In honor of Cochise College’s upcoming 50th anniversary to be celebrated throughout the 2014-15 academic year, the Cochise College Foundation has unveiled the 50th Anniversary Scholars program, which will award 50 scholarships worth $1,000 each to outstanding Cochise County high school graduating seniors or home schooled students enrolling full-time at Cochise College.
Eligible students should go online to complete the foundation’s STARS scholarship application, which is now open for all future and current Cochise College students seeking financial assistance to attend school next year. The deadline to submit the scholarship application, which requires general student information and completed essays, is March 31.
“We’re encouraging students to plan and apply earlier this year,” said Denise Hoyos, Executive Director of the Cochise College Foundation. “Don’t wait until the last minute for scholarships or financial aid, because you could be leaving money behind.”
Last year, the foundation awarded nearly 400 scholarships worth more than $335,000. Most of the foundation’s scholarships are provided by individuals, organizations and companies with ties to Cochise County.
Scholarships are available for both full- and part-time students. They do not need to be repaid but are considered part of a student’s financial aid package. Typically, students need to be enrolled in six or more credits to qualify.
To make the most of scholarship and financial aid opportunities, after students have completed the STARS application process, they should file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and register for the fall semester by the financial aid priority deadline of May 1.
However, not all scholarships require a completed STARS application. By completing the FAFSA and signing up for fall classes by May 1, students may be automatically qualified for non-essay scholarships.
“We’re doing things differently this year and trying to make it easier on students,” said Karen Emmer, Cochise College Financial Aid Director. “This year, if you have your FAFSA done and you’re registered for fall classes, if you’re eligible for a scholarship that doesn’t require an essay, you’ll get it without having to go through STARS. But it’s very important to meet that May 1 priority deadline.”
For more information about Cochise College scholarships or financial aid, contact the Financial Aid Department at (520) 417-4045 or (520) 515-5417, or visit cochise.edu/FA.
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The majority of Cochise College scholarship recipients were announced last fall. Since then, the following scholarships established by families in memory of loved ones have been awarded:
- Arthur and Jeanne Milczarek Memorial Scholarship
$1,000 awarded to a full-time returning student with a 3.5 or higher GPA who also attended Buena High School.
Recipient: Ricardo Martinez - Helen Mulholland Memorial Scholarship
$1,200 awarded to a full-time returning student with a 2.5 or higher GPA, pursuing an Associate of Science degree or pursuing a career in Secondary Science or Math Education, and taking the majority of classes on the Douglas Campus.
Recipient: Louie Garcia