Our Programs > Meng Vocational Grant Program
The Charles and Connie Meng Scholarship Program was created by PVF in 1998 for donors interested in supporting students pursuing vocational careers. The Meng Program provides $1,000 scholarship grants to Alameda County community college students pursuing vocational and trade careers as cooks, pharmacy technicians, dental assistants, paralegals, apparel designer and merchandisers, cosmetologists and x-ray technicians.
The application deadline for Spring 2014 funding has passed. We will begin accepting applications for Fall 2014 soon!
Click Here for the Meng Application
In the 15 years since the program was established, PVF has worked closely with high school and community college faculty and financial aid officers to identify mature, motivated and career-focused young people for whom this financial assistance would make a difference.
Nominators often write to us about their applicants’ commitment and determination despite untold obstacles. One nominator describes a student who has “demonstrated her ability and dedication through her high GPA and perseverance in continuing, despite obstacles." This nominator noted, “I believe the Charles and Connie Meng Scholarship would help the student in meeting her vocational goals so that she can achieve self-sufficiency for herself and her family.”
Many awardees are low-income single mothers like Keesha, who is pursuing a degree in cosmetology and writes in her personal statement, “I am optimistic about my future and that this scholarship will increase my hopes of succeeding.”
Other awardees are working hard to overcome more than just financial obstacles, like recent high school graduate Sandra, who is pursuing a degree as a dental assistant and writes “I have always had a hard time in school because I have learning disabilities, but I always do the best I can and make good grades. I want to start working as soon as I can so I can take care of myself and make my family proud of me.”
The Charles and Connie Meng Scholarship - Helping Students Trade Up to a Better Future
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Joey, a carpentry student, sums up beautifully the enormous impact that a relatively small grant can make: “It is with heartfelt thanks and appreciation that I write these words. As a foster youth, it has been a long, hard battle to ‘find’ myself in the world and to articulate a career path that would be personally fulfilling, sufficient to provide a quality existence to my family, as well as address some of the problems that youth in my community continue to face under the present economic conditions. I assure you your support in my life will have continued and direct positive affects on many lives. In addition to mastering my trade as a carpenter, it is my goal to mentor young people who share the background that I have survived.”