The Crankstart Foundation gifted Cal State San Bernardino $120,000 over two years to provide scholarship awards in support of the Crankstart Re-entry Scholarship Program, which provides scholarships to non-traditional, low-income and underserved students who are pursuing a baccalaureate degree after a cumulative gap in their education of five or more years.

“We are so appreciative of this generous gift from the Crankstart Foundation, which will support both full- and part-time students who have made the admirable decision to re-enter the world of education after many years apart from it,” said Robert J. Nava, vice president of the CSUSB Division of Advancement.

Students in the Crankstart program are anticipated to be between the ages of 25 and 50 and demonstrate financial need, challenges or hardships, and commitment to obtaining their degree.

“The Crankstart Scholarship has made an impact on students’ ability to continue to pursue their university education, some more than others,” said Tamara Holder, who serves as the principle investigator on the Crankstart grant and is the coordinator of CSUSB’s Osher Adult Re-Entry Center. “Many students returning to college after a significant break find they have exhausted or nearly exhausted their financial aid awards, and scholarships are vital to supplement that missing income. The financial significance of being awarded a Crankstart Scholarship cannot be understated.”

CSUSB will award a minimum of 10 scholarships annually. The maximum scholarship amount for each student is $6,000.

“Another aspect that cannot be ignored is the sense of accomplishment many Crankstart Scholarship recipients experience,” Holder said. “Receiving a scholarship is the ‘shot in the arm’ many students need to jet start a different attitude about their ability to get that degree! And continue for post-baccalaureate degrees! Receiving a scholarship is one of the most positive motivators for adult re-entry students to continue and finish their college journeys.”

CSUSB first received funds from the Crankstart Foundation in 2016 at $50,000. Crankstart provided CSUSB $50,000 again in 2018 and 2019.

The Crankstart Re-Entry Scholarship is part of the Osher Adult Re-Entry Center at CSUSB, which provides resources for adult re-entry students to help make the most of their college experiences. For more information, visit the Osher Adult Re-Entry Center website.