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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. 

Enrollment is also on the rise by 3.5% between 2012 to 2017. 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 2021

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

Check out our list of college scholarships in the Golden State below. We have 93,376 awards worth $118M.

Making Waves Scholarship

At Mattis Law, we’ve dedicated our practice to Family Law, and we do everything we can to ensure that children and their families will have a safe and happy future. In this spirit, we’re offering a $500 scholarship to benefit a San Diego County high school senior or graduate who wishes to improve their future by pursuing higher education. This scholarship is open to 2023 California high school graduates pursuing a four-year college degree and current college students who graduated from a California high school and are pursuing a four-year degree or are currently enrolled in a two-year college and planning to transfer to a four-year college degree program upon completion.

Total: $500

Awards: 1

Deadline: October 18, 2023

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Road to Responsibility Scholarship

As a Personal Injury Law Firm, we have seen firsthand the devastating consequences of fast and reckless driving. While Hollywood and the media glorify high-speed chases and powerful cars, we know that, in reality, driving fast can lead to serious injuries, prison sentences, and even death. We at Aronberg, Aronberg & Green, Injury Law Firm, want to encourage young people to think critically about the Hollywood perception of fast cars and promote safe driving practices. That’s why we’re inviting students to tap into their artistic side and create a poem, song, movie, graphic, cartoon, or essay demonstrating the downfalls of fast driving and/or highlighting the importance of safe driving. Our hope is that this scholarship will not only raise awareness about the dangers of reckless driving but also inspire young people to take action to prevent accidents and promote safe driving practices. We look forward to receiving your creative submissions and awarding the scholarship to a deserving student who shares our commitment to promoting safe driving.

Total: $1000

Awards: 1

Deadline: November 30, 2023

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Rise Above Scholarship

It is a great feeling to be a part of a team working towards a common goal. Working for a good company instills essential values and develops people socially and professionally. At Silberman & Lam LLP, we advocate for the everyday employee. Our firm works on cases primarily regarding Workers’ Compensation law, and we are very familiar with seeing employees being taken advantage of by their employers. Often, people are uninformed of their rights as employees, and managers or executives can exploit their labor and time. That is why we created the Rise Above Scholarship to hear from students across the nation about any similar experience that shaped them. As a workers’ compensation firm, we hope this scholarship will create helpful discussions between students to instill confidence as an employee. We ask people to share a time when they felt like they were being taken advantage of as an employee, intern, or group member. How did this experience affect your professional relationships with those involved? Has your experience helped you look for future or current employment red flags? How did a negative, professional situation turn out to be a positive one in the long run, and how did you learn from it?z

Total: $1000

Awards: 1

Deadline: December 01, 2023

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Avalaunch Media Scholarship

At the base of the Wasatch Mountain Range sits Avalaunch Media’s headquarters. Within the office you’ll find a 2-foot statue of a yeti symbolizing the mission and purpose of our team. Although some don’t know what a yeti is, or if it even exists, the tall tale of the yeti inspires us. We’re on a quest to create believers in digital marketing through measurable results. Our abominable snowman – Eddy the Yeti – surrounds our team of digital marketers who believe. Are you a believer? We are excited to announce the launch of our annual Avalaunch Media Scholarship Contest. The winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship. Avalaunch Media is committed to supporting students in their educational pursuits and helping to develop the next generation of believers.

Total: $1000

Awards: 1

Deadline: December 01, 2023

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Sief Khafagi Scholarship

The Sief Khafagi Scholarship is dedicated to fostering the pursuit of higher education among students who exhibit exceptional academic achievements. This program offers a $2,500 scholarship aimed at supporting students in state-sponsored colleges or universities. We believe in the transformative power of education and are committed to assisting dedicated students in achieving their academic aspirations. Apply for the Sief Khafagi Scholarship today and take a step toward realizing your higher education dreams.

Total: $2500

Awards: 1

Deadline: December 12, 2023

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Becca’s Closet Spirit of Generosity Scholarship

Rebecca was a passionate, bright, fun-loving young woman who loved being with her friends and felt that no one should miss a high school event because they couldn’t afford to be there. She saw the inequity in the situation and sought to change things. During the Spring of her sophomore year, Becca singlehandedly collected and donated over 250 formal dresses and helped hundreds of girls across South Florida attend their High School proms in style. To keep Becca’s dream alive, countless dedicated people throughout the United States have joined forces to provide opportunities for those who seek them. Although the core mission of Becca’s Closet, located in the Festival Marketplace in Pompano Beach, FL, was to collect and distribute dresses to high school girls with financial need, our goals have expanded to offer additional opportunities for deserving young people. In the spirit of Rebecca’s visions and aspirations, our foundation raises funds to award post-secondary educational scholarships recognizing the exemplary efforts of young men and women nationwide who demonstrate Becca’s spirit of generosity in their own communities.

Total: $2000

Awards: 1

Deadline: March 29, 2024

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Edna Wirt Woods and Ruth Nagel Scholarship Fund

The Edna Wirt Woods and Ruth Nagel Scholarship Fund is available for female high school seniors and previous high school graduates from Ventura County, California. Applicants must be majoring in a health-related field and must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

Total: $1000

Awards: 1

Deadline: January 26

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Parker and Virginia Howell Scholarship Fund

The Parker and Virginia Howell Scholarship Fund is available for graduating high school seniors and undergraduarte students from the city of Ventura, California. Applicants must have unmet financial need, a GPA of 3.0 or higher, and must be planning to major in creative writing or engineering.

Total: $600

Awards: 1

Deadline: January 26

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Supervisor Jim Dougherty Scholarship Fund

The Supervisor Jim Dougherty Scholarship Fund is available for graduating high school seniors who plan to attend Ventura County Community College, as well as freshman currently enrolled at VCCC. Applicants must reside in Moorpark or Simi Valley in California.

Total: $2000

Awards: 1

Deadline: January 26

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Stephen Devron Resnik Memorial Scholarship Fund

The Stephen Devron Resnik Memorial Scholarship Fund is available for graduating high school seniors in Camarillo, California who are planning to enroll full time in a four-year college or university. Preference is given to students who are active in volleyball as well as those who demonstrate a passion for helping others.

Total: $1000

Awards: 1

Deadline: January 26

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