The Clackamas Community College (CCC) Foundation awards nearly $500,000 in scholarships every year, providing vital financial support for students. Scholarships are available to all students planning to attend CCC for the 2013-14 academic year, including current students, future students and high school seniors.
This year, for the first time, scholarship applications will be done completely online, streamlining the application process for students. Scholarship applications are accepted beginning January 1 and continuing through Tuesday, April 30. The scholarship application, instructions and tips on completing it are available at www.clackamas.edu/scholarships.
In an era of rising tuitions and increased student debt load, scholarships can play a pivotal role in an individual’s education funding package. “The debt burden from student loans can be excessive for a long time,” said Greg Fitzgerald, executive director of the CCC Foundation, and father of four. “Scholarships can mean the difference between starting your post-college career owing money and starting it relatively debt free.”
CCC offers 275 different scholarships that range from funding a portion of tuition or supplies to a full-ride scholarship and are available for students with at least a 2.0 grade point average, who are taking six credits. CCC scholarships are offered in nearly every area of study including career-technical fields such as automotive, welding, horticulture, health sciences and water and environmental studies.
Some scholarships are dedicated to students pursuing certificates, while others benefit students who plan to transfer to a four-year program. There are scholarships available for students who begin at CCC and move on to Portland State University. Others support students who are the first in their family to attend college.
Three types of scholarships are targeted to high school seniors in Clackamas County who plan to attend CCC — Opportunity, Honors and Academic Incentive. The scholarships are available to incoming high school seniors from Canby, Clackamas, Colton, Estacada, Gladstone, LaSalle, Milwaukie, Molalla, Oregon City, Rex Putnam, Sabin-Schellenberg, West Linn and Wilsonville high schools. Country Christian, New Urban and North Clackamas Christian offer the Academic Incentive scholarship, which provides a full, one-term tuition to CCC.
The CCC Foundation is a tax-exempt, nonprofit corporation that raises funds and friends to support the college. For more information about CCC scholarship opportunities, contact Darcie Iven, scholarship coordinator, at 503-594-3421 or email darciei@clackamas.edu.
