Education is a life-changing gift that affects not only students, but also their families, neighborhoods and regions. One of the most important ways the Seattle Community Colleges can provide an open door to education for all who seek it is through scholarship assistance.

The need is great for increased access to higher education. Many of our students are the first in their families to attend college, and often face financial barriers. These students deserve an opportunity to obtain an education that is directly relevant to a successful future. They need to be able to plan just like the rest of us and know the support will be there. Their potential and careers are at stake.

The combined scholarship endowment for the colleges is $12 million, the earnings from which enable us to help up to 300 students with annual scholarship grants. Through this campaign we hope to increase the endowed scholarship funds at each campus significantly, extending the power and promise of education to many more students. By establishing a scholarship endowment, donors have the opportunity to create a legacy in the form of access, opportunity and education!

Emergency Grants

The Emergency Grant Programs at the three colleges are designed to provide students with financial assistance in case of emergencies that put their academic success at risk. The programs serve students who have suffered personal property loss, emergency medical needs and other unforeseen emergency expenses. At each of the colleges, advisors and counselors report that emergency grant support is among their highest resource priorities.

The ability to provide students with emergency grants to address unexpected financial crises is a powerful tool to help students stay in college and achieve success. Many college students have almost no financial reserves. When they face unexpected financial crises, such as sudden health care bills, major car repairs, loss of roommates or reductions in work hours, they are often forced to leave school. In most cases, modest assistance over a short-term period can get these students back on their feet and on track to finish their degree or certificate. Students report that the relief they feel from receiving a grant is indescribable!

To address this need, the Power & Promise campaign will fund the establishment of endowments to support emergency grants at each campus. The campaign goal in this category is $2 million. Your contribution to the Endowed Emergency Grant Program will help ensure that students stay where they belong – in school.

Spotlight
on Scholarships

Safeco Insurance Foundation awarded $300,000 in endowed scholarship support for Teachers for a New Era at SCCC.

“Thank you very much for providing me with a much needed scholarship for Winter and Spring of 2008. Tuition has been such a roadblock for me finishing up my studies, and these funds will alleviate the need for me to take out more high interest loans. I will continue to work hard and achieve my goals here at North, so I can move forward to get my BSN. I am grateful to all the donors and the board of directors for their consideration.”

Kristi Hunt, North Seattle Community College

advancement@sccd.ctc.edu