CAPPS Memorial Scholarships

The California Foundation for Private & Postsecondary Schools is a 501c3 Corporation established by California Association of Private Postsecondary Schools (CAPPS) to operate a Scholarship Program for students attending Private Postsecondary Institutions in California.

Since the mid-2000’s, the Foundation has solicited donors to support specific scholarships established in the name of individuals that played a significant role in our Sector of Education in California. These individuals all had a common goal of helping students achieve their dreams.

About the Memorial Scholarships

Norma Ford Memorial Scholarship for Nursing

• For students enrolled in a Nursing program.

Norma Ford was a long-time CAPPS Financial Aid Trainer, CAPPS Board Member and one of the original Inductees into the CAPPS Hall of Fame in 2009. Norma’s accomplishments were only exceeded by the friendships that she made along the way. Norma worked in the private career school sector for over 28 years and over the last two decades was the primary trainer for the CAPPS financial aid workshops. Norma Ford passed away in 2010 after a long battle with cancer.

Marsha Fuerst Memorial Scholarship for Women in Medical Assisting

• For women enrolled in a Medical Assistant program

In 1965, Marsha’s mother Ann Kalsman had a dream of opening a College to train allied health professionals. Her mother purchased a piece of property along Interstate 10 in West Covina and started to construct a small building. While the foundation was being poured for the campus, Marsha’s mother fell ill and was hospitalized. Marsha visited her bedside and her mother began coaching her as to what was to happen with the College should she not recover. She told Marsha to fulfill her dream….to open the College. Having very little knowledge about business or operating a school, Marsha jumped in feet first to realize her mother’s dream. Marsha served as President of North-West College for more than four decades—impacting thousands of students’ lives by equipping them to enter and advance in the healthcare field. Marsha passed away in 2016.

Mike Mikhail Memorial Scholarship for Recent Immigrants & First-Generation Americans

• For students who are recent immigrants to the United States or first-generation Americans.

Mohsen Aziz Mikhail, affectionately named Mike, was born in Cairo, Egypt, and earned a Bachelor’s degree from Cairo University. In 1966, Mike boarded a plane to America with a dream and $11 in his pocket. Mike worked as a CPA after arriving in America and held Controller-like positions at both public and proprietary educational institutions. In 1983, Mike began Western Career College with Dick Nathanson. Mike went on to own four schools, which he sold to Gryphon Colleges in 2004. He returned to career education in 2007, when he acquired Advanced Training Institute in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mike Mikhail passed away in 2010.