California Scholarships to Apply For Right Now!

Scholarships are a great way to pay for college. If you are going to college in California, here are a couple of California Scholarships we think are great. To stay organized during your scholarship search, use our free scholarship application requirements tracker! Have any questions about searching for and applying to scholarships? Text #Scholarships to 33-55-77!

Disclaimer: Some scholarship websites or organizations found on this list may sell your personal information to third parties, including (but not limited to): your name, email address, home address, and phone number. While we aim to share scholarships and scholarship websites that do not sell any student data, we know that those with larger money scholarships may. We encourage you to always be intentional about the scholarships you apply to and the information you share with them.

Trustees' Award for Outstanding Achievement // The California State University

Amount: Varies; Minimum of $6,000

Deadline: Varies by CSU

The CSU Trustees' Award for Outstanding Achievement is given each year to students who demonstrate superior academic performance, personal accomplishments, community service, and financial need.

Are you a current or incoming student at a CSU? Find more scholarships and aid here. 

National CPR Foundation Healthcare and Education Scholarship Program // National CPR Foundation

Amount: $500

Deadline: Monthly; see website for more details

Incoming and current college students who are at least 18 years of age and have a minimum GPA of 2.8 are eligible to apply for this scholarship. Applicants must be currently or planning to be enrolled in school majoring in a healthcare or education-related field. Applicants must submit a 500- to 750-word essay describing what motivates them in their career aspirations, and why they want to pursue or are currently studying for a healthcare or education-related degree.

Kennedy-King Memorial College Scholarship // Kennedy-King Memorial College Scholarship Fund

Amount: $6,000 for two years

Deadline: February 17, 2023

This scholarship is awarded to a few students who transfer in the fall or spring following the award from Contra Costa County community colleges in California to junior standing in four-year accredited institutions.

PCF Scholarships // The Peninsula College Fund

Amount: $3,000 per school year

Deadline: February 17, 2023

This college fund offers scholarships and mentoring to low-income, first-generation, and undocumented students attending any accredited college or university in the United States. Must have a 2.8 GPA or higher and demonstrate financial need. 

POE Scholarships // Pursuit of Excellence

Amount: Varies

Deadline: February 28, 2023

This organization offers scholarships of $500-$6000 to students from the South Bay Area, CA.

Scholarships // Silicon Valley Community Foundation

Amount: Varies by specific scholarship, up to $40,000

Deadline: February 28, 2023

This scholarship foundation awards around 700 scholarships per year to Northern California students. Different scholarships awarded through this foundation have different eligibility requirements, so be sure you’re eligible before applying. 

The Southwest Airlines Scholarship // Silicon Valley Community Foundation

Amount: Up to $5,000

Deadline: February 28, 2023

This scholarship is available to students at trade/vocational schools and 2- and 4-year colleges and universities. Applicants must express interest in a career in the airline industry. Special consideration is given to applicants who identify as black, Indigenous, or people of color (BIPOC), are first-generation college students, and are eligible for the Federal Pell Grant.

NCJW LA Scholarship Program // National Council of Jewish Women

Amount: $1,000-$5,000

Deadline: Applications open March 2023

NCJW’s scholarships are available to students who live and attend school in the Greater Los Angeles area. Applicants must be currently enrolled in a college or admitted to begin college fall 2022. Personal statement essay, transcripts, and enrollment verification required to submit application. 

Clair A. Hill Scholarship // ACWA

Amount: $5,000

Deadline: March 1, 2023

Applicants must be a California resident and attend either a University of California or California State University. Applicants must be juniors who are pursuing an undergraduate degree in a water resources-related field related to engineering, agricultural and/or urban water supply, environmental studies, or public administration at the start of the academic year. Read more about eligibility requirements here.

Virginia Smith Scholarship // Merced County Office of Education

Amount: Varies

Deadline: March 2, 2023

Students who resided and attended a public high school in Merced, California are eligible for this scholarship. Must be planning on attending a college full-time in the state of California.

Middle Class Scholarship // California Student Aid Commission

Amount: Varies

Deadline: March 2, 2023

The Middle Class Scholarship (MCS) provides undergraduate students, including students pursuing a teaching credential, with family income up to $191,000 and assets up to $191,000 a scholarship to attend University of California (UC) or California State University (CSU) campuses. Students must file their FAFSA or CA Dream Act application before applying for the MCS.

CA Dream Act // California Student Aid Commission

Amount: Varies

Deadline: March 2, 2023

This application is open to incoming and current college students who attended a California high school for a minimum of three years and will enroll in an accredited California college or university. Applicant must be a non-resident applying under AB 540 and AB 131.

Horatio Alger State Scholarship // Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans

Amount: $10,000

Deadline: March 15, 2023

This scholarship is available to high school juniors in all 50 states who have critical financial need. applicants must "exhibit a strong commitment to pursue and complete a bachelor’s degree at an accredited non-profit public or private institution in the United States," and must have a GPA over 2.0.

Blacks at Microsoft Scholarships // Microsoft

Amount: $2,500-$20,000

Deadline: March 15, 2023

To be considered for these scholarships, applicants must be African-American high school seniors with plans to pursue a degree in STEM. Must demonstrate financial need and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and higher. Must submit two letters of recommendation, resume, and an essay. 

Chicana Latina Foundation Scholarships // Chicana Latina Foundation

Amount: $1,500

Deadline: Applications open March 31, 2023

This scholarship is offered to Latina students in Northern California. Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited college, university, or community college in one of the following California counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Monterey, Napa, Sacramento, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, San Francisco, Sonoma, or Yolo. Applicants must have lived in one of the above counties for at least two years. 

LoadView Women in Computing Scholarship // Access Scholarships

Amount: $1,000

Deadline: April 1, 2023

This scholarship is open to female students currently enrolled as full-time undergraduate students in the U.S. or Canada. Must be planning to pursue a degree/career in computing. Essay required with application. 

Ebell/Flint Scholarship Program // The Ebell of Los Angeles

Amount: $3,000-$5,000

Deadline: April 3, 2023

The Ebell/Flint Scholarship is open to male and female undergraduate students of any major who currently attend private or public non-profit colleges or universities in Los Angeles County. Scholarship recipients are chosen based on financial need, academic achievement, and community service/leadership.

AISES Apple Scholarship Program // AISES

Amount: $15,000

Deadline: May 31, 2023

This scholarship is available to Indigenous college students in the U.S. studying in a STEM field. Must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and higher. Applicants must be a current AISES member at time of application.

Spotlight Scholarship // The Music Center

Amount: Varies

Deadline: Applications open June 2023

This scholarship “provides cash scholarships and artistic development to empower high school students by emphasizing preparation, courage, critical thinking and perseverance while providing an invaluable opportunity for students to hone their performing skills.” Only high school students living in Southern California are eligible to apply. 

Stand Up To Distracted Driving Scholarship // Kanoski Bresney

Amount: $1,000

Deadline: June 1, 2023

This scholarship is open to graduating high school seniors and current undergraduate and graduate students who will be attending college through the fall. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen and have at least a 3.0 GPA. Applicants must submit an essay on a given topic related to distracted driving.

Novus Biologicals Scholarship Program // Novus Biologicals

Amount: $1,500

Deadline: July 19, 2023

This scholarship is open to students worldwide enrolled or accepted for enrollment in undergraduate or graduate studies with a declared major in a science related field. Applicants must submit a personal statement and a statement on what they believe is the biggest hurdle for people working in their specific field of interest and why.

Semper Solaris Scholarship // Semper Solaris

Amount: $500-$3,000

Deadline: July 31, 2023

Applicants must be high school seniors with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and be enrolled full-time at an accredited high school between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2022. Proof of enrollment must be submitted. High school applicants must write a 750-word essay answering the following question: “How do you see solar power changing our country in the future?”

Missed the deadline on any of these scholarships? That's okay! We'll save this list so you can apply next year. 

eQuality Scholarship // eQuality Scholarship Collaborative

Amount: $6,000

Deadline: January 31, 2023

These scholarships are available to students who are residents of Northern or Central California (but may study elsewhere) who have demonstrated service in the LGBTQ+ community.

Edison Scholars Program // Edison International

Amount: Up to $12,500 per year, $50,000 over four years

Deadline: January 9, 2023

This scholarship program is open to high school seniors planning to pursue a STEM degree at a four-year college or university on a full-time basis. Applicants must have at least a 3.0 GPA and live in the Southern California Edison service territory.

Scholarships // Hispanic Education Endowment Fund

Amount: Awards start at $2,500

Deadline: December 31, 2022

This organization aims to help enhance Hispanic youths' educational opportunities and to improve students’ educational expectations in the Orange County, California area. They hope to help Hispanic students overcome financial barriers and work towards a higher education.

Denny’s Hungry for Education Scholarship // Denny’s | 100 Black Men of Upstate SC, Inc

Amount: Varies

Deadline: December 10, 2022

Scholarship is open to students who will be full-time students at accredited and post-secondary institutions. Grades and academic performance will serve as indicators of potential; however, preference will be given to African American male youth.

Pumphrey Law Scholarship // Pumphrey Law

Amount: $250-$750

Deadline: December 9, 2022

This scholarship is open to incoming and current undergraduate and graduate students in the United States. Applicants must submit an essay on the following prompt: “Why do prosecutors and defense attorneys have different ethical duties?”

PixelPlex Annual Scholarship // PixelPlex

Amount: $2,000

Deadline: December 5, 2022

This scholarship is open to citizens and permanent residents of the United States who are incoming or current college students studying in a field of study related to science, technology, engineering, math (STEM), economics, or business.

Stephen J. Bradley Stop Hunger Scholarship // Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation

Amount: $5,000

Deadline: December 5, 2022

This scholarship is open to students in kindergarten through graduate school (ages 5-25) who have demonstrated ongoing commitment to their community by performing unpaid volunteer services impacting hunger in the United States within the last 12 months.

PG&E Scholars Program // UNCF

Amount: Up to $4,400

Deadline: December 1, 2022

Black students who reside in Northern California and plan to pursue a degree in STEM are eligible for this scholarship. Applicants must be a full-time, currently enrolled undergraduate degree seeking candidate at a UNCF-member institution OR at any other fully accredited HBCU or U.S. located four-year college or university during the 2022-2023 academic year. Applicants must submit an online application, 1-page personal statement, and an official/unofficial transcript.

“In The Driver’s Seat” Scholarship // National Driving and Traffic School

Amount: $500

Deadline: November 30, 2022

This scholarship is available to students both in the U.S. and abroad. Applicants to this scholarship must be enrolled in high school, university, or college as a full-time student. Must submit a 750-word essay answering the following questions:

• What is the importance of driver education in reducing the number of deaths as a result of driving?
• What steps can be taken to reduce the number of deaths related to driving?
• Have you ever had an experience of being in a car accident or have seen your friends or family members driving irresponsibly?
• What steps can you take to be a better and safer driver as well as help others become safer on the road?

“You Can’t Label People, but You Can Label Products Scholarship” // Sttark

Amount: 4,000

Deadline: November 30, 2022

This scholarship is open to high school seniors and current undergraduate and graduate students who are U.S. citizens. Applicants must submit a 1,000-word essay responding to the following prompt: “You can’t label people, but you can label products,” as well as design their own label related to their essay that belongs on a product, but not a person. In addition to their essay and label design, applicants must submit a 250-word biography about themselves. Applications must be submitted to [email protected]

STEM Scholarship // NextStepU

Amount: $1,500

Deadline: November 30, 2022

This scholarship is open to students who are interested in pursuing a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math) major. Applicant must be 16-22 years old at the time of entry and be a registered user of NextStepU.com.

Unboxing Your Life Video Scholarship // Sttark

Amount: $4,000

Deadline: November 30, 2022

Scholarship is open to high school seniors and current undergraduate and graduate students who are U.S. citizens. Applicants must create a 5-minute unboxing video of their life that showcases their originality and unique personality, as well as provide a 250-word biography with their application video. Applications must be emailed to [email protected]

Dr. Juan Andrade Scholarship for Young Hispanic Leaders // United States Hispanic Leadership Institute

Amount: Up to $1,000

Deadline: November 30, 2022

This scholarship is available to students enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a full-time student in an accredited four-year or two-year institution in the U.S. or U.S. territories. Applicants must be able to demonstrate a verifiable need for financial support. At least one parent must be of Hispanic ancestry. Non-U.S. citizens are eligible to apply (DACA or undocumented).

Generous Heart Scholarship // YE Law

Amount: $1,000

Deadline: November 30, 2022

This scholarship is open to graduating high school seniors and current undergraduate and graduate students in all 50 states with at least a 3.0 GPA. Applicants must submit an essay sharing about a time that they helped another person.

Minority/Women in STEM Scholarship // Bold.org

Amount: 5 winners, $1,000 each

Deadline: November 19, 2022

Any BIPOC and/or female high school senior or undergraduate who is a first-generation, low-income student interested in STEM may apply for this scholarship. Applicants must write a 400-600 word-essay answering the following prompt: “What are some challenges you've had to overcome while pursuing your education and how do you plan on making a positive impact on the world through your STEM education?”

Good Tidings Community Service Scholarship// Good Tidings Foundation

Amount: $10,000

Deadline: November 11, 2022

Good Tidings supports education by providing education grants to high school seniors in need who have dedicated themselves to extraordinary community service projects.

TMCF x Walmart Foundation HBCU First Generation Scholarship // Thurgood Marshall College Fund

Amount: Up to $6,200

Deadline: October 10, 2022

First-generation students attending one of TMCF's 47 publicly-supported HBCUs or Predominantly Black Institutions are eligible for this scholarship. 61 scholars will be chosen as winners. All applicants must submit a 2-minute maximum video answering the following prompt: "What would it mean to you and your community to be the first person in your family to earn a college degree?"

The Skanner Foundation Scholarship // The Skanner News

Amount: $1,000-$3,000

Deadline: October 8, 2022

This scholarship is available to students across the country who have a minimum GPA of 2.5 and have completed at least 20 hours of community service in the past year with documentation. Applicants must write a minimum 600 word essay answering one of the following prompts: 1) Why are the academic results of minority youth (k-12), in the areas of reading and mathematics below the national average and what strategies do you believe school systems should implement to improve these statistics? 2) How should the minority community address the nation’s need for economic development? How would you define and address current issues of race relations in America? 3) What challenges are currently faced by young minority males or females?

BEE, YOU Scholarship // Busy Bee's Virtual Assistance & Management, LLC

Amount: $1,500

Deadline: October 3, 2022

This scholarship is available to high school seniors and current college students with financial need. Applicants must be working part or full-time in addition to being students in order to qualify for this scholarship. Applicants must write a 500-word maximum essay responding to one of the provided prompts as well as submit a link to a 2-minute video sharing your experience as a working student.

Cameron Impact Scholarship // Bryan Cameron Education Foundation

Amount: Four-year, full tuition scholarship (actual dollar amount varies based upon school selection)

Deadline: September 9, 2022

The Cameron Impact Scholarship is awarded annually to 10-15 high school students who have demonstrated excellence in leadership, community service, extracurricular activities, and academics. This scholarship covers the full tuition, fees, and books at any accredited U.S. based college or university that the recipient chooses to attend.

Rodeo Enthusiast Scholarship // Rodeo Ticket

Amount: $500

Deadline: August 15, 2022

This scholarship is available to students who either grew up going to rodeos or went to one for the first time as an adult. Applicants must write a 700-1,500 word essay about the experience. Must include a photo of yourself with your essay submission. Scholarship available to students in all 50 states.

Hearts for Community Service Scholarship // Warrick Dunn Charities

Amount: $5,000

Deadline: July 31, 2022

This scholarship program provides awards to support students who are active volunteers in their community and are attending or will soon attend a post-secondary institution. Two letters of recommendation showing proof of volunteer experience and a 500-word essay required.

Scholarship // The VANROSS Foundation

Amount: $500

Deadline: June 30, 2022

Applicants must “demonstrate positive-impact involvement consistent with capacity and circumstances and/or significant improvement/success in scholarship and community involvement.” Must submit 3 letters of recommendation, transcript, FAFSA, and EFC to be considered.

Western Regional Scholarship // Korean American Scholarship Foundation

Amount: $500-$5,000

Deadline: June 30, 2022

Full-time students who are of Korean descent are eligible for this scholarship. Students must be enrolled at a college or university in one of the designated Western region states (Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington) during the 2022-2023 school year. Must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and can demonstrate need for financial assistance. 

Arthur H. Goodman Scholarship // CDC Loans

Amount: Varies

Deadline: June 30, 2022

This scholarship provides financial assistance to dynamic, community-minded women and minority students transitioning from a community college in California or Arizona to four-year universities.

California Latino Legislative Caucus Foundation Scholarship Program // CLLCF

Amount: $5,000

Deadline: June 1, 2022

CLLCF invites all California residents who show financial need to apply. Several winners will be awarded $5,000 to go towards educational purposes. 

Better Together STEM Scholarship Program //PG&E

Amount: $2,500-$10,000

Deadline: June 3, 2022

These scholarships are available to students pursuing STEM-related studies at universities in California and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) in the United States. Students must be California residents and PG&E customers at the time of application.

BECA Foundation General Scholarship // BECA Foundation

Amount: $500-$1,000

Deadline: March 30, 2022

If you are a senior at a San Diego high school and will be attending a college in the fall, try applying to this scholarship!

Chevron Filipino Employee Network Scholarship // Asian Pacific Fund

Amount: $2,000-$3,000

Deadline: March 25, 2022

Asian and Pacific Islander students intending to major in engineering, computer, physical, or environmental sciences are eligible for this scholarship. Students must be from California, but preference is given to those living in the Bay Area, Southern California and Bakersfield area. 

Check out our college scholarships page to find more scholarships you can apply to now! Need help writing your scholarship or college application essays? We have you covered! We’ll review your essays for free and our experts will give you actionable feedback.