Many students qualify for a variety of scholarships including those for continuing students, high school graduates from Simi Valley, students already on financial aid, among others.

The Moorpark College Foundation’s scholarships are much less competitive than others as they are only for students attending this college. Last semester, 217 students scholarships were awarded to students, according to Maria Perez-Medeiros, who runs the Scholarship Office.

“Earning a scholarship is a great honor and a motivating thing,” said Carmel Gutherz, who received a scholarship last semester.

The Fall 2015 Scholarship Newsletter advertises three scholarships exclusively for continuing students: the Moorpark Continuing Student Scholarship, the O.S.H.E.R. Scholarship and Simi Valley/Moorpark College Scholarship, each with multiple awards.

For the Moorpark College Continuing Student Scholarship, the student must be continuing at Moorpark spring 2016, have completed a minimum of 12 units before applying, currently enrolled in at least nine units, have a G.P.A. of at least 2.5 and must not be recipient of the Board of Governors Fee Waiver.

For the O.S.H.E.R. Scholarship, the student must currently be receiving the Board Of Governor’s Fee Waiver, have completed 24 or more degree applicable semester units and must be currently enrolled in at least six units.

For the Simi Valley/ Moorpark College Scholarship the student must have graduated from a high school in Simi Valley, be a continuing student with a G.P.A. of at least 3.0 and have completed at least 12 units at Moorpark.

The newsletter also advertises two outside scholarships open this semester: the Reservation Counter and Soroptimist Live Your Dream Award.

The Reservation Counter scholarship eligibility criteria include being a U.S. resident that is over 16-years-old and being currently enrolled in a college or university.

The Soroptimist Live Your Dream Award is for women who provide financial support for themselves and dependents. They must be enrolled in a vocational/skills training program or an undergraduate degree program.

To apply, students can pick up an application in the scholarship office, located in Fountain Hall 210C, or download one online using the link below. Perez-Medeiros advises students to come in and discuss the requirements with her.

Scholarship applications require a personal-statement essay, leadership and work experience essay, a financial need essay, an unofficial transcript from the Admissions and Records and a letter of recommendation from a Moorpark instructor.

Writing an essay can be intimidating for students, and Gutherz advises students to write about something that interests them.

“Don’t be afraid to make the scholarship essay highly personal,” Gutherz said. “That enthusiasm transcends the paper and it shows through.”

Perez-Medeiros also urges students to make use of the Writing Center.

“I advise students to write drafts and take them to the Writing Center,” Perez-Medeiros said. “They know I send students with essays and give them pointers.”

The Writing Center has scholarship essay workshops and tutors who can work with students’ individual essays. As for getting recommendations, Perez-Medeiros advises giving professors plenty of time.

“I would give them [the professor] no less than three weeks notice,” said Perez-Medeiros.

Interested students can find scholarships in the Scholarship Newsletter available at the Scholarship Office, located in Fountain Hall 210C.

Students can also join the email list to get information about scholarships throughout the year by contacting Maria Perez-Medeiros at the Scholarship Office or via email at [email protected].

Information such as requirements and deadlines are always available at the Scholarship Office. Office hours are Mondays and Thursdays, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Fridays from 8:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m.

http://www.moorparkcollege.edu/sites/default/files/files/departments/student-services/scholarships/mc_scholarship_application_.pdf