Scholarships

To be eligible for a Mission College Scholarship, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be currently enrolled at Mission College and maintain enrollment through Spring 2026. Must continue enrollment at Mission College for the 2026–2027 academic year or plan to transfer to a four-year university or college for the 2026-2027 academic year.
• Declare a major at Mission College.
• Have completed at least 12 college semester units prior to Fall 2026.
• Have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 or higher.
• Submit all required scholarship application materials by the stated deadline.
• Have a valid 2025–2026 FAFSA or California Dream Act Application on file with West Valley College if you wish to be considered for a need-based scholarship.
• U.S. citizens, international students, DACA recipients, and undocumented students are all welcome to apply.
• Graduating high school students are not eligible to apply.

Some scholarships may have additional criteria, which will be displayed in AwardSpring

1. Describe Your Academic and Career Aspirations. Tell us about your major and why you chose it. Share your vision for the future and explain how your major will help you reach your academic and career goals. If applicable, include any jobs, internships, volunteer work, or activities that relate to your academic and career aspirations.
2. Tell us who you are beyond academics. We would like to know about your community involvement, leadership experience, activities, clubs, work, or community service that you do.
3. Share Your Story and Journey to Mission College. Help us get to know you better by sharing your background and what has brought you to this point in your education. Consider sharing current or past challenges you’ve experienced as well as the achievements or special strengths that have shaped you.
4. Explain How This Scholarship Will Support Your Goals. We want to know how this scholarship would impact your ability to stay in school and pursue your education. Please share any circumstances that make it hard for you to pay for your education, and why winning this scholarship would be meaningful to you.

• You will need to provide one recommendation letter from your current or former college instructor, college counselor, employer, member of the community, or a professional. Family members, friends, and Financial Aid staff cannot be accepted as a reference due to a conflict of interest.
• Give your recommender as much time as possible (2-3 weeks is suggested) to write an effective letter.
• We recommend you follow up with your recommender to confirm the recommendation letter is submitted by the deadline.
• Only one recommendation letter will be accepted per student application. Additional letters that are received after the first one will be discarded.

• Awards are paid during the 2026–2027 academic year
• Some scholarships pay in one disbursement (Fall), others in two (Fall + Spring)
• Continuing students: Funds disburse first week of the semester if requirements are met
• Transfer students: Checks are mailed directly to your four-year institution

• Application questions: Contact Nicole Aguinaldo at [email protected] or (408) 741-4671
• FAFSA or CA Dream Act help: Contact the Financial Aid Office
• Essay writing tips: Visit the Academic Support Center

Interested in establishing a scholarship fund?

Contact the West Valley-Mission Foundation or lean more here.