VENTURA COUNTY — Hundreds of local students have been awarded a total of $1,165,750 in scholarships in the 2018 Ventura County Community Foundation (VCCF) scholarship program, which is now in its 25th year. The 352 scholarships are provided by scholarship funds established by a variety of donors whose generosity helps make a college education more affordable for deserving students from throughout Ventura County. The scholarship winners were selected from a record high number of applications in a highly competitive process.
The scholarships were presented last Thursday at a ceremony hosted by the Ventura County Office of Education. VCCF President & CEO Vanessa Bechtel said, “We are fortunate to live in a community with such a giving spirit. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, the scholarship recipients will be able to further their education and follow their dreams.”
Selena Lainez, a graduate of Channel Islands High School in Oxnard, is a recipient of the James C. Basile Scholarship. Now studying psychology and Chicano/a studies at CSU Channel Islands, she said, “This scholarship has not only helped me financially, but it has also given me the motivation and determination to pursue my career of being a counselor in the juvenile facilities. Thanks to this scholarship, I will continue to grow as a person and strive for the best.”
Since its inception, the VCCF scholarship program has awarded more than $15 million in scholarships. A complete list of this year’s scholarships and recipients is attached and additional information about the program is available here.
About the Ventura County Community Foundation: Established in 1987, the Ventura County Community Foundation has focused on building philanthropy in our region by stewarding legacies through careful management of the charitable capital entrusted to us. We are committed to a long-term perspective for Ventura County. We honor donor intent by protecting endowments forever and we specialize in connecting philanthropic resources with community needs for the benefit of all. We invest in the future through scholarships, grant making, and collaborative partnerships. Learn more at: www.vccf.org