Each year, the three colleges of the San Mateo County Community College District (SMCCCD) -- Cañada College, College of San Mateo, and Skyline College -- award institutional scholarships to new, continuing, and transfer students. The scholarship awards are based on academic achievement, financial need or specific interests such as clubs, athletics, and service.
Funding for our scholarships comes from contributions to San Mateo County Community Colleges Foundation. The Foundation is the colleges' partner in promoting student success at our colleges and in ensuring that quality, affordable higher education is available to every member of our community. It is due to the ongoing generosity of donors since the Foundation's inception in 1966 that many thousands of students have attended college and realized a better life. Contributions to the Foundation are received from many sources: individuals (including Cañada College, College of San Mateo, and Skyline alumni, faculty, and staff), businesses, civic groups, community organizations, and other foundations. Learn more about the San Mateo County Colleges Foundation here.
Global Beca International Student Scholarship
A limited number of one-time and renewable scholarships are available for primarily new F-1 students. The merit-based scholarships can range from $250 to $3,000.
Applications must be submitted no later than July 1st for the Fall Semester and November 15th for the Spring Semester.
Only students who have been admitted to one of the San Mateo Colleges of Silicon Valley will be considered. The scholarships are highly competitive so be sure to read the instructions and questions carefully and submit all required documents to avoid delay or disqualification. It can take 1-2 months for the committee to review an application and make a decision, so prospective students are encouraged to apply early. Please keep in mind that funds are limited and not all applicants will be rewarded a scholarship.
Supporting documents to include:
- Insight Statement
Type out a 250-300 word Personal Insight Statement regarding your program of study and how San Mateo Colleges of Silicon Valley will contribute to your academic and career goals. We would like you to include in your personal insight statement your response to the following questions:
- What have you done academically that prepares you for your future success?
- Why do you believe activities outside the classroom are also important for your future success?
- How would financial support for your education benefit you and your family?
- Letter of recommendation in English from a teacher, counselor, or principal.
- Copy of your academic transcript from the past year or last school attended.
Applying: (Make sure you have your supporting documents ready when you complete your online application form)
1) Log into your Student Success Link (information regarding logging into your student success link can be found HERE).
2) Click the link titled "SMCCD International Portal" in the picture below to get back to your international application.
3) Click on the tab that says "My Scholarships" to begin your Scholarship Application.
For questions regarding the Global Beca Scholarship, please contact:
Cindy Nguyen, International Program Specialist
Aspiring Alumni Scholarships
Here are the TOP 10 scholarships offered at Cañada College. To see the complete list, please visit their website.
Cañada College Scholarship Info
| Scholarship | Amount | GPA Req. | Coursework Consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
|
CAN - Joe McDonough AFT Social Justice Scholarship In the tradition of CSM Professor Joe McDonough’s social activism and AFT 1493 Union work, this scholarship is aimed at SMCCCD students who are actively involved in the fight for social justice. Applicants must demonstrate involvement in an organization working to achieve social justice, helping to create a just society. This activity can be through a campus organization or club, or a community group/organization. |
$5,000 | N/A | Social Activism |
|
CAN - Elizabeth Egan Scholarship in Art This scholarship is for a continuing or returning student majoring in Studio Art. Students must have completed one year at Cañada, be full-time, have a minimum 3.5 GPA and demonstrated financial need. |
$1,771 | 3.5 | Studio Art |
|
CAN - San Mateo Scholarship for Local Government Studies Fund This scholarship is for a part-time or full time, continuing or transferring SMCCCD student with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Students must have a major compatible with public administration, public policy or a related field and participated in community service. |
$1,500 | 3.0 |
Public Admin/Policy |
|
Thanks to one of our generous donors, Cargill, this scholarship is made available through San Mateo County Community Colleges Foundation. This particular scholarship is for incoming or continuing San Mateo County Community College students who require financial assistance in order to attend our community colleges. |
$1,000 | N/A | Any |
|
This scholarship is intended to assist a full-time continuing or transferring student majoring in a STEM field with their college expenses. Students must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and intend to transfer to a 4-year university after completing their program at Cañada. Extra consideration given to first generation college students and undocumented AB 540/Dreamers. |
$1,000 | 3.0 | STEM |
|
CAN - SMCCCD Retirees' Scholarship This scholarship is for two continuing students and two transferring student at each College. Students should have a minimum 3.0 GPA, completed 12 units at college of application, and enrolled as a full-time student when the scholarship funds are received. |
$1,000 - $2,000 | 3.0 |
Any |
|
CAN - The Castillo Scholarship This scholarship recognizes full-time students of academic merit that have demonstrated financial need. Students must have a minimum 3.0 GPA. |
$1,000 | 3.0 | Academic Merit |
|
CAN - Hamilton Family Chancellor's Scholarship Fund The Hamilton Family Chancellor’s Scholarship is for students who have a minimum GPA of 3.0, are full-time students, and enrolled in a minimum of 12 units. Special consideration will be given to applicants who have overcome great hardships to attend and succeed in college. |
$1,000 | 3.0 | Any |
|
CAN - Hennessy Family Scholarship This scholarship recognizes Cañada students of merit who will be the first in their family to receive a college degree. Students must be full-time, have a minimum 3.0 GPA and are working towards earning their associate’s degree and/or transferring to earn a bachelor’s degree. |
$1,000 | 3.0 | First in family to graduate college. |
|
CAN - Jean Evelyn Letsinger Endowed Scholarship Fund The scholarship from the estate of Jean Letsinger is to be used for an endowed fund to benefit low-income students pursuing a career in teaching. |
$726 | N/A | Teaching |
Here are the TOP 10 scholarships offered at College of San Mateo. To see the complete list, please visit their website.
College of San Mateo Scholarship Info
| Scholarship | Amount | GPA Req. | Coursework Consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
|
CSM - Rotary Club of San Mateo Students must attend CSM and are planning to attend a four-year college to be eligible for this scholarship. External Award – separate paper application is required. |
$2,800 | N/A | Any |
|
CSM - Bonnie Chastain Scholarship This scholarship is for a student selected by KCSM – Broadcasting major. |
$2,000 | N/A | Broadcasting |
|
CSM - Carlena and C.S. Jum Morris Scholarship This scholarship is for a graduating CSM student who is transferring to a college or university with a major in education. Student must have the intent of going into teaching. Minimum 2.50 GPA. |
$2,000 | 2.5 | Teaching |
|
CSM - Ken Hamilton and Jessica Diane Memorial Scholarship Recipients of the Ken Hamilton and Jessica Diane Memorial Scholarship must be in a Liberal Arts or Creative Arts field and have financial need. The student should have a minimum GPA of 2.75, should be a full-time student and can be a graduating high school senior, continuing student or transfer student. |
$2,000 | 2.75 | Liberal or Creative Arts |
|
CSM - Susan Duckworth Memorial Fund This scholarship is for students who are majoring in physical, biological, or health sciences with both an intellectual ability and financial need to complete higher education after at least two semesters at CSM. A minimum 3.0 GPA is required. Preference is provided to applicants who have obtained other scholarships and who are using this fund to supplement income in order to carry a full academic load until completion of degree. |
$2,000 | 3.0 | Sciences |
|
CSM - George and Catherine Pomeroy Scholarship Named in memory of George A. Pomeroy, Head of the Physical Science Dept. at CSM. Student must have financial need, architecture major, and must be a graduating high school student or continuing student. |
$1,253 | N/A | Architecture |
|
CSM - SMCCCD Retirees' Scholarship This scholarship is for two continuing students and one transferring student at each College. Students should have a minimum 3.0 GPA, completed 12 units at college of application, and enrolled as a full-time student when the scholarship funds are received. |
$1,000 - $2,000 | 3.0 | Any |
|
This is a CSM Scholarship. Student must have a minimum 3.0 GPA. |
$1,000 | 3.0 | Any |
|
CSM - Donalida Merillat Endowed Scholarship This Scholarship is to benefit two students at the College of San Mateo, incoming freshman (high school student) and one continuing student (or transferring from the College of San Mateo onto a four year institution). The recipients must major in Education, with a minimum 2.5 GPA, and they must also intend to go into Teaching. |
$1,000 | 2.5 | Education, Teaching |
|
CSM - Hamilton Family Chancellor's Scholarship Fund The Hamilton Family Chancellor’s Scholarship is for students who have a minimum GPA of 3.0, are full-time students, and enrolled in a minimum of 12 units. Special consideration will be given to applicants who have overcome great hardships to attend and succeed in college. |
$1,000 | 3.0 | Any |
Here are the TOP 10 scholarships offered at Skyline College. To see the complete list, please visit their website.
Skyline College Scholarship Info
| Scholarship | Amount | GPA Req. | Coursework Consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
|
SKY - Joe McDonough AFT Social Justice Scholarship In the tradition of CSM Professor Joe McDonough’s social activism and AFT 1493 Union work, this scholarship is aimed at SMCCCD students who are actively involved in the fight for social justice. Applicants must demonstrate involvement in an organization working to achieve social justice, helping to create a just society. This activity can be through a campus organization or club, or a community group/organization. |
$5,000 | N/A | Social Activism |
|
SKY - Hamilton Family Chancellor's Scholarship The Hamilton Family Chancellor’s Scholarship is for students who have a minimum GPA of 3.0, are full-time students, and enrolled in a minimum of 12 units. Special consideration will be given to applicants who have overcome great hardships to attend and succeed in college. |
$1,000 | 3.0 | Any |
|
SKY - Private Client Reserve Scholarship The Private Client Reserve Scholarship is for a San Mateo County Community College District student. |
$1,000 | N/A | Any |
|
SKY - SMCCCD Retirees' Scholarship This annual scholarship is sponsored by the retirees of the three colleges – Cañada, CSM, and Skyline. The scholarship is for two continuing... |
$1,000 - $2,000 | 3.0 | Any |
|
SKY - XL Construction Scholarship This scholarship is made possible by the generous donations from XL Constructions who has an interest in construction and helping the community. |
$1,000 | N/A | Construction |
|
SKY - AFT 1493 Union Scholarship This scholarship is for a student who is full time, part time, continuing, or transferring with a minimum GPA of 2.5 and participates in community service activities. Special consideration will be given to students committed to social justice issues and concerns, and/or have begun their college career in Basic Skills and/or ESL courses. |
$1,000 | 2.5 | Social Justice, ESL |
|
SKY - Don Biederman Science/Math/Technology Division Scholarship (Transferring) |
$1,000 | N/A | Science, Math, Technology |
|
The late John Iliff, professor of economics at CSM during the 1950s, left his entire estate to the College for the purpose of establishing a scholarship to help international students complete their education. Recipients of this award must be international (F-1 visa) students enrolled full-time, who have demonstrated financial need, and who are making satisfactory progress in a major that emphasizes technical training. |
$890 | N/A | F-1 Visa Student, Technical Training |
|
SKY - James R. and Hope A. Tormey Memorial Endowment Scholarship This scholarship is for a full-time second-year student (one who has completed at least 30 units) or a graduate of one of the District's colleges who will matriculate as an education major to the Education Department of the California State University System or the University of California system. |
$694 | N/A | Education |
|
SKY - Eleanore D. Nettle Scholarship Named after a long-time Trustee of the District, this scholarship is for a student who demonstrate an avowed interest in education with intent to enter into the teaching profession. Student must maintain a 3.0 or higher GPA. |
$535 | 3.0 | Education, Teaching |
We only listed the TOP 10 scholarships offered to international students at each college. For a complete list of all Aspiring Alumni Scholarships, go to https://smccd.academicworks.com/opportunities.
All of the scholarship opportunities are listed in alphabetical order with a prefix that indicates which campus is offering the scholarship (CAN = Cañada, CSM = College of San Mateo, SKY = Skyline). Students will be asked to select their home campus in the application and may only apply to scholarships based on that selection.
Click HERE for step-by-step directions on how to apply for an Aspiring Alumni Scholarship.