This application is for all students graduating from high school in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties who plan to matriculate into a 4-year college or university or for a select few students who are beginning their college journey at a community college with the intention of transferring to a 4-year college or university to complete their Bachelor’s degree.
November 19
2025
Application Opens
February 6
2026
Application Deadline
April 4
2026
Semi-Finalist Interview Day (mandatory for incoming freshmen)
April 18
2026
Scholarship Recipients Notified
June 27
2026
New Scholar Orientation and Awards Ceremony (mandatory for incoming freshmen)
June 28
2026
Freshman Experience (mandatory for incoming freshmen)
July 18
2026
Career Exploration Fair
Frequently Asked Questions about the PCF Application Process
No, you will need to provide two references, and they will be contacted to provide a recommendation for you.
No! The normal PCF application is open to undocumented students as well as students who have DACA status.
PCF mentors are professional adults who volunteer their time and are passionate about supporting first-generation college students. Mentors go through an application process, a background check, and then we match them with students based on career interests, personality and a variety of other factors.
You can apply our scholarship to any accredited four-year college or university in the U.S. or for those selected to our community college program, any community college of your choice.
We use the HUD income limits from San Mateo County and Santa Clara County as our guideline. Any student who falls in the low-income threshold and meets all other eligibility requirements qualifies for our program and will be considered.
The Peninsula College Fund is a 501 (c)(3) tax exempt organization, Federal Tax ID: 26-4293269