How to resolve AdBlock issue? LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — More than $200,000 in scholarship funds are available for graduating high school seniors, incoming and existing Mendocino College students from the Mendocino College Foundation.
The application opened on Dec. 2, 2025, and closes on March 1, 2026.
With one universal application, students and potential students do not have to search for scholarships that they are eligible for; they only need to complete the one application consisting of four short essay questions that can be found by visiting Mendocino.academicworks.com All Opportunities - Mendocino College Scholarship Opportunities.
Scholarships provide crucial support for students who are living, working and learning right here at home, and therefore spending their money locally. If a Mendocino College student’s car breaks down, they will take it to a mechanic. If they need child care, they will be paying a provider here in Lake and Mendocino counties. All while saving money and time by attending community college.
Recently a donor asked a very valid question: If community college is so affordable, why do students need scholarships? While it is true that tuition and fees at community college are a fraction of a four-year school’s price tag, students still struggle with basic needs.
Students report experiencing housing and food insecurity, even while working and trying to complete their degree. Gas, groceries, rent and utility prices seem to keep climbing, making it a challenge to juggle going to classes, working part or full time, raising a family or taking care of elders, especially with the cost of living in our area so high.
Scholarships can mean the difference between students staying the course to complete their degree or certificate, or being derailed from their academic dreams or career goals.
“This scholarship will allow me to continue to focus on my education and pursuit of an engineering degree on my current academic timeline,” Avery Edmunds stated in his acceptance letter upon receiving the Sonoma Clean Power perpetual scholarship.
This funding, he added, “will allow me to attend college full-time and take the STEM classes that are only offered in the fall semester. Although there is state and local financial assistance available, it is truly through scholarships like this one that I am able to make ends meet while working less so I can attend Mendocino College. The impact of this scholarship for me is significant.”
The Mendocino College Foundation has many philanthropic partners who recognize the tremendous impact that scholarships have and who want to invest in people like Avery right here in our communities.
Sutter Lakeside Hospital recently created a new perpetual scholarship to be awarded to a hospital employee or their dependent who is pursuing education at Mendocino College.
“Sutter Health is invested in the well-being of our patients as well as our employees, and we wanted to create this scholarship in order to support those employees who are furthering their education and skills to be able to provide an even higher level of care,” said Timothy Stephens, Sutter Lakeside CEO. “We are proud to partner with the Mendocino College Foundation in order to give back to our community.”
Another important partnership is with the Ukiah High School Alumni Association. Longtime Mendocino College Foundation Board member Channing Cornell has been instrumental in growing the alliance between Ukiah High and Mendocino College via scholarships for graduating seniors.
“Mendocino College is a really smart option for local high school students who want to get their Bachelor’s degree because they can come to the College tuition free if they are full time, thanks to the Promise Program,” Cornell said. “The Ukiah High Alumni Association supports five perpetual scholarships that are given annually to a student who is planning to attend Mendocino College, and we encourage any alumni interested in contributing to our funds or establishing their own perpetual scholarship to reach out to Julie McGovern, the executive director of the College Foundation.”
Jaqueline Valencia received a scholarship established by Ukiah High alumni Jeff Banks, in memory of his fellow classmate, Norma Jeanne Gibson.
In her thank you letter to Jeff she wrote, “Because of your kindness, I will be able to focus more on my studies, and worry less about money. I am a first-generation Latina and I cannot express how much this opportunity means for me. My parents have sacrificed lots for me to be where I am today, and I can only hope that I continue making them proud. Receiving this scholarship will help me as I continue to pursue my educational goals, and as I dream of working in the medical field. I would like to be a physical therapist because I know how important health care is; helping people is something that I truly have a passion for. When I think about my future, I can see myself spending my time giving back to my community. As I continue to grow my knowledge, I hope to continue helping others and finding ways to push myself academically.”
She concluded, “My parents never had opportunities like these, therefore having this chance is something I will 100 percent take advantage of.”
For students looking for any assistance with the scholarship application process, there are Zoom workshops planned for every Friday from Jan. 8 through Feb. 27, one in the morning from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. and one in the afternoon from 2:30 –to 3:30 p.m. The foundation said it is committed to ensuring that every student has the opportunity to apply for scholarship assistance, and help is available online or in person.
Students who cannot attend the Friday times can schedule a one-on-one meeting by emailing
Foundation Development Coordinator Eliza Grider is part of the Mendocino College Reg2Go team that visits high schools in the College District to talk with seniors about admissions and enrollment, financial aid, as well as scholarships.
“We highly encourage any senior who thinks they might attend Mendocino College, even if they are not yet sure about their plans, to apply for scholarships,” she explained. “Because if their plans change, we can simply re-award the scholarship to another qualified student; but if they don’t apply and they do and up at Mendocino College, they will have to wait another year to apply and they will miss out on the opportunity for funding in that first year.”
Whether a student is thinking about a future as a firefighter, EMT, registered nurse, engineer, teacher, auto mechanic or a career in the arts, there is a scholarship to support them. Mendocino College is a welcoming and transformative place, and the foundation is here to ensure that scholarships help students get to wherever it is they dream to be.
A special thanks to the generosity of the many donors who support students learning locally at Mendocino College by donating to the foundation’s scholarship fund or establishing their own perpetual scholarship. Your investments fuel the future for students, and help our communities continue to prosper and thrive.
For more information on how to contribute, email
