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 .
The Helen Mathilda Yunker Music Scholarship Fund is available for Ventura County residents who graduating high school seniors or currently enrolled at Ventura College. Applicants must be majoring in or planning to major in music.
The Katherine M. Wakelee Scholarship Fund is provided to female students in Ventura County, CA who are majoring in the physical sciences. Applicants must be graduating high school seniors or enrolled at a Ventura County Community College at the time of application.
The Leo and Rita Vanoni Scholarship Fund is available for graduating high school seniors and community college students in Ventura County, CA who are majoring in agriculture. Applicants must have a grade point average of 2.75 or higher.
The Second Century Legacy Fund Scholarship is available for graduating high school seniors in Moorpark, California. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and must be planning to enroll full-time in an accredited four-year college or university.
This scholarship is available for U.S. citizens and permanent residents who are currently enrolled as high school seniors. Students must have made a contribution to the Asian/Pacific American community and reside in one of the nine states or regions with an active Asian Pacific Islanders for Professional and Community Advancement (APCA) chapter.
The Skip Wohl Memorial Scholarship is provided annually for undergraduate and graduate students who are cancer patients and cancer survivors. To be eligible, applicants must be residents of and attending school in southern California.
The Robert Hunter Swadley Horticulture Scholarship is for graduating high school seniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA on 4.0 scale who will be entering an accredited college or university located in the United States as a freshman with a major in horticulture. The applicant must be a United States citizen residing in the state of California.
This award is available U.S. undergraduate and/or graduate students who attend or have graduated from a high school located in San Mateo County or Santa Clara County and are a resident of California. Students must also have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher and demonstrate community involvement over a period of several years.
This award is available for U.S. undergraduate and/or graduate students who have graduated from a high school located in San Mateo County or Santa Clara County and are residents of California. Students have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher and demonstrate community involvement over a period of several years.
This award is available for U.S. high school seniors who are residents of California attend a high school located in San Mateo County or northern Santa Clara County (Daly City through Mountain View) and have a cumulative grade point average of 3.3 or lower. Students must demonstrate community involvement over a period of several years and be able provide evidence of partial self-support (e.g., savings from summer jobs, part-time work, etc.).
