Scholarship opportunities: 50 full-ride scholarships to Shoreline Community College

Students studying on the lawn of the
beautiful Shoreline campus

While the cost of attending college may be going up, for more than 50 incoming students this fall at Shoreline Community College their tuition for the next two years could be … zero.

Shoreline Community College, the Shoreline Community College Foundation and other philanthropic partners are combining efforts on a new scholarship program called Shoreline Scholars that launches today, March 27, 2015.

“Shoreline Scholars is an investment by the college, the foundation and our supporters in our communities,” President Cheryl Roberts said. “We know that there are many students in our district who are studying hard and getting good grades, but, for a variety of reasons, wouldn’t otherwise be able to attend college.”

In many cases, these are the students who go on to help weave the fabric of our strong community. The Shoreline Scholars program is designed to come alongside those students to provide them with the confidence they need, and the college and community is there to help them achieve their educational goals.

The Shoreline Scholars Program for 2015 is for residents of Shoreline and Lake Forest Park who will be graduating from high school this spring. Home-school students are also eligible to apply. Shoreline Scholars will receive up to a full tuition scholarship for two years in any field of study, including university transfer or professional/technical programs.

Campus fountain

The college is using existing financial aid capabilities to provide 50 scholarships. The foundation is funding another five scholarships and Harley O'Neil, a Shoreline resident and owner of Spin Alley who also serves on the foundation board, is personally funding one more scholarship.

“We are speaking with others who may join us to create more opportunities, but at this point, we have 56 scholarships available,” Roberts said. “What a great way to mark our 50th anniversary, too.”

Foundation President Stephanie Santeford said she and foundation board members are excited to add a significant opportunity to the lineup of scholarships already offered through the foundation.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for the foundation, residents and businesses to partner with the college to provide scholarships for students,” Santeford said.

The application process opens today, March 27. In addition to local and state residency requirements, to qualify for consideration students must have a 3.5 grade point average, meet minimum entrance test scores and show financial need.

Once applicants meet the minimum requirements, and because there is a limited number of scholarships, there is a first-come, first-served aspect to this program

Applicants must compile all required information and then hand-deliver their packet to the college on April 27-29, from 3:30-7 p.m. each day. Application packets will be reviewed for completeness on the spot. Only complete application packets will be accepted and no applications will be accepted after 7 p.m., April 29.

“We are celebrating 50 years of greatness at the college,” Roberts said. “This is our opportunity to not just be in the community, but of the community. We are excited about making this investment in the graduates in our district.”

Complete information is available online