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Home Admissions Financial Aid and Fees Types of Financial Aid Scholarships

What is a Scholarship?

A scholarship is money given to you to help pay for your education. Scholarships come from a variety of sources, such as your college or a private organization and like grants do not have to be repaid.

Example types of scholarships:

  • Merit scholarships are based on a student's achievements.
  • School scholarships are given to students by the school they attend.
  • Work scholarships require students to work to receive scholarship money.
  • Field of Study scholarships are given to students pursuing a specific field of study or academic program.
  • Need scholarships are based on financial need.

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Scholarship Tips

Scholarships Take Work: The first thing to keep in mind is that scholarships take work. This is not a one-and-done deal. Those who are successful treat scholarship hunting like a part-time job. Understand that you will need to schedule time regularly and keep at it until you graduate from college.

What do I need? Scholarships may ask for personal, educational, volunteer, and work history information. You may also be requested to provide an essay and/or letters of recommendation. Remember that you should never have to pay for a scholarship. Any scholarship that costs you money is probably a scam.

Play to your strengths: If you focus on those that excite you, it will come through in your essays and applications, increasing your chances for success.

Not Everyone Wins: There is no guarantee that all your efforts will pay off. However, one thing is for certain: you won't win if you don't apply. In most cases, it will take several applications before you succeed.

Apply for an Outside Scholarship

Computer Information Science Scholarship

CyberCorps:
Scholarship for Service

Students attending specific participating institutions may qualify for CyberCorps scholarships, which are funded through grants awarded by the National Science Foundation. Scholarship recipients are obligated to serve at a federal, state, local, or tribal government organization in an information assurance position for a period equivalent to the length of the scholarship or one year, whichever is longer.

Learn more at the CyberCorps: Scholarship for Service website.

Microsoft:
Cybersecurity Scholarship Program

The Microsoft Cybersecurity Scholarship Program supports community college students completing their cybersecurity degrees and attaining industry certificates through scholarships (up to $500) or subsidies for cybersecurity certification exam costs (up to $375).
Students currently enrolled in a cybersecurity-related program at a two-year institution, such as American River College, are able to demonstrate financial need by providing Pell Grant eligibility, financial aid award letters, or other evidence of need are eligible.

Apply Online

Dreamer Scholarships

Scholarships Available to Dreamers:

The following websites provide information on scholarships open to undocumented students.

This is a helpful tool to help students find scholarships that do not require proof of citizenship. Criteria can vary, but the common denominator is that a social security number and proof of citizenship or legal residency is not required to apply or receive the scholarship

LGBTQ+ Scholarships

Scholarships Available to LGBTQ+ Students: 

The following are outside (non-ARC) scholarships for LGBTQ+ students.

Affordable Colleges Online - College Scholarships for LGBTQ Students

Umoja Diop Scholarships

Scholarships Available to Students of African Descent:

Umoja Diop can provide assistance with outside scholarships for students of African ancestry.