Hundreds of Scholarships: One Application!
- Jennifer Childers
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Jennifer Childers
The Advocate
The delicate balancing act of juggling classes and staying afloat financially is a struggle understood by most MHCC students. For many, the need to work while attending school not only impacts their ability to keep up with coursework but also prevents them from engaging in co‑curricular activities and other valuable student experiences.
But more than $1 million in scholarship funding is offered to students each year through the MHCC Foundation. According to Shelley McFarland, development and content coordinator for the MHCC Foundation, the biggest barrier isn’t eligibility — it’s that many students never apply.
What the MHCC Foundation Does
The MHCC Foundation is the nonprofit arm of the college, working with community donors to support students through scholarships, program funding and other campus initiatives. “They work for the college, on behalf of the college, and scholarships are their primary focus,” McFarland said.
Each year, the Foundation facilitates more than $1 million in scholarship offers to MHCC students. These offers are made possible through donations from community members, businesses, faculty and alumni who want to give back to the college and broader community.
Why Scholarships Matter
For many students, these scholarships help reduce financial stress and allow them to work fewer hours, giving them more time to focus on their studies.
Beyond financial support, many scholarship recipients say the emotional impact can be just as meaningful. Knowing that someone — often a complete stranger — believes in their potential can be a powerful source of encouragement.
Scholarship recipients are also invited to Foundation events, where they can meet donors and community members. Some students have left these events with job opportunities, additional financial support and relationships that continue to benefit them long after their time at Mt. Hood.
How the Application Works
Students need to complete only one application, accessible online at https://mhcc.academicworks.com/, to be considered for hundreds of scholarships. The process typically takes one to one and a half hours.
That bears repeating: Students need only one application to be considered for hundreds of scholarships.
Who Should Apply
All students should apply.
“Gone are the days where you had to be the star athlete or a 4.0 student,” McFarland said. “Applying for a scholarship is not difficult. It’s one application. You don’t have to wade through all of them. We have scholarships for part‑time — as little as taking three credits — full‑time, all the different majors and different GPA scales.”
Some scholarships require GPAs as low as 2.0 or 2.5.
Essays are important because applications are reviewed and scored by independent reviewers. Updated scoring criteria are available online in the FAQ section of the MHCC Scholarships webpage. Students can also find a library of video resources on YouTube explaining the process step‑by‑step. Support is available on campus through the AVID tutoring center, where students can receive help with their scholarship essays. McFarland said she is often available to help students with their essays as well.
When Are Scholarships Due?
Scholarship season at MHCC happens twice a year. The primary application window is open now and runs from Jan. 1 through March 31, with notifications sent out in mid‑May. A secondary round opens Aug. 1 through Oct. 15 to distribute any remaining funds, as well as any scholarships that become available later in the year.
What’s especially significant is that students only have to apply once per school year. If a student applies during the primary window, their application is automatically rolled over into the secondary round.
The Foundation has worked to ensure these scholarships are available and accessible to all students. If a student is unsure whether they qualify, the Foundation’s advice is clear: Apply anyway.
If a student has applied before and didn’t receive a scholarship, they are encouraged to contact McFarland directly. She can review their original application and offer suggestions for improvement.
With hundreds of scholarships available and only one application required, even one hour of effort could make a meaningful impact on a student’s educational journey.
Comments