Table of Contents
American students, especially those from California, currently have the most challenging time in history, with tuition fees at universities and colleges increasing by 8% per year. Hence, obtaining a scholarship has become a priority for most California students today to help with their financial burden in pursuing a degree.
Fortunately, thousands of California scholarships are available to eligible students each year. These scholarships are beneficial for students living or attending college in California. These options will take away their financial stress during their college years and give them the freedom to commit to their studies.
Below we have listed the ten best California scholarships aimed at helping California students finance their education. Check the following list to see if you may qualify for full or partial student grants in California.
1. ACWA Scholarship
ACWA awards two scholarships worth $3,500 each year to eligible undergraduate students. One of the agency’s initiatives aims to motivate committed students to join efforts to ensure California’s water quality through sound management policies.
These California scholarships are open to California residents attending an accredited California university at the time of application. In addition, they must be pursuing a bachelor’s degree in a field of study related to water resources to qualify for the awards.
To apply, submit at least two letters of recommendation, transcripts, and an essay of no more than 1,000 words to the official ACWA Scholarship website when the application window opens. These California scholarships call for applications every December.
2. AIST Southern California Member Chapter Scholarship
The Southern California Member Chapter Scholarships are one of AIST’s initiatives to reward and support high school and undergraduate students who are members of the association. AIST provides selected candidates with financial assistance during their arrival at an accredited college, either part-time or full-time.
AIST awards two scholarships annually, amounting to $1,500 each. One scholarship is available to an AIST member or the child, grandchild, nephew, cousin, or spouse of an active member of the AIST Southern California Chapter. Meanwhile, the other scholarship is available to a student pursuing a career in engineering, science, or other iron and steel production majors.
Interested candidates must post a scholarship application, essay, current resume, two letters of recommendation, and a copy of the transcript to AIST headquarter by April 30 each year.
3. Banatao Family Filipino American Education Fund
The Asian Pacific Fund has scholarships of $5,000 each for five people of Filipino descent living in one of 17 Northern California counties or 3 Southern California counties. Asian Pacific Fund awards the renewable scholarship annually.
This scholarship is open to incoming first-year students enrolled in a four-year university with a minimum GPA of 3.0. In addition, they must also be pursuing one of the following majors: Engineering, Mathematics, Computer Science, Environmental or Physical Sciences. As this is a need-based scholarship, the selection board will consider financially disadvantaged students.
You can find the submission deadline on the official website. Post your application along with your essay, recent resume, transcript, and letter of recommendation to the Asian Pacific Fund head office. Since the foundation no longer accepts online applications, the committee board only considers hard-copy applications mailed to the designated address.
4. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Scholarship Program
The California Teachers Association presents the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Scholarship Program, which encourages students of color to become educators, school nurses, school counselors, or school therapists. The program also aims to promote the professional advancement of teachers and ESP members of color.
Voluntary contributions from CTA membership support this scholarship. Although the scholarships vary from year to year, they usually amount to up to $6,000. Priority consideration will be given to those who have not previously received these California scholarships.
To apply, you will need to fill out an online application form. In addition, you must mail two recommendation forms and an official transcript to the CTA Human Rights Department office. Applications for this scholarship program close annually on February 12.
5. Cal Grant A High School Entitlement Award
These California scholarships are available annually to current high school seniors and recent high school graduates. To qualify for the award, applicants must submit a high school GPA, FASFA or CADAA with the California Student Aid Commission by March 2.
Cal Grant A is available on a limited basis to low to middle-income students with a GPA of at least 3.00. Selected candidates can only use this award for fees and tuition. Also, recipients can use it for a program at least two academic years long in an associate’s or bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
6. Cal Grant B High School Entitlement Award
These California scholarships are available annually to current high school seniors and recent high school graduates. To qualify for the award, applicants must submit a high school GPA, FASFA or CADAA with the California Student Aid Commission by March 2.
Unlike Cal Grant A, Cal Grant B is explicitly reserved for low to middle-income students with a high school GPA of at least 2.0. In addition, this award includes an additional annual Access Award that senior recipients and sophomores can use at life’s expenses.
Also, they can use this award for a program that is at least one academic year in length that results in an associate’s or bachelor’s certificate.
7. California Farm Bureau Scholarships
The California Farm Bureau Scholarship Foundation awards several life-changing financial aids to eligible students each year. The Foundation strives to assist students with a desire to pursue a career in the agricultural sector. The CFBF awards its scholarships based on the candidates’ academic achievement, career goals, extracurricular activities, determination, leadership abilities, and commitment to study agriculture.
Some of these California scholarships are non-renewable. They are available to undergraduate students entering or attending a four-year university or college in California. To be eligible for the prizes, applicants must be pursuing a career in agriculture. They must also have a college or high school GPA of at least 3.00. The CFBF opens up this valuable opportunity exclusively to California residents.
You will need to complete your application with the following items:
- A high school transcript
- A junior college transcript
- A course transcript
- Two letters of recommendation dated within the last three months
- An essay not exceeding 500 words
Submit your complete application online on the CFBF database system.
8. Horatio Alger California Scholarship
The Horatio Alger California Scholarship explicitly supports high school students who have faced and overcome significant obstacles in their young lives. The program is open to full-time California high school students who demonstrate a strong commitment to pursuing and completing a bachelor’s degree at a public or private not-for-profit institution.
In addition, to qualify as Horatio Alger Scholars, candidates must demonstrate a critical financial need. They must also engage in community service activities and demonstrate integrity in the face of diversity. Applications for the Horatio Alger California Scholarship are available from December to March 15 each year. Each winner will be entitled to a scholarship of up to $10,000.
9. CTA Scholarship for Dependent Children
These are other California scholarships that CTA offers to California’s brightest residents.
Unlike the publicly available CTA Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Scholarship Program, this scholarship is open only to active CTA members dependent children. The CTA Scholarship for Dependent Children offers a maximum of 35 scholarships of up to $5,000 annually to eligible candidates. Application windows are available online every mid-October.
The CTA requires all applicants to show proof that they are dependent children of active CTA members, CTA/NEA-Retired, or deceased members of the CTA. In addition, they must hold a GPA and coursework that reflects their high academic achievement. CTA considers candidates with unique medical, physical, or emotional difficulties that may have affected their grades.
10. Northern California Asian Peace Officers Association Scholarship
The Northern California Asian Peace Officers Association (NCAPOA) awarded a scholarship in memory of Berkeley Police Officer Ronald T. Tsukamoto. The memorial fund is available to full-time students interested in a career in law enforcement or other related fields with consideration for demonstrated financial need.
The dollar amount and number of scholarships awarded each year varies. This scholarship is a one-time grant. To apply, download the application form on the NCAPOA website, complete it, and return it with a certified copy of your transcript to the NCAPOA Scholarship head office by January 8.
