Are You Eligible? Let’s Find Out!

Scholarships can be life changing. Many students erroneously assume they are ineligible for this money and lose out. Eligibility requirements are extremely varied. Even a partial scholarship could free up your need to work during a semester and allow you more time to focus on your academic success. 


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 and Scholarships Office.

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

Contact us!

If you have questions about getting application forms, eligibility, deadlines, your applications, or other concerns, please contact Financial Aid and Scholarships at 661-763-7762.

Institutional Scholarship Opportunities


  • Taft College Academic Merit Award

    Any graduating high school senior in the West Kern Community College District (Taft High School, Maricopa High School, and Buena Vista High School) with a term grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better who enrolls in 12 units at Taft College as a first-time college student within one year of receiving the award is eligible.

    No application is required.

    Submit final high school transcript to the college.

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

  • Taft College Scholarship

    Applicants must have California residency.

    Applicants must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA.

    Applicants must 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.

    Award is $125 per semester up to four 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 GPA or a 3.00 cumulative GPA 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 maintained a 3.00 or better term GPA and re-enroll as a full-time student. 

    A Non-Resident student who enters Taft College as a full-time student with a cumulative GPA 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 that all students complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application. Visit the federal government site for FAFSA or the state site for the 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 complete a transfer level Math course
      • Have a grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher
  • Taft College Community Scholarship Program

    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. There are more than 40 Taft College Community Scholarships available to students. The application can be accessed on the AwardSpring platform and is available on the first day of every Spring semester. Past scholarships have been sponsored by Rotary Club, Kiwanis, Soroptimist, and others.  Click here to apply https://taftcollege.awardspring.com/  Deadline is March 15, 2024.

  • Taft College Associated Student Organization (ASO) Scholarships

    Several scholarships are sponsored by the Taft College Associated Student Organization (ASO). For a list of scholarships with details, link to the ASO page.

    Taft College Associated Student Organization (ASO)

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 our website. The college library is also an excellent source of information regarding scholarship opportunities. The following websites on outside scholarships are provided for your reference. They are listed sequentially per deadline dates, beginning in August. Taft College does not endorse any specific scholarship site.

Scholarships with No Deadline Indicated