California Scholarships for 2024

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HOW DO YOU GET CALIFORNIA SCHOLARSHIPS?

California scholarships may go to eligible college students who are California residents and out of state students. You also must be a citizen of the United States. In order to get a scholarship, California students should search their high school. Local businesses, nonprofits, and even state aid programs may offer financial aid. Also, professional organizations may provide scholarship funds. 

The Golden State is home to 309 four year and 408 two year schools. Many offer college scholarships to make earning a degree more affordable. 

Private four year colleges in CA cost an average tuition and fees of $33,483 in 2017 to 2018. It’s less for public four year colleges, with average tuition and fees at $22,081 for CA students. In contrast, tuition and fees are $29,173 if you live out of state as reported from the NCES.

10 Scholarships in CA You Should Apply for in 2024

There are a wealth of California scholarships to apply for in 2024 including:

  1. Banatao Filipino American Education Fund Scholarship
  2. CA Teachers Association Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Scholarship
  3. CTA Scholarship For Dependent Children
  4. Cal Grant B Competitive Award
  5. Cal Grant A Entitlement Award
  6. California Farm Bureau Scholarship
  7. Central California Asian Pacific Women Scholarships
  8. ACWA Scholarship 
  9. AIST San Francisco Member Chapter Scholarship 
  10. Northern California Asian Peace Officer’s Association Scholarship

HOW DO I QUALIFY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS in California?

If you plan to attend an accredited college in California, you may qualify for scholarships based on financial need or merit. Besides being a state resident, your grades, college major, gender and ethnicity may help you earn California scholarships. 

Scholarships for High School Students in California. Some awards may be for students who graduated from a specific high school district. California high school scholarships may also be used at community college or a four year school. 

State Grants and Scholarships. If you’re a state resident, you may qualify for CA state financial aid. These tend to be used at state schools that partner with these programs. 

Field of Study. Many students in CA qualify for scholarships based on their major. For example, the Dr. James L. Hutchinson and Evelyn Ribbs Hutchinson Medical School Scholarship. It is for high school grads in San Mateo County or Santa Clara County.  Also, you must be a college senior. You also must be currently enrolled full time in an accredited medical school program.

Where You Live. There are scholarships for in state and out of state students in California. You may have to be a resident in a certain county such as San Francisco Bay Area.

Academic Achievement. Providers may require a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT test scores. Community service and leadership experience may also be required.

Financial Need. Making a college degree more affordable in CA is what these scholarships are about. Providers may assess your family income by looking at your FAFSA.

Gender and Ethnicity. Find college scholarships for Hispanic, Latino, Native American, Pacific Islander, African Americans and first generation Americans.

WHAT CALIFORNIA COLLEGES OFFER FULL RIDE SCHOLARSHIPS?

Many of the biggest CA colleges like University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and University of Southern California offer full ride scholarships. Many first year students who plan to attend college in CA receive awards in their student aid letter. These may renew if you stay in good standing and keep qualifying for future academic years.

Full ride scholarships in California are merit based awards. These merit awards may cover more than tuition, fees, room and board. They may also cover expenses through a stipend. 

The Mork Family Scholarship at USC is one. It provides full tuition to some qualifying incoming freshman. There are ten awards total. Each one provides a $5,000 stipend. 

UCLA also offers the Stamps Scholars program. It awards ten freshmen with four year scholarships to both state residents and out of state students. 

Are There Scholarships for Out of State Students in California?

There are scholarships for out of state students with plans to study in California. According to the NCES, the average tuition and fees for full time out of state students at a public CA university was $29,173 in 2017 to 2018. 

One award is the UC Davis Regents Scholarship which is merit based. So, it looks at grades and personal feats, rather than need. To qualify, the school assesses the info provided on your application. If you’re chosen for the $7,500 scholarship, UC Davis may notify you with your offer of admission.

For those whose GPA hovers at 2.0 or above, there is the Horatio Alger National Scholarship Program. There are up to 106 awards and total award amount is $25,000 each. It is for high school seniors who show clear financial need. As long as you are a US citizen with a $55,000 or lower adjusted family income, you may be eligible.

Scholarships for Graduate Students in California

Many California graduate students may find scholarships to use when pursuing a master’s, PhD or professional degree in the state. NCES reported the avg. graduate tuition was $11,617 per year at a public college. Private CA colleges cost more at $24,712. As a result, saving money on this next part of higher education may make your graduate studies affordable and support your career plans.  

Grad school may have awards for niche fields. Nursing students may find grad school scholarships in California. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) offers awards at partner grad schools.

California State University Sacramento is one. The Polly Bednash Scholarship of $5,000 goes to outstanding nurses. Recipients may use the funds to help pay for a master’s or doctoral program at AACN member schools. 

LIST OF CALIFORNIA SCHOLARSHIPS FOR 2024

Check out our list of college scholarships in the Golden State below. We have awards worth .

LAFS Cal State University San Marcos Scholarship

This award is for Latino and Latina students who are currently attending Cal State University San Marcos.
Award Amount

Total:  $3000

Awards:  4

Deadline

Deadline:  March 30

Marian R. Delano Memorial Scholarship

Female applicants who are members of the Southwest Section of Ninety-Nines (Arizona, California, Hawaii, Utah, Nevada) and are pursuing a private pilot license or advanced certificate or rating are eligible for this award.
Award Amount

Total:  $1500

Awards:  1

Deadline

Deadline:  March 31

ISF-UCI Muslim Alumni Scholarship

U.S. Muslim students who are college juniors or graduate students majoring in humanities, social scien0es, liberal arts, or law are eligible for this award. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and be attending UC Irvine.
Award Amount

Total:  $6000

Awards:  1

Deadline

Deadline:  April 09

Lapiz Family Scholarship

This scholarship is available for undergraduate students who are farm workers or the children of a farm or migrant worker. Students must plan to attend the University of California.
Award Amount

Total:  $2000

Awards:  1

Deadline

Deadline:  April 26

Brad Evans Foundation Scholarship

This award is available for U.S. high school seniors who are residents of Orange County, California, graduating from a high school in the Newport Mesa Unified School District. Student must attend the University of California at Berkeley and have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.
Award Amount

Total:  $5000

Awards:  1

Deadline

Deadline:  April 28

Fulfilling Our Dreams Scholarship Program

This scholarship is available to Central American/Latino students who are residents of and studying in the San Francisco Bay Area, the Los Angeles area, or San Fernando Valley. Students must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher, demonstrate financial need, have a history of community involvement, and be willing to serve as a mentor if selected for a scholarship.
Award Amount

Total:  $162000

Awards:  54

Deadline

Deadline:  May 01

June Miller Nursing Education Scholarship

This scholarship is open to U.S. students who are accepted or enrolled in a degree program in nursing. Students must reside and attend college/university in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, or Ventura counties in California.
Award Amount

Total:  $4000

Awards:  2

Deadline

Deadline:  May 01

Singerman – Nosseck Memorial Childcare Scholarship

This scholarship is open to U.S. students who enroll in a trade school program that leads to certification, in order to learn a marketable skill which will lead to economic self-sufficiency. Students must reside in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, or Ventura counties in California; students must also attend a school in these counties, unless attending an online school.
Award Amount

Total:  $1000

Awards:  1

Deadline

Deadline:  May 01

Sophie Greenstadt Scholarship for Mid-Life Women

This scholarship is open to U.S. women who are 35 years of age or older and are re-entering or continuing school in order to learn a marketable skill which will lead to economic self-sufficiency. Students must reside and attend school in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, or Ventura counties in California.
Award Amount

Total:  $1000

Awards:  1

Deadline

Deadline:  May 01

American Florists’ Exchange Scholarship

This scholarship is open to U.S. and Canadian undergraduate juniors and seniors who are residents of California or attending a college/university in California. Students must be majoring in agriculture with an emphasis on a future in floriculture and have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
Award Amount

Total:  $2400

Awards:  1

Deadline

Deadline:  May 01