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Educating for Change Scholarship

Supporting incarceration-impacted students

The Educating for Change Scholarship provides financial support to California community college students with a parent incarcerated in a prison administered by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR).

Scholarship Details

FoundationCCC anticipates that $20,000 will be available for the 2025-26 academic year. Scholarships will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis while funds remain available.

The award amounts are as follows:

  • $500 per semester
  • $1,000 per academic year

Scholarships may be used to cover a wide range of education-related expenses, including tuition and fees, books, instructional materials, computer equipment, internet access, educational tools, and uniforms.

Additionally, scholarships may also help with personal needs, such as food, healthcare, household items, clothing, childcare, housing, and transportation. However, any portion of the scholarship used for these personal expenses is considered taxable income under IRS regulations. Scholarship recipients should be aware of this distinction to make an informed decision about how to allocate their scholarship funds. 

Early application submissions are strongly encouraged.

Student application period: October 1, 2025 – June 1, 2026 

Stay Connected

California community college students: Interested in applying for the Educating for Change Scholarship? Sign up to be notified when the application period opens.

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Student Eligibility Requirements

To qualify, applicants must meet the following criteria:

    • Be one of the following:
      • A high school senior planning to attend a California community college. Colleges are encouraged to promote this opportunity to dual enrollment  students. OR
      • A student currently enrolled in a California community college.
    • At the time of application, have a parent in a prison administered by CDCR.
      • Students with a parent in a federal facility for an out-of-state facility are  not  eligible. 
      • The term “parent” includes a biological or adoptive parent, step-parent, foster parent, or legal guardian.
    • Prior to disbursement of scholarship funds, the college must verify the student’s enrollment in a California community college for at least 12 units or confirm an alternate full-time equivalent status.

How to Apply

Students: Submit your application to your community college Financial Aid or Scholarship Office. Funds are limited, so make sure to apply as early as possible!

Scholarship / Financial Aid Offices: Submit invoices on behalf of eligible students to FoundationCCC via Submittable.

Resources

Impact Summary for 2024-25 Academic Year

  • 11 Students

    supported through the Educating for Change Scholarship.

  • 8 Colleges

    currently participating in the program.

  • 10 Facilities

    as part of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Supporting Justice-Impacted Students

Thanks to a generous gift from Dr. Joseph Bick and Ms. Stephanie Koop, FoundationCCC disbursed $18,000 for the 2023-24 academic year. In an effort to support additional students, we invite you to visit and share our donation page with your staff, faculty, and leadership. Thank you in advance for your generosity!