Ventura College students will soon have a new scholarship fund available to them thanks to donations made by the Ventura College Foundation, the Bernard Osher Foundation and the college student government.
After a $50 million gift from the Bernard Osher Foundation, the California Community College Scholarship Foundation could be launched, thus creating an opportunity for community colleges to create their own scholarship funds.
“It was the largest individual gift ever,” said Diana Dunbar, Development Director at the Ventura College Foundation.
Dunbar approached the Associated Students of Ventura College President Kathleen Leonard about the opportunity to create a scholarship fund. Leonard then presented the idea to the rest of the ASVC and was accepted as a project that will be brought to fruition during their term.
The plan for the ASVC is to raise $7,000. This amount will then be matched by both the Ventura College and Bernard Osher Foundations, ultimately resulting in $21,000. This money shall then be banked, and the interest rate will guarantee at least $1,000 gained each year for the rest of the College’s existence.
“ASVC has reached out to clubs on campus for help with this and will be contacting businesses throughout Ventura during the year to help us meet our $7,000 goal to make this legacy happen,” said Leonard.
Students that qualify to receive the scholarship must be in his or her second year and must have completed at least 24 units, and must be currently enrolled in six classes at VC. There is no G.P.A. requirement; however, the student’s financial needs will also be taken into account. One student will qualify for the scholarship each year.
In order to help them raise money, the ASVC has also presented the opportunity to raise money to other clubs at VC at their weekly meetings. Out of the total 25 clubs, at least 23 are actively contributing to the fund.
“As of now, it’s just our individual efforts,” said Tina Miller, Community Relations Director of the ASVC.
All of the $7,000 needs to be raised before next June 2011. At this point, around $5,000 has already been accumulated.
Despite the amount of money raised so far, Miller believes that the process has been “a little slow.”
“The actual fundraising part won’t be taking off until spring,” said Miller.
She believes most of the money should be obtained by the start of the spring semester.
As a way to make money, the ASVC will be hosting the Game Day Tournament, organized by Treasurer Jerome Washington.
The tournament will be held in the Cafeteria. Participants will compete in games such as Madden 2011, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and Mario Kart Wii. All proceed from the event will go to the fund.
Students who want more information about the scholarship fund or wish to be a part of the committee are welcomed to visit the Student Activities Offices.
