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:
Banatao Filipino American Education Fund Scholarship
CA Teachers Association Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Scholarship
CTA Scholarship For Dependent Children
Cal Grant B Competitive Award
Cal Grant A Entitlement Award
California Farm Bureau Scholarship
Central California Asian Pacific Women Scholarships
ACWA Scholarship
AIST San Francisco Member Chapter Scholarship
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 .
This scholarship is available for high school seniors in California who have been medically diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome. Applicants must submit an original essay of up to 500 words in length and two letters of recommendation to be considered for this award.
This scholarship is available for U.S. undergraduate students who are of American Indian or Alaskan Native ancestry and are permanent residents of California or members of a California-based tribe. Students must have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher.
Central California Pacific Women prepares and empowers Asian and Pacific Island women from the Central Valley to advocate for gender and social justice by supporting and providing leadership and mentoring opportunities in the Central Valley and beyond.
This scholarship is for undergraduates majoring in agriculture or a related field, full time at a college or a university. Applicants should be Santa Clara county high school graduates. The minimum GPA is 3.5.
The Secular High School Student in California Scholarship is available for secular, humanist, and atheist/non-theist students in California who demonstrate leadership and activism in their communities.
Undergraduate or graduate students who are residents of California and active members of the California School Employees Association are eligible for this award. Applications are available on the California School Employee Association (CSEA) website only to members upon the creation of an account.
This award is available for minority law school students who live in or attend law school in the San Francisco Bay Area. A $20,000 scholarship and one $5,000 scholarship, with the potential for additional scholarships and awards based on funding. Click here to learn more and apply today!
UNCF / American Honda Foundation Scholarship is for male undergraduate students at any accredited four-year colleges or universities within the United States as long as a resident in an approved region of California and a STEM major.
