California State University, San Bernardino and the San Bernardino Valley College Foundation (SBVC Foundation) have established the ValleyUp2CSUSB Scholarship, designed to make transferring to CSUSB more accessible and affordable for San Bernardino Valley College students.

Through the partnership, the CSUSB Philanthropic Foundation will provide matching scholarship funds to eligible SBVC students who transfer to CSUSB. 

Under the two-year agreement, each institution will contribute $25,000 per academic year, providing a combined $100,000 in scholarship funding. The SBVC Foundation has committed its first $25,000 to CSUSB, which will support eligible students transferring to the university during the 2026-27 academic year.

In the first round of awards, 25 SBVC transfer students have already been selected and received the ValleyUp2CSUSB Scholarship, marking a promising start to the two-year pilot program and demonstrating the immediate impact of the partnership.

“At the San Bernardino Valley College Foundation, we are committed to providing pathways for transfer and ensuring our students have opportunities to continue their education,” said Mike Layne, executive director of the SBVC Foundation. 

“Our partnership with Cal State San Bernardino strengthens the bridge between our institutions and helps reduce the financial barriers students may face as they pursue a four-year degree,” Layne said. “This partnership also directly supports the goals of our Valley Up! Initiative by creating meaningful pathways for students to rise to their potential and continue building on the success they began at Valley. We are proud to invest in their next step.”

“The ValleyUp2CSUSB Scholarship reflects what is possible when our institutions come together around a shared commitment to student success,” said Raymond W. Watts, interim vice president of CSUSB’s Division of University Advancement. “By matching this generous investment from the San Bernardino Valley College Foundation, we are helping remove financial barriers for transfer students while creating a stronger pathway from SBVC to CSUSB.”

The scholarship is available to undergraduate students in any academic discipline who are enrolled at SBVC. Preference will be given to students who have completed at least one year at SBVC and to students participating in SBVC’s Valley-Bound Commitment Program, although the scholarship is open to any enrolled SBVC student transferring to CSUSB who meets the program requirements.

The ValleyUp2CSUSB Scholarship will help students successfully navigate the transition from community college to a four-year university and remain on track toward graduation, ultimately improving educational access and degree attainment in the Inland Empire.

SBVC Foundation: Celebrating 100 Years of Community & Excellence

San Bernardino Valley College is a comprehensive community college serving the Inland Empire since 1926. As California’s first purpose-built community college, SBVC has a long-standing legacy of expanding access to higher education, supporting student success, and strengthening the regional workforce. The college proudly celebrates 100 years of community and excellence in 2026. Learn more at the SBVC website. 

SBVC is part of the San Bernardino Community College District.