Ventura County Community Foundation Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by Ventura County Community Foundation

Our scholarship application process is competitive, with over 100 scholarship opportunities available and several thousand applicants annually. Completing your application carefully and completely is crucial for eligibility. 

Financial Need

Some of our scholarships require proof of financial need. Please view our Financial Need Guidelines here. When filling out the application, you will need to know your most recent financial information.

• If you are a dependent you will need your guardians'/spouse's total income from the most recent filing tax year.
• If you are independent you will need the total income for your most recent filing tax year.
• Financial Need Guidelines will be available in October of each calendar year.

Scholarship Tips

• TIP #1 Do not wait until the last minute. The application takes time to fill out, be thoughtful about your answers.
• TIP #2 Ensure your recommendations are submitted on your behalf. The application requires two recommendations for your application to be considered. It is your responsibility to ensure that your recommenders complete the recommendation on your behalf by the final deadline.
• TIP #3 Complete the application in full. Be sure to complete the entire application. If a question does not apply, note that on the application (“n/a” for not applicable). Don’t just leave a blank. Include all required documents.
• TIP #4 Follow the directions. Provide everything that is required, but do not supply things that are not requested – your application will be disqualified. If a special essay or form is required, make sure that you include it.
• TIP #5 Make sure your essay makes an impression. The key to writing a strong essay is to be personal and specific. Include concrete details to make your experience come alive: the ‘who,’ ‘what,’ ‘where,’ and ‘when’ of your topic. The simplest experience can be monumental if you present honestly how you were affected. There is a specific prompt or topic for each scholarship. Be sure that you respond to that prompt. Be sure to check your spelling. Think of your essay as a narrative picture of you for our selection committee.
• TIP #6 Give it a final ‘once-over.’ Proofread the entire application carefully. Be on the lookout for misspelled words or grammatical errors. Ask a friend, teacher or parent to proofread your essays.
• TIP #7 Ask for help if you need it. If you have a problem with the application, please reach out to the VCCF Scholarship team at [email protected](opens in new tab). If you have specific questions about the application, contact Ventura County Community Foundation.
• TIP #8 Remember: your scholarship application represents you! Your ability to submit a neat, timely, complete application reflects on you. It’s your face to this organization. Take pride in yourself by submitting the best application you can.
• TIP #9 Apply only if you are eligible. For the apply-to scholarships available, please make sure that you are eligible before you apply. Your application won’t be considered if you are not qualified to apply.