California Scholarships

California is one of the biggest state in America and has the highest population of more than 39 million. To accommodate such a large number of people, California has an extensive and high-quality education system that ranks at #20 in education overall according to the U.S. News, and at #3 in higher education specifically.

California provides an array of great colleges and universities with three main public segments that include the prestigious University of California, California State University, and California Community Colleges. There are more than 300 degree-awarding private institutions with almost half of them being non-profit organizations. In total, there are close to 3 million enrolments with most of them being undergraduates and more than 50% of the students are female. This huge state also houses around 170 trade schools offering diplomas and certificates.

High-quality higher education in California comes with high tuition costs, room and board, supplies, and transportation costs. Together these costs can make education considerably expensive in California. Students end up taking loans and out of the total of almost $1.7 trillion federal student debt in the U.S., Californian students owe more than $142 billion.

To avoid taking big student loans, students can get help from scholarships and grants. These offer money to students that can help pay for tuition and college-related expenses without increasing the debt burden. There are more than 40 scholarships listed on this page for students pursuing higher education in the state of California. Students from all backgrounds can apply to most of the mentioned California scholarships with our guide below.

California has around 32 public post-secondary educational institutes and around 300 private ones. The private institutions in California consist of 150 private nonprofit institutions and 160 for-profit. Some of the top-ranking universities in this state include Stanford University, California Institute of Technology, and University of California, Berkeley.

Stanford University is a private institution with a suburban setting and more than 8000 undergraduate enrolments per year. It is ranked #3 in America and is located in Stanford, California. It has a higher cost of tuition which is currently around $62,484 on average and room and board of approximately $19,922 (2023-2024). It is harder to get into Stanford compared to many other universities as it has an acceptance rate of 4% only and has high academic requirements including a GPA of 3.9+ and SAT score range of more than 1500.

The California Institute of Technology is the 7th best National University in America. It is a private institution located in Pasadena, California, and has a tuition fee of around $63,255 which is slightly higher than Stanford. Its acceptance rate is also lower being at 3%. The highest percentage of students are enrolled in Computer and Information Sciences majors and Engineering related majors. The student enrolment per semester is lower, around 1000, due to the low acceptance rate.

The University of California campus in Berkeley is a public institution and is ranked #15 among the top National Universities in the States. Being a public university, its tuition cost is much lower being around $15,891 per year for in-state students. For out-of-state students, the tuition costs are around $48,465 per year. The acceptance rate is also higher at 11% and around 32,831 undergraduate enrolments. The room and board, however, costs more than the other two universities mentioned being at around $22,402 in the year 2023-24. This may make the cost for out-of-state students who choose to stay on campus much higher. Full-ride California scholarships can help students afford the overall cost more easily.

California State University East Bay is one of the public universities in California that accept applicants with a GPA that is around 3. Its average acceptance GPA is 3.2 and the admission approval chance is around 74%.

The Fresno Campus of California State University also has more lenient admission requirements. It not only accepts an average GPA of around 3.0 but also has a lower SAT score requirement starting at 890. Due to this, the acceptance rate of the university is also above 90%.

Life Pacific College is another option for students looking for a 4-year degree-granting institution that accepts students with 3.0 or slightly lower GPAs. It is a private institution located in San Dimas, California with a more than 90% acceptance rate. However, being a private institution, its average tuition per year is higher than public institutions. Currently, their tuition and fees are a little more than 20,000 per year.

Colleges and universities in California have a lower average cost of tuition compared to the whole country. In the year ending 2022, the average tuition cost in California for in-state students was close to $14,450 which is slightly lower than the national average.

The exact tuition you will pay depends on multiple factors as costs tend to differ between in-state and out-of-state students, and between public and private institutions. Out-of-state students in private universities would naturally pay the highest cost. Out-of-state students or those studying in 4-year private institutions can expect the average annual tuition costs to exceed $30,000 quite easily.

Even though the average tuition cost in California is lower than that of the country as a whole, their cost of living exceeds the national average by around 50%. This may make the total cost of attendance quite high and hard to afford independently. Students can get help from the many scholarships available to Californian students. Cal Grant Competitive Awards, Howard C. Christiansen Endowed Scholarship, and Middle-Class Scholarship are three examples of California scholarships to consider.

California has around 3 million students enrolled in degree-granting institutions out of which around 90% are undergraduate students studying in 4-year degree-granting institutions. Close to 60% of the total enrolments are females.

The highest number of enrollments are of Hispanics which makes up around 40% of the total enrolments, followed by White Americans who consist of 30% of the total. There are close to 400,000 Asian students enrolled in the degree-granting institutions of California. American Indian/Native American makes the lowest percentage, which is less than 1%, of student enrolment in the state of California.

The total student debt in America is more than a trillion total including federal and private loans with an average of $28,950 per student nationally. California makes up around $141.8 billion of the total national debt in America with an average of around $37,084 per person.

How To Apply

1. Check Eligibility

Scholarship websites are the easiest place to find most scholarship opportunities as they list all the available options under one roof. They also list scholarships according to state, college major, demographic, and grade level. You can also filter them according to the parameters provided to narrow down the list. This makes it easier to find scholarships that are best suited to you. Go through the eligibility requirements of the scholarships thoroughly to make sure that you qualify to save time. Some scholarships may be need-based and are awarded based on the financial need of the student, while others may be based on merit.

2. Understand the Application Requirements
It is important to understand what the scholarship demands for submitting a strong application.

Scholarship applications may require some or all of the following:

• Scholarship Application Form:Scholarship application is unique for each scholarship and is a must to be considered as an applicant. It usually asks for general information about the application like their name, date of birth, education, address, and so on. It may also contain a few short answer questions relevant to the scholarship.
• Essay:Many scholarships require an essay along with the application form. Applicants can make themselves stand out via their essays. Therefore, you should take proper time and put in good effort when writing one. It’s important that your essay is original, and represents your personality and opinions.
• Letters of Recommendation: A letter of recommendation can be written by your personal or professional references. Some scholarships specifically demand letters of recommendation from teachers. The letter contains reasons for why the applicant is a deserving one. It assesses the applicant’s qualities, characteristics, strengths, capabilities, and academic performance, which kind of acts as a character certificate when applying for scholarships.
• Grade Transcripts: Many scholarships whether they are merit-based or need-based usually require school transcripts that show the academic performance of an individual. You can get a copy through your school’s website or the office and attach it to the application form.
• Resume: A resume is where an applicant can highlight their skills and accomplishments. It does not have to have work experiences only but can also include mentions of any societies or extra-curricular activities that you have been a part of, and any special courses that you have completed that equipped you with a certain skill.
• Financial Information: Many need-based scholarships may ask you to provide financial information that may include information about your family income and any financial aid that you may have received.
• FAFSA: Some scholarships require applicants to apply for Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be eligible for them. These are mainly need-based scholarships.
• Portfolio or Video Submission: There are a few scholarships that ask for video or portfolio submissions. This usually applies to art major scholarships as videos and portfolios are how an applicant can show their skills. Some scholarships do not have other requirements and are like contests where participants have to make a project and provide a picture or video of it to enter and win.
• School Verification: A school verification letter verifies which school the candidate is attending or has attended, the dates when they started and finished a program, and also includes a list of any certificates or degrees earned.
• Standardized Test Scores:Occasionally, you may need to provide a copy of your SAT or ACT scores. These are standardized test scores that most colleges and universities require for admission.

3. Order scholarships according to submission deadlines:

It is important to arrange the scholarships according to the deadlines to make sure that you take advantage of every opportunity. Timing is very important and the earlier you apply the better it is. It is always wise to start early too because it may take time to complete all the submission requirements like writing essays and getting letters of recommendation in hand. Time should, especially, be invested in scholarships that require an essay as it takes a lot of time, planning, and effort to write a good one.

4. Proofread:

Once you have completed your application and the associated requirements, make sure to go through them all thoroughly at least once. You can also get a friend or someone from the family to help you proofread for mistakes and errors.

5. Submit your application:

After you have taken your time filling out the application form, writing the essay, collecting all the required documents, and proofreading – it is time to submit. Most applications now require online submissions and may take a few minutes only if you have everything ready to upload. Keep track of the status of your application process and keep in mind that it may take some time to receive an answer. You may put in a follow-up email if you haven’t received any reply for some time.

Tips For Applying

• Start looking early: Don’t wait until the last minute to look for scholarships in California. Many organizations have deadlines that are months before the school year even starts, so it pays to begin your search as soon as possible. Make sure you research, apply, and submit all necessary documents on time to maximize your chances of winning scholarships.
• Network: Many of the scholarship opportunities come through networking and contacts, so make sure you take full advantage of your connections. Utilize family members, friends, contacts from any organizations or clubs you are part of, and even faculty members at your school to learn about different scholarship options in the area..
• Seek out local scholarships: Many organizations in California offer scholarships specifically for local students. Look up businesses and community groups in the area, as they often have scholarship programs available. You can also check with your school’s guidance office or college counseling department to see if they know of any opportunities. You can also check on scholarship websites for scholarships specific to your state or area.
• Read the requirements carefully: Once you have a narrowed-down list of scholarships, make sure to read the requirements carefully so you fully understand what is required..
• Do not rush when applying: Take your time and apply early. This allows sufficient time to gather all the required documents and also write a great essay if needed.
• Brainstorm for an essay and make an outline: If an essay is required, always start with brainstorming, then arrange your ideas and make an outline to follow. Unique, personalized, and lively essays have a better chance of qualifying than general and dull ones. Make sure that you understand the topic before starting..
• Customize application: Some students submit the same application, essays, and letters of recommendation to all organizations. It is better to thoroughly research the organization and what they are actually looking for before and customize your application and essays accordingly. You can also mention what the organization is looking for to people who are writing your recommendation letters so they can make it more relevant rather than general. However, it is important to be honest and avoid including things just for the sake of qualifying and getting a scholarship.
• Check and Proofread: You may be surprised at the amount of grammatical mistakes and other errors that you may come across when rereading your application and essays. Those applicants who submit applications full of errors appear irresponsible and undetermined to scholarship providers.

CAC Educational Scholarship Foundation Scholarship is a scholarship available to students studying junior and senior years of high school in California. It selects 3 award winners and grants a maximum of $2,500.

High school students have many choices for scholarships available to them. It is best to apply to all scholarships you are eligible for.

1. LPA Scholarship
2. Cathay Bank Foundation Scholarship
3. Zakat Foundation Community Service Scholarship

The undergraduate degree usually consists of 4 years of education including freshmen, sophomore, junior, and senior year. The tuition costs on average are lower in California as compared to the national average; however, the high living costs associated with the state pull up the total cost of attendance much higher. These extra costs may include rent and housing, transportation expenses, food and groceries, medical, and other personal expenses.

There are many scholarships available to undergraduates to help take some of the burdens off and make college more affordable. Some of the best options in California include:

1. California Dream Act Scholarships
2. CA-NV AWWA Scholarship Program
3. The Roshan Rahbari Scholarship Fund
4. Jim Sanders Media and Leadership Scholarship

Graduate student loans also take up a lot of student loans to pursue their professional education in California. In fact, according to a study, the graduate loan debt is larger in California than the national average, being 25% higher than in the country.

This huge debt becomes a long-term burden on students and limits them financially. It is therefore best to try and cover as much of the college cost through scholarships and other sources than loans. Following are some of the best California scholarships available to graduate students.

1. Robert M. O’Dell Endowed Scholarship in Public Administration
2. Richard K. Leffingwell Scholarship
3. ¡Lánzate!/Take Off! Higher Education Travel Award program
4. Real Estate Scholarship and Internship Grant
5. Howard C. Christiansen Endowed Scholarship

Students aspiring to become teachers can apply for most scholarships that are not major-specific. The following are three options to consider:

1. Defense Against Distracted Driving Scholarship
2. Graduating High School Senior Scholarship
3. National Rice Month Scholarship Contest

There are not many nursing-specific scholarships offered in California. California Nursing students can apply for general scholarships that are not limited on the basis of major.

1. Cathay Bank Foundation Scholarship
2. Korean American Scholarship Foundation-Western Regional Chapter

More women than men are enrolled in degree-granting institutions in the state of California. Most of these women face greater challenges than men in completing their education. This is because some are single moms and many women have the added responsibility of looking after the home alongside studying and working. Winning scholarship money can at least help take some of the financial responsibility off of them. PBWC Scholarship for Young Women is a scholarship specifically available to women in California that awards up to 10 high school graduates scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $15,000 annually.

University of California San Diego offers merit-based scholarships to their first-year students. Regents Scholarship, Chancellor’s Scholarships, Ellen and Roger Revelle Scholarship, Black Alumni Scholarship, Hispanic Scholarship Council Scholarship, Charmaine and Maurice Kaplan Scholarship, Ludwig and Ada Strauss Scholarship and Shimotori Memorial Scholarship are some of its merit-based scholarships. Students can get up to a $20,000 4-year scholarship award with many of the mentioned scholarships.

University of San Francisco in California (USFCA) also offers many scholarships to high achievers with the average award being around $20,000. It offers a University Scholarship to first-years with a $29,000 award, a $24,000 Presidential Scholarship award, a $22,000 Provost Scholarship, and a few others that awards between $16,000 and $20,000. The USFCA also offers merit-based scholarships of up to $16,000 to transfer students and first-year international students studying at the university can get scholarships of up to $29,000. The highest awards are reserved for the highest GPAs.

Many other universities in California offer merit-based scholarships. You can always check the website of your preferred university for related information or contact them via phone or email.

Students can find multiple opportunities through the scholarship listing websites and apply to the relevant ones. These websites list all the available scholarships under one roof and you can filter them according to your preferences. Students can also look for scholarships that various state-based and not-for-profit organizations offer on their websites. We have given a few of the many options below.

The California Student Aid Commission, or CSAC, is a state agency that administers financial aid programs for all students in California. It caters to students studying in public and private universities, colleges, and vocational schools in the state of California. It offers the Middle Class Scholarship (MCS) to students pursuing a teaching credential. You can go through their website to find more opportunities for financial aid.

CCNMA is another non-profit organization that assists students pursuing a career in journalism financially through scholarships. It works for Californian students with a Latino background. They offer $500 to $1000 scholarships named the Joel Garcia Memorial and Frank del Olmo Memorial scholarships to Latino journalism students. The organization has awarded more than more than $800,000 in scholarships since 1976.

You can also find scholarship opportunities on the California Scholarship Federation, Inc. website which is a nonprofit organization working for the betterment of middle and high school students in California. They offer tuition scholarships to students studying in middle and high school to support them financially in achieving academic excellence.

Many universities also offer in-house scholarships for their students. You can always refer to your university’s financial aid office and ask about any available scholarship or other financial aid that you may be eligible for.

The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) is one of the leading state-based agencies that offers various types of grants to California students. These grants require no repayments and are only available to students in California.

Since it is a government organization, you have to file a FAFSA or the CA Dream Act Application to determine eligibility for most of their grants. The Cal Grant Award is based on financial need and also has a minimum GPA requirement. This grant includes three types of grants labeled A, B, and C that include money for tuition up to a maximum of $12,570, a living allowance of up to $1,648, and up to $1,094 for books, tools, and equipment.

The CSAC also offers teacher grants with the name ‘The Golden State Teacher Grant (GSTG) Program’ which awards up to $20,000 to students who are enrolled in an approved professional preparation program and working towards earning their initial teaching or pupil personnel services credential.

Two other grants that the California Student Aid Commission offers include the California Chafee Grant for Foster Youth that grants up to $5,000 and the need-based Law Enforcement Personnel Dependents Grant Program (LEPD).