Educating for Change Scholarship

To submit an application, applicants must:

• be a high school senior who plans to attend a California Community College [or] a student currently enrolled in a California Community College. High school students attending a California Community College through dual enrollment are eligible to apply.
• have a parent incarcerated in a prison administered by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR).*

During all terms that the scholarship is active:

• student must enroll in a California Community College for at least 12 units or maintain an alternate full-time equivalent status.

*The definition of parent includes biological or adoptive parent, step-parent, foster parent, or legal guardian.
**Verification of enrollment must be provided prior to disbursement.

To download the guidelines, click here

Educating for Change

Scholarship Guidelines 2026-2027

ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP

The Educating for Change Scholarship, made possible through a generous gift from Dr. Joseph Bick and Ms. Stephanie Koop, provides financial support to California community college students who have a parent incarcerated in a prison administered by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR).

The Educating for Change Scholarship is non-competitive. To receive an award, applicants must meet the eligibility requirements and complete an application through their Financial Aid or Scholarship Office.

A limited amount of funding is available for Fall 2026. Scholarships will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis while funds remain available. The award amount is $500 per student per semester.

Scholarships may be used to cover a range of education-related expenses, including tuition and fees, books, instructional materials, computer equipment, internet access, educational tools, and uniforms.

be used to cover a range of education-related expenses, including tuition and fees, books, instructional materials, computer equipment, internet access, educational tools, and uniforms.

Additionally, scholarships may also help with personal needs, such as food, healthcare, household items, clothing, childcare, housing, and transportation. However, any portion of the scholarship used for these personal expenses is considered taxable income under Internal Revenue Service regulations. Scholarship recipients should be aware of this distinction to make an informed decision about how to allocate their scholarship funds.

APPLICATION PERIOD

The scholarship application filing period opens on August 31, 2026. Since funds are limited, students and colleges are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Scholarship offices must verify eligibility and submit scholarship invoices to FoundationCCC by September 25, 2026.

STUDENT ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

To qualify, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Be one of the following:

• A high school senior planning to attend a California community college. Colleges are encouraged to promote this opportunity to dual enrollment students.OR

• A student currently enrolled in a California community college.

At the time of application, have a parent in a prison administered by CDCR.

• Students with a parent in a federal facility or an out-of-state facility are not eligible.

• The term “parent” includes a biological or adoptive parent, step-parent, foster parent, or legal guardian.

Prior to disbursement of scholarship funds, the college must verify the student’s enrollment in a California community college for at least 12 units or confirm an alternate full-time equivalent status.

VERIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

The scholarship officer or designated official is responsible for reviewing each scholarship application to ensure the applicant(s) meet all program eligibility requirements before submitting the Educating for Change Scholarship application. The scholarship officer or designated official must also maintain a record of each application and all related application and eligibility materials for every applicant listed on the Educating for Change Scholarship Invoice.

SCHOLARSHIP DISBURSEMENT PROCEDURES FOR COLLEGES

To initiate award requests, colleges must submit the Educating for Change Scholarship Invoice form to Foundation for California Community Colleges (FoundationCCC) online through Submittable. Whether an applicant is funded depends on the availability of funds at the time the invoice is received. Since scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis—even for applications submitted before the deadline—it is critical for institutions to submit invoices as quickly as possible. Prior to disbursing funds, institutions must verify that the applicant meets all eligibility requirements.

RENEWALS

Students must reapply for the scholarship each academic year. Scholarship awards may be renewed as long as the student continues to meet all eligibility criteria.

REPORTING

Colleges that submit an invoice and receive Educating for Change Scholarship funding will be required to submit a simple report to FoundationCCC with the following information:

• Number of scholarship recipients completing the academic term

• Number of scholarship recipients who graduated

A reporting template will be provided by FoundationCCC to colleges. You will submit your Educating for Change Scholarship report via Submittable.

CONTACT

E: advancement@foundationccc.org