SCHOLARSHIPS
CGCC Foundation Scholarships and Award Process
Each year the CGCC Foundation offers nearly 200 scholarship awards totaling $300,000 for students. A scholarship is easy to apply. Information and instructions about the process can be found below.
CGCC Scholarships
- General Scholarship
- Donor Named Scholarships
- Nursing Program Scholarship
- Electro-Mechanical Technology Program Scholarship
- Student Emergency Grants
What is a CGCC Foundation Scholarship?
Scholarships are a great resource to help students pay for their education expenses and unlike loans, do not have to be repaid. Scholarships are worth seeking so get started today!
CGCC Foundation scholarships are for students enrolled in a degree or certificate program at CGCC. The scholarship is applied toward your tuition and fees first and if there are remaining funds you can use them for expenses related to your educational needs.
Am I eligible for a scholarship?
Tell me about the selection process?
The CGCC Foundation awards scholarships based on financial need and the promise each student shows which is demonstrated by answers to three narrative questions. Financial need is defined as lacking sufficient funds to pay for education. The promise a student shows is defined as the circumstances a person has faced and/or accomplishments they have made, combined with their sense of direction and educational goals.
Financial need is determined in two ways
- Each student completes a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or ORSAA (Oregon Student Aid Application)
- Financial need is also determined through one of the questions answered in the application process, since the FAFSA/ORSAA formula does not capture individual life circumstance. This is also an opportunity for the applicant to display the promise that they show as a student.
Narrative questions:
1. Financial and Life Circumstances: COCC Foundation scholarships are based on financial need. Please explain any circumstances or challenges you are facing that may make continuing your education difficult without additional financial assistance.
2. Education and Career Goals: Describe education and career goals that you have established for yourself and your efforts to accomplish them. Give an example demonstrating your commitment to these goals.
3. Personal Accomplishment(s): Describe the personal accomplishment(s) of which you are most proud. This could include leadership roles, community/family involvement, or professional/educational contributions. Describe how the experience(s) has shaped you.
Each narrative is read four times by volunteer reviewers, who score each question on a one to four scale. The volunteers only read and score the narrative questions. Therefore, the reviewer does not see the applicants name, age, gender, race, etc. You can view the scoring rubric for the narrative questions here.
The award process then gives a point value to the FAFSA/ORSAA score and also a point value to the narratives. Scholarships are awarded to students with the greatest combined score as determined by their FAFSA/ORSAA and their narratives. Priority will be given to in-district students based on COCC’s residency policy.
I am ready to apply for a scholarship!
Steps:
- Visit the CGCC Website by clicking here cgcc.edu/scholarships.
- For the month of February, you can apply for a full year scholarship. The award is $2,500 disbursed over Fall, Winter, and Spring terms.
- For the month of October, you can apply for a half-year scholarship. The award is $1,700 disbursed over Winter and Spring term.
- Once you have clicked on the Foundation Scholarship Application link
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- Begin filling out your application
- Several sections/tabs make up the entire application. Complete all of them in order to submit your application.
- Agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy
- Prepare your three short narrative questions
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- Review the Narrative Questions & Scoring Rubric.
- Spend time on crafting thoughtful narrative responses. Be sure to use your resources!
- For example have a trusted family/friend/teacher proofread, use spell check, search the internet for scholarship essay tips etc.
- Submit your application
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- Application button in the lower right corner. Click it to submit your application.
- After completing and submitting the application
- Submit a FAFSA or ORSAA
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- You must submit either the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Oregon Student Aid Application (ORSAA) to be considered for a CGCC Foundation scholarship.
- Use this quick tool to determine if you should submit a FAFSA or ORSAA
- When applying for either FAFSA or ORSAA, be sure to list Columbia Gorge Community College.
What happens after I apply for a scholarship?
You will be notified in April (Full-Year Cycle applicants) or December (Half-Year Cycle applicants) of awarding decisions. If you need any assistance and/or accommodation, please contact the Foundation at 541.506-6104 or email foundation@cgcc.edu.
If you are selected for a scholarship, you must agree to the following:
- Enroll in at least 6 credits per term
- Must write a thank you letter to the foundation of your
- Must volunteer at one CGCC Foundation event throughout the academic year
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress
- Have a FAFSA or ORSAA on file with CGCC each year
- Check your CGCC email account on a regular basis for information from the College and the Foundation
- If you become dual-enrolled at any other institution, this scholarship is void. CGCC must remain your ‘home school’ for financial aid purposes.
I am a current CGCC Foundation scholarship recipient?
Congratulations on being selected to receive a COCC Foundation scholarship! Below is information about your scholarship.
What are the Foundation Scholarship Acceptance requirements?
- Enrolled in at least 6 credits per term
- Must write a thank you letter to the foundation of your scholarship
- Must volunteer at one CGCC Foundation event throughout the academic year
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress
- Have a FAFSA or ORSAA on file with CGCC each year
- Check your CGCC email account on a regular basis for information from the College and the Foundation
- If you become dual-enrolled at any other institution, this scholarship is void. CGCC must remain your ‘home school’ for financial aid purposes.
How do I receive my scholarship?
Your scholarship will be applied to your student account in three installments; fall, winter and spring terms.
The scholarship is applied toward your CGCC tuition and fees first and if there are remaining funds you can use them for expenses related to your educational needs. Accepting a CGCC Foundation Scholarship may prompt a revision and possible reduction of your federal financial aid.
How do I renew my scholarship for next year?
You will need to reapply for Foundation scholarships each year.
Stay in touch, stay connected, share your story!
We want to hear from you. Keep the college up to date on your employment, ongoing education, current contact information and personal milestones. Share now!
The Columbia Gorge Community College Foundation is now accepting scholarship applications for the 2023 Winter and Spring terms. Applications close on October 31, 2022, at 5 p.m.
To apply for a Winter/Spring 2023 scholarship, visit www.cgcc.edu/scholarships and click on the link under CGCC Foundation Scholarships.
The CGCC Foundation`s mission is to support the community by promoting educational access and development for CGCC students. The CGCC Foundation board thanks its generous donors who make these scholarship awards possible.

The Columbia Gorge Community College Foundation is now accepting scholarship applications for the 2023 Winter and Spring terms. Applications close on October 31, 2022, at 5 p.m.
To apply for a Winter/Spring 2023 scholarship, visit www.cgcc.edu/scholarships and click on the link under CGCC Foundation Scholarships.
The CGCC Foundation`s mission is to support the community by promoting educational access and development for CGCC students. The CGCC Foundation board thanks its generous donors who make these scholarship awards possible.
Columbia Gorge Community College students seeking careers in social science, civic engagement, social justice, or political science will be eligible for three new scholarships available through Comunidades, a Gorge-based organization with a mission of advocating for under-represented communities.
Comunidades includes Columbia Gorge-based educators, activists, parents, and students to provide an inclusive, Latino-led space. The group has received critical support from the Community Foundation of Southwest Washington, Group Health Foundation, and others.
The new Comunidades Scholarship Fund will award three fulltime scholarships to CGCC students through the Columbia Gorge Community College Foundation.
For scholarship details, contact the CGCC Foundation at foundation@cgcc.edu or call (541) 506-6104.

Columbia Gorge Community College students seeking careers in social science, civic engagement, social justice, or political science will be eligible for three new scholarships available through Comunidades, a Gorge-based organization with a mission of advocating for under-represented communities.
Comunidades includes Columbia Gorge-based educators, activists, parents, and students to provide an inclusive, Latino-led space. The group has received critical support from the Community Foundation of Southwest Washington, Group Health Foundation, and others.
The new Comunidades Scholarship Fund will award three fulltime scholarships to CGCC students through the Columbia Gorge Community College Foundation.
For scholarship details, contact the CGCC Foundation at foundation@cgcc.edu or call (541) 506-6104.
Spending an amazing afternoon with President Greg Peterson at CGCC( Chandler Gilbert Community College my stumping ground😇) what a caring and smart gentleman. President Peterson has a passion and commitment to the community college and its mission of access and success for all students.
Dr. Peterson has served as President of Chandler-Gilbert Community College within the Maricopa Community College District, a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), since July 2018.
The future of education in Chandler and Gilbert is looking bright!
Thank you Mr President for a very informative meeting.
#workingtogether #forthefuture #educationisthekey #educatioispower #ouiouioui #togetherwecan #stayconnected #stayinvolved #highereducation #chandleraz
#lovechandler #lovewhereyoulearn
cgc.edu

Spending an amazing afternoon with President Greg Peterson at CGCC( Chandler Gilbert Community College my stumping ground😇) what a caring and smart gentleman. President Peterson has a passion and commitment to the community college and its mission of access and success for all students.
Dr. Peterson has served as President of Chandler-Gilbert Community College within the Maricopa Community College District, a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), since July 2018.
The future of education in Chandler and Gilbert is looking bright!
Thank you Mr President for a very informative meeting.
#workingtogether #forthefuture #educationisthekey #educatioispower #ouiouioui #togetherwecan #stayconnected #stayinvolved #highereducation #chandleraz
#lovechandler #lovewhereyoulearn
cgc.edu
For the 2nd consecutive year, CGCC Foundation will award Metallica Scholarships to help transform the future of Mid-Columbia students. This fall, we want you to be our next cohort of Metallica Scholars! Students interested in career-technology training should call student services to learn more. 541-506-2000, option 2. Part of this award will include toolkits for first-year students in construction trades and advanced manufacturing.
#AWMH #MetallicaScholars #MetallicaGivesBack

For the 2nd consecutive year, CGCC Foundation will award Metallica Scholarships to help transform the future of Mid-Columbia students. This fall, we want you to be our next cohort of Metallica Scholars! Students interested in career-technology training should call student services to learn more. 541-506-2000, option 2. Part of this award will include toolkits for first-year students in construction trades and advanced manufacturing.
#AWMH #MetallicaScholars #MetallicaGivesBack
After a two-year absence, the annual Columbia Gorge Community College (CGCC) Founder’s Cup Golf Tournament is back!
Don`t miss this opportunity to golf with us and show your support by being a sponsor of this annual tradition. Email the Foundation for more information at foundation@cgcc.edu

After a two-year absence, the annual Columbia Gorge Community College (CGCC) Founder’s Cup Golf Tournament is back!
Don`t miss this opportunity to golf with us and show your support by being a sponsor of this annual tradition. Email the Foundation for more information at foundation@cgcc.edu
30 Days of Gay🏳️🌈
Wednesday, June 8th
Check out Columbia Gorge Community Columbia Gorge Community College today for free 🌈PRONOUN BUTTON MAKING🌈 all day!!
Get your button today!
At the college library in TD
At the front desk in HR
Join us today!!
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.
#Pride2022 #CGPride #30daysofgay #Pride #CGPA #pridereturns #lgbtq #WeSayGay #communitymatters

30 Days of Gay🏳️🌈
Wednesday, June 8th
Check out Columbia Gorge Community Columbia Gorge Community College today for free 🌈PRONOUN BUTTON MAKING🌈 all day!!
Get your button today!
At the college library in TD
At the front desk in HR
Join us today!!
.
.
.
.
#Pride2022 #CGPride #30daysofgay #Pride #CGPA #pridereturns #lgbtq #WeSayGay #communitymatters
Icecream for you and Gelato for your dog at shannonsicecream 🧡🤩💛
Photo credit 📸 cgccfoundation
🥳🍦🧡🎉🍦🐶 Dogs Are Swell ~ Spoil them with Gelato 🧡 A portion of every sale goes towards helping the spca_international #dogoodery

Icecream for you and Gelato for your dog at shannonsicecream 🧡🤩💛
Photo credit 📸 cgccfoundation
🥳🍦🧡🎉🍦🐶 Dogs Are Swell ~ Spoil them with Gelato 🧡 A portion of every sale goes towards helping the spca_international #dogoodery

“The emergency assistance funds that I received made it possible for me to purchase my supplies and books so I could continue classes.”
– Ben, CGCC Student

“In the past two years, because of the great experiences that I am having at CGCC, I have grown into a confident, strong woman ready to achieve my dreams.”
– Emma, CGCC Student