Each year, students are forced to abandon their studies because of financial struggles, but if the ECC Foundation raises money similar to what it did this summer, less students will have to drop out due to a lack of funds.
“El Camino was designated $1 million to raise,” Katie Gleason, head of the El Camino College Foundation said.
EC, as well as the other community colleges in California were each given a goal to reach, with the total being $50 million.
Once this goal is obtained the prominent Bernard Osher Foundation will match the total, giving the California community colleges an overall scholarship endowment of $100 million.
“Each college has a different number they are assigned to reach depending on how many full time students they have,” Gleason said.
With EC having almost 19,000 full time students and being one of the largest community colleges in the state, it was told to raise quite a bit more than many of the other colleges.
“We have a pretty solid donor base,” Gleason said.
This donor base has come out in force with Southern California Edison being among the first to help, giving $200,000 during the summer fundraiser.
“The economy has hurt our donors and, therefore, it may hurt how much they are able to give,” Gleason said.
However, if Edison is any example that has not been the case so far.
“We already give out $300,000 a year in scholarships to students, and if we meet this goal (of $1 million), we will be able to give out $97,000 more in scholarships,” Gleason said.
The new money raised for the scholarship fund, will be distributed to each department, so all students that meet the qualifications are eligible for the new money, Gleason said.
“Students can start applying in the beginning of November through the middle of February,” Gleason said.
Applying is easier than most students know Gleason added.
“I would apply for a scholarship if it was easier and there weren’t so many forms to fill out,” Brittney Venegas, freshman, computer technology major, said.
“Books are so expensive and even a little bit (of money) would help,” Venegas said.
The average scholarship given out is around $1,000 and that can go a long way towards helping students get through their years at EC.
“Students can apply on the website and we encourage them to do so” Gleason said.
Gleason also encourages students to watch the deadlines to make sure they don’t miss out.
“Money is just out there waiting for them,” Gleason said.