For hundreds of students at Palomar College, scholarships offered by the Palomar College Foundation are more than just financial support. They are a beacon of hope, enabling students to focus on their studies without the heavy burden of financial stress.

Applications for scholarships for the 2025-2026 academic year opened on May 5 and remain open until August 15, timed with the start of enrollment for the summer and fall academic terms. This alignment gives students an opportunity to prepare financially and academically for the journey ahead.

The Foundation has added 23 new scholarships in the past two years, making it possible to award up to 650 scholarships for the upcoming academic year. Last year, the Foundation awarded more than $501,000 in scholarships to students studying in all academic and career training programs.

Beyond scholarships, the foundation responded to immediate student needs, awarding emergency grants totaling more than $36,500 to 144 students. The grants are awarded to students facing an unexpected crises that could imperil their education, and allows them to get quickly back on their path to completion.

“Our generous donors believe, with unwavering conviction, that education holds the power to break barriers and transform lives—and because of their support, we’re helping students unlock a future filled with possibility,” said Stacy Rungaitis, Executive Director of the Palomar College Foundation.

The impact of the scholarships was demonstrated by Palomar College students who received them. Christina Roble, a Palomar College nursing student, said that receiving the Jerry and Sharon Stein Scholarship allowed her to pay her tuition and stay on the path to becoming an ER nurse.

“I am committed to making the most of this opportunity and using it to make a positive difference in the world as a current EMT, ED Tech, and as a future ER nurse,” she wrote.

Freddy Farias Solis, a Marine veteran who is now studying biology at Palomar College, said he was using the scholarship funds to buy books and materials for his classes.

“I am pursuing a bachelor’s in biology to one day have a career in the medical field as I enjoy being able to help people and want to give back to the community,” he wrote.

Every scholarship is a message to a student that someone believes in them and that they are not alone on their educational journey. Through this support, lives are being changed.

Students interested in applying should visit the Palomar College Financial Aid and Scholarships website.