring, annually
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. They also offer many other scholarships.
Rotary Club of Palo Alto Robert Smithwick Vocational Scholarships
Due: Spring, annually
The Palo Alto Rotary Club Scholarship is needs-based, designed to support students who are facing financial hardship and may otherwise struggle to afford their education.
Deblinger Family Scholarship For Parent-Students
Due: Spring, annually
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. Learn more about the Deblinger Family Scholarship.
California Student Aid Commision CAL - HBCU Transfer Grant
Due: June, annually
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.
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.
Cooke Campus Transfer Scholarship
Due January 7, 2026. Opens October 1, 2025.
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.
UCSC Pister Scholarship
Due January, annually
Have interest in transfering to UC Santa Cruz? Don't miss out on this opportunity.
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.
| Name of Scholarship | Eligibility (put deadline in your own calendar) | Amount |
| Top Nutrition Coaching First-Gen Futures Scholarship | High school seniors, undergraduate, or graduate students whose parents did not receive a four year bachelor's degree may apply for this scholarship opportunity | $1000 |
| Panda Scholars Program | All Students | Up to $4000 |
| HeySunday Scholarship for Mom's in College | Open to all mothers who are currently attending a US college or university and are current U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents. | $2500 |
| Job Test Career Coach Future Leaders Scholarship | Any undergraduate or graduate student with leadership skills and that are current U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents may apply for this scholarship opportunity. | $1000 |
| Live It Up Best Greens Powder Women in Healthcare Scholarship | Women pursuing a degree in the healthcare field (public health, medicine, healthcare administration, nursing, etc.) | $1000 |
| Live It Up Nursing Scholarship | Any undergraduate, or graduate student who is a US citizen or permanent legal resident pursuing Nursing may apply for this scholarship. | $1000 |
| Live It Up Best Greens Powder Women in Healthcare Scholarship | Women pursuing a degree in the healthcare field (public health, medicine, healthcare administration, nursing, etc.) | $1000 |
| Online ADHD Diagnosis Mental Health Scholarship for Women | Any female high school senior, undergraduate, or graduate student who is a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident and is dedicated to her mental health may apply for this scholarship. | $1000 |
| Learner Tutoring Women in STEM Scholarship | Female undergraduate or graduate students who are U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents pursuing STEM may apply for this scholarship. | $1000 |
| David Sidoo Scholarship for Entrepreneurs | All Students | Up to $1000 |
| CNCDA Foundation's Car Career Scholarship | Automotive Students | $5000 |
| CNCDA Foundation's Car Career Scholarship | Automotive Students | $5000 |
| Study.com Scholarship for Military Children | Military Dependent/Children | $500 |
| Asian American/ Pacfic Islander Scholarship | Asian Americamn/Pacific Islander Students | $750 |
| Asian Pacific Fund | Asian Americamn/Pacific Islander Students | Varies |
| Tona Law Veteran's Scholarship | Military Students | $2500 |
| Silicon Valley Community Foundation | All Students | Varies |
| Hispanic Scholarship Fund | Hispanic Hertiage Students | Up to $5000 |
| The American Hat Makers Scholarship | All Students | $750 |
| The Florin Roebig Scholarship Essay | All Students | Up to $1500 |
| Scholarship America | All Students | Varies |
| Scholarships for Teachers | Education/Teacher Track | Varies |
| The Elizabeth Greenshields | Art | Varies |
| G2 Crowd Entrepreneur | All Students | $5000 |
| Native American Student Support Guide | Native American Students | Varies |
| TTR Data Recovery | High School Students | $1000 |
| Same Day Loans 365 | All Students | $500 |
| GoTranscript | All Students | $1000 |
| Price It Here | Business | $1000 |
| Win-Win-Win | All Students | $1000 |
| Lowenberg & Kumar | All Students | $1000 |
| Photonify | All Students | $!000 |
| FlatPyramid 3D | Art | $1000 |
| CFF Foundation | All Students | $1500 |
| Youth Forward - DmvEdu.org | All Students | $3000 |
| American Muscle Automotive | All Students | $2000 |
| MedEvac | All Students | $5000 |
| Hedding Law Firm | All Students | $2500 |
| The Youthist | All Students | $1000 |
| Food Stamps Now | All Students | $1000 |
| TastyPlacement | All Students | $1000 |
Additional Scholarship Resources
External Scholarships
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 requirements.
Scholarship Application Tips
For more tips on searching for scholarships, please visit:
If you have questions, please contact the Financial Aid Office
Americorps Educational Award
- Student must go to My AmeriCorps Website and electronically submit a request indicating Skyline College as their school.
- 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.
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.