The Ventura County Community Foundation is accepting applications for scholarships to be awarded to Ventura County students in 2009. The deadline to submit applications 5 p.m. Fri., Jan. 16.

Scholarships are available to students studying agriculture, arts, business, education or teaching, engineering, math and sciences, and health-related majors. For the second year in a row, VCCF will provide more than $1 million.

Areas of interest include forgivable loans from the Medical Education Fund to nursing students intending to practice in Ventura County, as well as the Career and Technical Education Scholarship for students proceeding directly into the work force who need career training at local vocational schools.

VCCF will also provide $5,000 scholarships per year for up to four years to students who are awarded the James C. Basile Scholarship.

New scholarship funds established this year encourage emerging artists, agriculture majors, future science teachers, women and immigrants.

Successful candidates will be notified by mail on or before May 15.

Students can learn about what is required to be submitted, as well as the guidelines for the scholarship funds providing awards, at the foundation's website, www.vccf.org.