In light of a recent news story published by the Inyo County Register highlighting the escalating costs of tuition for California students and the long-term financial strain it imposes on families, Barry Simpson, Inyo County Superintendent of Schools would like to remind our community of the invaluable educational support available to our local students.

As the cost of tuition continues to rise across California, families are facing increasing financial pressure to afford higher education. However, local students in Inyo County have access to invaluable support through the Inyo Promise, a comprehensive initiative designed to make college more accessible and affordable.

The Eastern Sierra Foundation (ESF), in partnership with the Inyo County Office of Education, has been at the forefront of this effort. Together, they have provided substantial financial assistance to students, ensuring that higher education remains within reach for all. According to Julie Faber, ESF’s current Board President, the foundation’s signature ESF Scholarship covers 100% of tuition and includes a $500 book stipend. This fall semester, 65 students, including 14 students in the Licensed Vocational Nursing (LVN) program, are benefiting from this full-ride scholarship. Over the past 21 years, ESF has awarded a total of $1.8 million in scholarships.

In addition to the ESF Scholarship, the foundation has expanded its support to encompass programs in nursing, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training, and wildland fire services. Through partnerships with local organizations like Inyo County JobSpot, ESF has also increased access to higher education for residents who may have faced barriers in the past. The foundation’s efforts extend beyond community college education, offering $5,000 to $10,000 transfer scholarships each semester to students heading to four-year universities, funded by additional fundraising efforts and a generous grant from Southern California Edison.

Superintendent Simpson expressed his pride in the collaborative efforts behind the Inyo Promise. “We are extremely proud of the Inyo Promise Program and our collaboration with the Eastern Sierra Foundation. Our shared commitment is to impact the lives of students in Inyo County, and together we are doing it!”; Simpson stated.

Faber echoed this sentiment, expressing her gratitude for the dedicated volunteers and community leaders who have been instrumental in ESF’s success. She urged Inyo County residents to take advantage of these opportunities, especially the chance to begin their community college education at no cost. “Together, we can help our students achieve their academic and career goals without the burden of overwhelming debt,” she emphasized.

For more information about the Eastern Sierra Foundation and how to apply for scholarships, visit www.easternsierrafoundation.org.

As the Inyo Promise continues to expand, the message is clear: local students have a pathway to success, free from the financial strain that burdens so many others across the state. Please take a moment to explore the various pathways available through the Inyo Promise, as these opportunities can be life-changing. Together, we can help our students achieve their academic and career goals without the burden of overwhelming debt.

Cerro Coso Community College/Bishop Pathway
Students choosing to begin their higher education journey at Cerro Coso Community College’s Bishop Campus have the opportunity to apply for a full scholarship through the Eastern Sierra Foundation. This scholarship covers all in-state enrollment fees and provides up to $500 per semester for required books. To be eligible, students must be enrolled in at least 9 units each semester and meet the scholarship's additional requirements.

For those looking to transfer to a four-year university, Cerro Coso graduates with a cumulative transfer GPA of 3.00 or higher (calculated from transferable courses) will be considered for the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) program at UNR. This program offers substantial savings, reducing tuition costs by approximately $7,152.25 per semester. Meanwhile, students with a GPA between 2.75 and 2.99 will qualify for the Pack Exchange Program, which offers savings of around $4,988 per semester.

University of Nevada, Reno Pathway
Inyo County high school graduates aiming to attend UNR directly after graduation have two scholarship programs available to them. The WUE program is open to students who have completed academic core courses (4 years of English, 3 years of natural science, 3 years of mathematics, and 3 years of social science) with a minimum 3.25 cumulative unweighted GPA or a minimum ACT composite score of 24, or a combined SAT score of 1160. Qualified students in this program can save approximately $7,152 per semester.

Alternatively, students with a minimum 3.0 Academic GPA or a minimum ACT composite score of 22, or a combined SAT score of 1100, may be eligible for the Pack Exchange Program, which provides savings of approximately $4,988 per semester. Both WUE and Pack Exchange
program considerations are available only to those applying for the fall semester immediately following high school graduation.

To further support local students, the Inyo County Office of Education will award a $1,000 scholarship to all Inyo County high school graduates attending UNR as freshmen, regardless of their eligibility for the WUE or Pack Exchange programs. This scholarship can be used to offset the cost of books and tuition.

A Commitment to Student Success
The Inyo Promise 2024-2025 reflects a deep commitment to ensuring that local students have the resources and opportunities they need to succeed in higher education. By offering these scholarship opportunities and transfer programs, Inyo County is paving the way for its graduates to achieve their academic and career goals without the burden of overwhelming financial costs.

For more information on the Inyo Promise 2024-2025 and the available scholarship programs, students and parents are encouraged to contact Elyse Morrison at the Inyo County Office of Education at 760-873-3262 ext. 2120 or via email at emorrison@inyocoe.org.