Launching Success...
What We Do
MVLA Scholars serves low-income first-generation college students from Mountain View and Los Altos. A unique combination of ongoing financial support, one-on-one dedicated mentoring, an emphasis on professional career readiness, and a deep community-based network ensure our Scholars are empowered to succeed in life.
About Our Scholars
More than 95% are first generation in their family to attend college
Average family income is less than $50,000
Average high school GPA for our newest Scholars is 3.6
34% attend University of California schools
42% attend CSU schools
14% attend private university
9% attend community college (with plans to transfer to 4-year college)
Areas of Focus
Multi-year Scholarships
Scholars receive renewable scholarships ranging from $2,000 to $6,000 per year throughout their entire time in college. Our scholarships complement other financial aid, and we work with our scholars so that they graduate with minimal debt.
College Mentoring
A key to our Scholars’ success is a dedicated mentor throughout college. Mentors help their students select courses, set budgets, and develop career skills. But as important, they provide the encouragement and emotional support needed to navigate college.
High School Mentoring (AVID)
Many of our Scholars get their first mentor in the AVID classrooms at Los Altos and Mountain View high schools. These mentors guide students through the entire college application process, including college list creation, essay review, application submission, financial aid, and finally, deciding which college to attend.
Supplemental Scholarship stats:
- 120+ Supplemental Scholarships awarded at more than 55 organizations, including LifeMoves, JusticeCorps, The Tech Museum, and Veterans Affairs Hospital Palo Alto (VAPA)
- Supplemental Scholarships range from $250 to $3,500
- Program initiated in 2014
Career Launch
It’s essential for our Scholars to have internships throughout college in order to have career success after college. Our Career Launch team help Scholars get internships, teaches them how to network, develop their resumes, practice interviewing and find positions in areas related to their career goals. Our supplemental scholarship program enables Scholars to take jobs that might not pay well. View the Supplemental Scholarship Program video. Read our 2020 Supplemental Scholarships Annual Report.