Scholarship Woes at MHCC

While high school students can be ahead of the curve, traversing bureaucracy can disproportionately affect them.

At Mt. Hood Community College, nearly 23% of students are high-schoolers from a variety of area schools and districts. Through dual enrollment programs like Middle College and College Now, MHCC offers these students an incredible opportunity to get a head start on college by taking college-level courses – sometimes even working toward an associate degree before they  graduate from high school.

These programs typically provide up to 12 total credits. However, students who wish to take additional classes beyond this limit can do so, whether they are pursuing an associate degree or simply want to explore more courses.

Navigating financial aid and support can be challenging for these high school students. I am among them, and I’ve found that some of the information provided by high school services about financial aid was not accurate.

Initially, I was told that high schoolers were not eligible for any type of financial support. As I spent more time at MHCC, I learned that this isn’t entirely true. While we don’t qualify for federal aid such as FAFSA, MHCC’s Foundation Scholarships are available to high school students, providing vital assistance for those of us balancing high school and college coursework.

It’s important for other similar students to know that sometimes the information they receive may be incomplete or outdated. I encourage any high schooler in a similar position to ask questions, dig deeper, and confirm what they hear. Don’t be afraid to ask, “Why?” or “How does this work?” if something doesn’t make sense.

From my experience, taking the extra step to clarify information can uncover valuable opportunities you didn’t realize were available.

Shelley McFarland, MHCC’s development coordinator, confirms that dual-enrolled high school students are eligible to apply for the 2025-26 Foundation Scholarships.

“All MHCC students can apply for the 2025-26 scholarships starting Jan. 1,” she explained. Additional information and applications can be found on the MHCC webpage, at: https.mhcc.edu/tuition-admission/scholarships.

While the application period for the current academic year closed on Oct. 13, students have time to prepare for the next cycle in January.

For high school students working hard to balance both high school and college, I encourage you to take the time to embrace these resources and get involved in the college community.

Full scholarship link: https://www.mhcc.edu/tuition-admission/scholarships

Mary Nashed