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Institutional Programs

Work-Study Program

The Work-Study Program provides on campus jobs for eligible students to earn money to help pay for educational expenses, learn/enhance employment skills and gain valuable experience. Institutional Work-Study is a non-need based program, meaning it does not count towards your cost of attendance. The hourly rate is at least the current state minimum wage. The total work-study award depends on the amount of money the school has for the program and enrollment status. Taft College students currently enrolled may work up to a maximum of 20 hours per week.

To participate in the program, students must meet and maintain the requirements of the Federal Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy as determined by the college. Additional information is provided under the Taft College Federal Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy (hard copies are available in the Financial Aid & Scholarships Department).

Taft College Scholarship Programs

Scholarship Programs have been established at Taft College. The Board of Trustees of the West Kern Community College District determines funds available for these programs annually.

Criteria for Scholarships

To qualify, a student must show excellence in past academic achievement by receiving a minimum 3.00 cumulative grade point average or better, in either high school or 12 or more units of college work in the last semester enrolled. 

 

Taft College Scholarship

A $125 per semester scholarship is given to California residents or AB540 students who meet the scholarship criteria. A recipient must maintain a 3.00 cumulative grade point average, pass 12 or more units with a 3.00 grade point average in the previous semester and enroll in 12 units or more in the next semester. A student can earn this scholarship a maximum of four semesters. It is highly recommended all students complete the FAFSA or CADAA.

 

Taft College Non-Resident Scholarship

A Non-Resident student entering Taft College with a 3.00 or better high school cumulative grade point average or a 3.00 cumulative grade point average as a full-time college student the previous term and enrolls as a full-time student is eligible to receive the Non-Resident scholarship. The student must attend on-campus to receive the Non-Resident scholarship. This scholarship is applied to Non-Resident tuition and can be earned a maximum of two semesters. To receive the second semester Non-Resident scholarship the student must have passed 12 or more units and maintain a 3.00 or better semester grade point average and re-enroll as a full-time student. A Non-Resident student who enters Taft College as a full time student with a cumulative grade point average of less than 3.00 and earns a cumulative 3.00 or better in 12 or more units at Taft College and re-enrolls as a full time student may receive a Non-Resident scholarship for one semester. It is highly recommended all students complete the FAFSA or CADAA.

 

Taft College District High School Academic Merit Award

A $600 Academic Merit Award is given to any graduating high school senior in the West Kern Community College District (Taft High, Maricopa High, and Buena Vista High Schools) who has a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or better and enrolls in 12 or more units at Taft College as a first time college student, within one year of receiving the award. The student will receive $300 the first semester of enrollment. In order to retain this award, a student must pass 12 units or more with a 3.00 or better semester grade point average and enroll in 12 or more units the following semester. An Academic Merit Award recipient is not eligible for the Taft College Scholarship during the semesters of their Academic Merit Award eligibility. No financial aid form is required however a final high school transcript IS required. Additional information can be obtained in the Financial Aid & Scholarships Department.

 

Finish Line Scholars Program

The California Community Colleges Finish Line Scholars Program provides scholarships to community college students who are halfway through their course of study to enable them to finish their goal of completing a certificate or degree or transferring to a college or university. It also provides emergency financial aid to students facing unexpected financial hardships. The program is designed to help eliminate regional educational opportunity gaps by supporting students in three regions in California.

The Finish Line Scholars Program is made possible through an extraordinary philanthropic gift, a pledge of $100,000,000 over a span of 20 years to support our students. This gift can make a meaningful, measurable, and lasting difference by helping more students overcome challenges and go all-in to achieve their educational goals. Plus, in the long-term, it will help build a well prepared workforce, a strong economy, and a bright future for communities in three regions of California.

Minimum first-time scholarship eligibility requirements include the following:

  • The student must receive a tuition fee waiver under the California College Promise Grant Program.
  • The student's goal must be completion of a certificate or degree program, or transfer to a four-year college or university.
  • The student must take at least 12 units or maintain an alternate full-time equivalent status during all terms in which the scholarship is active.
  • The student must be making progress toward their goal as indicated by having completed approximately half of the credits required for their program and must have a realistic plan to finish the remainder of their goal in under 2 academic years.
  • Additionally, students pursuing a degree or transfer must also meet two of these three criteria:
    • Have completed a transfer level English course
    • Have completed a transfer level math course
    • Have a GPA of 2.5 or higher

Additional information can be obtained in the Financial Aid and Scholarships Department.

 

Osher Scholarship

The Osher Scholarships are made possible by a generous commitment from the Bernard Osher Foundation, which donated $25 million to the Foundation for California Community Colleges to establish an endowment to provide permanent scholarship support to California Community College students. Thanks to the Osher Foundation and our local sponsors, Taft College will be able to award scholarships to students every year.

The Osher Foundation established this endowment to support students who have demonstrated a commitment to completing their education, which is why it specifies the scholarships go to students with at least 24 units or more successfully completed. In addition, the program recognizes certain financial hardships can make it difficult to pay for the cost of attending college. These scholarships are intended to help you reach your educational goals and can be applied toward any education-related costs, including textbooks, lab fees, uniforms and any other education-related fee.

Minimum first-time scholarship eligibility requirements include the following:

  • Successfully completed 24 or more "degree applicable" semester units (or the quarter equivalent) at the time of the initial scholarship disbursement.
  • Be enrolled at least half time (6 or more units) during all terms in which the award remains active.
  • Be eligible to receive a California College Promise Grant (fee waiver).

Additional information can be obtained in the Financial Aid and Scholarships Department.

Community Scholarships

Various individuals, community organizations, and businesses annually provide scholarships to Taft College students. Applications are available in the Financial Aid & Scholarships Department or on our web site at www.taftcollege.edu at the beginning of each spring semester. Scholarship awards are presented at the college’s scholarship/awards luncheon. Most awards require confirmation of subsequent enrollment in a post-secondary institution before the scholarship is paid.

Outside Scholarships

There are many outside scholarships available to qualified students. Business firms, organizations and four-year colleges provide scholarships for students. Notices regarding scholarship opportunities are posted throughout the year on the website. The college library is also an excellent source of information regarding scholarship opportunities. As a resource, Taft College posts information on our website with links to outside scholarships. Taft College does not endorse any specific site.

Taft College Promise Program

Taft College is making an investment in our local students. All Taft College students are required to maintain full-time status and are strongly encouraged to take classes during the summer session to accelerate movement towards graduation. Promise students work with an experienced academic counselor who meets with the students regularly and provides comprehensive academic, social, and personal support. We are therefore providing a Taft College Promise to local high school graduates in our service area to help remove financial barriers to students who attend Taft College full-time. For students who have applied and completed their financial aid file, and there is a gap between the student's financial aid award and the tuition and fees, the Taft College Promise Program will help to reduce the cost of textbooks and supplies up to $250 per semester for those students not receiving financial aid to cover the cost. The Promise Program pays last after financial aid and other benefits programs.

How can we help?

Classes:

Worried about paying for classes?

Taft College Promise students are eligible to have their enrollment fees waived for up to two years starting their freshman year. Focus on school and let us worry about the rest.

Books:

Taft College Promise students who are not eligible for financial aid have access to book grants to help cover the cost of the books and supplies they will need for their classes.

Counseling:

The Taft College Promise Program gives students access to a specific counselor to ensure they are on the right path to achieving their goals.

Am I eligible?

To be eligible, students must have recently graduated from a local high school and be eligible for in-state tuition. Eligible high schools include:

  • Taft Union High School
  • Maricopa High School
  • Buena Vista Continuation High School

Students must complete the appropriate application for financial aid. This includes the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act application (CADAA). However, students are not required to qualify for financial aid.

Taft College Promise Students must enroll in a minimum of 12 units every Fall and Spring they attend to stay eligible for the program.

Their first Fall semester, every Promise student is required to take Student Success with the program counselor, Dr. Vicki Jacobi.

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