Peralta Colleges, PepsiCo launch scholarship program for underserved students

The Peralta Colleges Foundation has launched a scholarship program with PepsiCo Foundation for students pursuing degrees at the four campuses of the Peralta Community College District.

The scholarships are designed for underserved students at Laney College, Merritt College, College of Alameda and Berkeley City College, according to a news release from officials with district. The statement says that in addition to financial assistance, the program is intended to provide new and current students with dedicated success coaches, access to emergency grants and financial literacy courses.

Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis online at www.peraltafoundation.org.

Jannett N. Jackson, interim chancellor of the Peralta Community College District, said:

“I’m so grateful to The PepsiCo Foundation for providing these much-needed funds and making them available to our most underserved students in the career education programs at Berkeley City College, College of Alameda, Laney and Merritt College.”

Jackson added:

“When we first met with The PepsiCo Foundation leadership, it was clear their goals aligned perfectly with that of the Peralta Colleges Foundation, our student demographic population, and the many outstanding career training programs we offer to graduate highly skilled people into a well-paying workforce.”

The program is designed with a holistic approach to promote access to education advancement by addressing obstacles such as retention, completion and workforce readiness.