Scholarships

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Scholarship Opportunities

There are many opportunities for students at Taft College to qualify for scholarships and receive financial awards. These may be for ongoing support or one-time payments. Scholarships are based on specific criteria, which may include financial need, major of study, minimum grade point average (GPA), and others. There is no limit on the number of scholarships you may win; however, you need to remember to report all outside financial aid awards to our Financial Aid & Scholarships Office.

Check your scholarship eligibility and all application deadlines. Apply early!

Institutional Scholarship Opportunities

Taft College Academic Merit Award

Any graduating high school senior in the West Kern Community College District (Taft & Maricopa High School) who has a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better and enrolls in 12 units at Taft College as a first time college student within one year of receiving the award.

No application required.

Submit final high school transcript to the college

$300 per semester up to two (2) semesters depending on continued eligibility.

Taft College Scholarship

California residents

Maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA

Pass 12 units with a 3.0 GPA in the previous semester and enroll in 12 or more units in the next semester to maintain the scholarship

$125 per semester up to four (4) semesters depending on continued eligibility

Students cannot receive the Taft College Scholarship for semesters in which they receive the Taft College Academic Merit Award.

Taft College Non-Resident Scholarship

A Non-Resident student entering Taft College with a 3.00 or better high school cumulative grade point average or a 3.00 cumulative grade point average as a full-time college student the previous term and enrolls as a full-time student is eligible to receive the Non-Resident scholarship. The student must attend on-campus to receive the non-resident scholarship.

This scholarship is applied to Non-Resident tuition and can be earned a maximum of two semesters.

To receive the second semester Non-Resident scholarship, the student must have passed 12 or more units and maintain a 3.00 or better cumulative grade point average and re-enroll as a full-time student.

A Non-Resident student who enters Taft College as a full time student with a cumulative grade point average of less than 3.00 and earns a 3.00 or better in 12 or more units at Taft College and re-enrolls as a full time student may receive a Non-Resident scholarship for one semester.

It is highly recommended all students complete the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application.

California Community College Finish Line Scholars Program

The California Community Colleges Finish Line Scholars Program provides scholarships to community college students who are halfway through their course of study to enable them to finish their goal of completing a certificate or degree or transfer to a four-year college or university. The program is designed to help eliminate regional educational opportunity gaps by supporting students in three regions of California: Far North, Central (including Taft College), and Inland Empire.

The minimum first-time scholarship eligibility requirements include the following:

  • The student must receive a tuition fee waiver under the California College Promise Grant.
  • The student’s goal must be completion of a certificate or degree program, or transfer to a four-year college or university.
  • The student must take at least 12 units or maintain an alternate full-time equivalent status during all terms in which the scholarship is active.
  • The student must be making progress toward his/her/their goal as indicated by having completed approximately half of the units required for their program and must have a realistic plan to finish the remainder of their goal in under two academic years.
  • Additionally, students pursuing a degree or transfer must also meet two of these three criteria:
    • Have completed a transfer level English course
    • Have completed a transfer level Math course
    • Have a grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher

Taft College Community Scholarship

Every year, local service clubs, businesses, alumni, friends of Taft College, college clubs and departments, and the Taft College Foundation offer multiple scholarships to our students, so they may continue their educational endeavors. The application is posted online and is available on the first day of every Spring semester. There are more than 40 Taft College Community Scholarships available to students. Past scholarships have been sponsored by Rotary Club, Kiwanis, Soroptimist, and others.

Additional Scholarship Opportunities

There are many outside scholarships available to qualified students.  Business firms, organizations and four-year colleges provide scholarships for students.  Notices regarding scholarship opportunities are posted throughout the year on the website.  The college library is also an excellent source of information regarding scholarship opportunities.  The following websites on outside scholarships is provided for your reference.  Taft College does not endorse any specific site.

Scholarship Search Sites:

Fast Web

College Board

The Life Coach Spotter Scholarship

All applicants must be enrolled, or due to be enrolled as a full-time student at an accredited US college or university for the semester they are applying to receive the scholarship

Applicants are not required to have a minimum GPA

Applicants are not required to have specific major

Domestic, international and undocumented students may apply

http://www.lifespotter.com/scholarship/

August 1st annually

May Firm Injury Scholarship

Enrolled in a community college or university

https://mayfirm.com/scholarship

September 15 annually

Ronald Hedding Law Firm $2,500 Student Scholarship

Must be enrolled in an accredited college, university, or law school in the United States

Applicants can include high school seniors, college freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors, JD

Applicant must provide the name and location of the school where they are enrolled

Applicant must include a statement of financial need

https://www.heddinglawfirm.com/scholarship/

October 1, yearly

$3,000 Scholarship From the Law Firm of Eisner Gorin LLP

Must be enrolled in an accredited college, university, or law school in the United States.  This includes high school seniors, freshman, sophomores, juniors, seniors and law students.

Applicant needs to provide the name of the school where they are enrolled or seeking enrollment for

Applicant needs to include in the essay the financial need for the scholarship

https://www.egattorneys.com/scholarship/

December 1st annually

Lamber Goodnow College Scholarship

Enrolled at an accredited high school, college or university.  Please note all types of colleges, including four-year, community college and “junior colleges” qualify for eligibility

Must have a minimum GPA of 2.8

https://lambergoodnow.com/scholarships/

December 1st, annually

Dirk Derrick Car & Truck Accident Injury Scholarship

Any current or soon-to-be undergraduate student in the United States who has had his or her life altered due to an injury from a car or truck accident, be that of a loved one, or an influential individual.

https://www.derricklawfirm.com/library/scholarship.cfm

December 15 annually

Certa Law Personal Injury & Wrongful Death Scholarship

Any current or soon-to-be-undergrad who have had their life altered due to a bodily injury from an automotive or pedestrian accident, be it their own injury, that of a loved one, or an influential individual

https://www.certalaw.com/certa-law-personal-injury-wrongful-death-scholarship

December 20th annually

Young Entrepreneur Scholarship Grant

You’ve got big ideas, and we want to turn them into a reality. One young scholar with entrepreneurial spirit will receive $2,500 to continue their education.

Requirements:

  • Must be a high school senior, undergraduate, graduate, or trade school student
  • Must attend a U.S.-based high school, trade school or university
  • Must hold a GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Must have an interest in starting a business
How to Apply:
  • Complete online application
  • Create a short, 2-minute video telling us how entrepreneurship will impact your life
  • Submit sample business plan

Deadlines are December 31st

https://www.incfile.com/entrepreneur-grant

May Firm Injury Scholarship

Enrolled in a community college or university

https://mayfirm.com/scholarship

January 15 annually

The Nosrati Law College Scholarship

Applicants must be U.S. Citizens

Applicants must provide proof of current enrollment or acceptance at an accredited college or trade school

Applicants already attending college must be able to show they are maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher and provide documentations of such

http://www.nosratilaw.com/#scholarship

February 20 annually

Medical Billing Service Review Health and Technology Scholarship

All applicants must be enrolled, or due to enrolled, as a full-time student at an accredited US college or university for the semester which they are applying

Applicants are not required to have a minimum GPA

Applicants of any major may apply

Domestic, international and undocumented students may apply

Students attending online universities may apply

Students must have a personal interest in health and technology

https://medicalbillingservicereview.com/health-and-technology-scholarship/

June 1st, annually

Community Service $2,500 Scholarship

All applicants must meet the following criteria:

To apply, all of those interested are invited to share an engaging 750-word story about what service means to them and what was the contribution they brought to their own community. Applicants to this scholarship must also:

1. Provide documentation of minimum 3.0-grade point average (GPA);
2. Be currently enrolled in an accredited college or university, either as undergraduates or graduates;
3. Have previous experience with community service, volunteerism, or fundraising;
4. Apply through the scholarship application form available on our page;

Morris Bart, LLC Community Service Scholarship

The deadline to apply is June 15th, 2023

The ABC Fundraising Volunteer Recognition $1,500 College Scholarship

Current high school junior, high school senior, college undergraduate, or graduate students who have participated in consistent volunteer work

http://www.abcfundraising.com/college-scholarship

June 30 annually

Scholarships with no deadline indicated

The Blanch Law Firm Scholarship Award

The contest is open to all students

https://www.theblanchlawfirm.com/the-blanch-law-firm-scholarship-award/

Deadline varies

Innovation in Education Scholarship

Must be currently be enrolled as a high school or college/university student within the United States or Canada

Must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (or the equivalent)

Must be a citizen of, permanent resident of, or hold a valid student visa in the United States or Canada

http://www.latutors123.com/scholarship/

20th of each month

CCCP Scholars Program (Center for Community College Partnerships)

Scholars are students who may:

  • Be the first in their family to go to college
  • Come from low-income backgrounds
  • And/or be from under served communities

The program targets students who:

  • have recently graduated from high school and plan to enroll in a community college in the fall OR students currently attending community college who have not yet completed a transfer curriculum at the time of application
  • show potential for transfer success
  • are non-traditional students who have face challenges in their academic career

http://www.cccp.ucla.edu/

Deadline not available