San Mateo, CA — Following a record number of applications, the San Mateo County Community College District (SMCCCD) awarded 1,593 scholarships this month to students at Cañada College, College of San Mateo, and Skyline College.
Totaling more than $2.2 million, this year’s awards represent the largest scholarship distribution in District history, a 36% increase from 2025. Of the 2,026 applications received, 1,454 students were selected for scholarships recognizing financial need, academic achievement, and student potential.
“This year’s record number of applications reflects both the extraordinary determination of our students and the growing need for financial support,” said Rosanne Foust, Chair of SMCCC Foundation Board of Directors. “These scholarships do more than ease financial burden: they open doors, expand opportunity, and help our students stay on track to achieve their goals.”
The number of scholarship applications across the District increased by 63% compared with 2024, with growth at all three colleges. College of San Mateo received 884 applications, Skyline College 665, and Cañada College saw the largest increase, with 477 applications submitted, underscoring the growing demand for scholarship support across the District.
“Receiving these scholarships helps me support my education financially and eases the burden on my parents. It motivates me to keep working toward my goals without having to worry so much about finances,” said Georgina Bijasa, a pre-nursing major who was awarded the Susan Duckworth Memorial Scholarship and the Massole-Schroter Scholarship.
Each college hosted a campus-specific scholarship awards ceremony and a donor–student reception, offering supporters a meaningful opportunity to connect directly with the students whose educational journeys they help make possible.
While SMCCCD’s Free College program offers one of the best values in higher education, tuition and fees represent only a small portion of the actual cost of attending college. Donor support and scholarships
“Scholarships like these make the difference between a student who stays enrolled and one who doesn’t,” said Chancellor Melissa Moreno, J.D. “This record distribution is a reflection of our community’s generosity and our collective commitment to making sure students have what they need to succeed.”
Scholarship awards are placed directly in students’ hands and distributed through each campus’s Financial Aid office.
Many of these scholarships are made possible through generous community support, secured by the SMCCCF, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to advancing student success and supporting innovation across the District’s three colleges.
Media Contact: Milagros Yoch, Marketing and Communications Manager, SMCCC Foundation, (650) 378-7322 or yochm@smccd.edu.
###
The San Mateo County Community Colleges Foundation (SMCCC Foundation): The SMCCC Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is dedicated to supporting students within the San Mateo County Community College District through scholarships and programs. The District includes Cañada College, College of San Mateo, and Skyline College. Governed by a volunteer Board of Directors comprised of local community leaders, the Foundation’s primary aim is to promote student success by encouraging innovative and exemplary programming. As a key provider of scholarships, grants, and financial aid, the Foundation plays an essential role in empowering students and strengthening educational programs across the District.
To learn more or make a gift, visit https://foundation.smccd.edu/.
###
About San Mateo County Community College District (SMCCCD): SMCCCD operates three colleges, Cañada College, College of San Mateo, and Skyline College, that provide community college educational services to the residents of San Mateo County. The District’s colleges serve over 30,000 students annually and offer the first two years of college-level instruction in various transfer and career-technical programs. The District is governed by a six-member Board of Trustees, with five voting members elected by voters from designated areas of the County and one nonvoting student member elected by students. For more information, see smccd.edu.