VCCF SCHOLARSHIP
PROGRAM
A scholarship is more than a financial award,
it is the key that unlocks the future
The Ventura County Community Foundation Scholarship program is made possible thanks to the generosity and commitment of donors, including individuals, corporations, and organizations. VCCF primarily awards scholarships to Ventura County students who are pursuing higher education and/or career training.
The VCCF Scholarship Program opens doors of educational opportunity for students of all ages. We firmly believe that by affording access to higher education to individuals, our entire community is strengthened. A scholarship is more than a financial award—it is the key that unlocks the future for deserving students by building their confidence and removing obstacles that stand in the way of success.
VCCF Scholarship Information Portals
Convenings + Support
Education Staff (College and Career staff and School Counselors, AVID Teachers)
Wednesday, December 2, 2020 3:30pm-4:30pm — Register Now
Please join us for this scholarship Information Session, led by VCCF Scholarship Director, Dr. Cristina Miranda. This presentation will prepare you to facilitate any questions from your students about submitting their scholarship application. We also welcome you to join any of the following drop-in Q&A sessions fo students and recommenders.
For Students
Parents and students, before joining any of the following Q&A discussions, we recommend watching this video on how to submit your scholarship application.
- Thursday, Dec. 10 2020, 5:30-6:30pm (Q&A) – Register Now
- Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020 noon-1:00pm (Q&A) – Register Now
- Monday, Dec. 21, 2020 3:30-4:30pm (Q&A) – Register Now
- Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 5:30-6:30pm (Q&A) – Register Now
- Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021 3:30-4:30pm (Q&A) – Register Now
For Recommenders
Recommenders, before joining any of the following Q&A discussions, we recommend watching these videos on how to submit letter(s) of recommendation for your student(s).
- Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020 5:30-6:30pm (Q&A) – Register Now
- Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020 2:00-3:00pm (Q&A) – Register Now
- Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021 3:30-4:30pm (Q&A) – Register Now
- Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021 2:00-3:00pm (Q&A) – Register Now
#BecauseYouGave
Be sure to check out the 2020 #BecauseYouGave campaign to hear about the stories and impact
from this year’s scholarship recipients.
VCCF Scholarship Selection Committee
The VCCF scholarship selection committee is composed of community volunteers and scholarship donors who are committed to bettering the educational opportunities for students in Ventura County. Each year, selection committee members invest countless hours reviewing, reading and rating scholarship applications. Their expertise and time are highly valued and we could not do this work without them.
Interested in volunteering for the VCCF Scholarship Selection Committee? Submit your name and email and we will be in touch.
During my senior year of high school, I decided to apply for the scholarship program because I didn’t want money getting in the way of my education. Being able to receive the scholarships I received means making college a reality and avoiding financial stress for my family and I. The scholarships will help pay for my attendance to California University State Chico.
I was initially planning on majoring in business administration; however I recently changed my major to nursing. My ultimate goal after college is to change the world in a positive way and save lives!
I applied for a scholarship through VCCF my sophomore year in college because I was having trouble paying for tuition, housing, and food. I am so glad and grateful that I did because I know I would not be where I am today without VCCF’s support. Not only has VCCF helped me pay for all expenses in college, the foundation continues to support me in law school. In addition to funding support, VCCF gave me a support system and wonderful mentors whom I look up to and who inspire me. VCCF reminds me that people believe in me, people are rooting for me, that I am not alone, and that my hard work is worth it.
The scholarship has significantly lightened my financial burden, allowing me to focus on my learning and developing my legal skills to serve underserved and disadvantaged communities. It allows me to invest the time I would have spent working (and stressing) into focusing on my passion for public service, participating in pro bono opportunities, and preparing for the BAR after graduation.
I currently attend University of San Francisco, School of Law. I will receive my J.D. in June 2021.
My name is Sophie Nguyen and I am a senior year at California State University Channel Islands pursuing a BS in Sociology and Chicanx Studies minor. As a daughter of immigrants and a transfer commuter student from Oxnard, I have a deep appreciation for my educational journey and the incredibly valuable support I have received from the VCCF community. Thank you so much for making this scholarship possible. Receiving support from community members like you has instilled in me a strong passion and commitment to helping empower and uplift my campus community. Because you gave, I will be able to pay tuition my final year at CSUCI while I serve as Student Government President to help unify and advocate for fellow students. This scholarship truly means so much to me and I am incredibly grateful for your kindness, compassion, and generosity!
I am the first in my family to go to law school, so receiving the scholarship was a very big deal for our family! My parents were both first generation college students, so I was proud I had the opportunity to live out the value of higher education that they instilled in me.
I currently work as a lawyer that works for a state agency called the California Agricultural Labor Relations Board (ALRB). I work in our Oxnard office, and the ALRB helps farmworkers who have been discriminated against for joining together to ask for higher pay or better working conditions (clean water, shade, sanitary bathrooms, etc). I spend my day working on legal writing assignments, discussing my cases with our team of lawyers, and interviewing farmworkers and the companies they work for. It's challenging but very rewarding work!