College Futures Sophomore Year: 123 Scholarships Totaling $425,000

College Futures Sophomore Year: 123 Scholarships Totaling $425,000

By Josh Warburg, Community Foundation for Monterey County Programs and Scholarship Officer

2018 marks the second year of College Futures Monterey County, a new program designed to increase the number of historically underrepresented students in Monterey County who complete a bachelor’s degree.

We heard from 75% of high school students that their goal is to complete a bachelor’s degree, yet only 36% of high school graduates in our county take the classes required to apply to a four-year college.

Students know that a college education is critical to fully participating in today’s economy but many lack the knowledge and support necessary to prepare for, enroll in, and complete a degree. Through College Futures Monterey County and other investments in college readiness, we are working to help more students prepare academically, understand the college admissions and financial aid systems, and make a successful transition from high school to college.

College Readiness

College Futures Monterey County pairs college success services, delivered by our College Readiness Advisor, with need-based two-year scholarships.

The opportunity to be awarded a scholarship encouraged students to engage with the services and the scholarships help the awardees to pay for their tuition, housing, food, transportation, and other expenses related to attending college.

Jesus Floriano-Ramirez_College Futures_2018I would like to thank Esther Figueroa [College Readiness Advisor] for the opportunity she gave me and my colleagues to be financially stable in college through the workshops and support she gave. I would like to become a Spanish teacher for a local high school in my area. This scholarship for me was very important, not only because it will help me financially, but it will help me believe in myself and accomplish my goals.” – Jesus Floriano-Ramirez, CSU Monterey Bay, Soledad High School

Helping More Students Attend College

In 2017, the CFMC awarded $260,000 to 65 scholars from seven high schools throughout the county, bring the two-year total to $425,000 and 123 scholarships to date.

These 65 students went on to be awarded over $1 million in federal, state, college, and private scholarships thanks in part to the support they received from College Futures Monterey County to complete financial aid and scholarship applications.

In 2018 we focused on reaching even more students with our college success services: nearly 650 students attended a college readiness workshop and over 400 students attended at least three workshops. Students learned about the California college system, how to apply to college and financial aid, how to manage a budget, and more. Many also took advantage of our scholarship resources page.

Miguel Angel PulidoI will use this award to pursue my career in becoming an attorney for low-income families. Coming from a Hispanic family that works in the fields, I want to help other Hispanic families that have to work in harsh conditions. My main goal in life is to help low-income families, and field workers; this scholarship will help me pursue and accomplish my goal.” – Miguel Angel Pulido, CSU Fresno, Gonzales High School

Creating Opportunity

We received 240 applications from deserving students who are committed to going to college. After careful deliberation, the scholarship committee awarded $215,000 to 60 graduating high school seniors. Along with renewals of scholarship awards from 2017, we expect to award over $425,000 to 123 students in 2018 through College Futures Monterey County.

These students represent a bright future for Monterey County:

  • Their average high school GPA is 3.64
  • 33% are Latino males
  • 50% are the children of agriculture workers
  • 54% of them can’t put money toward college without jeopardizing their family’s housing and food needs

These students also represent the groups in our county who are least likely to go to college. However, with support from knowledgeable and caring adults and the financial support that the very generous donors in our community provide through scholarships, these students are taking the bold step of enrolling in college.

Jonathon Zamora College FuturesAs a child of a single mother and a first-generation Chicano, entering college has been a dream but also a great burden. This scholarship will help in every way possible and I am truly grateful. Thank you so much.” – Jonathon Zamora, UC Davis, North Monterey County High School

You Can Help

College Futures CoverThese results are made possible by the dedication and support of our donor community. By investing in promising students and providing them with information and financial support, we are helping them get to and through college and realize their potential. Their success will also help improve the economic vibrancy of Monterey County. We invite you to learn more about how you or your business can get involved by calling 831.375.9712, visiting www.cfmco.org/CollegeFutures or reading our brochure.

 

Elidia Farfan TapiaIt was very important for me to get the scholarship because until this morning I was scare to death about how many loans I would have to take to pay for my education, but now I have part of it covered. This scholarship has given me the opportunity that others thought I would not have. This scholarship has change my life completely because I have face so many barriers and having someone to back me up on this new adventure is one of the best things to know. – Elidia Farfan Tapia, CSU Sacramento, Alisal High School