Minority Business Group Offering Scholarships

Minority high school seniors in Ventura County who are planning to pursue careers in business may be able to get some financial assistance as they enter college.

Through its Ventura County Minority Business Group, Oxnard-based City National Bank will present college scholarships ranging from $500 to $4,000 to students graduating from high school this year.

The group, which is affiliated with the Ventura County Community Foundation, is a continuation of the organization founded by Ventura County National Bank in 1992. VCNB merged earlier this year with City National Bank.

In 1996, the Minority Business Group awarded $20,000 in scholarships to nine area students. Since 1992, 23 scholarships, totaling nearly $50,000, have been awarded.

To apply, a student must submit an essay of at least 1,000 words on why he or she should receive a scholarship and how it would be used. The applicant must also include two letters of reference, at least one from an official at the high school attended, and be available for a personal interview.

“We generally get students who will be finance or accounting majors or computer science,” said Mark Dufresne, vice president at City National Bank and a member of the Minority Business Group advisory board. “But we encourage a broad definition of business.”

Those interested in business administration or other related business fields also are eligible, he said.

The scholarship program is just one of the programs of the Minority Business Group, which was designed to promote the growth of minority-owned businesses in the community. The group also sponsors seminars and forums related to small business, financing, the development of business plans and other aspects of operation.

“The Minority Business Group is not just for fun,” Dufresne said. “It’s not just something we do for show. In our bank last year, we booked over $5 million of loans to minority businesses. It’s been an important opening for minority businesses.”

The deadline for submitting scholarship applications is April 8. For information, call 981-2600 or 988-0196.