Yosemite Community College District

19 skills recognition awards

Yosemite Community College District - Two Colleges, Endless Possibilities

The Yosemite Community College District offers a wide range of educational opportunities through its two main colleges: Modesto Junior College (MJC) and Columbia College. These institutions are dedicated to providing accessible and quality education to students in central California and beyond. Whether you are looking to complete your first two years of a bachelor's degree, earn an associate's degree, obtain a certificate, or gain specific job skills, our colleges are equipped to help you achieve your academic and career aspirations. Modesto Junior College, one of the oldest community colleges in California, has two campuses and serves a large student population with diverse programs. Columbia College, nestled in the Sierra Nevada foothills, offers a picturesque setting and emphasizes smaller class sizes, making it an ideal environment for focused learning.

Yosemite Community College District Programs

The Yosemite Community College District comprises two distinct colleges: Modesto Junior College (MJC) and Columbia College. MJC, one of California's oldest community colleges, has two campuses in Modesto and serves over 18,000 students. Columbia College, located near Sonora in the Sierra Nevada foothills, serves the Mother Lode region with a focus on adult learning in a picturesque setting. Both colleges offer a wide range of programs designed to help students achieve their educational and career goals. MJC provides 82 degree programs, 54 certificate programs, and 19 skills recognition awards. Columbia College emphasizes small class sizes, making it an ideal environment for academic and professional advancement.

Karsh International Scholarship Program

Open to international (non-U.S. citizen, non-permanent-resident) high school students applying for first-year undergraduate admission to Duke University. Candidates must demonstrate financial need through Duke's need-based aid process, show interdisciplinary academic curiosity, and have a record of community engagement. There is no separate scholarship form; international applicants who indicate they are applying for financial aid are automatically considered for the Karsh award.

University of Miami Stamps Scholarship

Open to high school seniors, both domestic (U.S.) and international, applying for first-year undergraduate admission to the University of Miami through Early Decision I or Early Action. Applicants are automatically considered with no separate scholarship form; they must submit all first-year admission requirements and demonstrate strong academic achievement, leadership, and community involvement. Semi-finalists complete a Zoom interview.

QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship

Open to high-achieving US high school seniors from low-income backgrounds who are US citizens, permanent residents, or students studying in the US regardless of citizenship. Competitive applicants typically earn mostly A's in challenging courses, rank in the top 5-10% of their class, and have strong standardised test results (SAT/PSAT above 1310 or ACT above 28), though each application is read in context. Applicants must demonstrate strong writing, intellectual curiosity and determination through essays and recommendations. Matched students must attend a partner college as a binding-early-decision commitment.

Maria Goeppert Mayer Fellowship at Argonne National Laboratory

Open to early-career scientists and engineers of all nationalities who hold a PhD awarded within the last three years at the time of application, or who will complete the PhD before the fellowship start date. Research interests must align with Argonne's mission areas. U.S. citizenship is required for national-security-related projects (Detection of Imaging Signatures).

Boustany MBA Harvard Scholarship

Open to candidates of any nationality (priority to those of Lebanese descent) who have received an offer of admission to the Harvard MBA programme and have a strong academic background.

Knight-Hennessy Scholars

Open to citizens of any country who earned their first/bachelor's degree within the last ~7 years (or will by the Stanford start) and who apply for and gain admission to a full-time Stanford graduate program. Selection seeks independence of thought, purposeful leadership, and a civic mindset.