With support from the Automobile Club of Southern California, FoundationCCC awards $50,000 to help first-generation veteran students across 11 colleges.

SACRAMENTO, CA — The Foundation for California Community Colleges (FoundationCCC) today announced a generous donation from the Automobile Club of Southern California to provide emergency financial assistance for first-generation veteran students who are the first in their families to attend college. The funding, which will be distributed to 11 California community colleges, will help bridge personal financial gaps, so student veterans can stay focused on completing their education.

The Automobile Club of Southern California contributed $50,000 to support students this year at Allan Hancock College, Barstow Community College, Coastline College, Crafton Hills College, Imperial Valley College, Irvine Valley College, Moreno Valley College, Norco College, Saddleback College, San Bernardino Valley College, and Santiago Canyon College. Participating colleges have already begun receiving funds.

For students like Keambria Mass, a U.S. Air Force veteran, emergency support can be transformative. She is currently pursuing a nursing degree at Moreno Valley College and brings a background in health care administration, driven by a commitment to serve fellow service members.

“I believe nursing will allow me to continue serving my community in a meaningful way,” said Mass. “This funding helped cover essential supplies and additional expenses like mandatory school fees that are not fully covered by my VA benefits. I am truly grateful for the generosity of donors who support student veterans like myself. Your kindness and support mean the world to us.”

In 2025, a total of $52,500 was awarded to eight California community colleges through combined contributions from the Automobile Club of Southern California and the Bill and Shirl Schreiber Endowment. These funds supported 106 first-generation veteran students, providing financial assistance when they needed it most to continue their college education. Veteran students often face financial challenges during the summer months, when they are not enrolled in classes and may not receive their full benefits.

Supporting first-generation student veterans is a personal mission for Greg Backley, President and CEO of the Automobile Club of Southern California. As a former student at Pasadena City College, Backley understands firsthand the impact community colleges can have. He initially brought the idea for emergency financial assistance for students to FoundationCCC, inspired by his own educational experience and career path.

“Having begun my own journey at a community college, I understand how vital access to education and basic resources can be,” said Backley. “Supporting student veterans isn’t just an investment in education; it’s an investment in people who have already served our country and are now building new futures. I wanted to give back to community colleges, and especially to veterans, because the automotive field is filled with talented military personnel eager to build long-term careers in the industry.” 

Backley launched his career in 1991 as a membership and insurance sales agent with the Automobile Club of Southern California, the nation’s largest AAA-affiliated motor club and insurance provider. Over more than three decades, he steadily advanced through the organization’s ranks and now leads AAA’s largest club enterprise in the country. Throughout his tenure, he has held key leadership roles in product management, sales, and operations, including serving as Vice President of Insurance Product Management, Senior Vice President of Insurance Operations, Executive Vice President, and Chief Operating Officer before becoming President and CEO.

Many military veterans are likely to face challenges when transitioning to life after military service, particularly after a combat deployment. The California Community Colleges strategic framework, Vision 2030, supports improvements to colleges’ policy and practices to benefit student veterans. For example, many more colleges are evaluating veterans’ joint services transcripts to award college credit for learning obtained in the military, and are strengthening specialized support, including mentoring and mental health services. The generous gift from the Automobile Club of Southern California to provide emergency financial support to student veterans is consistent with this priority. 

The 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.

The Automobile Club of Southern California, the largest member of the AAA federation of motor clubs, has been serving Southern California since 1900. Auto Club member benefits include roadside assistance, discounts, insurance, a full-service travel agency, credit cards, automotive services, automotive testing and analysis, trip planning services, and highway and transportation safety programs.