The Del Mar College Scholarship Foundation has awarded nearly $3 million in scholarships this academic year, making college affordable and accessible for every student who is awarded.

The foundation announced that they have awarded $2.85 million to about 1,431 students for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Students can apply for scholarships for the 2026-27 academic year at https://dmcfoundation.awardspring.com/ now through April 30. New students can sign up and make an account for free with their personal email. Students fill out one application and the program searches more than 100 scholarships to see which they qualify for.

“In May of 2025, I applied through Del Mar’s scholarship program and was awarded the $1000 Edna Ocker Scholarship. This award has made it easier to be a student, and it took a lot of weight off having to pay my tuition,” said music student Adan Sanchez. “I was able to buy books and gear for my music equipment.” 

The New Freedom to Dream tuition waiver also helps Del Mar students cover their tuition at no cost. Students must live in-district and enroll as a full-time student (12 or more credit hours).  

New students and attending students at Del Mar are allowed to have both scholarships and the Freedom to Dream tuition waiver at the same time, making it possible for students to have funds for tuition, fees, and books.

“I am doing my pre-requisites for the nursing program. My goals are to become a Registered Nurse (RN). I applied for Freedom to Dream because of my mother, who graduated from the Del Mar nursing program,” said student Alana Pacheco. “Del Mar is where I live in Corpus, and I figured if I had the opportunity to go to school for free and be closer to home, that was ideal for me.” 

“With Freedom to Dream, I can take 12 credits without paying for them, so that’s really good for me. It has given me more money to spend and use on books, a laptop, access codes, and lab materials,’’ said Pacheco.

The Del Mar staff also recognize how both scholarship opportunities and Freedom to Dream have enlightened students on campus.

“I see that they can not just afford their books, but I see that when students are walking on campus who have told me that they have received scholarships. They seem happier when they wave at me, and they hold their head up high,” said Success Navigator Malorie Major Gomez

“We’re all here for a reason whether we work here or are just students. Scholarships and any extra money awarded to students that they earn or qualify for can help them more than we know,” said Major Gomez.

For more information on scholarships, visit https://www.delmar.edu/foundation/scholarships/ or call 361-698-1317.