CCAC Educational Foundation Scholarships
CCAC offers a variety of scholarships and funding to assist students in paying their tuition and purchasing the necessary books and student supplies. Read below for a summary of opportunities for new and current students, and contact scholarships@ccac.edu with additional questions.
Scholarships for Current CCAC Students
Each year, the CCAC Educational Foundation awards more than $600,000 from more than 100 individual scholarship funds. Eligibility details vary by scholarship, with common criteria including academic discipline, financial need and academic merit. Applications open each spring and fall semester via the online portal AwardSpring, which utilizes one comprehensive application to match students with each opportunity for which they are eligible, saving students the time and hassle of submitting multiple applications. Read below for additional information, and email scholarships@ccac.edu with questions.
Applications for Spring 2026 scholarships will be accepted via the AwardSpring online portal beginning October 1, 2025 until November 1, 2025.
Please click on the Application Requirements tab to get prepared.
Awarding decisions will announced via email in early December 2025.
Questions: scholarships@ccac.edu
Applications for Fall 2026 scholarships will be accepted via the AwardSpring online portal beginning April 1, 2026 until May 1, 2026.
Please click on the Application Requirements tab to get prepared.
Awarding decisions will announced via email in early June 2026.
Questions: scholarships@ccac.edu
Create an AwardSpring account utilizing an email address that you regularly check, preferably your CCAC student email account. For questions about creating an AwardSpring account, email scholarships@ccac.edu.
Every scholarship has unique eligibility requirements. After you complete your application on AwardSpring, it will automatically match you with all scholarships you are eligible for.
International students are eligible to apply.
You will need the following additional items to complete the scholarship application:
- A valid CCAC student ID number
- Your current CCAC GPA
- The number of credits you have completed at CCAC
- Your primary CCAC campus
- Your major/degree program
- The degree you are seeking (AA, AS, AAS, CERT, DIPL)
- A completed essay from the provided prompts
Answer the prompt fully. Your responses should thoroughly answer each of the questions in the prompt. Be specific and provide examples, when relevant.
Focus on your strengths. When writing your essay responses, tell us about what you are proud of and the positive qualities that you bring to the table.
Take your time. Remember that you can save your application and return at a later point.
Be authentic. Prioritize maintaining your unique voice over perfection. You do not need to share anything that you are uncomfortable sharing.
Essay Questions
Personal Introduction: Without providing your name, age, race, or ethnicity, please tell the Scholarship Committee about yourself. Why did you choose CCAC for your education? Please DO NOT identify your name, age, race or ethnicity in your essay.
This question provides you with the opportunity to introduce yourself to the review committee as a professional. We want to hear about the experiences that led you to this career path and the reasons why you chose to take this step in your educational journey, why you chose CCAC, and why you chose the degree program you are in.
(Optional) If you wish to provide supplementary information to explain your financial need, you may do so here. How have you been financing your education? How would scholarship funding help you to reach your academic and professional goals?
This question is optional, but it can help the review committee understand your financial situation and how the scholarship would benefit you. The questions in the Financial Information section can only tell us so much about your unique situation. This is your opportunity to explain how a scholarship would help your education and academic success.
Academic and Professional Goals: Where do you see yourself 10 years from now? What are your future goals, and how do you plan to use your CCAC education to help you achieve them?
Please limit your responses to this question to your goals directly related to your educational and professional plans. If you are still undecided, please explain potential plans and goals, your professional interests, and what your professional journey will look like after you graduate. Think about why you enrolled in CCAC in the first place. How will this step in your professional journey lead you to the next one?
(Optional) If you currently participate in CCAC extracurriculars, student clubs, leadership/mentorship activities, or community service that you wish to share with the scholarship review committee, you may do so here.
This question is also optional. However, this is another opportunity for you to tell us about yourself, including your interests, values, and passions. You may include any jobs, activism, volunteerism, hobbies, or leadership roles that you take part in alongside your education.
Scholarships for New CCAC Students
The High School to Career Scholarship provides a pathway for recent high school graduates to gain the skills and knowledge to begin a promising career in one of the region’s most in-demand workforce sectors. The scholarship provides up to $10,000 per student over five semesters at CCAC. See the application for submission instructions, including required documents. Applications and required documents must be submitted to the CCAC Educational Foundation by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, June 13, 2025. For questions about the High School to Career Scholarship, contact scholarships@ccac.edu.
Eligibility:
- Be a graduate of any high school in Allegheny County that is Pittsburgh Promise-ineligible with a minimum GPA of 2.75
- Be a 2022 or later high school graduate and enroll at CCAC within three years of graduation
- Have applied and/or registered for the fall 2025 semester at CCAC
- Be working toward an Associate of Science or Associate of Applied Science degree in one of the following programs: Applied Service and Trade Technologies, Electrical Construction Technology, Business Careers in Accounting, Computer and Information Technology, Engineering and Science Technologies or Health Careers
- Take a minimum of 12 credits per semester
- Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 once enrolled at CCAC
- Complete a FAFSA form
The Toni and Becky Pais Culinary Excellence Scholarship provides an opportunity for current restaurant and food service employees to pursue a degree and career in culinary arts. The scholarship awards up to $10,000 per student over five semesters at CCAC. Applications may be submitted online by Friday, June 6, 2025. For questions or to request a physical application packet by mail, please contact scholarships@ccac.edu.
Eligibility:
- Current active employment in a Pittsburgh restaurant, food service organization or other dining establishment
- Nomination by the chef, general manager, owner or similar authority of the dining establishment (via a letter of recommendation)
- Acceptance into a CCAC Culinary A.S. program and enrollment in at least nine credits/semester
- Completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
The C. Harper Auto Group Scholarship for Automotive Excellence is an exciting opportunity for students to pursue an Applied Associate Degree and gainful employment with the C. Harper Auto Group through CCAC’s automotive technology programs. The scholarship awards up to $12,000 per student over five semesters at CCAC. Applications may be submitted online by Friday, August 1, 2025. For questions or to request a physical application packet by mail, please contact scholarships@ccac.edu.
Eligibility:
- Acceptance into a CCAC automotive technology program
- Nomination by a CTE educator, school counselor or supervisor (via a letter of recommendation)
- Completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Tuition Exchange Program
Additional Funding Opportunities
Outside Scholarships
In addition to CCAC Educational Foundation scholarships, you may be eligible for non-CCAC scholarships. For non-CCAC scholarship opportunities, check out these websites:
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