Scholarships

Orfalea Scholarship Awards

Average Amount of Award
$2,500

Average Number of Awards
45

Financial Need
Yes

GPA Requirement
No Minimum GPA

College / Major / Area of Study
Early Childhood Education, Teaching, Nursing, C.N.A., Dental Hygiene, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Public Health, Social Work, Psychology/Counseling, or ANY MAJOR PROVIDED APPLICANT MEETS AT LEAST ONE OF THE SPECIAL CRITERIA LISTED BELOW.

Student Profile
Graduating high school senior or high school graduate from any high school in Ventura County enrolled or enrolling full-time in an accredited vocational school, community college, or 4-year college/university.

Other Special Requirements
(1) completed the Montana Yellowstone Expeditions Summer Program, (2) is a prior recipient of an Orfalea Scholarship Award, (3) is a single parent of a minor child/children, (4) has a documented learning difference or is a non-traditional learner, (5) has been a ward of the court or in foster care in Ventura County, (6) plans a career in early childhood education or the teaching field; (7) majoring in nursing, C.N.A., dental hygiene, physical or occupational therapy, or public health and plans to practice this health-related career in Ventura County upon graduation; (8) pursuing a career in Social Work or in Psychology/Counseling; (9) is a minor child or dependent of a migrant or seasonal farm worker; (10) is a dependent student under age 24 of a single parent home, (11) has demonstrated consistent employment while in school; (12) is the minor child of a parent as a nurse, teacher (pre-K to grade 12), at a non-profit agency, as a Ventura city or county firefighter, Ventura city police or Ventura County sheriff officer.

Health-related majors must include a statement in application essay that they intend to practice their career in Ventura County upon graduation from school. Applicants who are non-traditional learners or have a documented learning difference must include a letter from provider documenting diagnosis on provider letterhead with application packet. All applicants must complete the special Orfalea Scholarship Awards page of the VCCF application in addition to the rest of the application.

Read the story in the VC Star about 2011 Orfalea recipient Philip Hanley a decathlete from Thousand Oaks High School.