By Mira Radovich, Senior Contributing Writer
It’s the start of a new school year which also means it’s scholarship time!
Scholarships help students by providing financial assistance, making college more affordable. With less financial pressure, students can focus on their studies and meeting their academic goals.
Through the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation, students can apply for hundreds of Spring 2025 scholarships with just one application. All students and GPAs are eligible to apply.
Last year, several Rio Salado College students received scholarships, that helped them pay for school, stay in school, and pursue new career fields.
Here’s what three of those students had to say about how scholarships helped them on their academic journey.
Patricia Salazar, Dental Hygiene
“The scholarship helped me pay for the supplies I needed to get for classes, and removed some weight off my shoulders from being so worried about figuring out ways to pay for these necessities.”
Matthew Priskorn – Early Childhood Education
“I was elated to receive the Hazel Davis scholarship, which provided me financial assistance to help me on my career change journey. We need good teachers to uplift and reinforce the community, and to mentor students to do good work and support one another once they reach adulthood. I truly hope that I can become one of these great teachers.”
Rheanan Heller – Public Safety Administration
“I am beyond grateful for the opportunities the Dr. Larry Celaya Memorial Scholarship gave me in pursuit of my bachelor’s degree in public safety administration. Receiving the award took a significant amount of stress away from me, and allowed me to dedicate more time to learning to be a new mother.”
Foundation Scholarships
By completing just one application, Maricopa Community College students have access to hundreds of scholarships to help pay for college expenses.
All students, including those paying out-of-state tuition, and all GPAs are eligible to apply. No FAFSA is required. The deadline to apply for a Spring 2025 scholarship is Oct. 31, 2024. Students can find scholarship resources, tips and FAQs on the MCCCD Foundation website.
Complete the Spring 2025 Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation General Scholarship Application.
Honors Achievement Award Scholarships
The Honors Achievement Award (HAA) is a participation-based scholarship awarded at the end of the semester, after the successful completion of all HAA requirements. Scholarship amounts vary from $244-$500 per semester based on the number of credits taken. To be eligible, students must:
- Hold a minimum cumulative MCCCD district-wide GPA of 3.25 or higher
- Have completed a minimum of 12 credit hours (100 level or above)
- Ensure that proof of lawful presence in the U.S. is on record with the Admissions & Records department
- Meet additional HAA participation requirements
Visit the Rio Salado Honors website for a complete list of HAA participation requirements and more information.
President’s Honors Scholarship Program
The Presidents’ Honors Scholarship is open to students who enroll at one of the Maricopa Community Colleges within one academic year (fall or spring semester) immediately following high school graduation from a Maricopa County high school (including NCA-accredited, charter, private, religious, or homeschools), without having attended another accredited college or university before enrolling in a MCCCD campus.
The scholarship covers in-state/in-county tuition up to 15 credit hours (plus the $15 registration fee) per semester but does not apply to summer sessions.
Find more information on the Rio Salado President’s Honors Scholarship webpage.