Financial Aid

Scholarships

How are scholarships the same as grants?

Both are "gift" aid which does not require repayment and can be used to support a student's education. 

How are scholarships different from grants?

Scholarships require separate applications. They are funded by different sources –foundations, community organizations, businesses and associations, local clubs and groups.

Scholarships are granted according to a donor's requirements. Awarding criteria may include academic achievement and promise, career goals, community service and volunteer work, and/or special skills and talents. Unlike grants, which are determined on a "need" basis, scholarships are "merit-based," although some may stipulate "need."

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Types of Scholarships

Butte College offers scholarships through the Butte College Foundation.

• An online scholarship application is available in the spring for the following fall semester. Follow the link above to find the current year deadline dates. 

• Information for filling out the application can be found on the Foundation web site.

• Follow this link to a list of current available scholarships and their criteria. The list changes throughout the year according to availability so check often and be aware of deadlines!

For more information or questions regarding scholarships, please contact:

Butte College Foundation
3536 Butte Campus Dr., SAS-355
Oroville, CA  95965

Phone: (530) 895-2359
Fax: (530) 895-2292
Email: foundation@big5vn.com

External (Private) Scholarships

External scholarships are also available through the Foundation web site. These are scholarships available through sources outside of Butte College. You will need to follow each external scholarship's instructions for applying.

• High school seniors should consult their guidance and counseling offices for lists of available local scholarships and apply for them in the spring of their senior year.

• Sources for students throughout their college careers can be community and local, state, and national organizations; national foundations; state and federal agencies; companies and businesses; labor unions; private donors.

• There are many FREE scholarship searches available on the Web. Do not pay for scholarship search services. View Scholarship Search Hints and some recommended Scholarship Search Links, below.

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Scholarship Search Hints

Follow these tips to ensure better scholarship search results:

• Remember that no one finds a scholarship for you. As a student, you have to do the research.
• Narrow your search terms; e.g. "STEM" (science, technology, engineering, math); "adult student;" "nursing;" "minority scholarship;" etc.
• Be as specific as you can about your personal "identifiers" such as age, race, ethnicity, religion, your parents' education level, active duty, etc.
• Do not check a box that gives your approval for sharing information with affiliate partners.