CHIP Awards 2026 Housing Educational Success Scholarships to Chico, Orland, and Cottonwood Students
On June 17, 2026, Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP) gathered with families, supporters, staff, and community members to celebrate three remarkable Northern California students during its Housing Educational Success Scholarship Ceremony. The event recognized scholarship recipients from Chico, Orland, and Cottonwood while highlighting a powerful truth: when individuals and families have stable housing, new opportunities for education, growth, and achievement can flourish.
Now in its second year, CHIP’s Housing Educational Success Scholarship reflects our commitment to helping residents, self-help homeowners, and their families pursue higher education, workforce training, and their long-term goals. Through this growing investment in educational achievement, CHIP is helping create pathways to opportunity that strengthen individuals, families, and entire communities beyond housing.
Funded through generous contributions to CHIP's scholarship fund, the scholarship supports students pursuing college degrees, vocational training, and GEDs while recognizing perseverance, leadership, service, and lived experiences. This year's recipients each have unique stories, but all share a commitment to building brighter futures for themselves and those around them.
Meet the 2026 Scholarship Recipients
Ariana Garcia de Anda
For Ariana Garcia de Anda, education and perseverance have always gone hand in hand. A student at Butte College, Ariana will transfer to Cal Poly Humboldt this fall to pursue a bachelor's degree in psychology. She aims to help others in her future career as a therapist and intends to incorporate floriculture into her practice.
Ariana is the daughter of CHIP Self-Help Housing homeowners who recently completed construction of their first home in Orland. Watching her family work together to build a place to call home inspired her to pursue her own goals with determination and resilience. As an exceptional student-athlete, Ariana has earned Dean's List honors at Butte College while achieving remarkable success in track and field. She currently ranks third in Northern California and tenth in the state, has broken into Butte College's all-time top 10 in the 5K, and set a new school record in the 6K. Through hard work and dedication, Ariana continues to demonstrate what is possible when talent meets opportunity.
Andrew Dellamico
Andrew Dellamico's journey toward higher education began long before he applied to college. In 2019, his family partnered with CHIP to build their Cottonwood home through the Self-Help Housing Program, an experience that left a lasting impression on him and sparked his interest in housing.
This fall, Andrew will attend California State University, Sacramento, where he plans to pursue a bachelor's degree in civil engineering. Inspired by the experience of helping build his family's home, he hopes to use his education to create and improve communities for future generations. Beyond academics, Andrew is deeply committed to serving others. He volunteers with FaithWorks in Redding, advocates for individuals experiencing homelessness, and dedicates time as a youth camp counselor. His passion for service and community leadership reflects the values at the heart of the scholarship program.
Selina Castro Vasquez
Selina Castro Vasquez is pursuing an associate degree in Health Occupations Preparation at Butte College while balancing the responsibilities of raising her young daughter and caring for her elderly mother. Her determination, resilience, and commitment to creating new opportunities for herself and her loved ones embody the spirit of the Housing Educational Success Scholarship.
As a Chico resident, Selina knows firsthand the difference stable housing can make. Having a safe and affordable place to live has provided the foundation she needs to pursue her educational goals while supporting her family. Through her hard work and dedication, Selina is building a brighter future not only for herself but for the generations who will follow.
Supporting Education Through Housing Stability
The Housing Educational Success Scholarship was created to support residents and their families living in CHIP's rental communities as well as families who have participated in the Self-Help Housing Program. By helping reduce financial barriers to higher education and workforce training, the scholarship allows students to focus on their studies and invest in their futures.
The scholarship is rooted in CHIP's belief that stable housing is a foundation for opportunity. When families have access to a safe, affordable home, students are better positioned to thrive in school, pursue their career goals, and give back to their communities.
To learn more about the Housing Educational Success Scholarship, including how to apply or make a gift in support of future students, visit chiphousing.org/scholarship.
