Taft College is a public community college that was established as the Taft Union College in 1922. Over the years, the college continuously added new programs and increased its course offerings, finally changing its name to Taft College. It is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges Western Association of Schools and Colleges and is a part of the California College System. All programs are offered through the following departments:
Applied Technologies Division
Career and Technical Education
Distance Learning
Liberal Arts Division
Math and Science Division
Social Science Division
The Applied Technologies division offers programs in accounting, administrative services, customer service, court reporting, management, and welding technology. The Career and Technical Education division provides programs in criminal justice, dental hygiene, and early childhood education.
Distance learning programs are available as part time or online programs. Distance education programs are available in sciences, business, ESL, and languages.
All programs, online as well as offline, lead to an Associate of Arts degree, after which students can transfer to regional colleges and universities for pursuing bachelors programs.
Most Popular Fields of Study
The top 5 fields of study completed at Taft College.
Taft College has several unique student support programs:
CalWORKS Program
Offered in all California State System colleges, the California Work Opportunities and Responsibility to Kids program helps welfare students with child care, job placement, and employment skill training.
To be eligible, students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.
EOPS Program
The Extended Opportunity Programs and Services is a state funded program for historically economic and educationally disadvantaged students. Students receive academic counseling, free tutoring, free textbooks each year, and have access to special scholarship programs.
CARE Program
The Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education (CARE) program is designed for Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) students to help them expand their academic abilities and provide them with the skills they need to establish a great professional career.
CARE helps students with academic counseling, long term education planning, textbooks, child care, and even provides laptop computers on loan.
DSPS Center
The Disabled Student Programs and Services Center helps students with basic math, reading, and counseling. Assistance is provided to students with learning disabilities, late development, mobility problems, hearing and speech problems, and chronic illnesses.
TRIO Grant
The TRIO student support program provides guidance and workshops to help students transfer to regional colleges and universities for bachelor programs. TRIO advisors can help in finding appropriate programs and colleges so students can make a decision about further education easily.
Apart from these programs, military veterans also receive academic benefits through the Montgomery G.I. Bill.
Taft College
Admissions
All applicants must submit high school transcripts, in the absence of which GED scores can be submitted. Students who have completed less than 12 college credits in school must submit a high school proficiency certificate.
Local students are encouraged to visit the campus and apply after consulting with the Admissions Office.
It is mandatory for matriculating students to schedule an appointment with an academic counselor.
Before applying to programs with a focus on English and Math, students must complete preliminary assessment training. After completing assessment training, each class must be registered to individually.
Financial Aid
Federal financial aid is available in the form of Pell grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Stafford loans, Perkins loans, and work study programs. To apply for federal financial aid, students must first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid at FAFSA.
Institutional scholarships cover tuition fee and other expenses like books, living costs, and other supplies. They are available only for low to middle income students and several conditions must be met before applying for institutional scholarships – you must be a United States citizen, be enrolled in a full time program, have an acceptable high school GPA, and should not have a concurrent student loan running while applying for scholarship.
To apply for institutional scholarships, students must submit a student aid report, appropriate financial documents, copy of educational documents, and other academic transcripts.
As of 2011, two institutional scholarships are available for freshmen students – the Taft College Scholarship and Merit Scholarship. Students are encouraged to apply for scholarships outside the college, such as those offered by state and civic bodies like The Korean American Scholarship Foundation, Sikh Education Aid Fund, and National Pathfinder Scholarship Fund.
On-campus housing is available in the two residence halls that the college has. However, admission to the residence facilities is available only to students who are willing to participate in a meal plan program and are enrolled in full time programs.
At Taft, you can be assured to an all rounded development, both in your personal and professional life. This is why all student clubs and organizations are led by members of college faculty. Taft College has only one Greek organization – the Phi Theta Kappa honor society. Other clubs include the Associated Student Body, Psychology Club, Taft College Echo, and Literary Club.
Athletic teams at Taft are members of the California Community College Athletic Association and play in the Central Valley Conference with eight other colleges. The teams play in their official school colors of black and gold.
Men’s sports include:
Soccer
Baseball
Women teams have the option of playing volleyball, basketball and softball.
Only full time students are eligible to become members of the athletic teams. Student athletes must maintain a GPA of 2.0 between seasons and should complete 24 college credits in this time.
Local Community
In general, students benefit from the small town environment of Taft, California. The city has a population of less than 10,000 residents.
Every year, a weeklong Oildorado celebration is held which celebrates the town’s erstwhile oil reserves. It is mandatory for all men in the city to grow beards during this time, failing which they are arrested by the Posse and driven around town for an hour.
Bibliography
Taft College. Taft College. Web. June 14, 2011.
Taft City Chamber of Commerce. Taft City Chamber of Commerce. Web. June 14, 2011.
Demographics – Main Campus and Surrounding Areas
Reported area around or near Taft, CA 93268
Surrounding community
Distant town (between 10 to 35 mi. away from an urban cluster)
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Taft, CA 93268
p. 661-763-7700
w. www.taftcollege.edu