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 Fall 2025 scholarships will be accepted via the AwardSpring online portal beginning April 1, 2025 until May 1, 2025.
Please click on the Application Requirements tab to get prepared.
Awarding decisions will announced via email in early June 2025.
Questions: scholarships@ccac.edu
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
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.
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
- Please talk about yourself and why you are attending CCAC. Please do not identify your name, age, race or ethnicity in your essay.
- How have you been financing your education thus far? Please list all financial aid: grants, outside scholarships (i.e., Pittsburgh Promise, Job Corps, etc.), CCAC scholarships, federal work-study positions, jobs or other aid you have received while attending CCAC.
- From a financial standpoint, what impact would a scholarship have on your education? How would you use a scholarship from the CCAC Educational Foundation?
- Where do you see yourself 10 years from now? What are your future goals, and what is your plan for achieving them?
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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