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Scholarships at Pima

College tuition is more affordable with scholarships. Pima Community College, the PCC Foundation, and generous donors are ready to help you achieve your dreams.

Many scholarships require completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) first, so we encourage you to apply for federal student aid before pursuing a scholarship.

Pima-funded scholarships

To offset the cost of tuition, Pima has created several institutional scholarships. Click on each scholarship for more information. You may apply for these scholarships and see current offerings using Academic Works.

About: Established in 2013, Earn to Learn operates the largest and most successful matched-savings scholarship program in the nation. Earn to Learn combines scholarships, financial education and college success coaching to help low- and moderate-income students graduate from college with little or no student loan debt. Eligible students who save up to $500 and are admitted to PCC are eligible for matching funds of up to $4,000 to pay for tuition, fees and school-related expenses, an $8-to-$1 match. 

Eligibility: The program is open to both current and new students who will be enrolled at PCC in Fall 2021. Beyond income-qualification, Earn to Learn Scholars must complete financial literacy training and the 2021-22 FAFSA. Students also are expected to complete 30 credits by the end of the 2021-2022 school year. Students who transfer from Pima can remain in Earn to Learn if they attend one of the state’s three public universities. A student may be part of the Earn to Learn program for up to four years.

Interest form: Complete the Fall 2021 Early Interest Form at Earn to Learn. Stay tuned for the upcoming deadline!

About: This scholarship is awarded to graduating high school seniors of Pima County who graduate with a 3.5 GPA or better or have a GED average test score of 165 or higher. 

Eligibility:  Students must show on their application they have experience with leadership and/or community service. You must be a resident of Pima County, eligible for general (in-state) tuition, and have not already received another tuition waiver or similar form of aid. Students must be enrolled at PCC for the Fall semester immediately following high school graduation

Deadline extended:  now April 30, 2020

About: Awarded to new and returning Pima students who are Pima County residents, this scholarship is meant for students who have achieved success academically and in their community.

Eligibility: Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA or higher and must submit documentation of completed community service or volunteer work.

About: A scholarship awarded to Pima County residents who completed a GED between July 1, 2016 and June 30, 2019. 

Eligibility:  Eligible applicants must have completed their GED with an average test score of 145 or higher. Applicants do not need to be a resident of Pima County, however Pima County residents are given preference. Applicants must not have already received another tuition waiver or similar form of aid. Students must be enrolled at PCC for the Fall 2020 semester.

Deadline: April 30, 2020

About: This award is intended to assist students pursuing a degree or certificate at Pima Community College and taking courses during the Summer Sessions A, C and D. Currently, any courses taken during Session B are not eligible for this tuition waiver award. This award is not renewable, and is a one time award for summer. The award is not transferable to a different semester or institution.

Eligibility: The requirement is a minimum Cumulative GPA of 2.5. The scholarship will pay for a minimum of 3 credit hours and a maximum of 15 credits hours of general in-state tuition and the associated Student Services fees and Technology fees for courses taken during Summer Sessions A, C and D only. 

PCC Foundation & Other scholarships

Pima alumni and other generous donors throughout Arizona create and contribute to a variety of scholarships. Programs change by semester. You can browse current offerings through Academic Works.

Academic Works lists only Pima and Pima foundation scholarships. However, there are many local and national scholarships for which you can apply. We suggest beginning your search with regional/local scholarships, as there’s less competition, and then broadening to national scholarships. 

If you are a current or former foster youth in Arizona, you may qualify for tuition assistance. Visit the Arizona Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Program and the Arizona Tuition Waiver for more information.

  • Applying for scholarships

Before applying to anything, be aware that some scholarship offers are scams. We’ve created a list of scholarship tips and tricks to help in your application process. 

To apply for Pima-specific scholarships, log in to Log in to MyPima and select "Students," then "Register and Pay." PCC Scholarship is in the left column. After clicking the link, you will be taken to a page that will display the General Application Questions you must complete to apply. Be sure to click on "Applicant Record" to verify your information.

After you have completed the essays for the general application, a list of recommended opportunities will appear if you meet the criteria. These scholarships are called "Apply-to" opportunities. You will also be "Auto-Matched" to opportunities because of certain qualifiers in your personal student record, such as program of study and GPA.

To apply for external scholarships (offered by outside donors and agencies) go to pima.scholarshipuniverse.com.  This system will greatly reduce the amount of research you have to do to find external scholarships.  It is simply based on your answers to questions.  

  • It is safe to enter your information as these scholarships have been vetted.
  • The application process consists of answering a series of questions regarding yourself and your academic and career goals.  The more questions you answer the more opportunities you will be able to apply for.
  • Questions? Submit your feedback directly through the feedback button in the system or email scholarships@pima.edu. 

If you are awarded a scholarship, your funds will be sent either to Pima or to you. 

  • If funds are sent to Pima, the Scholarship Office will be notified before the funds are sent to Financial Aid and posted to your account.
  • For awards sent to you directly, you may deposit the check in your account, and you must report the aid to the Financial Aid Office.
  • For any award made out to both you and Pima, you must endorse the check and turn it into the Scholarship Office to be posted to your account. This takes around 5-10 days.

Scholarship questions

If you are a recipient of a Pima scholarship, please check Academic Works in MyPima to verify the award status. You may also check your Financial Aid page in MyPima to see if the award is pending or if it has been disbursed.

For additional questions, please contact scholarships@pima.edu.

Tip: Write a thank you note to your scholarship donor. We also suggest checking with your donor before you drop or withdraw from a class, as this may affect your award and eligibility.

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