ROCKLIN, Calif. and#8212; There are nearly three million students enrolled in California community colleges, making it the largest higher education system in the nation. Sierra College is one of the top ranked community colleges in awarding associate degrees in the state, and boasts the highest student transfer rate to four-year universities in Northern California.

The Sierra College campus in Truckee offers extremely high quality, low cost educational options ranging from core academics to career and technical education to community (not for credit) classes throughout the year.

Local high school students and community members can earn skills based certificates as well as associates degree without leaving the Tahoe-Truckee campus.

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Demand for scholarships is at an all-time high. The Collegeand#8217;s scholarship resources are struggling to keep pace with the studentsand#8217; growing needs. To close that gap the Sierra College Foundation, the fundraising arm of Sierra College, is launching their new campaign, Climb Higher: The Osher Matching Scholarship Challenge.

Sierra College has received a matching grant for its campaign to raise scholarship funds. Thanks to the generosity of the Bernard Osher Foundation, every dollar donated to this campaign will be matched by 50 cents.

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Individuals, businesses and service organizations can establish an eternal and#8220;Namedand#8221; scholarship for as little as $13,334. Donors will be able to name their scholarship, set the criteria and select their scholarshipand#8217;s winners. The Osher match will bring the funding to $20,000. With a guaranteed 5 percent interest, the endowed $20,000 scholarship ensures continually awarding one $1,000 scholarship every year.

Anyone who would like to donate may contribute any amount to the Climb Higher campaign. All donations will be matched by 50 percent and are tax deductible. One hundred percent of every dollar donated goes directly to funding scholarships for Sierra College students.

and#8220;This is a tremendous opportunity to help Sierra College students,and#8221; said Sonbol Aliabadi, executive director of the Foundation. and#8220;Any group or individual can contribute any amount they wish and have their donation matched.and#8221;

The campaign is designed to support student success and create opportunities by establishing a permanent fund for scholarships, offering long-term relief to the rising costs that keep many students from completing their education. With this campaign, the Sierra College Foundation will support students by raising money for scholarships that can be used towards fees or purchasing textbooks, equipment and other instructional supplies.

As an incentive, the Osher Foundation has awarded Sierra College Foundation with an initial gift that funds 15 $1,000 scholarships every year. They have challenged Sierra College Foundation to raise $650,000 by June 30, 2011. If the challenge is met, Sierra College Foundation will be able to offer an additional 50 scholarships, which guarantees 65 scholarships of $1,000 each in perpetuity.

For more information or to donate to Climb Higher: The Osher Matching Scholarship Challenge, visit http://www.SierraCollege.edu/foundation call Sonbol Aliabadi, executive director, Sierra College Foundation, at 916-660-7020 or e-mail Foundation@SierraCollege.edu.

and#8212; Submitted to aedgett@sierrasun.com