Ventura College Foundation Announces Distribution Of Over $683,000 In Scholarships

VENTURA, Calif. - April 28, 2020 - PRLog -- The Ventura College Foundation is awarding scholarships to 248 students totaling $683,748, the largest annual scholarship distribution in the foundation's history.

Students were notified this month of their scholarship awards ranging from $1,000 for continuing students to $4,000 for students who are transferring to four-year universities in the fall. Many students received multiple scholarships.

"This is the largest amount of scholarship funds we've ever distributed in one year to Ventura College students," says Rob van Nieuwburg, Ventura College Foundation board chair. "We are grateful to our scholarship donors. The foundation usually hosts several scholarship awards ceremonies where we honor both the recipients and donors. The ceremonies are an opportunity for both to meet. Because of the COVID-19 crisis, these events were cancelled. While disappointed the ceremonies couldn't take place, our donors were thrilled to know that their scholarships were awarded as planned despite these unprecedented times."

Scholarships were awarded in all academic fields including STEM, art, health and liberal arts. Recipients came from nearly every city in Ventura County, with the highest number from Ventura (92), Oxnard (74), Santa Paula (27) and Camarillo (14).

"Scholarships are more important than ever," says van Nieuwburg. "Most Ventura College students work while attending school. Many are now unemployed because of the COVID-19 shutdown. The scholarship funds enable students to pay for school expenses so they can continue their studies."

Students are currently attending classes remotely since the college campus is closed. "While the transition has had its challenges, the college stepped in immediately to provide many avenues of support for both faculty and students," says Kim Hoffmans, Ventura College president. "Student services are also available remotely including tutoring, counseling, and financial aid. For students without laptops or internet connections, Ventura College used available funding to purchase 500 laptops enabling students to continue with their education."

Qualified full-time students in the coming academic year will be able to have their tuition and education fees paid by the state's Promise program. Emergency grants and financial aid are also available.

The Ventura College Foundation is grateful for the continuing support of scholarship event sponsors even as events were cancelled. They include Edison International, Miracle Mile Advisors, HZ Main Events Design & Consulting, Searle Creative, DJ's California Catering, Clean Power Alliance, Trinity Wheeler Photography, Bank of the Sierra and individual sponsors Ken and Doris Collin, Ellyn and Jim Dembowski, Dr. Ruth Hemming, Lynne Kada, Anne Paul King, Mary Saputo, Eleanor Tillquist, van Nieuwburg, and Harald and Birgit Wulff.

For more about scholarships and other support services provided by the Ventura College Foundation, go to www.VenturaCollegeFoundation.org.