Zina Kumok Image Written By: Zina Kumok | Edited By: Kevin Ladd | Updated: April 26, 2025

California Scholarships

Key takeaways:

  • Many scholarships have specific eligibility criteria such as residency in particular counties, while some are available by state.
  • Scholarships for California students cater to both need-based and merit-based applicants. Merit-based scholarships often consider academic achievements and standardized test scores, while need-based scholarships focus on the financial situation of the applicant.
  • California offers a wide range of scholarships for various academic disciplines and student backgrounds.

The Golden State is full of excellent public and private colleges. However, living and attending school in California can come with a pretty substantial price tag. That’s why California scholarships come in handy. They can reduce your total out-of-pocket expenses while letting you attend your dream school.

Continue reading the article below the scholarship list.

25 California Scholarships with Approaching Deadlines

  • 1

  • AAUW Sacramento Scholarship

  • Amount$6,000
  • DeadlineApril 30, 2025

AAUW Sacramento encourages women to achieve their goals and become valuable community members. The Sacramento branch raises money for and awards scholarships to, individuals who are: A woman age 21 or over who is attending certain colleges or universities. Applicants must have completed at least 12 units of credit from an accredited school with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. The number

  • 2

  • The Tang Scholarship

  • Amount$60,000
  • DeadlineApril 30, 2025

Mr. Edward C. Tang established this award in 2007 to provide financial assistance to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (l/g/b/t) Asian and Pacific Islanders (API) for post-secondary Education. Scholarship Details Supporting Asian students in the LGBTQ+ community Four awards of $15,000 each Awarded annually since 2007 Renewable for up to three additional

  • 3

  • Tzu Chi USA Scholarship

  • Amount$1,500
  • DeadlineApril 30, 2025

The Tzu Chi USA Scholarship is a scholarship program funded by Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation to recognize and provide financial assistance to outstanding college-bound high school graduates and continuing undergraduate students who were prior recipients in selected areas of the United States. Tzu Chi USA Scholars are selected on the basis of their financial need, academic achievement, and community

  • 4

  • MLF Domestic Students Scholarship

  • Amount$6,000
  • DeadlineApril 30, 2025

Based in Los Angeles and founded in 2005, Morning Light Foundation (MLF) is a non-profit charitable organization (IRC501c3 exempt organization) dedicated to helping students with financial need both in China and in Southern California. More than 5,000 university students with financial need have benefited from its scholarship program in China, hundreds of student-teachers are sponsored to teach

  • 5

  • AISES Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Foundation Scholarship

  • Amount$10,000
  • DeadlineApril 30, 2025

BNSF is a critical link that connects consumers with the global marketplace. For more than 160 years, BNSF has played a vital role in building and sustaining this nation's economy. The AISES Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Foundation Scholarship is made available to American Indian high school seniors with a 3.0 GPA or higher who reside in one of the 23 states serviced by the Burlington

  • 6

  • Central California Asian Pacific Women Scholarship

  • Amount$2,000
  • DeadlineApril 30, 2025

Central California Asian Pacific Women (CCAPW) scholarships are available for the upcoming academic year. The scholarships provide financial assistance to Asian and Pacific Islander (API) women pursuing higher education who are from Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, or Tulare County. The number of awards and amounts may vary annually based on available funding and the

  • 7

  • William R. Blow Sr. Scholarship

  • Amount$2,500
  • DeadlineApril 30, 2025

The William R. Blow Sr. Scholarship Fund is an undergraduate scholarship program available to State of California high school seniors with financial need who seek to attend four-year colleges and universities in the U.S. Each award is intended to cover a share of the scholars’ educational expenses – including tuition, living expenses, books and required fees. Awards vary by individual, based on

  • 8

  • Tom Tolen Educational Scholarship

  • Amount$5,000
  • DeadlineApril 30, 2025

The Tom Tolen Educational Scholarship supports students in Northern California pursuing careers in lighting-related fields such as architecture, electrical engineering, theater, and broadcasting. Award amounts range from $1,000 to $5,000 and are open to students at various academic levels, including trade school, junior college, undergraduate, and graduate students. This scholarship honors the

  • 9

  • American Florists' Exchange Scholarship

  • Amount$5,000
  • DeadlineMay 1, 2025

The purpose of the American Florists' Exchange Scholarship is to provide tuition assistance to students attending a college/university in California or student residents of California attending a college/university in other areas of the U.S. Eligible recipients are juniors or seniors with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, majoring in agriculture with an emphasis on a future in floriculture. The Original

  • 10

  • Orangewood Foundation Advanced Studies Scholarship

  • Amount$10,000
  • DeadlineMay 1, 2025

Orangewood Foundation Advanced Studies Fund (ASF) Scholarships provide financial assistance to former foster youth who are college graduates seeking assistance in pursuit of advanced studies. Applicants may be considered for support up to their 35th birthday. In order to be eligible for Advanced Studies Fund scholarship consideration, student applicants: must have been declared a dependent of

  • 11

  • Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego Scholarship Program

  • Amount$6,000
  • DeadlineMay 1, 2025

Scholarship applicants must be permanent residents of San Diego County, Imperial County or Southern Riverside County. Applicants may be enrolled in a school outside of these areas. Eligible applicants are students currently being treated for epilepsy who are currently enrolled or will be enrolled in a college, university or trade school in the fall of the year the scholarship is awarded.

  • 12

  • UAIC Native American Scholarship Program

  • Amount$5,000
  • DeadlineMay 1, 2025

The United Auburn Indian Community is invested in enriching the community through economic development, education services and a commitment to aid philanthropic programs. The United Auburn Indian Community is comprised of both Miwok and Maidu Indians. The historic Auburn Rancheria is located in the Sierra Nevada foothills in Auburn, California. The United Auburn Indian Community offers many

  • 13

  • AAUW Re-Entry Women Scholarship

  • Amount$2,000
  • DeadlineMay 1, 2025

The Women's Re-Entry Scholarship is awarded by the Poway-Penasquitos Branch of the American Association of University Women and is intended for a non-traditional female student who is returning to a school of higher education to complete her education. If you are a woman who has not yet earned a bachelor's degree but wish to do so in order to further your career, you are encouraged to

  • 14

  • Calflowers Scholarship

  • Amount$5,000
  • DeadlineMay 1, 2025

The CalFlowers Scholarship is for undergraduate students (who are at least incoming sophomores) attending an accredited California college or university (first priority) or an undergraduate California resident attending an accredited college or university elsewhere in the U.S. (second priority). Students applying for this scholarship do not need to be majoring in an agricultural program, but must

  • 15

  • NVFEH Scholarship for Medical Students

  • Amount$1,500
  • DeadlineMay 1, 2025

The North Valley Health Education Foundation educates people about health-related issues and financially supports students involved in the health sciences. Students enrolled in health professions at a California community college, four-year college nursing program, medical school, and paramedic program at eligible schools are eligible to apply for scholarships. Scholarship applications are

  • 16

  • DBMG Scholarships

  • Amount$5,000
  • DeadlineMay 1, 2025

Scholarship applications are now being accepted for the Diablo Black Men's Group's Scholarships. These scholarships are intended for African American male students who will be graduating from Contra Costa or Alameda County high schools in Spring. Eligibility Criteria: African American males scheduled to graduate from a Contra Costa or Alameda County high school at the end of the current academic

  • 17

  • LC Music Scholarships

  • Amount$1,000
  • DeadlineMay 4, 2025

Each year, Los Cancioneros offers music scholarships to worthy music students. Scholarship winners are invited to showcase their talent by performing with Los Cancioneros Master Chorale at one of its concerts. The scholarship applicant may be a graduating high school senior or a community college, college, university, or music school student specializing in either vocal or instrumental music,

  • 18

  • Russell Cole Memorial Lighting Design Competition

  • Amount$500
  • DeadlineMay 7, 2025

Applicants of the Russell Cole Memorial Lighting Design Competition must be enrolled in an accredited program at an accredited educational institution, studying an accredited curricula of architecture (ACSA), interior design (CIDA), architectural engineering, electrical engineering, industrial engineering (ABET) or theater (NAST), be full time undergraduate or graduate student pursuing lighting

  • 19

  • Tony V. Grey Legacy Scholarship

  • Amount$2,500
  • DeadlineMay 9, 2025

The Tony V. Grey Legacy Scholarship honors the life and contributions of Tony V. Grey—U.S. Navy officer, community leader, and proud Filipino American—by supporting the educational goals of students who share his heritage and community roots. In partnership with the Filipino American Council of Ventura County, this $2,500 scholarship is awarded to a graduating high school senior who demonstrates

  • 20

  • Mel C. Marshall Student Scholarship

  • Amount$500
  • DeadlineMay 10, 2025

CPCA was formed in 1990 by a group of precast concrete manufacturers who felt a local organization was necessary to address matters of concern to the precast concrete industry in California. Now, well into the third decade of service to its members, the focus of CPCA remains on the advancement of quality, precast products. CPCA operates as a non-profit California corporation, and it maintains a

  • 21

  • University of California- Berkeley Achievement Award Program

  • Amount$24,000
  • DeadlineMay 11, 2025

The Achievement Award Program is offered to students who are enrolled full-time at the University of California- Berkeley. To be eligible for the Incoming First Year scholarship, applicants must: have completed high school or GED requirements in California; be eligible for Cal Grant A; and submit a Statement of Intent to Register. For the Incoming Junior Transfer scholarships, applicants must:

  • 22

  • Kathleen McVey Memorial Scholarship

  • AmountVaries
  • DeadlineMay 13, 2025

College of the Redwoods offers the Kathleen McVey Memorial Scholarship to a continuing college student in the LVN or RN program. Additional requirements for this scholarship include being a continuing college student, demonstrate financial need, be a Humboldt County or Del Norte County high school graduate (preference given to Fortuna High School graduates), be a single parent (preference given

  • 23

  • Contra Costa County NOW Scholarship

  • Amount$1,000
  • DeadlineMay 15, 2025

Contra Costa NOW is a San Francisco Bay Area chapter of the National Organization for Women, one of the oldest and most prominent feminist organizations in the US. Contra Costa NOW is offering two $1,000 scholarships to women of color enrolled in a non-profit accredited college or university, either in a two-year or four-year academic program. We are looking to support a woman who has

  • 24

  • Ebell/Flint Scholarship

  • Amount$15,000
  • DeadlineMay 15, 2025

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. Eligible applicants must: have United States citizenship or Permanent Resident status; reside

  • 25

  • SVCF Deblinger Family Scholarship

  • Amount$10,000
  • DeadlineMay 16, 2025

To be eligible for the SVCF Deblinger Family Scholarship, applicants must: be single parents who are the heads of their households; be currently enrolled in a community college to obtain an associate’s degree, certificate or in a four-year college transfer program (students who already have an AA degree and are planning to transfer to a four-year college are also eligible); demonstrate financial

What is a California scholarship?

California scholarships can be awarded to students based in California, those attending school there or both. Some California scholarships are only available for those who meet both requirements, while others only require one type of residency requirement.

Like other state-based scholarships, some California scholarships also have specific regional requirements, like the Folsom Garden Club Scholarship.

How to qualify for the Folsom Garden Club Scholarship

California scholarships may also require that students major in a specific concentration (like the scholarship mentioned above) or be part of a specific ethnic, racial or other minority group. Oftentimes, California residency is merely one of several criteria required for qualification, which is why we recommend creating a profile and conducting a scholarship search to determine which of these scholarships you may apply for.

One of the best scholarship sources for California students is an in-state program known as the Cal Grant. Grant amounts depend on the type of grant, where you’re going to college and other factors.

How to qualify for the Cal Grant

The Cal Grant program includes the following specific grants

Where to find California scholarships

One of the best places to find California scholarships is through your school, especially if you’re attending a public school. Schools often have a wide variety of grants and scholarships for eligible students. If you’re currently enrolled, meet with your academic advisor to ask about maximizing your financial aid.

You can also talk to your professors, supervisors or any other adult mentors you know. If you change majors, make sure to talk to your new academic advisor. They may know about degree-specific scholarships you can apply for.

You should also look for scholarships through third-party sources. A good place to start is the Scholarships.com Directory, which sorts scholarships by category. Start by going through each category that applies to you. To simplify the process, you can also create an account and answer all the relevant questions. Once you have created your profile, you’ll be provided with a list of scholarships that are tailored specifically to you.

Applying for scholarships often requires a considerable level of organization and persistence. Use a spreadsheet to track scholarships and their requirements. Also, give yourself enough time to write the essay and get recommendation letters written. If you rush, you’re more likely to make typos and errors in your application.

Some students get discouraged if they apply for a few scholarships and don’t win. It's important to be realistic; you might have to submit several scholarship applications to win a single scholarship. However, there are strategies you can employ that will make applying quicker and more efficient. For example, some scholarship applications may require similar essays. Once you have one well-written essay, you may be able to reuse it (with a few edits here and there) several times.

Frequently asked questions about California scholarships

While some California scholarships are only given to students who plan to stay in their home state, others will let you attend school out-of-state.

For example, the AAUW Re-Entry Women Scholarship says you can either live in or attend school in San Diego County. This means that you may still apply, even if you are attending school outside of California.

How to qualify for the AAUW Re-Entry Women Scholarship

  • Must either live in or attend school in San Diego County
  • Must be a female student who is returning to complete her education
  • Must be at least 23 years old
  • Must have at least 20 college-level credit hours

The Cal Grant program offers some of the best scholarship opportunities for local students. Submit the application as soon as possible so you can be considered for the most number of awards.

If you’re not a California resident but want to attend school there, you might think that moving will automatically grant you in-state resident status.

However, that’s not the case. To be treated as an in-state student, you must have lived in California for at least 366 days before you’re eligible for in-state tuition. Also, undergraduate students who are 24 years old or younger need to be financially independent to qualify.

Eligibility requirements for California scholarships are very different, and many awards are given for community college or vocational students as well as graduate or professional students. While undergraduate scholarships for four-year programs may be the most common, they aren’t the only opportunities available.

No matter what kind of school you're enrolled in, you‘ll likely be able to find relevant California scholarships. The only potential caveat is if you're attending a school that is not accredited. In this case, finding awards may be trickier than if you were attending an accredited school.