School and community partners
Future Connect is a scholarship and support program that focuses on eliminating barriers to college. We provide ongoing support for students throughout their time at PCC, and this support includes scholarship money, career guidance, personalized advising, and some free classes.
To be eligible for Future Connect, students must:
- Complete their high school diploma or GED® during the 2023-2024 school year and are under the age of 21.
- Attend PCC starting in the fall of 2024
- Identify as either first-generation or low-income (or both).
- Live or attend high school in Multnomah County or Washington County
Every year we receive approximately 1000-1200 applicants and we award 350-400 recipients based on funding. Please know this is not an automatic application to be in the program.
The Future Connect application is now open for students to apply for Fall 2024.
Schedule a visit – we’ll visit your school and talk with students about Future Connect. Contact Jana Daugherty to schedule a visit.
What Future Connect can offer your students
Scholarship money
Future Connect applicants who are selected for the scholarship will receive a minimum of $600 per year for two years. Applicants are also eligible for many other student scholarship opportunities available to all PCC students.
College success coach
Access to a personalized academic advisor to help students navigate their college experience.
Career Guidance
Free classes focused on surviving and succeeding during their time at PCC and beyond.
Job and internship resources
Access to internships that provide real-world opportunities they can apply to their college experience and learning.
Enrichment activities
An intensive summer pre-college orientation and continuing workshops and extracurricular gatherings throughout the school year to help students transition into college and excel in their studies and career goals.
Transfer support
If students are planning on continuing their education at a university after PCC, we’ll help guide them through the transfer process. They’ll also have access to Next Step scholarships that are just for Future Connect students at Lewis and Clark, Linfield University, and Pacific University.
Student stories
Being in a situation where I have to put myself through school, I was terrified as to how I was going to make that happen. Future Connect provided me with the opportunities and resources necessary to make it possible. This program helped me to realize that the dreams I’ve always had can be a reality. Kala Loveless, future social worker
In the news
- New report finds Future Connect makes critical impact on students’ lives
- PCC scholarships will send 8 Columbia County students to community college (Pamplin Media)
- Portland scholarship program a win-win for the city, students (The Oregonian)
- PCC’s Future Connect Program celebrates success, spreads its reach
- Future Connect: Model program helps low-income, first-generation PCC students succeed (The Oregonian)
- PCC Foundation recognizes Future Connect students with awards ceremony
GED® is a registered trademark of the American Council on Education and may not be used without permission. The GED® and GED Testing Service® brands are administered by GED Testing Service LLC under license.