Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon Portland Community College

PCC Foundation scholarships

The PCC Foundation awards hundreds of scholarships every year to students who may not otherwise be able to afford an education.

Scholarship application dates

The next PCC Foundation scholarship opens on November 1, 2024. Applications will be due February 1, 2025.

High school students
Are you graduating from high school this year? A scholarship application cycle for recent high school grads will be open May 1 – 15, 2024. High school students are encouraged to apply as early as possible. The link to apply will be posted here on May 1.

  • March: get ready to apply by attending a free scholarship workshop
  • April 17: apply to PCC by this date to make sure your account will be ready by May
  • May 1 – 15: scholarship application for high school students is open!

How to apply

Applying is easy! Follow these steps to be automatically considered for hundreds of scholarships.

  1. Get a MyPCC account

    If you’re not already a PCC student, first apply for admission. Applying is free and does not commit you to coming to PCC.

  2. Complete the scholarship application

    Use your MyPCC account to log in to the scholarship application beginning on November 1, 2024. Applications are due February 1, 2025. The application button will be on this page. If you want to get started early, you can start working on your essays – see the “how to prepare” tab for more.

  3. Complete the FAFSA or ORSAA

    Complete the FAFSA or the ORSAA as soon after October 1 as possible. If you are an international student or not eligible to complete the FAFSA, complete the financial worksheet for international students and upload it with your application.

How to prepare

Start working on these pieces right away – especially your essays. When you complete your scholarship application you’ll have everything you need!

Write your essays

Each essay can be up to 350 words. (Some scholarships will ask for additional essays on the application.)

  • Essay 1: What is your career goal and educational plan to meet this goal? What inspired you to choose this field of study and career?
  • Essay 2: What is your greatest strength or characteristic and how will this help you to be successful at PCC?
Find a reference

You can provide an optional reference for bonus points. References can be teachers, faculty, staff, mentors, coaches, employers, etc. The application will send an automated email to your reference, but you may want to let them know beforehand to expect a request.

Where to get help

students meeting around tableAttend a scholarship workshop

These free workshops will help you create a competitive scholarship application.

Get help online: scholarship application guide

A step-by-step website that helps with essay writing, asking for references, and more.

Take a College Success class

Scholarships: $$ for College is offered almost every term and it will take you through the entire process of searching for scholarships.

Resource documents

Who can apply?

Any student who plans to attend PCC can apply. We have scholarships for students of all ages, backgrounds, and majors! All PCC scholarships are open to anyone regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law in any area, activity, or operation of the college.

What happens after I apply?

We let applicants know the results in June 2024. We send notifications to your MyPCC email. Scholarship money will be available to use at any time during the academic 2024-25 year. You can use foundation scholarships to pay for tuition, fees, and books. See more information on paying with a scholarship.