Scholarships for community college students in Arizona?

I'm a high school junior in Arizona thinking about starting at a community college after graduation. Are there any specific scholarships I should know about for students here? I'd love any advice or personal experiences.

It's terrific that you're starting to research scholarships early. Scholarships for incoming community college can certainly put a dent in your educational expenses. Being in Arizona, there are indeed various scholarships available for you to apply.

One resource to consider is the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation Scholarships. The Foundation offers more than 200 scholarships to students attending its community colleges, so this would be a key resource if you're considering a Maricopa college. The scholarships are available to both full-time and part-time students.

Additionally, the Arizona Community Foundation offers multiple scholarships for Arizona residents, some of which extend to community college students. The scholarships have varying eligibility criteria – some are need-based, others are based on leadership abilities or community involvement, and there are also several scholarships for students studying particular fields, such as engineering or healthcare.

You might also want to explore the PEO Program for Continuing Education. While this is a need-based grant program, it's specifically designed for women in Arizona (and other states) who are returning to school to complete a degree or certification that improves their marketable skills.

Lastly, don't forget to complete the FAFSA form which determines your eligibility for federal grants, some of which are specially designed for community college students and might be more accessible than competitive scholarships.

Remember to apply as early as possible and keep an eye out for deadlines. Applying to multiple scholarships can increase your chances of receiving award money, but be sure to tailor each application to the specific requirements and prompts of the scholarship. It also doesn't hurt to reach out to your prospective community college's financial aid office for more localized scholarship opportunities.