COSTA MESA : ‘College for Kids’ Tuition Help Offered

Local youngsters who want to go to college this summer but can’t muster the tuition can now get some help toward that end.

Full and partial scholarships are available for children and youths between the ages of 3 and 18 who want to attend Orange Coast College’s College for Kids Program.

Starting June 14, youngsters can go to college and take a variety of classes, from lifesaving techniques to reading development.

The classes will be held at Orange Coast College, Pomona and Wilson elementary schools in Costa Mesa and Ensign Intermediate School in Newport Beach.

The tuition is based on the number of classes each student takes, and fees vary depending on the class.

“For the past several years, we’ve had hundreds of parents come to our office seeking financial assistance so that their children could sign up for classes and activities. Our hearts went out to them,” said George L. Blanc, dean of OCC’s community services department. “We’re delighted that we can now offer some support.”

Scholarships will be awarded based upon financial need. Families enrolling several children will receive special consideration.

More than $1,000 will be awarded by the community services department. However, the college has submitted a grant proposal for $8,500, which could be awarded to the college sometime this month.

“If we receive grant approval, we’ll expand the program dramatically,” Blanc said.

College for Kids scholarship applications are available in OCC’s community services office, next to the Norman E. Watson Library on campus.

They also are available at Wilson and Pomona elementary schools and Ensign Intermediate.

For more information about the scholarships, call (714) 432-5880.