Juan Lujan wants to help drug addicts get clean and get a job. A former migrant worker who grew up in an orphanage, Juan was able to stay in school because of a new scholarship program designed to encourage students in remedial classes.

"I thought: ‘They don’t even know me, but they’re willing to take a chance on me,’ ” Juan said of the scholarship award. "If I can do something to give back when I’m finished, I certainly will.”

Juan, in photograph at left, paid most of his expenses from his wages.

"It was a heavy feeling, so much worrying about money,” he said. Juan earned his high school diploma through a College program that also gave him vocational counseling. Now he is studying for a degree in the Human Services Associate program.

The increasing requests for financial aid from students like Juan indicate a growing need for scholarships. You can help through the Smart Future campaign.

College officials report that about 310 percent more degree-seeking students applied for financial aid in 2009-10 than in the previous year. This escalating need is also seen at the Foundation that offers emergency grants for students. It saw the requests for rent money, book loans and other urgent needs increase fourfold in 2008 compared with 2007.

You can help Juan and many other students through the Smart Future campaign.