CoastHills Invests in Local Students Pursuing Cal Poly Degrees

For many Central Coast students, earning a bachelor’s degree can come with a difficult choice: leave home and take on the cost of living near a university, or put their educational goals on hold. A new partnership between Cal Poly and local community colleges is helping change that.

CoastHills Credit Union has donated $10,000 each to Cuesta College and Allan Hancock College to support students pursuing Cal Poly bachelor’s degrees. The $20,000 in total donations will provide two $5,000 scholarships at each college, helping four local students cover a significant portion of their first year of study.

“This unique program offers significant cost savings for students, particularly those who can continue living at home while earning a degree from one of California’s most well-regarded universities,” said CoastHills CEO James Ledford. “Students don’t have to leave home to earn a Cal Poly degree, which can make a big difference given the high cost of housing.”

For Cuesta College student Deandra Ramirez, the scholarship is helping turn her goal of becoming an elementary school teacher into a reality. Ramirez is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies through the Cal Poly Bachelor’s Pathway Program at Cuesta. Her passion for education grew during her time volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters at Nipomo Elementary School, where she discovered how much she enjoys helping children learn and grow.

“I was so surprised and grateful when I found out I had received this scholarship,” Ramirez said. “It means so much to know that someone believes in me and is willing to invest in my education.”

At Cuesta, the liberal studies pathway focuses on early-childhood and elementary education, preparing graduates to help meet the region’s need for qualified teachers.

Students at Allan Hancock College can pursue Cal Poly bachelor’s degrees through pathways in business administration and sociology. Participants in all of the programs are fully enrolled Cal Poly students, giving them access to university advising, library resources, student support services, and financial aid opportunities.
For CoastHills, supporting these students is about more than scholarships. It’s about helping local residents pursue their goals while remaining connected to the communities they call home.

“We’re proud to invest in the students of the Central Coast because this is our home, too,” Ledford said. “Supporting local students and helping them reach their goals is one of the most important ways we can make a difference in our neighbors’ lives.”