Program continues to transform lives by removing financial barriers to higher education
Salem, Ore., May 16, 2025 — Chemeketa Community College is proud to announce the selection of 729 outstanding high school seniors as recipients of the Chemeketa Scholars award for Fall 2025. This prestigious scholarship covers up to two years of full-time tuition at Chemeketa, enabling students to pursue either transfer degrees or career technical education without the burden of tuition debt.
To qualify, students must reside within the college’s district, maintain an unweighted GPA of 3.5 or higher, and enroll full time at Chemeketa immediately following high school graduation. The scholarship—valued at more than $10,000—was created in 2008 and has since helped thousands of students in the Mid-Willamette Valley achieve their academic and career goals.
“Chemeketa Community College is proud to recognize the academic excellence that these students have achieved,” said Ryan West, Executive Dean of Student Affairs. “We appreciate the investment that our local community has made to Chemeketa Community College, and it is our honor to be able to contribute back to this community by providing these scholarships to these outstanding students.”
This year’s recipients represent a broad spectrum of schools throughout the region, including public high schools, private institutions, charter academies, and homeschooled students. Schools with 20 or more Chemeketa Scholars include:
Amity High School – 22 recipients
Cascade High School – 27 recipients
Central High School – 47 recipients
Dallas High School – 22 recipients
Dayton High School – 21 recipients
McKay High School – 32 recipients
McMinnville High School – 67 recipients
McNary High School – 88 recipients
North Salem High School – 43 recipients
Silverton High School – 34 recipients
South Salem High School – 50 recipients
Sprague High School – 48 recipients
Stayton High School – 23 recipients
West Salem High School – 65 recipients
Woodburn High School – 24 recipients
By supporting the Chemeketa Scholars program, the college and community partners are investing in a stronger future—one where students can access higher education, gain workforce-ready skills, and graduate with minimal or no debt.
For more information about the Chemeketa Scholars program, visit: go.chemeketa.edu/scholars
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