Later this week, students attending Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria will received the largest scholarship distribution in the history of the school, totaling $478,000.
This year's total is a 56-percent increase over last year, according to the foundation.
All of the money comes from donors based on the Central Coast, with awards ranging from $500 to $10,000.
The 266 students receiving the scholarships will get to meet the very people behind each award during a dinner Thursday night.
"When a student arrives and is seated with their donor, they have absolutely no idea what they're getting or the award amount, or amounts," said Toni McCracken, the foundation's scholarship program coordinator. "There are some students who may be receiving more than one scholarship, and that is based on the criteria used in the awarding process."
Some of the students receiving scholarship awards will return to Hancock College in the fall, while others will use the money as they transfer to four-year universities.