Cuesta College is set to hold its 26th annual scholarship reception on August 6 and will award 260 students with nearly $306,000, an increase of more than 15 percent compared to 2014.
Recipients are current students at Cuesta College, incoming transfers and high school students who will attend the college in fall 2015. Scholarship monies can be used for tuition, books and other expenses.
“Although attending Cuesta College is much more affordable than a four-year university, the cost to attend is still a financial challenge for many of our students,” said Executive Director of the Cuesta College Foundation/Advancement, Shannon Hill. “The support of individual donors and community organizations is a testament that the community is behind our students, cheering them on as they pursue higher education.”
The scholarship reception, held on the San Luis Obispo Campus at 10:00 a.m., will bring together the donors and student recipients. A total of 434 scholarships will be awarded; some recipients will be honored with more than one.
The scholarships do not include the Promise Scholarship, which offers a fee-free fall and spring semester to SLO County high school graduates. Students have until August 3 to apply for the Promise online at http://www.cuesta.edu/student/aboutmoney/cuestapromise/. Last year, 646 students received the Promise, which paid approximately $357,000 in enrollment fees.
The Cuesta College Foundation was founded in 1973 for the specific and primary purposes of promoting the general welfare of Cuesta College. The Foundation assists and supports Cuesta College in the attainment of educational, scientific and cultural goals and in fulfilling the College’s mission of service to the community. As the lead entity for resource development for the college, the Foundation has provided millions of dollars for student scholarships, equipment, and programs and projects.