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Las Positas College

Scholarships

Scholarships are funds made available by sources generally other than the government, such as private businesses, organizations, clubs, colleges, etc., for students to help with the costs of their education. Generally students must compete for scholarships. Awards have many different criteria; they may or may not depend on financial need, may be aimed toward a specific major or type of student, may have a high GPA requirement or may not. 

For more information or to apply for scholarshps, please visit: https://laspositascollege.edu/financialaid/scholarships.php 

Scholarship applications open every Spring and are generally due to the college by early March. Please check the above link for more information. Scholarships are availabloe for returning and transfering studens. Don't miss out!

Barbara Fracisco Mertes Memorial
Performing Arts Transfer Scholarship

  • The Barbara Fracisco Mertes Memorial Performing Arts Transfer Scholarship is open to Las Positas College students graduating from one of the performing arts fields, such as theater, dance or music programs, and transferring to an accredited four-year college or university for continued study in such performing arts areas. 

  • The scholarship will pay up to the full cost of attendance up to a maximum of $15,000 at a transfer institution.

  • The amount of each scholarship will be determined by the student’s official cost of attendance less the value of any grants or scholarships awarded at the transfer institution. The award is renewable 

  • Thank you to the entire Mertes Family for your continued support of our students!

Barbara Fracisco Mertes Memorial
Performing Arts Transfer Scholarship Awardees

Congratulations to some of our previous and current awardees!

   

 

 

Liva Langer  

Liva Langer
Award:
$11,500/yr
Transfer Institution: 
UC Santa Barbara
Major:
Theater Arts
Link: Instagram @livalanger

"This scholarship is affording me the opportunity to pursue my bachelor's in theater, setting me up for success post-grad and allowing me to chase my dreams without the fear of student debt loans."

 

   

 

 

Colin  

Colin FitzMaurice
Award:
$5,500/yr
Transfer Institution: 
CSU Long Beach 
Major:
Theater Arts

"This scholarship is tremendous help from Las Positas as I move on to the next chapter in my life. Receiving this generous aid enables me to be able to continue my schooling and not worry about accumulating debt. Thank you Las Positas!"

   

 

 

JT Happ  
J.T. Happ
Award: $5,500/yr
Transfer Institution: 
CSU East Bay 
Major:
Music Performance
Link: YouTube

"As someone who will be living from home and commuting to school this scholarship will help me pay for travel expenses and for books and supplies."

   

 

 

John Lonergan  

John Garo Lonergan
Award: Full ride
Transfer Institution:
Bob Cole Conservatory of Music 
Major: Piano Performance
Link: Instagram @johngaropiano

“I would not have been able to achieve my goal of pursuing music without the help of Mertes Scholarship and the LPC Foundation. I was able to transfer to a top-tier music school from Las Positas College without having to worry about the financial burden or stress. Thanks to their help and dedication I earned my Bachelor's in Piano Performance, and I am now able to continue my studies even further for my Master's degree."

   

 

 

Sydney Roberts  

Sydney Roberts
Award:
$11,500/yr
Transfer Institution: 
San Francisco State 
Major:
Composition for Video Game/Film Score

“I can attend school without constantly stressing about how I'm going to afford my education. It covers all of my costs during the semester and has allowed me to focus solely on achieving my goals in school and improving myself!”

   

 

 

Laura Lentz  

Laura Lentz
Award: $11,500/yr
Transfer Institution:
San José State 
Major: Theatre Arts
Link: Website

 

"Thanks to the Mertes Scholarship, I have been able to continue my education at an incredible university. The doors that have opened for me and the opportunities I have been given to continue honing my craft are truly insurmountable."

   

 

 

Veronica Valenti headshot  

Veronica Valenti
Award:
$5,150/yr
Transfer Institution:
California State University Fullerton 
Major:
Theatre/Acting
Link:
Instagram  @vvalenti32

"I was really taken aback by the Mertes scholarship - not just that I was even qualified to win it  - but that this is an opportunity available to us as students. It provided me with a ton of help covering expenses during my transition to a four-year college and continuing my education as an actor. I’m incredibly grateful for receiving it!"

   

 

 

Katie Mathers  

Katie Mathers
Award:
$5,150/yr
Transfer Institution:
California State University Fullerton
Major:
Theatre Arts
Links: 
Instagram: @KatieMathers

"The Mertes Memorial Performing Arts Scholarship has allowed me to study at my top choice school for theatre. I am so grateful for this support through the Las Positas College Foundation in the pursuit of my educational and career goals.”

   

 

 

Luke Clingerman  

Luke Clingerman
Award: $8,000/year
Transfer Institution: California Jazz Conservatory
Major: Jazz Studies
Links: YouTube

“This scholarship is a great aid to student musicians and allowed me to focus a lot more on my studies.”

 

   

 

 

Aaron Young  

Aaron Young
Award: $16,200
Transfer Institution: Southern Oregon University
Major: Theater Arts
Links: Instagram
@aaron.young.theater

 

"The Mertes Scholarship has helped me pursue the challenges and opportunities I want to take on without going broke in the process.  I can't do this scholarship justice with words alone. Being able to take classes, be a part of productions, and make connections at not only Las Positas College (which is a fantastic opportunity on it's own) but also at SOU has helped me grow and develop myself so much."