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Scholarships for college students are financial aid awards that can pay for textbooks, class materials, and tuition – even living expenses. Qualifications vary, but many scholarships require meeting certain academic or demographic criteria.
In addition to more than 100 awards administered by the MPC Foundation, students can explore scholarships offered by local, regional, and statewide institutions.
Learn All About Scholarships Scholarship Success Guide
Browse Scholarships & Apply
Thanks to the contributions of numerous local and nationwide donors, MPC offers more
than 90 scholarships.
Applications are now closed for 2024-2025.
The application cycle for 2025-2026 opens on December 1, 2024.
Scholarships are available for incoming, current, and transferring MPC students. Recipients
will be notified in May.
Online Scholarship Portal:
To view available scholarships and apply, visit the AwardSpring Portal
- Click on "Register" (new users) or "Sign In" if you have an existing account
- New users must provide a valid email address and create a unique password for application access
- Upload all required documentation requested (i.e. DD214's, Driver's License)
- Correspondence will be through email during the application process
- Complete application process entering data in the prescribed format
- Use proper upper and lowercase letters
- Prior to submitting your final application, you may save and logout
- Carefully review your application before final submission
Browse MPC’s list of regional, state, and national scholarships, see eligibility requirements and deadlines, and learn about the application process. Scholarships relevant to your field of study may be available, as well as general awards.
*Note: This list is updated regularly, but since the information is from external sources, you should double-check directly with the scholarship organization prior to applying, as details may change.
Regional, Statewide & U.S. Scholarships
| NAME | REQUIREMENTS / NOTES |
| African American Scholarships | UNCF is the nation's largest minority education organization |
| Black Scholarships | The largest online directory of scholarships and financial aid opportunities for African American and other minority students |
| Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarships | APIASF is the nation's largest non-profit provider of college scholarships for Asian and Pacific Islanders |
| CalKIDS | Provides free money for eligible California school-aged children to help kickstart their savings for future college and career training expenses |
| Hawai'i Community Foundation | Strengthening Hawaii's Community |
| Hispanic and Latino Scholarships | HSF empowers Latino families with the knowledge and resources to successfully complete a higher education |
| Point Community College Scholarship Program | Inspires LGBTQ community college students to fulfill their ambitions of graduating with an associate's degree and/or transferring to a 4-year college or university |
| American Indian College Fund | The American Indian College Fund provides scholarships to American Indian and Alaska Native college students seeking undergraduate and graduate degrees at tribal colleges, nonprofit, and accredited schools |
| Native American Scholarships | Scholarship Resources for American Indian Students |
| Study.com | A guide to Financial Aid and Scholarships for Veterans |
| Fastweb | Online resource to help students find scholarship to help pay for school |
| Scholarship America | Scholarship America helps students to break down barriers, open doors and provide access to scholarships so they can succeed in life |
| Silicon Valley Community Foundation Scholarships | Scholarships for high school graduates of Santa Clara and San Mateo County who plan to enroll in a 2 or 4 year college/university |
|
NAME |
REQUIREMENTS / NOTES |
ADDITIONAL INFO |
AMOUNT |
|
Hospitality and Tourism Industry |
The American Bus Association Foundation promotes academic excellence and diversity in the motorcoach travel and tour industry through its scholarship program. |
Varies |
|
|
Pursuing an undergraduate degree in a water resources-related field |
Sponsored by: Association of California Water Agencies |
$3500 |
|
|
Nursing students who are veterans or related
|
Sponsored by: American Legion Auxiliary Monterey Peninsula Unit 41, District 28 Contact: Deanna Galdo (831) 646-4030 or dgaldo@mpc.edu |
$4000 |
|
|
Bernice Campbell Memorial Scholarship |
Female students whose focus is on general education/fine arts |
P.E.O. celebrates the advancement and education of women through scholarships awards. Our goal is to motivate women to achieve their highest aspirations. Request Application: peoscholar@currently.com |
Up to $2000 |
|
Majors: Agricultural Business, Agronomy, Horticulture, Entomology, Plant Pathology, Food Science and Safety |
The Foundation's first priority will be students from the Salinas or Pajaro Valleys. Students who reside outside of these areas may still apply. The Scholarship Committee does not consider an applicant's immigration status |
Up to $5000 |
|
|
Chapter PG, P.E.O. Scholarship |
Female students whose focus is on general education and nursing |
P.E.O. celebrates the advancement and education of women through scholarship awards. Our goal is to motivate women to achieve their highest aspirations. Request Application: peoscholar@currently.com |
Up to $3000 |
|
Hospitality and Tourism Industry |
The CHLA Hospitality Foundation endeavors to identify and reward the best and brightest of the hospitality and tourism industry's next generation of leaders with a variety of scholarships in California. |
Varies |
|
|
Foodservice Industry Majors |
The Foundation awards dozens of scholarships to deserving high school seniors and undergraduate students who dream of pursuing higher education to study the foodservice and hospitality industries. |
Up to $4000 |
|
|
CSEA Members with at least $10,000 in outstanding federal or private student loan debt for their own education |
Sponsored by: California School Employees Association |
$500 |
|
|
Film majors |
Up to $2000 in scholarship awards |
||
|
MD or DO degree |
eQuality scholarship Collaborative awards scholarships to honor and encourage California students for their service to the lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender community |
Up to $6000 |
|
|
Exhibition and Event Management majors |
Scholarships are awarded to individuals who are exploring the study of exhibitions and events management with the end goal of advancing their careers in this field. |
Up to $5000 in tuition assistance |
|
|
Applicants currently enrolled at a California Community College during the 2023-2024 academic year in a major that falls under the communications umbrella
|
https://www.hoffman.com/hbcu-scholarship/
|
Covers tuition and fees for a California Community College student who transfers to an HBCU for their junior and senior year |
|
|
Transferring to a 4-year school with a minimum 3.5 CGPA
|
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.
|
||
|
Culinary or Hospitality Majors |
The James Beard Foundation Program assists students from across the food community, including aspiring and established culinary professionals, who plan to further their education at a licensed or accredited culinary school or hospitality institution, college or university. |
Awards vary |
|
|
Applicant must have become an Eagle Scout while a resident of Monterey County |
James Randall Rosendale Scholarship Announcement
James Randall Rosendale Scholarship Criteria
|
$2,500 or the cost of tuition, whichever is less |
|
|
Must be accepted and transferring to UC Santa Cruz for Fall 2023 |
$20,000 distributed over 2 years |
||
|
Karen Woodward Memorial Scholarship |
Female students whose focus is on general education and fine arts |
P.E.O. celebrates the advancement and education of women through scholarship awards. Our goal is to motivate women to achieve their highest aspirations. Request Application: peoscholar@currently.com |
Up to $2000 |
|
Applicants who are underrepresented working towards a certificate or degree focused in the insurance field |
Administered via: Foundation for California Community Colleges |
$1200 per academic year |
|
|
Live Your Dream Education & Training Awards For Women
|
Provides monetary assistance to women who provide the primary source of financial support for their families |
Up to $10,000 |
|
|
Students who demonstrate a commitment in raising awareness to cancer |
Varies |
||
|
Current High School Seniors or the equivalent, who are U.S. Citizens |
Six $500 scholarships (3 females & 3 males) who use the Monterey Elks Lodge #1285 as the sponsoring lodge |
||
|
Students who identify as women who have been accepted and transferring to a University of California school for Fall 2024 |
$20,000 |
||
|
Salinas Valley Pride Celebrations 2024 LGBTQ+ Scholarship Program |
Scholarship designed to honor LGBTQ+ student and allies who embody Salinas Valley Pride Celebration's mission to create community and increase LGBTQ+ acceptance |
Five scholarships at $2000 |
|
|
Female applicants pursuing a degree from an accredited educational institution in culinary or pastry arts education, food systems or agriculture/farming, hospitality management, dietetics and/or nutrition or the beverage industries |
Sponsored by Les Dames d'Escoffier International and The Wine Group |
$5000 |
There are many scholarships available that don’t require proof of citizenship or legal residency. Criteria can vary, but the common denominator is that a social security number and proof of citizenship or legal residency is not required to apply or receive the scholarship.
Resources for scholarships and fellowships open to undocumented students include: