Best Practices in Administering Scholarships

Best Practices in Administering Scholarships Presented by: Desiree A. Campos Marquez, M.Ed. Mt. San Antonio College

Overview of Session • Regulations & Compliance • Federal Law • State Law • California Education Code

• Reducing Liability • Best Practices

Regulations & Compliance • Federal Law – 14th Ammendment – Title VI – Title IX

• State Law – CA Constitution (Prop 209)

• California Education Code – Section 66270 – Section 66252 – Section 72011

Federal Law • 14th Amendment Equal Protection Clause – Every public entity shall treat each person equally, regardless of their race, religion, or other protected status

Federal Law • Title VI – No person in the U.S. shall, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance

Federal Law • Title IX – No person in the U.S. shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving financial assistance

State Law • CA Constitution Proposition 209 – The State shall not discriminate against, or grant preferential treatment to, any individual or group on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in the operation of public employment, public education, or public contracting – Considers private gifts and endowments to be institutional funds, and so prohibits donor preferences

California Ed Code • Section 66270 – Prohibits discrimination of protected classes in any program or activity conducted by any postsecondary institution

California Ed Code • Section 66252 – States that CA’s postsecondary educational institutions have an affirmative obligation to combat racism, sexism, and other forms of bias, and a responsibility to provide equal educational opportunities

California Ed Code • Section 72011 – Requires that every community college shall provide its services, classes, and programs without regard to any protected category

Reducing Liability • Work collaboratively on campus with ALL entities involved with scholarships to ensure institutional compliance is met – – – – –

Foundation Office Donors via appropriate campus office Departments Faculty/Staff Alumni Relations

Reducing Liability • Assist in the development of the Scholarship Agreement Form

Reducing Liability • Document the selection process of all campus-based scholarships. – Who is involved with the application and selection process? – How are students notified of the scholarship opportunity? – How are applicants chosen? – What are the minimum eligibility requirements for the award? – What selection criteria is used to select award winners?

Best Practices • Centralization of scholarship administration (forms, applications, publicity, etc.) • Provide a standardized training for selection committees

• Blind selection process

QUESTIONS