California Scholarships
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National Rice Month Scholarship Contest
The National Rice Month Scholarship Contest takes place with a handsome scholarship to financially assist high school graduating seniors pursuing higher education degrees at accredited post-secondary institutions across the U.S.
Cal Grant Competitive Awards
If you are eligible to receive the Cal Grant award, then you can win the Cal Grant Competitive Awards. There is a limit of 13,000 awards per academic year.
Middle Class Scholarship
The Middle Class Scholarship (MCS) is awarded annually to a number of eligible high school seniors from a family income of $201,000 to enroll in degrees in California.
PBWC Scholarship for Young Women
PBWC Scholarship for Young Women awards up to 10 female high school graduates a scholarship from $1,000 to $15,000 to complete their undergraduate studies in their field of choice.
Safe Jobs for Youth Month Poster Contest
Safe Jobs for Youth Month Poster Contest invites applicants aged 14 to 18 from California to enter a poster designing competition. They must highlight job safety and health for teens.
InspirASIAN Scholarships
InspirASIAN National Scholarships and InspirASIAN State Scholarships are annual programs offering $2,000 and $1,000 to selected high school students for college studies.
Robert Hunter Swadley Horticulture Scholarship
The Robert Hunter Swadley Horticulture Scholarship is available to graduating high school seniors from California pursuing a horticulture major at a recognized college or university in the U.S.
LPA Scholarship
LPA, Inc offers scholarships of $5,000 to high school seniors in California and Texas accepted at an accredited institution for a degree program related to design or building industry.
CIEF Bachelor & Masters Scholarships in Architecture
The Construction Industry Education Foundation offers the CIEF Scholarship in Architecture of $4,000 to five Californian students of minority enrolled in architecture undergraduate and/or graduate degree programs.
Directing Change Program and Student Film Contest – California
Each Mind Matters offers the Directing Change Program and Film Contest worth between $250 and $500 to creative middle and high school students at state and regional levels, varying by category.
Matsuo Bridge Company Ltd. of Japan Scholarship
The American Welding (AWS) Foundation offers the Matsuo Bridge Company Ltd. of Japan Scholarship to a student enrolled in a welding engineering-related discipline at an accredited high institution nationwide.
California Dream Act Scholarships
The California Dream Act allows undocumented students, students with valid or expired DACA, U visa holders, and students with Temporary Protected Status to receive certain types of financial aid.
Association of California Water Agencies Scholarship
The Association of California Water Agencies Scholarship is a merit-based award for undergraduates studying water resources-related fields in California
CA-NV AWWA Scholarship Program
The American Water Works Association's California-Nevada Section offers the CA-NV AWWA Scholarship Program of up to $5,000 to 12 undergraduate and graduate students studying water resources-related fields.
Howard C. Christiansen Endowed Scholarship
The Howard C. Christiansen Endowed Scholarship awards three undergraduate and graduate students, majoring in engineering or its related fields, $6,000 each to further their studies and reach their career goals.
California Association of Realtors Scholarships
The C.A.R. Scholarship Foundation awards $2,000–$4,000 scholarships to college students pursuing studies in real estate.
Eula Mae Jett Scholarship Plan
The Eula Mae Jett Scholarship offers $2,000 to the first-place holder and $1,000 to second place. The award is for undergraduate students in the legal field.
Joel Garcia Memorial Scholarship
The Joel Garcia Memorial scholarship is targeted at Latino high school students and college students who are pursuing a degree in journalism.
Edna Yelland Minority Scholarship
The California Library Association offers $2,500 to three California minority graduate students pursuing a graduate degree program in library and information science at one of the ALA-accredited universities.
The William and Janet Lahey Art Education and Visual Arts Scholarship
The California State University Foundation awards two students the William and Janet Lahey Art Education and Visual Arts Scholarship of $10,000 each to pursue a graduate program in arts education.
Davis Memorial Foundation
The Western States Roofing Contractors Association awards undergraduate and graduate students scholarships to enroll in a trade school or pursue a degree in a field related to construction.
Cathay Bank Foundation Scholarship
The Cathay Bank Foundation Scholarship offers twenty $1,000 scholarships to high school seniors.
General Scholarship
Every year, The California Restaurant Foundation offers 10 available scholarships valued between $2,000 and $4,000 per recipient in California, United States.
MGMA Western Section Scholarship
The MGMA Western Section Scholarship provides one award to an undergraduate or a graduate student to pursue a program relevant to medical practice management in an accredited college or university.
Real Estate Scholarship and Internship Grant
Real Estate Scholarship and Internship Grant, funded by the State of California Department of Real Estate, awards four students of any majors related to real estate a scholarship.
About California scholarships
California is one of the biggest states ranking 3rd in terms of its size. It has the highest population and to accommodate such a large number of people, California has an extensive and high-quality education system. However, tuition costs, room and board, supplies, and transportation costs together can make education quite expensive in California. To help with these costs there are many state-specific scholarships that you can apply for. In fact, there are a number of different scholarships available, from all sorts of different organizations.
Whether you're a high school student or a college student, there's likely to be a scholarship out there for you. So if you're interested in studying in California, it's definitely worth your time to look into these scholarships.
Cost of college in California 2023
According to the California Student Aid Commission, the average cost of college in California for the 2016-2017 school year was $13,860 for state residents and $36,510 for non-residents.
Fortunately, there are three schools in California that offer a lower cost of attendance. The University of California-Riverside has an annual cost of $11,432 for state residents and $27,518 for non-residents. San Diego State University is slightly more expensive at $13,472 annually for state residents and $29,646 annually for non-residents. Lastly, Fresno State University charges state residents $10,874 per year and nonresidents $25,122 per year.
In addition to the lower cost of attendance, students at these three universities are also eligible for scholarships offered by the university and/or through private organizations. Scholarships can help make college more affordable for many families.
10 best $1,000 scholarships in California
If you're looking for a scholarship worth $1,000 or more in California, we've got you covered. There are plenty of scholarships available but these 10 are the best scholarships in California.
Scholarships for high school seniors in California
High school seniors in California face unique challenges as they prepare to graduate and enter college or the workforce. With thousands of students competing for limited spots, uncertainty about their future can lead to high levels of stress and anxiety. This is especially true for those who come from disadvantaged backgrounds with fewer resources available to them. To help them succeed, many schools offer extra support such as mentoring programs, career guidance counselors, and financial aid workshops that provide valuable information on how to navigate the college application process. There are also organizations dedicated to helping underserved populations access higher education opportunities through scholarships and other forms of assistance. By making use of these resources, students have a greater chance of achieving success after graduation.
High school seniors in California are fortunate to have access to a variety of scholarships that can help them pursue their educational and career goals. Scholarships are available through a range of organizations, including the federal government, private foundations, colleges, universities, and community-based organizations. These scholarships come in a variety of forms and can provide financial assistance for tuition, textbooks, housing, and other related expenses. By carefully researching the available options, students can identify scholarships they are eligible for and apply for the ones that suit them.
Here are some of the top scholarships for high school seniors in California.
The Professional Business Women of California offers the PBWC Scholarship for Young Women to female high school seniors and is worth up to $15,000.
The CAC Educational Scholarship Foundation Scholarship is awarded by the California Association Of Collectors and is worth between $1,500 and $2,500.
The USA Rice and American Commodity Company awards up to $5,000 through the National Rice Month Scholarship Contest.
The California Restaurant Foundation awards a General Scholarship to high school seniors and college students worth between $2,000 and $4,000.
Tips for winning California scholarships
1. Start Early: Start researching scholarships early, even as a high school student. Don't wait until you start college to begin searching for scholarships. Begin by creating a list of all the potential scholarships that you may be eligible for in California. This list should include local, state, and national opportunities.
2. Know Your Eligibility: Research the details and requirements of each scholarship opportunity on your list. Make sure that you understand the eligibility criteria for each scholarship so that you can determine which ones are a good fit for you.
3. Gather Necessary Documentation: Have all necessary documentation ready to go when it's time to submit your application materials. This could include transcripts, letters of recommendation, a resume, and any other items that the scholarship may require.