Educating for Change Scholarship supports community college students with incarcerated parents

SACRAMENTO, CA — The Foundation for California Community Colleges (FoundationCCC) announced that applications are now open for the Educating for Change Scholarship, a program supporting students enrolled in—or planning to attend—a California community college who have a parent incarcerated in a California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) facility. Community colleges are currently accepting applications from eligible students, with submissions due to FoundationCCC by March 25, 2026.

To qualify, applicants must be either a high school senior planning to enroll at a California community college or a current California community college student enrolled in at least 12 units (or verified as a full-time equivalent). Applicants must have a parent currently incarcerated in a prison administered by CDCR at the time of application. “Parent” includes a biological or adoptive parent, step-parent, foster parent, or legal guardian.

Each Educating for Change scholarship provides $500 per student per semester to help ease financial barriers and support students on their educational journeys. “We know from experience that a $500 award can be life-changing, giving a student the stability and breathing room they need to stay focused on their education and care for their loved ones,” said Julie Nichols, Senior Director of Development at FoundationCCC. 

To date, 31 Educating for Change scholarships have been awarded to students across the state. Among the recipients was Steven Mason Jr., a graduate of Laney College who has faced financial hardship while pursuing his academic goals with a parent experiencing incarceration.

Reflecting on the impact of the award, Steven shared:

“The Educating for Change Scholarship has meant more to me than financial support—it has been a powerful reminder that my goals and hard work are seen and valued. As a student balancing education, personal responsibilities, and long-term career aspirations, this scholarship helped ease financial stress and allowed me to stay focused on my academic journey. 

Receiving this scholarship reinforced my belief in the importance of education as a tool for growth, opportunity, and community impact. It has motivated me to continue pushing forward, not only for myself, but to be an example of what’s possible when students are supported and believed in. I am truly grateful for this opportunity and for the mission behind the Educating for Change Scholarship.” 

The Educating for Change Scholarship Endowment was created through the generosity of Stephanie Koop and Dr. Joseph Bick. United by a shared belief in the transformative power of education, they envisioned a scholarship that would support students impacted by parental incarceration in pursuing higher education through the California community colleges.

Prior to his retirement in December of 2025, Dr. Bick served as Director of Health Care Services at the CDCR, capping a distinguished 32-year career with the department.  

Koop holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master’s in Public Health. Three years ago, she co-founded  Community Mercantile, a Davis-based non-profit reuse store dedicated to collecting, donating, and selling valuable items that were otherwise destined for the landfill. The business reflects her longstanding commitment to sustainability, public health, and community impact.

Through their professional work, Koop and Bick have seen firsthand the quiet trauma carried by children with incarcerated parents. “We knew we had to do something meaningful,” shared Dr. Bick. The couple’s goal is to grow the scholarship through donations from concerned individuals, corporate partnerships, and foundation grants, so many more students can be helped.

The California Community Colleges are committed to supporting students impacted by the criminal justice system. In addition to the Educating for Change Scholarship, the Rising Scholars Network serves incarcerated and formerly incarcerated students by offering degree-granting programs within correctional facilities and providing on-campus support for those who have experienced the justice system.

To learn more about Educating for Change or to apply for a scholarship, visit the Educating for Change web page.

About the Foundation for California Community CollegesThe Foundation for California Community Colleges works to benefit students, colleges, and communities by accelerating paths to economic and social mobility, strengthening communities, and reducing barriers to opportunities for all Californians. FoundationCCC is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization founded in 1998. It serves as the official statewide nonprofit organization supporting the California Community Colleges, the largest system of higher education in the nation. For more information, visit www.foundationccc.org.