APPLY NOW: Scholarships for 2024-2025 at Copper Mountain College
Copper Mountain College’s scholarship application opens April 1st each year with a single online application for the following academic year. Due date is June 30th. Over 25 individual scholarships are awarded based on this application. A college-wide committee reviews the applications and announces scholarship recipients by August 31st.
Other Scholarships are offered from outside organizations but have their own unique criteria. Take a look and apply to any you qualify for.
Scholarship Application Rules of Thumb
- Read each scholarship’s specific qualifications thoroughly. You must meet ALL qualifications for each scholarship you select. If you do not meet even one of the qualifications, you do not qualify for that scholarship.
- Make sure you have the absolute minimum cumulative GPA for each scholarship selected.
- Make sure the number of units needed for each scholarship is the number you completed in the fall or you will complete in the spring.
- Ask more than two people to provide you with letters of recommendation. This ensures at least two references will submit recommendations on your behalf. Professional references only; no relatives or friends! At least one must be a former or current instructor or teacher.
- If a specific scholarship requires additional information or a separate essay, make sure you complete that requirement and submit it with your application.
- Make sure your application is completely filled out. Incomplete applications are automatically disqualified.
Clear, Concise Essay or Answering Questions
When answering application questions or writing an essay, make sure your answers and essay are well-thought-out, clearly written, and incorporate your life experiences. You should include work experience.
Clearly make a statement in your answers, and be sure that your answer directly addresses the questions posed.
Follow Instructions Carefully
All scholarships do not have the same requirements. Some require essays. Many have a minimum GPA. Others require minimum unit completion in the current and previous semesters.
Students who do not meet the minimum qualifications for that scholarship are disqualified. Make sure you answer all questions on the application thoroughly. You’re more likely to receive a high score if you follow directions precisely. If you don’t follow the application directions, your application will be disqualified.
Other Application Tips
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Apply Only if You Qualify
This is critical! Many students are disqualified for a scholarship because they do not meet the minimum requirements for that scholarship. If a scholarship requires an applicant to have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, you must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0. If you have a cumulative GPA of 2.8, don’t bother applying – you will be disqualified.
Review all of the scholarships and their requirements. Apply for every scholarship you qualify for. The committee tries to award scholarships to as many students as possible.
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Begin Early, Finish Early
Once you determine which scholarships to apply for, begin completing your application immediately. Set a self-imposed deadline of two weeks prior to the official deadline. This safeguard will help you submit your application on time. By beginning your application early, you’ll have time to polish your application, and not throw it together at the last possible minute, giving you a better quality submission.
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Proofread Your Application
It is always a great idea to proofread your application. You may want to “lay down” your application for a day and come back to it another day – you may find errors you otherwise would not have caught when you were tired. Correct spelling and grammar errors, and if you’re not sure, ask someone else to proofread it for you.
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Neatness Counts
Neat and well-organized applications are more professional than sloppily prepared applications and are viewed more favorably by the Committee.
Scholarship award selections are competitive. Treat your scholarship application materials as if you are applying for a job. You want to make the best impression possible.
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Selecting References
Think carefully about who knows you best when selecting your recommenders and give each of them plenty of time to write you a strong letter of recommendation.
Inform them of the requirements of the scholarship and ask them to address how you match the selection criteria. Don’t forget to check in with your recommenders at least a week before a deadline and make sure they are aware of all deadlines.
Once they write up a reference, send them a thank you note! Writing a good letter of recommendation is hard work, and you should let them know you appreciate their hard work!
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What Not To Do
- Do not wait until the last day or week to complete your application.
- Do not write too much or too little.
- Do not write a “cheerleading” statement. Focus on your specific strengths and achievements with examples of what you have done rather than vague references to yourself.
- Do not write negative comments or criticism; although being honest about yourself is important, reviewers take negative comments very seriously. This could impact the overall ranking of your essay.
- Do not rely on spell check for grammar and spelling. Work with an editor on every aspect of the content and structure of your essay.
- Do not lie or exaggerate.
Notification of Winners
Once you finish and submit your application, the next thing to do is wait. There are a few things you should know if you are awarded and how you are notified.
How & When Are the Winners Notified?
You will receive an award letter via email by August 31st.
How Is the Scholarship Award Applied?
The scholarship recipients must be enrolled in classes at CMC by the fall of the upcoming school year. The scholarship is only applied to the academic year it is awarded. If you do not attend in the fall or spring, that portion of your scholarship is forfeited. If you do not attend in the fall and spring, your entire scholarship is forfeited. Should you receive an award letter, there will be directions on how your scholarship award is disbursed.
Thank You Notes
If you receive a scholarship, be sure to write a thank you note. Copper Mountain College alumni and friends provide scholarships to help pay for your education because they believe students like you can make a difference in the world. It is important to give credit and thanks where it is due. This ensures that generous alumnae and donors are acknowledged for all they do to promote their Alma Mater’s future.
Copper Mountain College Foundation
PO Box 1398, 6162 Rotary Way
Joshua Tree, CA 92252
Donors ask for nothing in return, however, receiving a well-written thank you letter from a student is always special and lets the donor know that his or her scholarship was greatly appreciated. Your letter reminds them why they gave in the first place and often helps secure continuing gifts for future students.
Scholarship FAQs
If you have any questions regarding the application process, please refer to our FAQ section. You’ll more than likely find an answer to any of your burning questions here.
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Can a Student Outside Copper Mountain College Apply?
You must be enrolled at Copper Mountain College to receive a CMC scholarship. CMC scholarships are only awarded to students attending CMC. However, new students are encouraged to apply. Enrollment will be verified before awarding the scholarship. We are a community college and this is one way we can support our students.
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Can I Apply Online?
All CMC scholarship applications are completed on an online platform. Applications are open April 1 – June 30 each year.
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Why Do I Need Reference Letters?
CMC would like to hear more about you, academically and personally, from two different people. The purpose of a reference letter from your current instructor is to give the committee insight into you as a student. A reference letter from an employer, pastor, or other person helps CMC see you as an employee or a community member.