15 Dollars for Scholars Programs in California

Dollars for Scholars is the very first program from Scholarship America which is designed in the form of a community-based award. In fact, Dollars for Scholars has helped many students achieve their goals and expanded access to educational opportunities over the years all over the country, especially in California.

Dollars for Scholars Programs
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Also, as the nation’s most extensive grassroots scholarship program, Dollars for Scholars provides a wealth of student assistance by harnessing the power of the community. Thanks to the program, thousands of volunteers and donors have empowered students in their own backyards.

If you think this program will allow you to reach for the stars, this is a good time to apply for it. Below, you can discover the existing Dollars for Scholars programs chapters and see the one closest to you. This is especially true for students in California.

1. AVID Orange County Dollars for Scholars

AVID Orange County Dollars for Scholars was founded in 2009. The purpose is to raise funds to support AVID students in Orange County. In particular, AVID’s mission is to close the achievement gap by preparing all students for college readiness and success in a global society.

2. Banning Dollars for Scholars

Banning Dollars for Scholars has been awarding scholarships since 1983. Furthermore, the mission of Banning Dollars for Scholars is to expand access to educational opportunities for Banning High School students in Banning, CA through scholarships and academic support.

Its chapter currently offers the following scholarships.

1. Louise Taylor Scholarship

It is funded by a contribution given by a Banning High School Alumni and awarded annually.

To be eligible for the award, students must be active in school activities or sports. Also, their family income must be too much to earn Cal-grants or federal money, but not enough that paying for college would be a hardship. Lastly, students must also demonstrate drive and determination to finish college.

2. San Gorgonio Pass Rotary Club

It is funded by the fundraising efforts of the club members and awarded annually. In order to apply for the award, it requires community involvement, participation in the high school Interact Club, and at least a 2.5-grade point average.

3. Banning Kiwanis Club

The club members fund this fundraising effort that is awarded annually. In order to apply for the award, it requires community involvement, participation in the high school Interact Club, and at least a 2.5-grade point average.

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4. California Retired Teachers Association San Gorgonio Pass Division #82

It is funded by the organization’s scholarship fund. To be eligible for the scholarship, you must intend to pursue a career in education.

5. Franklin Family Scholarship

The Franklin Family funds this scholarship. Students must perform a community service that is not necessarily school-related to apply for it.

3. Drew Silvern Dollars for Scholars

The Drew Silvern Scholarship’s Mission is to help children of migrant workers from the Los Angeles area who have had to overcome the obstacles of immigration, poverty, learning a second language and are motivated to get an education so that they can help their families and be contributing members to their communities.

Furthermore, its scholarship helps these students defray the ever-rising cost of tuition, textbooks, dormitory/living expenses and also encourages them to complete their education.

In particular, the Drew Silvern Dollars for Scholars’ students come from many schools located in Los Angeles County, California. Specifically, they are identified as eligible to participate by the Los Angeles Unified School District Migrant Education Program.

Ultimately, every year, members of the Drew Silvern Dollars for Scholars Board meet in February to read student applications for the next year’s scholarships.

4. Esperanza Scholarship Fdn. Dollars for Scholars

The Esperanza Scholarship Foundation Dollars for Scholars is a non-profit organization and an affiliate of Scholarship America, the nation’s largest recognized scholarship and educational support organization.

In particular, the mission of the Foundation is to assist students in achieving their educational needs by providing financial aid and academic support and to close the educational achievement gap for all students.

Additionally, outside the traditional role of providing scholarships to college-bound students, the foundation strives to provide additional opportunities to middle school students, teachers, local fundraising, and other efforts which in the past have included:

  • Promise Scholars
  • Chaffey College Foundation Telethon
  • College Student Professional Enrichment / Networking Seminars
  • Community College Transfer Student College Partnership
  • Chaffey High School Theater Company
  • Online to College
  • Foundation Endowment Scholarships: Herbert & Cheryl Fisher/France Cordova, and others
  • Stellar Teacher Classroom Grants
  • Summer Academy for Middle School Students
  • Verizon Community Workforce Development

5. Fremont Chamber of Commerce Dollars for Scholars

Fremont Chamber of Commerce Dollars for Scholars (FCC Dollars for Scholars) is a scholarship program established by the Fremont Chamber of Commerce through Scholarship America.

In fact, FCC Dollars for Scholars designed the program to help graduating seniors pursue their dreams and achieve a better way of life through enhanced educational opportunities by obtaining scholarships.

Furthermore, the Fremont Chamber of Commerce Dollars for Scholars also aims to build a better-educated workforce and provide life-long learning opportunities by granting scholarships to students of Leadership Fremont.

In particular, it is an intensive 9-month training program that encompasses leadership skill development, hands-on activities, and presentations from private and public sector leaders who share a wealth of knowledge.

6. Greater Riverside Dollars for Scholars

Greater Riverside Dollars for Scholars is an affiliate of Scholarship America. Formed in 1996, the local chapter partners with individuals, businesses, and other nonprofits to raise and award the scholarship funds.

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The first scholarships for $500 each were awarded in 1995 to two students graduating from Norte Vista High School. Over the years, approximately $2 million has been awarded to over 1,400 students from 20 comprehensive high schools and special schools.

Now, Greater Riverside Dollars for Scholars offers need and merit-based scholarships each spring to graduating seniors from Alvord, Jurupa, Corona-Norco, Moreno Valley, and Riverside school districts as well as from Sherman Indian High School and California School for the Deaf.

Thus, students interested in applying for scholarships should check with their high school counselors starting in December.

7. L.A. Wilson Dollars for Scholars

L.A. Wilson Dollars for Scholars® is a nonprofit foundation that supports academic success in the community. Since the spring of 2005, L.A. Wilson Dollars for Scholars has raised and given out more than $185,000 in college tuition assistance to graduating students from Woodrow Wilson Senior High in Los Angeles, CA.

As part of Scholarship America’s national network of locally-based, volunteer-driven Dollars for Scholars chapters, L.A. Wilson Dollars for Scholars’ mission is to mobilize the community on behalf of post-secondary education success for all students.

8. Lincoln Heights Dollars for Scholars

Since Lincoln Heights Dollars for Scholars was founded in 1988, the chapter has awarded nearly $400,000 in scholarships to graduating Lincoln and Sacred Heart Seniors attending a four-year college or university, community college, or vocational institution.

This year, however, Lincoln Heights Dollars for Scholars is offering two $750 scholarships for Latinx Students for tuition and other college expenses.

Applicants for the community college scholarships must be 2021 graduates of Lincoln High School and planning to be a full-time student at a California Community College or vocational school.

In 2021, Lincoln Heights Dollars for Scholars removed the minimum GPA requirements to apply for general scholarships. However, all donor-restricted scholarship GPA requirements remain in place. Still, students must submit their high school transcripts to be considered for any scholarship.

9. Lindsay Dollars for Scholars

Lindsay Dollars for Scholars in Lindsay, California, is a nonprofit foundation that supports academic success in the community. As part of Scholarship America’s national network of locally-based, volunteer-driven Dollars for Scholars chapters, its mission is to mobilize the community on behalf of post-secondary education success for Lindsay High School students.

Dollars for Scholars programs like Lindsay’s help hometown students achieve their educational goals by raising scholarship funds, establishing endowments, providing assistance with college readiness and the financial aid process, and distributing scholarships each year.

10. Murrieta Dollars for Scholars

Murrieta Dollars for Scholars encourages students to pursue their education beyond high school by making available college scholarships to graduating seniors in the Murrieta Valley Unified School District. Furthermore, Murrieta Dollars for Scholars is dedicated to expanding access to higher education.

Over the last 28 years, its Dollars for Scholars programs have given $2.8 million in scholarships to over 8,000 graduates of Murrieta Valley Unified School District.

If you have a minimum cumulative overall grade point average of 3.25 at the end of the first semester, and you plan to attend a two-year community college, four-year university, technical, trade, or a vocational school following graduation, you are encouraged to apply for its scholarships.

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In particular, these scholarships are based on academic achievement, accomplishments, involvement, and/or merit.

11. Norco Dollars for Scholars

Norco Dollars for Scholars is located in Norco, CA. In 2006, Norco Dollars for Scholars began. Its main fundraiser is held annually at the Norco Fair Jr Livestock Auction, along with generous community members, who are dedicated to providing scholarship opportunities for graduating seniors to pursue their goals.

Interestingly, this organization has presented over $55,000.00 in scholarship donations to graduates of FFA and 4H members who participate in the Livestock Auction.

12. San Diego County Court and Community Schools Dollars for Scholars

San Diego County Court and Community Schools Dollars for Scholars chapter is a nonprofit foundation that supports academic success in the community. As part of Scholarship America’s national network of locally-based, volunteer-driven Dollars for Scholars chapters, its mission is to mobilize the community on behalf of postsecondary education success for our students.

Dollars for Scholars chapters help hometown students achieve their educational goals by raising scholarship funds, establishing endowments, providing assistance with college readiness and the financial aid process, and distributing scholarships each year.

13. Santa Ana High School Dollars for Scholars

The Santa Ana HS Dollars for Scholars office is located in Santa Ana, California. Its chapter has been around since 1990. Each year, the organization is able to grant 15-20 scholarships ranging from $250- $1,000 to graduating seniors. Scholarship recipients are announced at the Santa Ana High School’s annual Senior Academic Awards Night.

14. Temecula Dollars for Scholars

First known as Citizens’ Scholarship Foundation of Temecula Valley, Temecula Dollars for Scholars is an organization that is affiliated with the national non-profit educational service of Scholarship America.

After the completion of their first semester, any seniors attending Chaparral, Great Oak, Susan H. Nelson, Rancho Vista, or Temecula Valley High School with a GPA of 3.0 planning to pursue higher education the following academic year is eligible to apply.

As funds for scholarships are received by the organization, recipient selections occur in March and April. In May, the awards are announced at a special ceremony.

To qualify for any of its scholarships you must have:

  • A minimum 3.00 GPA
  • Letter of recommendation
  • Official transcript, available after the first semester
  • A minimum 300 to maximum 500-word Goals & Aspirations essay (300-500 word Unusual Circumstances Essay not required but highly recommended)

15. Tustin Dollars for Scholars

Tustin Dollars for Scholars is a community non-profit organization with the sole purpose of raising scholarship monies for the graduating high school seniors of the Tustin Unified School District. Since 1987, thousands of dollars have been awarded to deserving and talented students.

Tustin Dollars for Scholars (TDFS) encourages students to pursue their education beyond high school by making available four-year renewable college scholarships to graduating seniors in the Tustin Unified School District.

In particular, TDFS awards $1,500 renewable scholarships for four years, for a total of $6,000.

Thus, any senior in the Tustin Unified School District who plans to attend a four-year college or university are eligible to apply. TDFS chooses the recipients based on their leadership qualities, GPA, all-around achievement, community service, and financial need.

Final Note

The websites above provide the most comprehensive information on the Dollars for Scholars programs in California. Yet, to find out which scholarship you are eligible for, visit one of those websites and click on “Student and Parent Login” to begin filling out your student profile.

That way, not only will you find and apply for the scholarships that way but you’ll also discover scholarships from across the Scholarship America network that you may be eligible for. Also, you’ll find valuable financial aid, college success, internship, and career resources, so get started today.

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