Scholarship enhance the life of a deserving Napa Valley College student. Scholarships have been established through the generosity of businesses, associations and individuals. These scholarships reward student achievement, encourage student leadership and accomplishment, and provide needed financial assistance. Click here for the Scholarship Donation form, print it and mail it to the Foundation office.
Scholarships have been instituted to honor or remember family, friends or organizations. Some scholarships are created to provide trained professionals in needed fields of study. For whatever reason, financial assistance helps students receive the necessary education to compete in today’s world.
Scholarship recipients
Presented here are lists of past recipients of scholarships at Napa Valley College.
Applying for scholarships
Scholarship applications are available from the NVC Financial Aid/EOPS Office. Applications specify eligibility guidelines and requirements. Scholarship awards may be based on academic achievement, academic major, community service or financial need. One-hour workshops are usually conducted in December and January of each year for scholarship applicants. To learn more, contact the NVC Financial Aid/EOPS Office at (707) 253-3020 or visit their website Scholarship page.
How is a scholarship established?
A scholarship can be established in two ways:
- Endowments have the advantage of providing funds for the scholarship in perpetuity, but do require a minimum amount of $10,000 to establish and to activate.
Donors may begin a fund with a contribution of $1,000, provided that additional contributions are made to reach the amount of $10,000 within a five-year period. Once a scholarship fund reaches permanent status, one year is needed to accumulate income sufficient to fund the scholarship award. Prior to activation of the scholarship, all annual interest and earnings from the investment of the fund will be returned to the principle 
to help achieve the minimum specified amount. A scholarship may be awarded in the academic year a fund is established, only if the donor(s) augments the account by an additional amount that is specified for the scholarship award. If minimum funding ($10,000 or more) is not accomplished within five years after the initial contribution, all accumulated contributions will be placed in a pooled NVCF scholarship endowment fund (a fund which provides awards to high school, continuing and transfer students).
- These funds are restricted for scholarships, which are generally awarded to students on an annual basis each May.
- The donor may establish the criteria for selection of the scholarship recipient(s) or give the NVC Scholarship Committee the opportunity to award the scholarship to a deserving student who would otherwise not be selected.
- Endowed scholarships share in the annual distribution of earnings generated by NVC Foundation investments.
The amount of the scholarship to be awarded depends on the amount of the endowment.
For example: A $10,000 endowment will generate approximately $400-$500 each year. Click here for a list of Endowed Scholarships.
- Annual scholarships can be established with a one-time contribution or as an annual scholarship to a student or students. As of July 1, 2006, minimum scholarship award amounts are $300. a donor may name a general scholarship (no criteria) with a minimum $500 contribution; donations of $1,000 or more enable a donor to set broad criteria; and $2,500+ donations may be named with full criteria.
- Annual scholarships are generally awarded in the year the money is received by the Foundation.
- These are expendable funds and do not share in the distribution of earnings.
- The donor may establish the criteria for selection of the scholarship recipient(s) or give the NVC Scholarship Committee the opportunity to award the scholarship to a deserving student who would otherwise not be selected.
Click here for a list of Annual Scholarships.
What happens when a scholarship is established?
Scholarships are known by a name designated by the donor.
Recipients are selected annually by a scholarship committee of NVC faculty, staff, administrators.
The NVC Foundation publishes the list of awardees in the Annual Scholarship program.
The names of scholarship recipients are announced at the Annual Scholarship Ceremony held in the spring.
How will students know about the scholarship?
The availability of the scholarship, specifying the guidelines and the sponsor, is provided by the Financial Aid office. Workshops are conducted in December.
How are the scholarships monitored?
Scholarships provide funding for one academic year. The Financial Aid Office checks to see that the students have met the scholarship criteria before funds are distributed in May.
How are the scholarships awarded?
Each spring, the college holds a Scholarship Ceremony. Donors or their representatives are notified of the awardee and invited to participate by meeting the recipient and having their picture taken.
For information on how to establish a scholarship, please contact the NVC Foundation office at (707) 253-3374, or e-mail nvcf@napavalley.edu
Susan Callahan, Linda Lewis, Kathi Metro and Steve Reinbolt at the Scholarship Reception.