California State PTA gratefully acknowledges Deutsche Bank for its generous support of this section

Scholarship Assistance Provides Partnering Opportunity

(Submitted August 2009)

The Moreno Valley Council PTA has found a way to help high school students navigate the daunting world of scholarships and forge community partnerships at the same time.

The council, in the Twenty-Third District PTA, in Riverside County, has compiled a local scholarship directory with the intention of providing annual training on how to complete scholarship applications for high school students and their families.

This effort will not only benefit students in promoting higher education, but the program will also advertise and promote the local businesses and organizations which provide scholarships. This recognition, in turn, will encourage citizens, and other businesses and organizations to develop scholarships and to contribute to current scholarship programs.

In addition, Moreno Valley Council PTA has partnered with the Riverside Community College, Moreno Valley Campus, to set up a One-Stop Shop in a Neighborhood Community Center. This center will provide educational training, job training, youth services, including a Youth Advisory Council, volunteer opportunities, and numerous other services for the community.

A scholarship training class has been scheduled for January 2010 at the One-Stop Shop. The scholarship directory is being compiled and will be available with information relating to scholarship opportunities and a description of each generous business and organization. Scholarship application forms will be available.

This partnership on behalf of students increases the visibility of Moreno Valley Council PTA throughout the community and solidifies its role as a provider of service to its PTSAs and members.