Scholarships for California Students

There are a number of scholarships specifically for high school students living in California to help pay for college.  We have compiled a list of college scholarships available for high school students living in the state of California to help make the process of applying for scholarships easier.

Here are scholarships available to California residents including the name of the sponsoring organization, who should apply, scholarship amounts, and application deadlines, so you can find the scholarships that are right for you.

1. The California Dream Act Application

• Requirements: High school seniors who are California residents and are AB 540 students.
• Amount: Varies.
• Need-based: Yes.
• Deadline: March 2
• How to apply: Applications can be found on the California Dream Act website (https://www.csac.ca.gov/dream_act.asp) and must be submitted online.

2. The Regents’ and Chancellor’s Scholarship

• Requirements: High school seniors who are California residents and are planning to attend a University of California school.
• Amount: Full tuition and fees.
• Need-based: No.
• Deadline: November 30
• How to apply: Applications can be found on the University of California website (https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/) and must be submitted online.

3. The California State University Trustees’ Award

• Requirements: High school seniors who are California residents and are planning to attend a California State University school.
• Amount: $12,000 over four years.
• Need-based: No.
• Deadline: December 4
• How to apply: Applications can be found on the California State University website (https://www2.calstate.edu/) and must be submitted online.

4. The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship

• Requirements: High school seniors who have a minimum 3.5 GPA and a minimum combined SAT score of 1200 or ACT composite score of 26.
• Amount: Up to $40,000 per year.
• Need-based: Yes.
• Deadline: November 13
• How to apply: Applications can be found on the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation website (https://www.jkcf.org/) and must be submitted online.

5. The Elks National Foundation Most Valuable Student Scholarship

• Requirements: High school seniors who are citizens of the United States.
• Amount: Up to $50,000 over four years.
• Need-based: No.
• Deadline: November 15
• How to apply: Applications can be found on the Elks National Foundation website (https://www.elks.org/) and must be submitted online.

6. The Gates Millennium Scholars Program

• Requirements: High school seniors who are African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian Pacific Islander American, or Hispanic American, and have a minimum 3.3 GPA.
• Amount: Varies.
• Need-based: Yes.
• Deadline: January 15
• How to apply: Applications can be found on the Gates Millennium Scholars website (https://www.gmsp.org/) and must be submitted online.

7. The Coca-Cola Scholars Program

• Requirements: High school seniors who have a minimum 3.0 GPA.
• Amount: $20,000 over four years.
• Need-based: No.
• Deadline: October 31
• Cola Scholars Program website (https://www.coca-colascholarsfoundation.org/) and must be submitted online.

8. The Horatio Alger National Career and Technical Scholarship

• Requirements: High school seniors who are planning to pursue a career or technical education at a two-year college and have faced and overcome adversity in their personal or family life.
• Amount: $2,500.
• Need-based: No.
• Deadline: June 15
• How to apply: Applications can be found on the Horatio Alger Association website (https://www.horatioalger.org/) and must be submitted online.

9. The California Community Foundation Scholarships

• Requirements: High school seniors who are California residents and have a minimum 2.5 GPA.
• Amount: Varies.
• Need-based: Yes.
• Deadline: Varies based on the specific scholarship
• How to apply: Applications can be found on the California Community Foundation website (https://www.calfund.org/) and must be submitted online.

10. The California Scholarship Federation

• Requirements: High school seniors who are California residents and have a minimum 3.0 GPA.
• Amount: Varies.
• Need-based: No.
• Deadline: Varies based on the specific scholarship
• How to apply: Applications can be found on the California Scholarship Federation website (https://www.csf-cjsf.org/) and must be submitted to the student’s school counselor.

11. The California Latino Legislative Caucus Foundation

• Requirements: High school seniors who are California residents of Latino descent and have a minimum 2.5 GPA.
• Amount: Varies.
• Need-based: Yes.
• Deadline: March 12
• How to apply: Applications can be found on the California Latino Legislative Caucus Foundation website (https://www.cllcf.org/) and must be submitted online.

12. The California Student Aid Commission Cal Grant

• Requirements: High school seniors who are California residents, have a minimum 2.0 GPA, and have financial need.
• Amount: Varies.
• Need-based: Yes.
• Deadline: March 2
• How to apply: Applications can be found on the California Student Aid Commission website (https://www.csac.ca.gov/) and must be submitted online.

13. The California DREAM Act Scholarship

• Requirements: High school seniors who are California residents and are AB 540 students.
• Amount: Varies
• Need-based: Yes.
• Deadline: March 2
• How to apply: Applications can be found on the California DREAM Act website (https://www.csac.ca.gov/dream_act.asp) and must be submitted online.

14. The California Association of Collectors Scholarship

• Requirements: High school seniors who are California residents, have a minimum 2.5 GPA and planning to pursue a career in the credit and collection industry.
• Amount: $1,000.
• Need-based: No
• Deadline: May 31
• How to apply: Applications can be found on the California Association of Collectors website (https://www.cacmembers.org/) and must be submitted online.

15. The California State PTA Scholarships

• Requirements: High school seniors who are California residents, have a minimum 2.5 GPA and have been active in PTA or PTSA
• Amount: Varies.
• Need-based: No
• Deadline: March 1
• How to apply: Applications can be found on the California State PTA website (https://www.capta.org/) and must be submitted online.

16. The California Restaurant Association Education Foundation Scholarships

• Requirements: High school seniors who are California residents and planning to pursue a career in the restaurant industry.
• Amount: Varies.
• Need-based: No.
• Deadline: April 1
• How to apply: Applications can be found on the California Restaurant Association Education Foundation website (https://www.caref.org/) and must be submitted online.

17. The California Garden Clubs Inc. Scholarships

• Requirements: High school seniors who are California residents and planning to pursue a career in horticulture, botany, landscape design, environmental science, or a related field.
• Amount: Varies.
• Need-based: No.
• Deadline: April 1
• How to apply: Applications can be found on the California Garden Clubs Inc. website (https://www.cagardenclubs.com/) and must be submitted online.

18. The California Retired Teachers Association Scholarships

• Requirements: High school seniors who are California residents, have a minimum 3.0 GPA, and have a parent who is a member of the California Retired Teachers Association.
• Amount: Varies.
• Need-based: No.
• Deadline: April 1
• How to apply: Applications can be found on the California Retired Teachers Association website (https://www.calrta.org/) and must be submitted online.

19. The California Dental Association Foundation Scholarships

• Requirements: High school seniors who are California residents, have a minimum 3.0 GPA, and planning to pursue a career in dentistry.
• Amount: Varies.
• Need-based: No.
• Deadline: April 15
• How to apply: Applications can be found on the California Dental Association Foundation website (https://www.cda.org/) and must be submitted online.

20. The California Medical Association Foundation Scholarships

• Requirements: High school seniors who are California residents, have a minimum 3.0 GPA, and planning to pursue a career in medicine.

• Amount: Varies.
• Need-based: No.
• Deadline: April 15
• How to apply: Applications can be found on the California Medical Association Foundation website (https://www.cmanet.org/) and must be submitted online.

21. The California School Employees Association Scholarships

• Requirements: High school seniors who are California residents and have a parent or legal guardian who is a member of the California School Employees Association.
• Amount: Varies.
• Need-based: No.
• Deadline: April 15
• How to apply: Applications can be found on the California School Employees Association website (https://www.csea.com/) and must be submitted online.

22. The California Association of Highway Patrolmen Memorial Scholarship

• Requirements: High school seniors who are California residents and have a parent or legal guardian who is a member of the California Association of Highway Patrolmen.
• Amount: $1,000.
• Need-based: No.
• Deadline: April 30
• How to apply: Applications can be found on the California Association of Highway Patrolmen website (https://www.cahp.org/) and must be submitted online.

23. The California Nurses Association Scholarships

• Requirements: High school seniors who are California residents and planning to pursue a career in nursing.
• Amount: Varies.
• Need-based: No.
• Deadline: May 1
• How to apply: Applications can be found on the California Nurses Association website (https://www.calnurses.org/) and must be submitted online.

24. The California Professional Firefighters Memorial Scholarship

• Requirements: High school seniors who are California residents and have a parent or legal guardian who is a member of the California Professional Firefighters.
• Amount: $1,000.
• Need-based: No.
• Deadline: May 15
• How to apply: Applications can be found on the California Professional Firefighters website (https://www.cpf.org/) and must be submitted online.

25. The California Fire Foundation Scholarships

• Requirements: High school seniors who are California residents and have a parent or legal guardian who is a member of the California fire service.
• Amount: Varies.
• Need-based: No.
• Deadline: May 15
• How to apply: Applications can be found on the California Fire Foundation website (https://www.cafirefoundation.org/) and must be submitted online.

26. The Gates Scholarship

• Requirements: High school seniors who are from low-income households and are planning to pursue a degree at a four-year college or university.
• Amount: Full tuition coverage for the selected institution.
• Need-based: Yes.
• Deadline: September 15th
• How to apply: Applications can be found on the Gates Scholarship website (https://www.thegatesscholarship.org/) and must be submitted online.

27. The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship

• Requirements: High school seniors who have demonstrated exceptional academic ability and financial need.
• Amount: Up to $40,000 per year.
• Need-based: Yes.
• Deadline: November 13th
• How to apply: Applications can be found on the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation website (https://www.jkcf.org/) and must be submitted online.

28. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Hunter Education Scholarship

• Requirements: High school seniors who are California residents and have completed a California Hunter Education course.
• Amount: $500.
• Need-based: No.
• Deadline: December 1st
• How to apply: Applications can be found on the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website (https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/) and must be submitted online.

29. The Elks National Foundation Most Valuable Student Scholarship

• Requirements: High school seniors who are planning to pursue a degree at a four-year college or university.
• Amount: $4,000-$50,000.
• Need-based: No.
• Deadline: November 15th
• How to apply: Applications can be found on the Elks National Foundation website (https://www.elks.org/) and must be submitted online.

30. The California Association of Professional Scientists Scholarships

• Requirements: High school seniors who are California residents, have a minimum 3.0 GPA, and planning to pursue a career in science.
• Amount: $1,000-$2,500.
• Need-based: No.
• Deadline: March 1st
• How to apply: Applications can be found on the California Association of Professional Scientists website (https://www.capsscientists.org/) and must be submitted online.

31. The California Teachers Association Scholarships

• Requirements: High school seniors who are California residents, have a minimum 3.0 GPA, and planning to pursue a career in education.
• Amount: $1,000-$5,000.
• Need-based: No.
• Deadline: March 1st
• How to apply: Applications can be found on the California Teachers Association website (https://www.cta.org/) and must be submitted online.

32. The California Farm Bureau Scholarships

• Requirements: High school seniors who are California residents, have a minimum 2.5 GPA, and planning to pursue a career in agriculture.
• Amount: Varies.
• Need-based: No.
• Deadline: April 1st
• How to apply: Applications can be found on the California Farm Bureau website (https://www.cfbf.com/) and must be submitted online.

33. The California State Parks Foundation Scholarships

• Requirements: High school seniors who are California residents, have a minimum 2.5 GPA, and planning to pursue a career in environmental science or related field.
• Amount: Varies.
• Need-based: No.
• Deadline: April 15th
• How to apply: Applications can be found on the California State Parks Foundation website (https://www.calparks.org) and must be submitted online.

34. The California Latino Legislative Caucus Foundation Scholarships

• Requirements: High school seniors who are California residents, have a minimum 3.0 GPA, and are of Latino/Hispanic descent.
• Amount: Varies.
• Need-based: No.
• Deadline: April 30th
• How to apply: Applications can be found on the California Latino Legislative Caucus Foundation website (https://www.cllcf.org/) and must be submitted online.

35. The California Women for Agriculture Scholarships

• Requirements: High school seniors who are California residents, have a minimum 2.5 GPA, and planning to pursue a career in agriculture.
• Amount: Varies.
• Need-based: No.
• Deadline: May 1st
• How to apply: Applications can be found on the California Women for Agriculture website (https://www.californiawomenforag.org/) and must be submitted online.

36. The California Professional Engineers in Private Practice Scholarships

• Requirements: High school seniors who are California residents, have a minimum 3.0 GPA, and planning to pursue a career in engineering.
• Amount: Varies.
• Need-based: No.
• Deadline: May 1st
• How to apply: Applications can be found on the California Professional Engineers in Private Practice website (https://www.nspe-ca.org/) and must be submitted online.

37. The California State Sheriffs’ Association Scholarships

• Requirements: High school seniors who are California residents, have a minimum 2.5 GPA, and have a parent or legal guardian who is a member of the California State Sheriffs’ Association.
• Amount: $1,000.
• Need-based: No.
• Deadline: May 15th
• How to apply: Applications can be found on the California State Sheriffs’ Association website (https://www.csso.org/) and must be submitted online.

38. The Bill Lane Center for the American West Scholarships

• Requirements: High school seniors who are California residents, have a minimum 3.0 GPA, and planning to pursue a career in the American West field.
• Amount: Varies.
• Need-based: No.
• Deadline: April 1st
• How to apply: Applications can be found on the Bill Lane Center for the American West website (https://west.stanford.edu/) and must be submitted online.

39. The California Association of Environmental Professionals Scholarships

• Requirements: High school seniors who are California residents, have a minimum 3.0 GPA, and planning to pursue a career in environmental science or related field.
• Amount: Varies.
• Need-based: No.
• Deadline: April 1st
• How to apply: Applications can be found on the California Association of Environmental Professionals website (https://www.caepnet.org/) and must be submitted online.

40. The California Restaurant Association Education Foundation Scholarships

• Requirements: High school seniors who are California residents, have a minimum 2.5 GPA, and planning to pursue a career in the restaurant industry.
• Amount: Varies.
• Need-based: No.
• Deadline: April 15th
• How to apply: Applications can be found on the California Restaurant Association Education Foundation website (https://www.calrest.org/) and must be submitted online.

41. The California Retired Teachers Association Scholarships

• Requirements: High school seniors who are California residents, have a minimum 2.5 GPA, and planning to pursue a career in education.
• Amount: Varies.
• Need-based: No.
• Deadline: April 30th
• How to apply: Applications can be found on the California Retired Teachers Association website (https://www.crta.org/) and must be submitted online.

42. The California Dental Association Foundation Scholarships

• Requirements: High school seniors who are California residents, have a minimum 3.0 GPA, and planning to pursue a career in dentistry.
• Amount: Varies.
• Need-based: No.
• Deadline: May 1st
• How to apply: Applications can be found on the California Dental Association Foundation website (https://www.cda.org/) and must be submitted online.

43. The California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists Scholarships

• Requirements: High school seniors who are California residents, have a minimum 3.0 GPA, and planning to pursue a career in marriage and family therapy.
• Amount: Varies.
• Need-based: No.
• Deadline: May 1st
• How to apply: Applications can be found on the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists website (https://www.camft.org/) and must be submitted online.

44. The California Optometric Association Scholarships

• Requirements: High school seniors who are California residents, have a minimum 3.0 GPA, and planning to pursue a career in optometry.
• Amount: Varies.
• Need-based: No.
• Deadline: May 15th
• How to apply: Applications can be found on the California Optometric Association website (https://www.coavision.org/) and must be submitted online.

45. The California Land Surveyors’ Association Scholarships

• Requirements: High school seniors who are California residents, have a minimum 2.5 GPA, and planning to pursue a career in land surveying.
• Amount: Varies.
• Need–based: No.

• Deadline: June 1st
• How to apply: Applications can be found on the California Land Surveyors’ Association website (https://www.clsa.org/) and must be submitted online.

46. The California State PTA Scholarships

• Requirements: High school seniors who are California residents, have a minimum 3.0 GPA, and have been active members of their PTA/PTSA at their high school.
• Amount: Varies.
• Need-based: No.
• Deadline: June 1st
• How to apply: Applications can be found on the California State PTA website (https://www.capta.org/) and must be submitted online.

47. The California State Board of Food and Agriculture Scholarships

• Requirements: High school seniors who are California residents, have a minimum 2.5 GPA, and planning to pursue a career in agriculture.
• Amount: Varies.
• Need-based: No.
• Deadline: June 30th
• How to apply: Applications can be found on the California State Board of Food and Agriculture website (https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/) and must be submitted online.

48. The California State Firefighters’ Association Scholarships

• Requirements: High school seniors who are California residents, have a minimum 2.5 GPA, and have a parent or legal guardian who is a member of the California State Firefighters’ Association.
• Amount: Varies.
• Need-based: No.
• Deadline: July 1st
• How to apply: Applications can be found on the California State Firefighters’ Association website (https://www.csfa.net/) and must be submitted online.

49. The California Association of Physician Groups Scholarships

• Requirements: High school seniors who are California residents, have a minimum 3.0 GPA, and planning to pursue a career in healthcare.
• Amount: Varies.
• Need-based: No.
• Deadline: July 31st
• How to apply: Applications can be found on the California Association of Physician Groups website (https://www.capg.org/) and must be submitted online.

50. The California Association of Student Councils Scholarships

• Requirements: High school seniors who are California residents, have a minimum 3.0 GPA, and have been active members of their student council at their high school.
• Amount: Varies.
• Need-based: No.
• Deadline: August 1st
• How to apply: Applications can be found on the California Association of Student Councils website (https://www.cascholasticfederation.org/) and must be submitted online.

51. The California Community Foundation Scholarships

• Requirements: High school seniors who are California residents, have a minimum 2.5 GPA, and demonstrate financial need.
• Amount: Varies.
• Need-based: Yes.
• Deadline: Varies, depending on the specific scholarship.
• How to apply: Applications can be found on the California Community Foundation website (https://www.calfund.org/) and must be submitted online.

52. The California Association of Collectors Education Foundation Scholarships

• Requirements: High school seniors who are California residents, have a minimum 2.5 GPA, and planning to pursue a career in the credit and collections field.
• Amount: Varies.
• Need-based: No.
• Deadline: Varies, depending on the specific scholarship.
• How to apply: Applications can be found on the California Association of Collectors Education Foundation website (https://www.caceducationfoundation.org/) and must be submitted online.

53. The California Business Education Association Scholarships

• Requirements: High school seniors who are California residents, have a minimum 3.0 GPA, and planning to pursue a career in business education.
• Amount: Varies.
• Need-based: No.
• Deadline: Varies, depending on the specific scholarship.
• How to apply: Applications can be found on the California Business Education Association website (https://www.cbea.org/) and must be submitted online.

54. The California School Boards Association Scholarships

• Requirements: High school seniors who are California residents, have a minimum 2.5 GPA, and planning to pursue a career in education.
• Amount: Varies.
• Need-based: No.
• Deadline: Varies, depending on the specific scholarship.
• How to apply: Applications can be found on the California School Boards Association website (https://www.csba.org/) and must be submitted online.

55. The California State Parks Foundation Scholarships

• Requirements: High school seniors who are California residents, have a minimum 2.5 GPA, and planning to pursue a career in environmental science or related field.
• Amount: Varies.
• Need-based: No.
• Deadline: Varies, depending on the specific scholarship.
• How to apply: Applications can be found on the California State Parks Foundation website (https://www.calparks.org/) and must be submitted online.

56. The California State University Scholarships

• Requirements: High school seniors who are California residents, have a minimum 3.0 GPA, and demonstrate financial need.
• Amount: Varies.
• Need-based: Yes.
• Deadline: Varies, depending on the specific scholarship.
• How to apply: Applications can be found on the California State University website (https://www2.calstate.edu/) and must be submitted online.

57. The California Association of Highway Patrolmen Scholarships

• Requirements: High school seniors who are California residents, have a minimum 2.5 GPA, and have a parent or legal guardian who is a member of the California Association of Highway Patrolmen.
• Amount: Varies.
• Need-based: No.
• Deadline: Varies, depending on the specific scholarship.
• How to apply: Applications can be found on the California Association of Highway Patrolmen website (https://www.cahp.net/) and must be submitted online.

58. The California Association of Professional Scientists Scholarships

• Requirements: High school seniors who are California residents, have a minimum 3.0 GPA, and planning to pursue a career in the field of science.

• Amount: Varies.
• Need-based: No.
• Deadline: Varies, depending on the specific scholarship.
• How to apply: Applications can be found on the California Association of Professional Scientists website (https://www.caps-web.org/) and must be submitted online.

59. The California Scholarship Federation Scholarships

• Requirements: High school seniors who are California residents, have a minimum 3.5 GPA, and have been active members of the California Scholarship Federation.
• Amount: Varies.
• Need-based: No.
• Deadline: Varies, depending on the specific scholarship.
• How to apply: Applications can be found on the California Scholarship Federation website (https://www.csf-cjsf.org/) and must be submitted online.

60. The California PTA Scholarships

• Requirements: High school seniors who are California residents, have a minimum 3.0 GPA, and have been active members of their PTA/PTSA at their high school.
• Amount: Varies.
• Need-based: No.
• Deadline: Varies, depending on the specific scholarship.
• How to apply: Applications can be found on the California PTA website (https://www.capta.org/) and must be submitted online.

We hope this list helps you find a college scholarship to help you achieve your higher education goals. Please note that the specific application deadline, scholarship amount, and application requirements may vary.

In addition to these scholarships targeted to California students, be sure to look into other scholarships that may be offered by the college or university you plan to attend, local organizations in your community such as the chamber of commerce, local clubs and other membership organizations, and employers in your area. Additionally, you can look for scholarships offered nationally, such as through corporations, foundations and professional associations.

Come back to ScholarshipsforCollege.org to find new scholarships as they are added.

Good luck with your studies!