Updated 2.5.2024
TRADE SCHOOL AND COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
The Mary Graham Foundation is a private non-profit organization and is not affiliated with any public agency, nor does the Foundation receive or distribute public moneys outside of grant funding. Funding is made at the sole discretion of the Foundation Board of Directors.
FUNDING GUIDELINES
Funding is provided to each student on a case-by-case evaluation. No funding is provided until ALL other funding sources are awarded. Note that these amounts are guidelines only, and that students are not guaranteed to receive the amounts below.
Community College $500 – $8,000 per year
California State University system $2,000 – $10,000 per year
University of California system $2,000 – $12,000 per year
Private 4-Year University $2,000 – $12,000 per year
Vocational/Technical school $8,000 – $10,000 per year
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Individuals who were a dependent of San Joaquin County Foster Care system at any time during their minor years (age 0 to 18).
If placed outside of San Joaquin County during dependency, youth would still be considered eligible to apply for the Mary Graham Foundation scholarship.
Applicant should have a minimum of a 2.0 GPA in high school and/or college if already attending.
Applicant must be enrolled in school full-time (12 units or more) at the time the scholarship is awarded.
Applicant is required to have applied for all financial aid available. Proof of Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) submission is required.
Students are required to reapply every term and complete a new budget form.
DEADLINES FOR APPLICATIONS (New and Returning Students)
New and returning student applications and additional required documents must be uploaded to the MGCF online portal by the dates indicated below.
Fall Semester: June 30
Spring Semester: November 15
Summer School: April 1
Failure to submit all the required documents by the deadline may result in denial of scholarship funds.
WORK REQUIREMENTS WHILE ATTENDING SCHOOL
When possible, students are encouraged to work part-time during the school year to supplement their income. However, it is the Foundation’s expectation that work will not interfere with school attendance or grades. Therefore, applicants need to consider this when calculating financial needs throughout the school year.
HOUSING
Students attending a four-year college are expected to live in on-campus housing; however, should they choose to live off-campus, housing assistance may be requested and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Students attending two-year community college or a vocational school may be provided housing assistance if they are attending full-time and on-campus housing is not offered.
MONTHLY STIPENDS
Students may be awarded a monthly stipend, as determined by the Foundation, to assist with living expenses. Tuition and all school-related expenses will be paid directly to the school. Rental assistance, car insurance or similar expenses will be paid directly to the landlord or creditor.
HOW TO APPLY – New Applicants
Applications must be made through the MGCF online portal at https://marygrahamfoundation.org under Scholarships. Completed applications must be submitted via the scholarship portal along with:
• A copy of the student’s most recent transcripts
• Proof that the student has filed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• Copy of the student’s Ward of the Court letter
EXAMPLES OF COMMONLY FUNDED ITEMS – New Applicants
• Tuition and student-related fees
• Books and school supplies
• Housing and related living expenses
• Groceries
• Certain medical expenses
SCREENING PROCESS – New Applicants
The Executive Director will review applications and determine if they meet eligibility criteria. The applications will then be forwarded to the Scholarship Committee for review.
The Executive Director will schedule a face-to-face meeting between the student and Scholarship Committee. This is an informal meeting designed to get to know the student.
REQUIREMENTS – New Applicants
Upon being accepted into the scholarship program, students must follow the requirements of the program and guidelines set forth by the Foundation.
Applicants must sign the scholarship Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Release of Information forms, as well as complete a Foundation budget form before funds are released. The MOU states that the scholarship recipient must:
Provide complete and accurate information about income and expenses on the MGCF Budget Form. Failure to do so may result in a reduction or cancellation of scholarship funds.
If requesting funds for rent, a copy of the lease will be required.
If requesting funds for utilities, cell phone, car payments, car insurance, etc., a copy of the last two months of bills will be required.
Sign a release of information form that authorizes an assigned mentor, or Foundation staff to obtain transcripts and enrollment information from the college or trade school if the need arises. Scholarship funds will not be released to the student’s school until this form is signed and received by the Foundation.
Complete at least 12 units and maintain a 2.0 GPA or better each quarter/semester or successfully complete vocational training coursework.
Send a copy of grades to the Executive Director no later than 10 days after they are received.
Provide student ID number and student portal login and password to the Executive Director.
Submit renewal scholarship application, grades and proof of continuing enrollment, along with any proof of financial aid for the following school year to the scholarship coordinator by the given deadline.
Correspond with mentor at least once a month.
HOW TO APPLY – Returning Applicants
Applications must be made through the MGCF online portal at https://marygrahamfoundation.org under Scholarships. Completed applications must be submitted via the scholarship portal along with:
• A copy of student’s most recent transcripts
• MGCF official budget form
EXAMPLES OF COMMONLY FUNDED ITEMS – Returning Applicants
• Tuition and student-related fees
• Books and school supplies
• Housing and related living expenses
• Groceries
• Certain medical expenses
PROBATION
Scholarship recipients must maintain an overall GPA of 2.0. If a student’s GPA is lower than 2.0 for one semester, they will continue to receive approved funding but will be placed on probation for the following semester. If, during that semester, the student does not bring GPA up to the 2.0 GPA minimum funding may be declined.
Help With Student Loan: In the special circumstance that a student’s scholarship is denied due to probationary status, and the student take a student loan(s), they may apply to the Foundation after they have completed school to repay one semester’s worth of the loans. Note that the most a student can receive under these special circumstances is the amount that the Foundation awarded for the student’s last semester (likely the probationary semester). Repayment of a student’s loan is considered on a case-by-case basis and is NOT guaranteed.