Published Jun 27, 2026, 3:00 AM EDT
Funding helps close gaps and keeps veterans on sustainable path to degree completion.
There was a time, not so long ago, when earning three associate degrees and pursuing a bachelor’s degree seemed like an unreachable dream to Navy veteran Isaiah Franco. After all, his goal of a long career in the military was cruelly snuffed out after he suffered a traumatic brain injury. Franco knew he needed to regroup and find his next passion, but how? As a first-generation college student, he lacked family support and wasn’t sure if he would be able to earn one degree, let alone three. That’s when the Foundation for California Community Colleges (Foundation CCC) stepped in with a program specifically tailored to veteran students, helping them finish college and set them up on a rewarding career path. In May, Foundation CCC received a $50,000 donation from the Auto Club of Southern California for 11 community colleges across the state, including San Bernardino Valley College, where Franco attended. “The funding will help bridge personal financial gaps, so student veterans can stay focused on completing their education,” according to a press release. For Franco, who plans to transfer to California Baptist University this fall, the financial aid helped him buy a laptop for work and school. At Cal Baptist, Franco will study public relations and public affairs and wants to use his degree to assist fellow veterans trying to find jobs after service.
