College Secures $150,000 to Help Students Reach the Finish Line

A $150,000 grant awarded for the 2026–27 academic year will provide additional scholarship and emergency financial aid support to students working toward degree completion, certificate attainment, or transfer to a four-year institution.

The award represents continued participation in the California Community Colleges Finish Line Scholars Program, a statewide initiative administered by the Foundation for California Community Colleges and supported by a $100 million, 20-year pledge from the Jay Pritzker Foundation. Colleges participate through a competitive annual application process designed to align funding with student need.

“Since 2020, we have submitted an application each year for the $150,000 Finish Line Scholars grant so we can continue expanding resources for our students,” said J. Carlos Ponce, director of Student Financial Services. “Being awarded again allows us to respond to financial challenges that can derail students who are otherwise close to completing their academic goals.”

The Finish Line Scholars Program prioritizes colleges located in regions with some of the lowest rates of adult educational attainment in California, including the Inland Empire, Central Valley, and Far North. These regions also reflect higher concentrations of students facing economic barriers such as limited broadband access, housing and food insecurity, and reliance on free or reduced-price meals during high school. The program is structured to address these challenges through a combination of targeted scholarships and emergency financial aid, allowing colleges flexibility in meeting local student needs.

Statewide, the program has supported tens of thousands of community college students since its launch during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent annual data show that more than half of scholarship recipients completed their educational goal within the academic year, reinforcing the program’s focus on persistence and completion.

The 2026–27 grant funds will be distributed directly to eligible students beginning in July 2026 as scholarships or emergency financial assistance.

To learn more about eligibility or to explore other financial aid options, visit the Moreno Valley College Financial Aid webpage.