Unlocking Opportunities: A Guide to LACC Foundation Scholarships

Los Angeles City College (LACC) offers a diverse array of scholarships through its Foundation, aimed at supporting students in achieving their academic and career aspirations. These scholarships provide crucial financial assistance, removing barriers to education and empowering students to succeed. The LACC Foundation supports students through merit-based scholarships, need-based scholarships, course support, and direct programming. Over 19,000 students a year benefit from the wide variety of assistance offered. Whether it is to launch a new career, increase their earning potential, or discover a new talent, thousands of lives every year are improved by an education at LACC.

Understanding the LACC Foundation

The LACC Foundation plays a vital role in supporting the college's students. The Foundation offers support to students in the form of merit and need-based scholarships, course support, and direct programming. Over 19,000 students a year benefit from the wide variety of assistance offered. It aims to remove barriers for CTE students. The Foundation will sometimes offer additional emergency assistance, equipment grants, and other support as needed.

Martha C. Esparza's Leadership

The LACC Foundation Board of Directors appointed Martha C. Esparza as the Foundation’s new Executive Director. Martha has served as Associate Executive Director since rejoining the LACC Foundation.

Types of Scholarships Offered

The LACC Foundation offers various scholarships catering to different student needs and academic pursuits. These scholarships generally fall into two main categories:

Merit-Based Scholarships: Awarded based on prior academic performance and other criteria such as leadership, community engagement, geographical background, ethnicity, intended major, and career goals.
Need-Based Scholarships: Awarded to students who demonstrate financial need.

General Eligibility Requirements

While each scholarship has its own specific criteria, some standard requirements generally apply to LACC Foundation scholarships:

Academic Standing: Many scholarships require a minimum GPA. For example, the Ella Fitzgerald Memorial Scholarship in Nursing requires a 3.0 ("B") or better GPA, with academic probation for one semester if the GPA falls below this standard.
Enrollment: Candidates must be enrolled in a minimum of five (5) units in LACC journalism courses.
Financial Need: To be eligible for need-based LACC Foundation scholarships, students must attach a copy of their Need Summary from their SIS Portal. The attachments must show “Remaining Need” for the current school year. The financial aid office determines the cost of attendance and your financial need.
Application Materials: Candidates must submit a one-page, typed self-profile (approximately 500 words) that includes educational and career goals and attach a color passport-sized photo and signed statement, “My photograph may be used for reproduction”. An unofficial transcript and a copy of current registration must be attached to this application, plus all entries must be completed.
Recommendations: Candidates must provide letters of recommendation from two (2) faculty members associated with the applicant's major and proof of school or community involvement.
Student I.D.: Candidates must include their LACC Student I. D.

Additional Considerations

Veteran Status: Some scholarships, such as the Edward J. Scholarship, require verified veteran status.
Program Specific Requirements: Some scholarships are tailored to specific programs, such as the Jeanne and Lew X. Scholarship for Theatre Academy majors or the Golden Globes Foundation Fellowships for journalism students.
Transfer Goals: Students must demonstrate a commitment to transferring to a four-year college or university.

Spotlight on Specific Scholarships

The LACC Foundation offers a wide range of scholarships, each with its own unique focus and eligibility criteria. Here are a few examples:

Scholarships for Specific Fields of Study

Ella Fitzgerald Memorial Scholarship in Nursing: Available to undergraduate LACC students pursuing a degree in Nursing. The student(s) will be chosen based on their desire and motivation to study for a degree in Nursing. The Ella Fitzgerald Scholar must have and maintain a 3.0 ("B") or better average GPA.
Golden Globes Foundation Fellowships: Awarded to journalism transfer students, or students who are pursuing a degree/certificate in journalism or photojournalism. The program seeks to identify individuals who are underrepresented in the field of journalism and to support their efforts in order to increase their participation in newsrooms.
Jeanne and Lew X. Scholarship: The scholarship award must be given to a Los Angeles City College Theatre Academy major.
LACC Journalism Award: Will be awarded to journalism transfer students, or students who are pursuing a degree/certificate in journalism or photojournalism. The program seeks to identify individuals who are underrepresented in the field of journalism and to support their efforts in order to increase their participation in newsrooms.
Roy T. Scholarship: The purpose of this scholarship is to assist students in the LACC Business department to complete their education.

Scholarships Based on Background or Circumstance

President Mary P. Gallagher Endowment fund: Provide awards for President's Scholars students at Los Angeles City College. The purpose of this award is to encourage high achieving students who graduate from feeder high schools near Los Angeles City College to attend LACC full-time in order for them to complete two years of LACC college courses so they can transfer to four-year colleges and universities, and for them to be debt-free after their two years at LACC by providing them with tuition, financial support, and other benefits.
Marta K. Ruano & Sterling C. Scholarship: The purpose of this scholarship is to honor Marta K. Ruano for her rise from poverty in Guatemala and success in America and to provide a scholarship award each year to one or more Guardian Scholar students at LACC.
Scholarship for Graduates of Central High School: This scholarship is designed to support low income high school students who enroll at Los Angeles City College for a minimum of one year in order to graduate and/or transfer to a four-year college or university. Candidates must be a graduate of Central High School (Los Angeles, CA). If no eligible Central High applicants, then Homeboy applicants.

Other Scholarships

Bernard Osher Scholarship: Priority is given to students with the greatest need, as determined by the individual community colleges. As long as an applicant is making satisfactory progress toward a degree, the applicant’s academic performance will not be considered by the selection committee.
Fellowship for Cinema and TV Students: The purpose of this fellowship is to provide support to LACC cinema and TV students who can demonstrate financial need.
Fellowship for Theatre Academy Students: The purpose of this fellowship is to provide support to LACC Theatre Academy students who can demonstrate financial need. Students must secure a Theatre Academy faculty endorsement and a signature from the Department Chair Signature.

The Application Process

The application process for LACC Foundation scholarships generally involves the following steps:

Complete the Application: Ensure all entries are completed accurately and thoroughly.
Write a Self-Profile Essay: Candidates must complete a self-profile essay indicating background, interests, goals, and need for a scholarship.
Gather Supporting Documents: This typically includes transcripts, financial aid documentation (if applicable), letters of recommendation, and a passport-sized photo. If you do not receive Financial Aid, you can upload a downloaded copy of your BOG Fee Waiver or upload a PDF file stating why you are not receiving Financial Aid.
Submit the Application: Submit the application and all required documents by the specified deadline.

Important Considerations

Deadlines: Pay close attention to application deadlines, as late submissions will not be considered. After the deadline, applications will be reviewed by the LACC Scholarship Committee.
Award Notification: There is no guaranteed date when candidates will be awarded. Awardees will be notified when the process is finalized.
Financial Aid Reporting: The LACC Foundations reports your award information to the Financial Aid Office.

Additional Support Programs

Beyond scholarships, LACC offers several support programs to help students succeed:

Guardian Scholars Program

The Guardian Scholars Program at Los Angeles City College is a comprehensive support initiative dedicated to empowering current and former foster youth to achieve their academic and career goals. The purpose of this scholarship is to honor Marta K. Ruano for her rise from poverty in Guatemala and success in America and to provide a scholarship award each year to one or more Guardian Scholar students at LACC.

President's Scholars Program

The President’s Scholar designation is the highest honor for graduating high school seniors entering Los Angeles City College (LACC). The President Mary P. Gallagher Endowment fund provide awards for President's Scholars students at Los Angeles City College.

Read also: Unlocking Artistic Potential

Addressing Food Insecurity

Food insecurity threatens a student’s ability to succeed and stay in school. The Foundation will sometimes offer additional emergency assistance, equipment grants, and other support as needed.

Student Spotlight

The LACC Foundation highlights outstanding students like Aishatu Kabba, a Public Health major involved in various honors programs and clubs. A proud Nigerian-Gambian student, Kabba is actively involved in the Ralph Bunche Honors Program, Phi Theta Kappa, and the Beta Pi Kappa Club.

Read also: Empowering Osceola County

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