Columbia College in Sonora has ramped up to welcome students for a new semester in August, with all services face-to-face, many classes in person and unprecedented new offers for financial aid, scholarships and extra support.
“We want to welcome students back to campus, and let them know this is a great time to pursue their education here at Columbia,” said Interim President G.H. Javaheripour. “All of our services and many more of our classes will be face-to-face on campus this fall. That’s a huge step forward as we come through COVID restrictions.”
Students also will have access to more than $1 million in new financial aid through COVID relief over the next year, and more than $200,000 in new scholarship support through the Columbia College Foundation. For most Columbia students, the new financial programs will mean hundreds and even thousands of extra dollars each semester.
“We’ve never had this amount of assistance available before,” said Financial Aid Director Marnie Shively. “These financial aid and scholarship programs will give students a significant jump start, and we want as many students as possible to take advantage of this new support.”
Expanded financial aid will be available to students who fill out a 2021-22 Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act application (for undocumented students) and meet registration requirements for the Fall and Spring Semesters.
Students may be eligible for state and federal emergency grants in addition to standard financial aid. Students can contact the financial aid office for information at (209) 588-5105 or (209) 588-5272.
In addition, the Columbia College Foundation is offering some significant new awards to help students attend fulltime this fall:
• A $300-per-student “welcome bonus” for hundreds of new and returning students covered by its Columbia College Promise Program for local students who completed high school in 2020 or 2021.
• Twenty “CCC Finish Line” scholarships, at $2,500 per semester, for continuing students who are at least halfway to graduating and can attend fulltime.
• CCC Finish Line emergency grants available for students who need extra assistance in the coming school year.
“We know it’s been so hard for students during the pandemic,” said Foundation President Jeff Warren. “We are grateful for these extra resources to encourage them to stay on track.”
For more information on the Fall Semester, contact the college at (209) 588-5109, or visit the college website at www.gocolumbia.edu
New students also are invited to come to campus and attend a Claim Jumper Day from noon to 3 p.m. on either July 22 or Aug. 11. These days are designed to welcome and orient new students to college life at Columbia College. A campus tour led by student leaders will include active and engaging stops for students to accomplish new student steps including applications and academic advising. Register today at 209-588-5109 or send an email to claimjumpers@yosemite.edu.
For general information or to get college ready, get one-on-one support by contacting Motherlode Educational Opportunity Center (MEOC) at 209-588-5066. MEOC is a federally funded program and can serve any college-bound person.
