VENTURA, Calif. - TelAve -- For the fourth consecutive year, the Ventura College Foundation distributed a record amount of scholarship funding to students. A total of $1,037,741 in scholarships was awarded to students during the foundation's 37th Annual Scholarship Awards ceremony, May 16, at the Ventura College Sportsplex Field.

The foundation presented 537 scholarships for the 2026-27 academic year.

Of the amount awarded, $932,860 went toward general scholarships, $42,313 supported career education and $10,068 went for paramedic training. Other scholarships included $42,500 from the Port of Hueneme Workforce Development and $10,000 for Courage to Dream students. The scholarship funds benefited 393 student recipients, many of whom received multiple awards.

"Scholarships can remove the financial barriers that prevent students from attending a community college and beyond," said Nicole Kreutz, chair of the Ventura College Foundation board of directors. "Our students excel in school with the type of determination and focus that is just amazing."

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Engineering and Nursing were the top majors among students applying for scholarships, followed by Psychology, Business Administration, and Automotive Career Education. The majority of the scholarship applications came from students in Oxnard (34.7 percent), Ventura (34.5 percent) and the Santa Clara River Valley (14 percent).

Heather Omelas is a Phoenix scholarship recipient. Phoenix scholarships are awarded to re-entering students who have taken a break in their educational endeavors due to various life circumstances but have returned to Ventura College to earn an education or learn new occupational skills.

"As a single mom returning to school, support like this makes it possible for me to continue my education and work toward my goals," says Omelas. "Receiving two scholarships through the Ventura College Foundation has been life-changing, and I'm deeply thankful to the donors who made that possible. Their support goes further than they may ever realize."

The foundation received and reviewed 1,287 scholarship applications, a 16 percent increase from 2025. The foundation's Scholarship Review Committee enlisted the help of 120 volunteer readers who evaluated applications using a specific scoring scale. Those who met all the application requirements and had the highest scores were selected to receive scholarships.

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The Ventura College Foundation is grateful for the continuing support of scholarship event sponsors. This year's sponsors were Searle Creative, Composition Wealth, Trinity Wheeler Photography, Montecito Bank & Trust, Feddersen & Company, LLP, Citizens Business Bank, Ventura County Credit Union, OceanAir, Ed Summers, Rob van Nieuwburg and Luners Production Services.

Scholarship applications for the next academic year will be accepted beginning in the fall. For more about the Ventura College Foundation and donation opportunities, go to https://venturacollegefoundation.org.