JPCatholic Announces Two COVID Response Scholarship Programs for Fall 2020 Incoming Students

John Paul the Great Catholic University (“JPCatholic”) has announced two new scholarship programs for California residents who start at the University this fall. The scholarship programs were created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic which has stalled or disrupted the plans of many college-bound students. Fall classes begin on September 30th, and the University is planning to hold classes on-campus while taking appropriate health and safety precautions.

The COVID Zero Tuition Scholarship for California Cal Grant-A eligible students covers their tuition gap completely. When combined with state and federal aid, eligible new freshmen and transfer students will be able to attend JPCatholic with zero out of pocket tuition costs and without using any loans.

“The COVID-19 lockdown in California has had a disparate impact on the families of Cal Grant eligible students–they have burdened the brunt of the economic pain. This is a very targeted scholarship program to help students for whom a private Catholic education is financially out of reach,” said Dr. Derry Connolly, JPCatholic’s founding president.

The Stay Local Scholarship for San Diego county students who are not Cal Grant-A eligible, will provide eligible new freshmen and transfer students with aid packages that make JPCatholic’s education financially comparable to local public CSU and UC institutions. The Stay Local Scholarship is designed to make JPCatholic’s on-campus private education affordable for students who have abandoned their out-of-state enrollment plans or are looking for an on-campus experience this fall now that many local institutions are fully online.

“As more graduating seniors are considering staying closer to home this year because of COVID, we want to ensure regional students have access to a quality and affordable Catholic education right here in San Diego county,” said Martin Harold, VP for Enrollment and Student Success. “Both of these scholarship programs can remove the logistical and financial obstacles for local students who are interested in pursuing a project-based, on-campus education in Creative Arts, Media, Business, or Humanities.”

The University describes itself as “The Catholic University for Creative Arts and Business Innovation”, focusing on combining hands-on programs such as film, animation, graphic design, acting, and business entrepreneurship with a Catholic liberal arts education in theology, philosophy, and humanities. Launched in 2006 in the Scripps Ranch community of San Diego, John Paul the Great Catholic University relocated to a permanent campus in downtown Escondido in 2013 and has been accredited with WSCUC since 2015. JPCatholic operates on a year-round quarter system, with students earning a bachelor's degree in just three years.

More information can be found at jpcatholic.edu/local