How to Apply for RCCD Scholarships

Learn how to apply for RCCD Scholarships

Riverside Community College District (RCCD) offers scholarships for students currently enrolled at any college within RCCD. The application process is an off-site, online application. Please read the information on this page and other links on this site carefully so that the application process will be successful for you.

To apply for scholarships at RCCD, you will need access to the RCCD website via the internet and a few hours to review the scholarship information and submit the application. All complete scholarship applications must be submitted on or before the application deadline for that academic year.

Remember to allow plenty of time to complete and submit the application to meet the deadline. Please don’t wait until the last day to avoid any unforeseen problems. You will not be able to apply after the deadline!

To apply for the scholarships offered by RCCD, please follow the steps outlined below:

Log into the Scholarship System

Go to the scholarship application site and create an account.

Enter your MVC, NC or RCC student email address and create a password. Write the password down so you won’t forget it.
You will receive an email to your MVC, NC or RCC student email address to confirm your identity. Click on the link within the email to get started.
When you log in later, there is no need to create a new account, just click “Sign In” at the top right corner.
Students not yet registered in classes at RCCD: If you are not currently enrolled in classes at MVC, NC or RCC, you may have trouble logging in. If so, please contact Olayide Coston at olayide.coston@mvc.edu for instructions.
Please note: The scholarship application site is best accessed using browsers other than Internet Explorer.

Complete the online scholarship application

When you create a log-in account at the scholarship application site, the first page you are directed to will be the scholarship application. Be sure to answer all questions on the scholarship application completely and accurately. Your answers will help determine your eligibility for certain scholarships. For some of the questions there may be help text included if you hover the cursor on the question.

You will be automatically matched to scholarships for which you meet the criteria. These are referred to as “Auto-Match” scholarships. There is no other action required on your part to be placed in the pool of applicants for these scholarships.

You will be prompted to apply for other scholarships that require more information. These are referred to as “Apply-To” scholarships. You will be able to see a list of these scholarships on your home page of the scholarship site. You will need to click on each one and complete other actions to be considered for the Apply-To scholarships.

For Apply-To scholarships that require more information or action from you, you may need to have the following documents ready on your desktop or memory device to include/upload to your application where indicated: Unofficial RCCD transcripts, Veteran discharge document (DD214), Creative writing sample (if applying for a creative writing scholarship).
You will be given the information of any required documents if you qualify for these specific scholarships.
For more information, see the section below titled “Other Required Documents.”

Be sure to click the “Save” or “Submit” buttons at the bottom of the scholarship application each time you make any additions or changes. You will have up to the deadline to finish all revisions to your application. Be sure to log in now and then for any messages from the system that need your attention. You will see important information in the message bar at the top of your page.

Complete the Scholarship Essay Questionnaire

Part of the RCCD scholarship application requires you to answer scholarship essay questions which are an important part of your application. The answers to these questions will help those reviewing your application gain a better understanding of you as a student and individual. This is your chance to explain to scholarship reviewers why you feel you should be a recipient of an RCCD scholarship and your chance to let the Scholarship Committee or Donor know your educational and career goals, why you have selected your stated major and career goal, your life experiences which have influenced this decision, and your anticipated role in society after your career goal has been achieved.

In the questionnaire, you will be asked to address the following questions:

Please briefly introduce yourself to the scholarship reviewing committee. (150 words or less, or about 12 lines of text)
What are your career goals and your educational plan to meet these goals? Tell us about why you have selected your current major and career goal and any life experiences which may have influenced this decision. Also tell us
about your anticipated role in society after your career goal has been achieved. (200 words or less, or about 15 lines of text)
Do you have any activities, volunteerism, interests or responsibilities that you are involved with? Tell us about any accomplishments or achievements that you are proud of. (200 words or less, or about 15 lines of text)
Have you had any challenges or life-changing experiences you would like the scholarship committee or donor to know about? What have you learned from these experiences? Also, tell us about any unusual circumstances which may affect your current financial situation. (250 words or less, or about 18 lines of text)

You will have a limited number of words for each question as indicated. Please be sure to use the following guidelines when answering each essay question:

Compose your answers to the essay questions in a word document, then cut and paste them into the scholarship application after you have edited and are happy with the final product. Be sure to check for correct grammar, spelling and punctuation.
Do not plagiarize! Remember, some members of the reviewing committee are faculty members who have access to check for plagiarism online. You may be subject to disciplinary action if your essay answers are not your original work.
If you have had negative circumstances or difficulties in your life, they can be mentioned briefly, but state how you have positively overcome them. The scholarship Committee is looking for individuals who have prevailed over difficult circumstances and have a commitment to succeed despite a hard or unstable life.
Explain any circumstances regarding your financial situation (especially if it has changed since you completed the financial aid application; for example job loss, etc.) and why you need the scholarship funds.
Talk about your academic history, what classes you have taken to further your educational goal, your scholastic successes, what your plans are at RCCD and/or your future University and how they will translate into your career and life goals.

Ask at least one qualified person to provide a scholarship recommendation

One is recommendation required, however you may provide up to two other optional recommendations. The recommendations need to be completed by individuals who can attest to your current academic strength and potential for success (please see the detailed information regarding obtaining Recommendations).

Read the scholarship descriptions carefully, as some require evaluations from specific sources.
You will need the email address of the individual you are requesting to provide a recommendation. Please let them know they will receive an email from the scholarship system and will be able to provide the recommendation directly to your application.
You will not be able to view the recommendation, but you will be able to see if it has been submitted. If the recommendation is still listed as “Requested” on the scholarship application site, it means the recommendation has not been properly submitted.
It is your responsibility to be sure the recommendations are submitted before the deadline. Please do not wait until the last minute to request recommendations. You will also have the option in the scholarship system to send a reminder email to the person from whom you requested a recommendation.
Please know that RCCD Faculty members have the right to decline providing a recommendation.
It is highly recommended that you ask more than one person for a recommendation.

Submit Your Application

Submit your complete scholarship application before the DEADLINE.

Other Important information

Financial Need

Although your financial need may be considered in determining eligibility for some scholarships, eligibility may also be based on scholastic achievement and other criteria as set forth by the scholarship donors. However, if you are applying for a need-based scholarship (where financial need will be considered), you must complete the current academic year Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or CA Dream Act application prior to submitting your scholarship application.

The FAFSA is available on-line at www.fafsa.gov. You will need to list your home college (Moreno Valley College/MVC, Norco College/NC or Riverside City College/RCC) as your school by listing the Title IV Code for your college (MVC=041735, NC=041761, RCC=001270). It is highly recommended that you complete the FAFSA or Dream Application even if you are not applying for need-based scholarships as you may be considered for other scholarships that become available at a later date. To apply for the online CA Dream Application, please visit: https://dream.csac.ca.gov/.

Application Information

When completing the scholarship application, you will be asked
questions that will help determine your eligibility for certain scholarships. Please be sure to
answer these questions correctly. Some information will be imported from the RCCD system
directly into the scholarship application which can impact your eligibility for some
scholarships. To ensure the correct information is imported from the RCCD system, please be
sure of the following:

Your home college is correct
Your name is correct
Your address is the most current and correct
The high school you attended and your high school graduation status is correct
Your Program of Study/Major is active and correct. Be sure if you mention your Program of Study/Major in your essay, it is the same as listed in the RCCD system. If they are different, it can be confusing for those reviewing your application.

Volunteer/Club Activities

Several of the scholarships require volunteer or club activities. These scholarships will include a question (in addition to the essay question) that asks if you have participated in volunteer activities and you will be able to list organizations you have volunteered for or participated in. To prepare for this part of the application, you may want to create a list of your volunteer organizations (including College Clubs) and other extracurricular activities. Be sure to spell out any abbreviations in the name of the organization. You will also be required to provide a brief description of the organization or activity, include dates of service or membership and possibly a contact person.

About the RCCD Foundation

The Riverside Community College District (RCCD) Foundation was established in 1975 as a tax exempt organization whose mission is to enhance the intellectual, cultural, and educational needs of District and College students, faculty, staff and the community. The RCCD Foundation pursues resource development and philanthropic activities in support of continued excellence and improved access through collaboration with businesses and community stakeholders to fuel the region’s workforce development, innovation, and economic growth. The RCCD Foundation Board of Directors is comprised of a diverse group of business, civic and community leaders, all of whom share a commitment to the academic excellence of Moreno Valley College, Norco College and Riverside City College.

RCCD scholarships are awarded based on criteria established by donors and are contingent upon receipt of annual funding from donors and/or investment earnings. Scholarships are made available to RCCD students from many sources including:

RCCD Foundation
Individuals and Families
Local and regional corporations
Community Organizations
The Community Foundation Serving the Counties of Riverside and San Bernardino
RCCD clubs and departments

The Community's College

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