Ventura County Credit Union First-Generation Scholarship

Invitation to first-generation college students

Ventura County Credit Union (VCCU) is thrilled to announce an exciting scholarship opportunity for California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI)! As part of our mission to support our modest means community of Ventura County, we're inviting all local high school seniors who would be the first in their family to attend a four-year university to apply. Our VCCU scholarship offers a fantastic chance for one deserving student to receive up to a four-year scholarship to CSUCI. This incredible opportunity will be awarded to a local student every other year, starting in 2023. Don't miss out on this chance to make your college dreams come true! 🎓✨

Scholarship available to:

1. Incoming CSUCI Freshman students
2. Open to business, finance, economics, environmental science & resource management majors

To be eligible for this scholarship, the following criteria applies:

1. Must be accepted into California State University of Channel Islands
2. Minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA
3. First generation student attending CSUCI
4. Ventura County resident/graduating from a Ventura County high school
5. Enrolled as a CSUCI full time student/minimum of 12 units each semester
6. Preferred: Must be a member of VCCU (or dependent of a member) for at least 12 continuous months prior to application*

*If unable to find a student who qualifies for preferred eligibility award may be given to any deserving student.

Scholarship use:

• Tuition and fees
• Books and Supplies
• Other expenses

Renewal criteria:

• Scholarship will renew each semester for 4 years (8 consecutive semesters)
• Student must continue to meet eligibility requirements every year
  • Minimum 2.5 GPA
  • Good standing with CSUCI
  • Attend CSUCI full time

Administration of the scholarship    

Scholarship will be awarded by VCCU once a scholastic year for 4 years.

• Annual award amount will be:
  • Year One $6,000
  • Year Two $6,000
  • Year Three $6,000
  • Year Four $6,000
• Funds distributions
  • Funds to be distributed in August and December at the beginning of each semester
  • $3,000 each semester for 4 school years

Application process

Application will be accepted between February 1 and May 31, 2025. Award will be announced in June 2025 for school year 2025-2026.

All interested applicants will submit:

1. Online application
2. Cover letter with your name, physical address, email address, phone number, your parent(s) or legal guardian name if they are the VCCU members, and anything you would like us to know about you.
3. We want to learn more about you, your passion and how you plan to create change in your community and the next generation of students. Create a short video (60-120 seconds) responding to the following:
   • Tell us a little about you and how these funds will help you as a first-generation student.
   • What is your passion and how are you currently pursuing it?
   • How do you plan to use your passion to uniquely make a positive change in your community?
   • How will your education help enable you to pursue your passion and make a change?
4. One letter of recommendation from one of the following:  
   • Faculty
   • Employer 
   • Community member

Don't wait, apply now! Submit your application, corresponding documents and video by May 31, 2025. If you have any questions, please contact Melissa Miller at mmiller@vccuonline.net.
 

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VCCU Employees, volunteers, and their immediate family members are not eligible for this scholarship opportunity. Committee to oversee scholarship choice: At least one VCCU employee CSUCI Alumni, VP of Marketing, VCCU Volunteer, and Community Partnerships Manager.

Congratulations to our 2023 Scholarship winner, Rayleen!