Finding money for college shouldn't feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. If you're a California student planning for higher education, you're in luck. I've compiled this comprehensive guide to help your family navigate the scholarship landscape with confidence and clarity.
California offers over 93 scholarship opportunities throughout the year. These range from small $500 awards to full-tuition packages worth tens of thousands of dollars. The key is knowing where to look and when to apply.
Quick Answer: California students have access to 93+ scholarships for California ranging from $500 to full tuition. Many deadlines fall between January and May, with applications requiring essays, transcripts, and GPA minimums typically between 2.5 and 3.5. Use the filters below to find scholarships for California by deadline month and award amount.
How to Use This Guide
I've organized all scholarships for California below with interactive filters. You can search by deadline month, award amount, or both simultaneously. This helps you find opportunities that match your student's timeline and financial needs.
Click on any "Apply" button to visit the official scholarship website. Many deadlines repeat annually. If a deadline has passed, the sponsor will likely update it for the current school year. Always verify details on the official website before applying.
Filter Scholarships for California by Deadline and Amount
93 scholarships match your filters
| Scholarship Name | Amount | Deadline | Eligibility | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AIA Silicon Valley William R. Hawley Scholarship | $5,000 | January 1 | Offers up to 2 scholarships of $5,000 for undergraduates or graduates pursuing a career in architecture. Applicants must be residents of Santa Clara County, and undergraduates must have completed 2 years of college before applying. | Apply |
| BIA Cares Scholarships | Varies | January 3 | Awards scholarships to high school, college, and trade school students seeking a career in the building industry. Applicants must be full-time, from San Diego County or attending school in San Diego, and pursuing a career such as developer, contractor, architect, civil/structural/soils engineer, designer, interior designer, banker, accountant, land planner, landscape architect, framer, carpenter, plumber, electrician, or other real estate and development-related professions. Scholarship amounts vary. | Apply |
| Professional Business Women of California (PBWC) Scholarship | $15,000 | January 26 | Awards $1,000–$15,000 to high school seniors who are women and California residents, demonstrating excellence in leadership, community involvement, notable or unique academic or work achievements, and potential for future success through career planning and goal setting. | Apply |
| Cherry Hawk Scholarship | $5,000 | January 31 | Awards $5,000 to students who have been diagnosed with cancer in the past and plan to pursue their education. | Apply |
| Golden 1 Credit Union Scholarship Program | $5,000 | January 31 | Awards $5,000 to California residents attending a college/university in California; applicants must be Golden 1 members for at least one year, or dependents of members for at least one year, be involved in at least 24 hours of community service in the last 12 months, and have a 3.0 GPA. | Apply |
| California Assn. of Collectors Educational Scholarship Foundation | $2,500 | January 31 | Awards up to $2,500 to high school juniors and seniors in a California high school who will attend a public or private college, university, or trade school. | Apply |
| Posse Foundation Scholarship | Full-tuition | January 31 | Awards full-tuition scholarships to outstanding high school students demonstrating academic potential, commitment to teamwork, and diversity. Applicants must be nominated by their school, in the first term of their senior year, and demonstrate leadership and academic potential. | Apply |
| Doyle Foundation, Inc. Scholarship | Varies | February 1 | Given to graduating seniors or graduates of the Huntington Beach Union High School District in Southern California. | Apply |
| House Scholarship Foundation Aspiring Scholars Award | $1,000 | February 1 | Awards up to $1,000 to high school students in the U.S., regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, or religion. | Apply |
| CIEF Scholarships in Architecture | $4,000 | February 6 | Awards $4,000 to students pursuing a Bachelor of Architecture or five-year Master of Architecture program from an NAAB-accredited school or college. Must be U.S. citizens. | Apply |
| APIQWTC Scholarship | $3,500 | February 14 | Offers $3,500 to Asian and Pacific Islander Queer Women and Transgender students currently enrolled or planning to enroll in a degree program. | Apply |
| Silicon Valley Community Foundation Latinos In Technology Scholarship | $18,000 | February 28 | Awards up to $18,000 to students of Latino descent. Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA. DACA applicants are eligible. | Apply |
| Leo and Trinidad Sanchez Scholarship | $4,500 | February 28 | Awards $4,500 to a Hispanic American student (at least one parent of Hispanic or Hispanic American heritage) who is a resident of Santa Clara County or Santa Cruz County, and a current graduating high school senior or undergraduate at West Valley College enrolled in a program leading to a degree in architecture or any architectural school. | Apply |
| AWS Donald F Hastings Scholarship | $2,500 | March 1 | Awards up to $2,500 to students pursuing a 4-year education in welding engineering or welding engineering technology. Applicants must be 18 or older, have a high school degree, a minimum 2.5 GPA, and express financial need. | Apply |
| Andrew Q. Peschard Memorial Scholarship | $1,000 | March 1 | Awards $1,000 to a graduating high school senior attending school in San Mateo County, CA, who has demonstrated resilience in mental health and determination to pursue college education. | Apply |
| Tall Clubs International Student Scholarships | $1,000 | March 1 | Awards $1,000 to tall students under 21 entering their first year of college in the upcoming fall. Students must meet the TCI height requirement minimums: 5'10" for women and 6'2" for men. | Apply |
| Matsuo Bridge Company Ltd. of Japan Scholarship | $2,500 | March 1 | Awards $2,500 to a college junior, senior, or graduate student pursuing a degree in civil engineering, welding engineering, welding engineering technology, or a related discipline. Applicants must be enrolled at least part-time at an accredited U.S. college/university and have a minimum 3.0 GPA. | Apply |
| Banatao Family Filipino American Education Fund | $5,000 | March 1 | Awards $5,000 to each student, with four awards for incoming freshmen enrolled full-time in a college/university pursuing careers in engineering, physical, computer, or environmental sciences. Applicants must be at least 50% Filipino descent with a minimum 3.0 GPA. | Apply |
| University of California-Berkeley Middle-Class Scholarship | Varies | March 2 | Given to new, transfer, or returning undergraduate students with family incomes and household assets up to $191,000. | Apply |
| Friends of the California State Fair Scholarship Program | $2,500 | March 3 | Awards up to $2,500 to California high school seniors who demonstrate academic excellence and personal commitment to education. | Apply |
| World Trade Week Scholarship | $1,000 | March 3 | Awards $1,000 to graduating California high school seniors entering college/university with interest in international trade or international degrees. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA. | Apply |
| Coach Ray Memorial Athletic Scholarship | Varies | March 8 | Awards to female high school seniors in California who excel academically and athletically, play basketball, and have at least a 2.8 GPA. | Apply |
| Alexander M. and June L. Maisin Foundation Scholarship | $1,000–$3,500 | March 16 | Available to Jewish high school seniors and past recipients under 24, planning to enroll or already enrolled full-time in an undergraduate program. Applicants must reside in the greater San Francisco Bay Area, have a 3.0 GPA, and demonstrate financial need and leadership skills. Awards range from $1,000–$3,500 annually. | Apply |
| Frederick and Demi Seguritan Scholarship | $5,000 | March 20 | Awards $5,000 to first-generation Asian Americans interested in business (major not required). Applicants must be incoming full-time freshmen at a four-year college/university, have a minimum 3.0 GPA, express financial need, and reside in certain California counties. | Apply |
| Assistance League (AL) Diablo Valley Community College Scholarship | $4,000 | March 24 | Offers up to $4,000 to full-time community college students transferring as juniors to a 4-year college or university. Applicants must reside in Contra Costa County, demonstrate financial need, and have at least a 3.0 GPA. Academic achievements, community involvement, and special circumstances are also considered. | Apply |
| Hazel Reed Baumeister Scholarship | $5,000 | March 29 | Awards up to $5,000 to high school seniors or graduates in San Mateo County or Santa Clara County with demonstrated community involvement over several years and a minimum GPA of 3.5. | Apply |
| Latinos in Technology Scholarship | $30,000 | March 29 | Awards up to $30,000 to students with declared STEM majors. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and graduate from or attend college within 11 Northern California counties. | Apply |
| Bobette Bibo Gugliotta Memorial Scholarship for Creative Writing | $1,000 | March 29 | Awards up to $1,000 to students with a passion for creative writing, honoring Bobette Bibo Gugliotta. | Apply |
| Krishnan Shah Family Scholarship | $10,000 | March 29 | Awards up to $10,000 to graduating high school seniors or current community college students in the greater Silicon Valley region. Applicants must be first-generation college students with a minimum 3.75 GPA. | Apply |
| A Heroes Family Scholarship | $1,000 | March 30 | Awards $1,000 to students who lost a parent/guardian or spouse who was a first-responder. Open to students at any level, including high school, college, graduate, professional certificate, or trade/vocational programs. | Apply |
| San Diego Chinese Women's Association Scholarships | $1,500 | March 31 | Awards $1,500 to students of at least one-quarter Chinese descent attending high school in San Diego County. | Apply |
| Hearthstone Housing Foundation Scholarship Fund | $5,000 | March 31 | Awards $5,000 to students demonstrating financial need or from low-income households, aged 15–25. High school students must have a minimum 3.0 GPA, and college students a minimum 2.75 GPA. Must reside in California. | Apply |
| San Joaquin Society for Human Resource Management Scholarship | $2,000 | March 31 | Awards $2,000 to two high school seniors in San Joaquin County pursuing an undergraduate degree in Business Administration, with a minimum 3.8 GPA. | Apply |
| Districts Make the Difference Video Contest | $2,000 | March 31 | Awards up to $2,000 to students creating videos for the contest. | Apply |
| Eula Mae Jett Scholarship Program | $2,000 | April 1 | Awards $2,000 to high school seniors and undergraduates interested in legal studies. Applicants must be legal residents of California and attending school within California. | Apply |
| The Association for Women in Architecture Foundation Scholarship | $5,000 | April 4 | Awards $5,000 to women students studying Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design and/or Land Planning, Interior Design, or Environmental Design pursuing a college degree. | Apply |
| Edwards Lifesciences Foundation Scholarship Program | $10,000 | April 11 | Awards $10,000 to high school seniors from Orange County, CA, Salt Lake County, UT, or Puerto Rico pursuing bachelor’s degrees in STEM fields. Applicants must express financial need, be a U.S. citizen, and have a 3.0 GPA. | Apply |
| Don Diego Fund Employee Scholarship | $5,000 | April 15 | Awards $5,000 to high school seniors applying to or accepted at a college or certificate program, who demonstrate verification of employment. Applicants must be employed at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Premier Food Services, or a contractor of the Del Mar Fairgrounds. | Apply |
| Cathay Bank Foundation Scholarship Program | $1,000 | April 21 | Awards $1,000 to high school seniors pursuing their college education as full-time students. | Apply |
| Honmyo Nguyen Family Trust Scholarship | $2,000 | April 22 | Awards $2,000 to students who are graduating seniors or graduates of high school in Santa Clara County, planning to enroll full-time at a four-year California public college or university. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.3 and express financial need. | Apply |
| The Davis Memorial Foundation | $2,500 | April 25 | Honors Larry and Mary Davis's commitment to education in the roofing industry. Applicants must be residents of California. The award is $2,500 annually, with selection based on academic and personal achievements. | Apply |
| Bags of Love Foundation Scholarship | $2,500 | April 30 | Awards $1,000–$2,500 to college seniors currently enrolled in a college/university. Applicants must be California residents who have been diagnosed with cancer. | Apply |
| Follansbee-Hansen Scholarship | $2,000 | April 30 | Awards up to $2,000 to students who demonstrate interest in service to the LGBTQ+ community and have a 2.5 GPA. | Apply |
| AISES Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Foundation Scholarship | $10,000 | April 30 | Awards up to $10,000 ($2,500 annually) to American Indian high school seniors with a 3.0 GPA or higher who live in the 23 states served by Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Pacific Corporation and affiliated companies. Applicants must be citizens or children of a Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, or Indigenous person of Canada. | Apply |
| American Florists' Exchange Scholarship | $5,000 | May 1 | Eligible for juniors or seniors majoring in agriculture with the intention of a career in floriculture. Applicants must attend a college/university in California or reside in California while attending college elsewhere. Awards are up to $5,000. | Apply |
| Calflowers Scholarship | $5,000 | May 1 | Awards $5,000 to students seeking employment in floriculture, showing a deep interest in agriculture and pursuing further education. Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. | Apply |
| The Achievement Award Program (TAAP) | $24,000 | May 11 | Offers $24,000 ($6,000 annually) to students expressing financial need, enrolled full-time at UC Berkeley, as incoming freshmen or incoming junior transfer, and who have participated in retreat and alumni engagement events throughout the academic year. | Apply |
| ESA Youth Scholarship | $7,500 | May 14 | Awards $7,500 to students who submit a 500–1,000 word essay answering: "What it means to me to have my parent/guardian involved in securing our community." | Apply |
| Gilbert Tonkin Memorial Scholarship | Varies | May 14 | Awards to students from Gilbert Tonkin’s local community preparing to embark on their lives. Applicants must be high school seniors in Humboldt County, CA, or attend college or trade school after graduation. | Apply |
| Deblinger Family Scholarship | $10,000 | May 16 | Awards $10,000 to single mothers pursuing education, with a GPA of 2.5 or higher. | Apply |
| NATAS-PSW Scholarship | $5,000 | May 26 | Awards $5,000 to students majoring in television-related studies who are residents of the Pacific Southwest Chapter Area. | Apply |
| AAEDE Scholarship | $1,000 | May 26 | Awards up to $1,000 to eligible California students graduating high school who express financial need. Only U.S. citizens may apply. | Apply |
| Frederick and Bernice Beretta Memorial Scholarship | $5,000 | June 1 | Awards $5,000 to students striving to improve themselves through education. Eligible applicants include high school, undergraduate, or trade school students residing in San Diego County or Nevada County, California. | Apply |
| TELACU College Success Program | $5,000 | June 30 | Awards $5,000 to first-generation college students from low-income households with a minimum GPA of 2.5. Applicants may be from California, Texas, Illinois, or New York. | Apply |
| Hearts for Community Service Scholarship | $5,000 | June 30 | Awards $5,000 to students active in community volunteer work planning to pursue post-secondary education. Eligible students reside in AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IA, KS, LA, MD, MI, NJ, NC, SC, TN, TX, or WI. Applicants must have a minimum 2.75 GPA, two letters of recommendation from the organizations they volunteered with, and submit a 500-word essay. | Apply |
| California Law Enforcement Personnel Dependents Grant Program (LEPD) | $12,192 | June 30 | Awards up to $12,192 to dependents of California peace officers, Department of Corrections and California Youth Authority employees, and permanent/full-time firefighters employed by public entities. | Apply |
| Mel C. Marshall Student Scholarship | $1,000 | June 30 | Offers $500 per semester to students expressing financial need. Applicants must maintain a 2.5 GPA and live in California. | Apply |
| Jeff Sein Kwan Yang Memorial Scholarship | $1,000 | July 15 | Awards $1,000 to students of all ethnic backgrounds living in the San Gabriel Valley. Applicants must be graduating high school seniors residing in or attending school in the area, immigrants, or children of immigrants. | Apply |
| Annie Ibok Scholarship | $1,000 | July 31 | Awards $1,000 to students who are recent high school graduates from Washington or California attending an HBCU as a full-time freshman with a declared major. | Apply |
| Berry Quality of Life Youth Leadership Scholarship | Up to $500 | August 1 | Awards up to $500 to students demonstrating leadership, giving back to their community, and residing in California attending high school in Carmichael. | Apply |
| Torch Awards for Ethics Scholarship - San Diego & Imperial Counties | Varies | August 11 | Given to students in grades 9–12 enrolled in Apache, Coconino, Gila, Imperial, La Paz, Orange, Maricopa, Mohave, Navajo, Pinal, San Diego, Yavapai, or Yuma Counties. Applicants must write a 500-word essay on the importance of ethics and integrity in the community. | Apply |
| Santa Rosa Ninety-Nines Aviation Scholarship | $5,000 | August 15 | Awards $5,000 to a local woman pilot with a current private license. Applicants must plan a career in aviation, have flight training or education, and live within 150 miles of Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport in Santa Rosa, CA. Minimum age is 17. | Apply |
| Powering Futures Scholarship | $5,000 | August 15 | Awards $5,000 to current high school seniors, graduate students, or individuals who have earned a GED, with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Applicants must be enrolled or plan to enroll in an accredited 2- or 4-year college/university in the U.S., be a SMUD customer, or have a legal guardian who is a SMUD customer. | Apply |
| Utom Conservation Fund Scholarship | $2,000 | September 1 | Awards $2,000 to 10 students residing in the Utom River Watershed who have a passion for the environment. Students must write a 500-word or less essay describing their passion for the environment and the Utom River Watershed and submit a letter of recommendation from academic staff. | Apply |
| Electric Cycle Studio Student Athlete Scholarship | $1,000 | September 1 | Awards $1,000 to student-athletes who embody dedication, perseverance, and a strong commitment to both academics and athletics. Eligible applicants are high school seniors in California. | Apply |
| Daniel A. Terry Scholarship | $3,000 | September 1 | Awards $3,000, renewable for up to four years, to a student who has a parental figure that worked as a firefighter in California and passed away on duty. | Apply |
| Cal Grant C Award Program | $3,009 | September 2 | Offers up to $3,009 to U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens who are permanent California residents. Applicants must express financial need and complete the FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application. | Apply |
| San Diego AEP Scholarship | $2,000 | September 4 | Awards $2,000 to high school seniors and juniors interested in environmental topics and professions. Recipients also receive complimentary admission to one SDAEP luncheon. Students must attend high school in San Diego or Imperial County and have a minimum 3.0 GPA. | Apply |
| SDAEP Diversity in the Environmental Profession Scholarship | $1,000 | September 4 | Awards $1,000 to high school juniors and seniors interested in pursuing education in environmentally related topics. This scholarship promotes and encourages BIPOC voices within the profession. | Apply |
| Beat the Odds Program | Varies | September 10 | Awards to students in Ohio, New York, California, Texas, Minnesota, or Washington, D.C., attending public, charter, or alternative high schools. Applicants must have overcome hardships such as abuse, homelessness, disability, etc. | Apply |
| Don & Roy Splawn Charitable Foundation West Scholarship | $2,750 | September 14 | Awards $2,750 to financially disadvantaged students pursuing post-secondary education. Applicants must be legal California residents, graduating high school seniors, civic-minded, give back to the community, and demonstrate financial need. | Apply |
| Sponsoring True Advocacy for Challenged Youth Scholarship | $1,000 | September 15 | Awards up to $1,000 to students to help fund tuition and miscellaneous educational expenses. Applicants must be at least 17 years old, reside in Sacramento, Contra Costa, San Joaquin, Amador, El Dorado, Placer, Sutter, Yolo, or Solano counties, and be admitted or enrolled in an accredited institution in good academic standing. | Apply |
| Torch Awards for Ethics Scholarship - Orange County | Varies | September 22 | Given to students in grades 9–12 enrolled in Apache, Coconino, Gila, Imperial, La Paz, Orange, Maricopa, Mohave, Navajo, Pinal, San Diego, Yavapai, or Yuma Counties. Students must write a 500-word essay about the importance of ethics and integrity in the community. | Apply |
| National Rice Month Scholarship Contest | $5,000 | October 15 | Awards $5,000 to high school students in rice-growing states to create an original video about the importance of rice and National Rice Month, focusing on U.S.-grown rice. | Apply |
| Good Tidings Community Service Scholarship | $10,000 | November 3 | Awards $10,000 dispersed over 4 years to marginalized high school seniors in specified California counties who volunteer a minimum of one shift for Good Tidings. | Apply |
| A.W. Bodine-Sunkist Scholarship | $2,000 | November 15 | Awards $2,000 to students with personal or family involvement in Arizona or California agriculture. Applicants must be high school seniors entering college or current undergraduates, and either they or an immediate family member must be involved in California agriculture. | Apply |
| Live Your Dream Scholarship | $10,000 | November 15 | Awards up to $10,000 to young women enrolled in or accepted to vocational/skills training or undergraduate degree programs who are motivated to achieve educational and career goals. | Apply |
| University of California-San Diego Chancellor's Scholarships | $20,000 | November 30 | Offers $20,000 over 4 years to first-year students who show academic achievement and are entering as first-year students at UC San Diego. | Apply |
| University of California- Irvine Regents' Scholarship | $1,000 | November 30 | Awards $1,000 to freshmen entering from high school and transfer students entering from a California community college. Renewable for 3 years for freshmen and 1 year for transfer, provided eligibility requirements are met. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, eligible non-citizens, or students qualifying under AB130 or AB131. | Apply |
| University of California - Irvine Chancellor's Excellence Scholarship | $1,000 | November 30 | Awards $1,000 to freshmen entering from high school and transfer students entering from a California community college. Renewable for 3 years for freshmen and 1 year for transfer, provided eligibility requirements are met. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, eligible non-citizens, or students qualifying under AB130 or AB131. | Apply |
| Theodore J. and F. Elizabeth Kirsch Southern California Scholarship | Varies | December 1 | Awards first-year students residing and attending public high school in San Jose, San Mateo, and Palm Desert, California. Amount varies depending on available funds. Applicants must file a FAFSA. | Apply |
| Hagan Foundation Scholarship | $7,500 | December 1 | Awards $2,000 to help pay for essential items to attend college and up to $7,500 per semester for up to 8 consecutive semesters. Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher and have graduated from an eligible U.S. high school. | Apply |
| Q Boise State WUE Scholarship | $14,572 | December 15 | Awards up to $14,572 annually to a U.S. citizen enrolled at Boise State University who is a non-resident of Idaho with a 3.90–4.0 GPA. | Apply |
| Jazz at the Ballroom Scholarship | $1,000 | December 16 | Awards $1,000 to California music students to further their education in jazz and music programs. | Apply |
| Sharon L. Smartt Memorial Scholarship | $500 | December 30 | Awards $500 to students pursuing humanities. Applicants must be female-identifying, high school or undergraduate students, first-generation or low-income, and live in California. | Apply |
| Terry Masters Memorial Scholarship | $1,500 | December 31 | Awards $1,500 to students who are painters pursuing a degree in the fine arts. Applicants must be high school seniors, undergraduates, or graduate students and submit a short essay along with 3 original pieces of artwork. | Apply |
| PG&E Scholarships | $10,000 | Varies | Offers up to $10,000 or more based on various scholarships provided for students interested in majoring in STEM-related fields. Applicants must be high school senior graduates or have received a GED and reside in California. Veterans or adults returning to school are encouraged to apply. Eligible majors for the Better Together STEM Scholarships include Engineering (electrical, mechanical, industrial, environmental, power, and energy), Computer Science/Information Systems, Cyber Security, Environmental Sciences, Math, and Physics. | Apply |
| META Foundation Scholarships | $6,000 | Varies | Offers $6,000. Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA, be a U.S. citizen of Hispanic origin, and be graduating (or have graduated) from a high school in Southern California. | Apply |
| San Diego State University Merit Scholarships | $40,000 | Varies | Awards $40,000 to outstanding students who graduate from a local San Diego high school and achieve a minimum 4.0 GPA in high school. | Apply |
| Courtney McCoy Memorial Scholarship | $1,000 | Varies | Awards $1,000 to a current graduating high school senior from Palo Alto High School enrolling in college. Applicants must have served as a teacher assistant or classified student service assistant. | Apply |
| Anthony Narigi Hospitality Scholarship Fund | $5,000 | Varies | Awards up to $5,000 to students residing in Monterey County, San Francisco County, Sonoma County, Napa County, Contra Costa County, or Santa Clara County who are interested in pursuing a career in the hospitality industry. Applicants must be currently employed in the hospitality profession or planning to enroll/already enrolled in a 4-year college, university, or hospitality trade school. A minimum 2.5 GPA is required. | Apply |
| Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation Scholars Program | $10,000 | Varies | Awards $10,000 to U.S. citizens graduating from high school in Ventura County, California, who plan to continue their education as full-time students at an accredited four-year college or university in the U.S. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and demonstrate outstanding leadership, character, and commitment to Ventura County. | Apply |
| Alexx Flores Opportunity Scholarship | $1,500 | Varies | Awards $1,500 to applicants who demonstrate grit, determination, perseverance, honesty, and humility. | Apply |
Making the Most of Scholarships for California Students
I've worked with families who applied to 30 scholarships and won eight of them. Their secret wasn't luck, it was strategy. They treated scholarship applications like a part-time job, dedicating specific hours each week to research, writing, and submitting applications.
Start with scholarships for California opportunities where your student is a perfect fit. If they're a first-generation college student, prioritize those. If they have a specific major in mind, focus on field-specific awards. If they're involved in community service, highlight those scholarships.
Keep a spreadsheet with deadline dates, required materials, and essay prompts. Many scholarships ask similar questions, so your student can adapt one strong essay for multiple applications rather than starting from scratch each time.
Most importantly, apply even if your student doesn't meet every single requirement. Scholarship committees are looking for students who stand out in some way, whether that's through leadership, overcoming adversity, academic achievement, or community impact.
California State Financial Aid Programs
Beyond private scholarships, California offers some of the most generous state-funded financial aid programs in the country. The Cal Grant program is one of the largest need-based aid programs available, providing up to $14,296 per year for students attending University of California campuses, up to $9,358 for California State University students, and up to $9,358 for qualifying private and nonprofit institutions. Students must submit both the FAFSA (or California Dream Act Application) and a verified Cal Grant GPA by the March 2nd deadline.
The Middle Class Scholarship program helps families with household incomes up to $217,000 by covering a portion of tuition and fees at UC and CSU campuses. Awards are calculated based on the student's total cost of attendance minus other gift aid received.
The California Dream Act allows undocumented students who meet AB 540 criteria to apply for state financial aid, including Cal Grants, institutional aid, and community college fee waivers through the California College Promise Grant.
Students planning to attend a California Community College should apply for the California College Promise Grant (formerly the BOG Fee Waiver), which waives enrollment fees for eligible students. Many community colleges also participate in the California Promise program, which covers fees for first-time, full-time students for up to two years.
The Chafee Grant provides up to $5,000 per year for current and former foster youth attending college or vocational programs in California. Students must be under 26 years old and have been in foster care between ages 16 and 18.
California National Guard members may be eligible for the California National Guard Education Assistance Award Program (CNG EAAP), which helps cover tuition and fees at qualifying California institutions. Members of California's military community should also explore the California Military Department GI Bill Award Program for additional benefits.
For students pursuing careers in education, the TEACH Grant and California's own Golden State Teacher Grant Program provide up to $20,000 for students who commit to teaching in high-need fields at low-income schools in California for at least four years after graduation.
Regional and Community Scholarship Opportunities
Many California counties and regions offer their own scholarship programs. Students in the Bay Area, Los Angeles, San Diego, the Central Valley, and the Inland Empire should check with their local community foundations. Organizations like the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, California Community Foundation, San Diego Foundation, and Fresno Regional Foundation all administer dozens of local scholarships each year. Your student's high school guidance counselor is often the best resource for identifying these hyper-local opportunities.
The University of California and California State University systems also offer institutional scholarships at each campus. These are often awarded automatically based on the student's admissions application, so applying early can increase the chances of receiving campus-specific awards.
What to Do Next
Use the filters above to identify five to ten scholarships for California students that match your student's timeline and qualifications. Set aside time this week to start the first three applications. The sooner you begin, the more opportunities you'll have time to pursue.
If you're feeling overwhelmed by the college admissions process, we can help. At Stand Out College Prep, we work with families to create a comprehensive plan that includes scholarship strategy, application support, and financial aid guidance.
Schedule a free consultation to discuss how we can support your family through this process.
Was this article helpful?
YesNo
