A Record Year for Scholarships

2015 was another big year for scholarships at the Community Foundation for Monterey County (CFMC). In 2015 the CFMC awarded 85 scholarships totaling $285,000. Scholarship winners came from throughout Monterey County, representing every public high school. Recipients are attending schools such as UC Berkeley, UC Irvine, Fresno State, UC Davis, and UCLA as well as CSU Monterey Bay and Monterey Peninsula College (MPC). In fact, 93% of scholarships went to students attending colleges in California and 43% went to students attending CSU Monterey Bay, MPC or Hartnell College.

Impact on Students

Many students expressed that adjusting to college life is difficult, but that the financial support and confidence that being awarded a scholarship provided have made the transition easier.

I have meet so many good people and have made great friends. I miss my home, but I keep busy and remind myself why I am here. This scholarship meant the world to me. Without it I probably would have had to take time off of school in order to save up enough money to attend a university. Being awarded this scholarship has meant so much to me and my family. I am really thankful for the donors. – Emilie Venancio Guzman, North Salinas High School, University of California, Santa Barbara, The Harles R. Sarment College Endowment Scholarship

Scholarship winner George Haugen at University of Texas, Austin

This scholarship gave me a real feeling of accomplishment, not only enabling me to reach my goal of attending a well-reputed university, but also giving me the confidence to strive for excellence while there. It’s encouraging knowing that there’s someone else out there rooting for me and counting on me to do well, wishing nothing but the best. Thank you so much for being there and investing in my future, I’m forever grateful. – George Haugen, Pacific Grove High School, University of Texas at Austin, Richard Scott Reynolds Science and Technology Education Scholarship

This growth in scholarships was made possible through the establishment of several new funds, including the Dr. Roger and Kate Bartels Memorial Scholarship, The Morse Foundation Scholarship, the Dr. Gladys M. Olvis Scholarship, and the Joseph and Betty Spradling Scholarship.

[This scholarship] has meant a great deal for me in the sense that, not only did it aid in my scholastic funding and living expenses, but it also showed me first-hand what it means to be philanthropically inclined and has inspired me to give to others just as the Pallastrini family has given to me. – David Warner, Carmel High School, Sacramento City College, Kristopher Pallastrini Scholarship

Scholarship Resources

Both the importance and cost of earning a college degree are growing. The Community Foundation is proud to partner with donors to support local students in need. To learn more about you can support students’ dreams of attending college, visit our scholarships page. Students looking for advice on selecting a college, completing college applications, and applying for financial aid can visit our scholarship resources page.