Ways to Give to the Cuesta College Foundation

Support the Cuesta College Foundation

 

Support the Cuesta Fund

The Cuesta Fund addresses the college’s highest priorities—emergency grants, scholarships, student services, academic programs, and innovation. It’s one of the most flexible and impactful ways to support student success.
Learn more about the Cuesta Fund »

 
Support Student Success

The Cuesta College Foundation offers a variety of ways to help students stay on track and reach their goals. Our team is here to match your philanthropic interests with meaningful opportunities to support Cuesta students.

 
Scholarships

Scholarships support students based on financial need, academic achievement, field of study, or other donor-defined criteria. They are awarded through Cuesta’s annual scholarship process and disbursed through the Office of Financial Aid—half in the fall and half in the spring.

Annual Scholarships: Start at $500
Endowed Scholarships: Begin at $10,000 and support students in perpetuity through interest earned annually
Students apply October 1 – March 2 for the following academic year.

Note: Scholarships follow IRS and Prop 209 guidelines. Donors may not participate in the selection process.

 
Student Awards

Student awards are based on similar criteria as scholarships but are distributed by a pre-determined Cuesta group (e.g., academic departments, employee committees).

• Annual Student Awards: Typically up to $500 per student per tax year
• Endowed Student Awards: Begin at $10,000 and are awarded from interest earned each year
• Funds are disbursed by the Foundation upon request from the awarding group. Students receive checks directly from the Cuesta College Foundation.

Note: Students may be responsible for taxes, as awards are given outside the financial aid process.

 
Named Student Scholarships

These funds are directed to a specific student selected by an outside organization (e.g., service clubs, community foundations). Cuesta’s Financial Aid Office disburses the funds, but if the student doesn’t enroll, the gift is returned to the originating organization.

Important: These are not tax-deductible as gifts to the college per IRS rules.

 
Emergency Grants

Emergency grants help students facing unexpected financial hardships. The Cuesta Assistance for Student Emergencies (CASE) Fund provides grants—generally up to $500—for food, housing, transportation, or academic needs.

Students apply online through Financial Aid
Funds are issued as checks from the Foundation upon approval
Note: Emergency grants are flexible and impactful. Students may need to complete tax forms, as grants fall outside traditional financial aid channels.

 
Let’s Work Together

Whether you're interested in scholarships, awards, or emergency support, the Cuesta College Foundation can help bring your vision to life—and change a student’s future.

Contact us at foundation@cuesta.edu or (805) 546-3279 to get started.