PUMA Recruitment Scholarship

PUMA Recruitment Scholarship at Paradise Valley Community College

The PUMA Recruitment Scholarship is a tuition only scholarship for incoming PVCC Freshmen students.  The scholarship is renewable for up to four semesters maximum. 

2024-2025: up to $2,358 

2025-2026: up to $2,358

Funding is capped at 12 credit hours of resident, lower division tuition; plus, the enrollment fee for the fall and spring semesters.  All other fees, charges, books, etc. are the responsibility of the student. 

This scholarship is for high school seniors only who plan to enroll at PVCC right after graduation. To be considered for the scholarship students must meet the following criteria: 

  • Graduate from an Arizona High School between August 2024 and June 2025; preference given to PVCC partner high schools. 
  • Enroll full-time (12 credit hours) at PVCC in the Fall 2025 semester by June 30, 2025.  Classes must be required for PVCC degree or certificate.  If there is an extenuating circumstance that requires the student to enroll in a class at another MCCCD college the student can meet with the Financial Aid Director to request an exception (it is not guaranteed to be approved); 
  • Have a cumulative GPA of 2.0;
  • Must be a U.S. Citizen, eligible non-citizen, or qualify for in-State Tuition via Arizona Prop 308*;
  • Must be an Arizona resident or qualify for in-State Tuition via Arizona Prop 308*;
  • Must be seeking an associate degree or eligible certificate;
  • Must demonstrate financial need;
    • US Citizen & Eligible Non-Citizens: Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by June 30, 2025. 
    • Prop308* Students: Complete the Financial Need Application (this form will be sent to eligible students via their student email).  
  • Must maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP) requirements as prescribed by the US Department of Education: cumulative GPA of 2.0; cumulative pass rate of 68%; and not exceed 150% of the approved program length (MTF). 

Due to limited funding, not all eligible students will be able to receive an award. 

*Prop308:

With the passage of Proposition 308, qualifying non-citizen Arizona high school graduates may receive in-state tuition and may be eligible for campus-based financial aid (i.e. Talent Waiver, President Scholarship, Honors, Maricopa Grant). These students will NOT be able to utilize federal financial aid (i.e. Pell Grant, Student Loans, Federal Work-Study).  To be eligible the students must meet the following:

  • Attended a public or private high school or homeschool equivalent while physically present in Arizona for at least two years; 

Graduated from any public or private high school or homeschool equivalent while physically present in Arizona or obtained a high school equivalency diploma in Arizona.  

PVCC students will receive an email notification by the end of July to let them know if they were selected for an award or if there is missing/additional information needed. Students not selected will also receive an email notification letting them know they were not selected.  All emails will be sent to the students via their Maricopa student email account. 

In addition to the initial criteria, the student must meet the following criteria for scholarship renewal:

  • Must maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP) requirements as prescribed by the US Department of Education: cumulative GPA of 2.0; cumulative pass rate of 68%
  • Enroll full-time (12 credit hours) hours at PVCC each semester.  If there is an extenuating circumstance that requires the student to enroll in a class at another MCCCD college the student can meet with the Financial Aid Director to request an accommodation (it is not guaranteed to be approved). 
  • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) (or financial need document for Prop 308 students) each academic year. 

Students will be reviewed at the end of each semester to determine if they are eligible for renewal.  If student is not meeting renewal criteria, they will be allowed one semester of probation. If at the end of the probation semester the student will be suspended from the scholarship program.  There are no appeals if the student is suspended from the program.   

This scholarship can be stacked with other non-tuition scholarships and financial aid (grants/loans). However, students can only benefit from one tuition specific scholarship.  If a student has been selected for more than one tuition specific scholarship, they will be asked to select which one they wish to keep. 

Examples of tuition specific scholarships that are not stackable:

  • Presidents Honors Scholarship
  • Maricopa Faculty/Staff tuition waiver 
  • Foster Care ETV Tuition Award (the housing stipend is different and is stackable)
  • PVCC Academic Talent Waiver Scholarships 
  • Phoenix Promise (tuition only; the housing stipend is different and stackable)
  • 3rd Party Tuition Assistance (Voc. Rehab, Employment Tuition Reimbursement) 

Fall 2024 and Spring 2025: The application deadline has passed.

Fall 2025 and Spring 2026:  Application

Scholarships are subject to the availability of funds. Not all eligible students will receive an award. All scholarship application, admission, enrollment, FAFSA, residency, etc. must be completed by June 30, 2025.

Email: financialaid@paradisevalley.edu 
Students must email us from their Maricopa student email account

Phone: (480) 731-8900

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