Outside Scholarships
External scholarships are a great way to help make college more afforable! These scholarships are awarded by organizations outside of College of the Desert, and we're here to help you navigate the process of receiving your scholarship funds.
If an outside organization sends a scholarshp check to College of the Desert (Att: Bursar's Office) on your behalf, please allow a minimum of 6-8 weeks for processing from the date the check is received.
All outside scholarship checks will be mailed to the address currently on filw with College of the Desert. If your address has changed, please update your student records as soon as possible to help ensure you receive your scholarship funds in a timely manner.
CalKIDS
The California Kids Investment and Development Savings Program (CalKIDS) is a state-funded program designed to help California children save money for future college or career training. The program provides eligible children with a CalKIDS Scholarship Account that can be used for qualified higher-education expenses, such as tuition, fees, books, supplies, room and board, and computer equipment.
All children born in California on or after July 1, 2022, are eligible, while certain California public-school students may also qualify based on income or English Learner status. Eligible participants are automatically enrolled, but families must claim their account to access the funds. To apply or claim a CalKIDS account, families can visit to get started: https://calkids.org/need-help/
Have more questions about CalKIDS, click on the Frequently Asked Questions link: https://calkids.org/help-resources/frequently-asked-questions/
Foundation for California Community Colleges
The Foundation for California Community Colleges (FoundationCCC) has annouced their avaiability of the upcoming 2026-27 scholarship opportunities:
- Keenan Insurance Scholarships
- The Keenan Insurance Scholarships seek to increase the diversity of professionals working within the insurance, risk management, and financial services industry by providing scholarships to underrepresented students at California Community Colleges.
- Educating for Change Scholarship
- The Educating for Change Scholarship provides financial support to California community college students with a parent incarcerated in a prison administered by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR).
- Real Estate Education Endowment
- The Real Estate Education Scholarship Program is a scholarship program for eligible, economically disadvantaged students. Awards are for students who are in need of financial assistance to meet the cost of attendance at a California community college and who have demonstrated interest in a real estate career through their enrollment in real estate related courses.
External (Outside) Opportunities:
- OneFuture Scholarships
- Since 2009, OneFuture Coachella Valley (OFCV) and their local partners have aligned and awarded more than $17 million in scholarships to more than 2,600 students.
- The Jaime & Blanca Jarrin Foundation
- Goal is to help close educational gaps and pave the way for first-generation Latino college students with dreams of becoming the first in their family to achieve their higher education degree.
- Dr. Carreon Foundation
- Since 1991 the Dr. Carreon Foundation has awarded more than $2million in scholarships to over 1,000 Coachella Valley and Blythe students. To apply click on the GET STARTED NOW!
- Inland Empire Community Foundation
- The Inland Empire Community Foundation (IECF) IECF awards a wide variety of scholarships, including general and field-specific scholarships for areas of study like civil engineering, nursing, special education, veterinary sciences, and more. To apply for scholarships with IECF, please visit the IECF website and click on "Scholarship Opportunities."
- Sun Community FCU Scholarships
- Horatio Alger application
- Theresa A. Mike Scholarship
- Sallie Mae Fund Bridging the Dream Scholarship Program
- DAR-Monica Scholarship
- Coachella Valley Housing Coalition
- California Strawberry Scholarship
- California P.E.O. Scholarships
- Coachella Valley Alumnae Phanhellenic Scholarships
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Coachella Valley
- Latinos in Finance Scholarship
- Rehabs.org Scholarship for Minorities
- Ottinger Employment Annual Scholarship Contest
- VNutrition & Wellness’ Annual LGBTQ+ Vitality Scholarship
- Scholarship opportunity for students who Identify as LGBTQ+
- USC Race and Equity Center Student Visions for Change Challenge
- A California community student challenge with over $50,000 of prizes awarded to selected winners of the challenge!
- Foundation for California Community Colleges
- The Educating for Change Scholarship is designed to support students attending a California Community College who may have a part incarcerated in a prison that is operated by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR).
- Linderes Avanzando Program
- This program was Launched in 2016. This scholarship is for first and second year Latinx students (DACA and undocumented students may also participate in this program). The goal of this program is to support the college retention and graduation rates for Latinx students.
- WCI Empowering Women Scholarship Applications are now Being Accepted
- Woman's Club of Indio Scholarships are based on multiple variables. The amount of these scholarship awards is contingent on the number of qualified applicants yearly. The application is open now through April 12th 2024. Make sure to apply!
- Foundation for Community Colleges - Keenan Insurance Scholarship
- Scholarship preference shall be given to underrepresented students who are working towards either a certificate or degree in either insurance, risk management, financial services or a related filed such as business administration, with a concentration in or focus on the insurance benefits industry. Applicants must be eligible for a California College Promise Grant or be experiencing other circumstances demonstrating financial need, be enrolled in and also complete three (3) units each semester in insurance, risk management, financial services or related courses to be eligible for this scholarship opportunity. For more information on the Keenan Insurance Scholarships click on this link
- Black and African American Student Success | California Community Colleges
- Check out this link to apply for scholarships, and discover ways you can meet your College and Career goals!
- Hispanic Scholarship Fund
- HSF Scholar Program Application is now open and also on this site, there are multiple scholarship awards students may, if applicable, apply to.
- Esperanza Advancing Hispanic Academic Achievement
- STEM Scholarship opportunity in partnership with Sherwin Williams. Applicants must identify as Latinx, must be in Business reglated or STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) major. DACA and Undocumented students are encouraged and welcomed to apply.
- IMMIGRANTS RISING
- Founded in 2006, Immigrants Rising is dedicated to empowering individuals and driving systemic change. Through a range of resources and support, the organization helps individuals access educational resources, help with career pursuits aimed at building a brighter future for those they assist and their communities.
- California Nurses Foundation Scholarships
- The California Nurses Foundation (CNF) would like to share potential scholarship opportunities for the 2024/2025 academic year. If you are or planning to be a nursing student, during the 2024/2025 academic year, please click on the following link to see if you may be able to apply for one or more of their many scholarships.
- Scholarship Search by Sallie
- Easily find and sort through thousands of college scholarships! You might find a scholarship that is just right for you. No need to register, you can begin your free scholarship search today.
- Chief Information Systems Officers Association of the California Community Colleges
(CISOA)
- This scholarship opportunity is for students enrolled part-time who have declared
an IT related major. There will be fifteen(15) $1,500.00 scholarships awarded this
year, apply today! The application will close on March 14, 2025.
- This scholarship opportunity is for students enrolled part-time who have declared
an IT related major. There will be fifteen(15) $1,500.00 scholarships awarded this
year, apply today! The application will close on March 14, 2025.
External Website - Free Scholarship Search:
When completing scholarship applications on external websites, students should use caution and protect their personal information. Avoid any scholarship application that requests your Social Security Number (SSN) or Date of Birth (DOB), and verify that the website is legitmate before submitting personal information.
