College scholarship program expands in Ventura County

James Basile

The James C. Basile Scholarship Fund, a program originally established to award one-year scholarships to Ventura County high school grads, will now grant multi-year renewable scholarships, according to the Ventura County Community Foundation (VCCF).

Attorney James C. Basile, who passed away in 2003, left the bulk of his estate to the scholarship fund he had established in 1999. The fund currently has more than $6 million in assets, making it possible for VCCF to award about $300,000 in renewable scholarships annually beginning this year.

"This exciting expansion in our scholarship program is in keeping with Mr. Basile’s dream of helping students fulfill their potential through higher education," said VCCF President Hugh Ralston. "The parameters for applying for the scholarship are broad by design so as to engage as many worthwhile candidates as possible."

Graduating high school seniors, college freshman, sophomores or juniors who will graduate or have graduated from a Ventura County high school and who attend or will attend a public college, university, or community college in California are eligible to apply. No special major or study area is required, but students need to demonstrate financial need and have a minimum 3.0 GPA.

In keeping with Basile’s wishes, preferences will be given to those applicants from Simi Valley or Moorpark schools who have had a parent in law enforcement or firefighting suffer a disability or death while on duty.

Scholarship applications are available on the foundation’s website at www.vccf.org.

For more information please call (818) 597-8453.