California Scholarships

California scholarships offer students the opportunity to pay for school without, or with very little, student loan debt after graduation. Like the diverse nature of California colleges, awards for students attending school in the Golden State cover the width and breadth of academic performance, extracurricular involvement, and fields of interest.

Many California colleges, both public and private, offer merit aid when admitting students. Applicants will also find California scholarships from outside organizations as well, like charities, businesses, and clubs and organizations.

Searching for scholarships locally, or within the state of California, will provide you with awards that are close to home. To find scholarships by your location, academic interests, community involvement, employment, and more, create a free Fastweb profile.

California College Scholarships

Bullet name award deadline Link
 

Switzer Environmental Fellowship

Robert & Patricia Switzer Foundation

$17,000 January 06, 2025 See Details

Description

The Switzer Environmental Fellowship is available to full - time graduate students with academic and career goals focused on environmental improvement. You must be enrolled in an accredited institution in California or New England and be a U.S. citizen to be eligible for this award. Master's degree candidates must have completed at least one...

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Switzer Environmental Fellowship

Robert & Patricia Switzer Foundation

award

$17,000

deadline

January 06, 2025
See Details

Description

The Switzer Environmental Fellowship is available to full - time graduate students with academic and career goals focused on environmental improvement. You must be enrolled in an accredited institution in California or New England and be a U.S. citizen to be eligible for this award. Master's degree candidates must have completed at least one...

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Vivienne Camp Scholarship

Jewish Family and Children's Services

Up to $4,350 Varies See Details

Description

The Vivienne Camp Scholarship is awarded to two young Jewish men and two young Jewish women for college or vocational studies at a postsecondary California institution. You must reside in Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo or Sonoma counties in California. You must also demonstrate academic achievement and financial need. Deadlines vary;...

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Vivienne Camp Scholarship

Jewish Family and Children's Services

award

Up to $4,350

deadline

Varies
See Details

Description

The Vivienne Camp Scholarship is awarded to two young Jewish men and two young Jewish women for college or vocational studies at a postsecondary California institution. You must reside in Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo or Sonoma counties in California. You must also demonstrate academic achievement and financial need. Deadlines vary;...

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National President’s Non-Traditional Scholarship

American Legion Auxiliary - Department of California

$500 March 16, 2025 See Details

Description

The National President’s Non-Traditional Scholarship is available to students who are members of The American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary or Sons of The American Legion for the two preceding years. Continuing or re-entry college student are eligible for this award.

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National President’s Non-Traditional Scholarship

American Legion Auxiliary - Department of California

award

$500

deadline

March 16, 2025
See Details

Description

The National President’s Non-Traditional Scholarship is available to students who are members of The American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary or Sons of The American Legion for the two preceding years. Continuing or re-entry college student are eligible for this award.

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Continuing / Re-entry Student Scholarship

American Legion Auxiliary - Department of California

Up to $1,000 March 16, 2025 See Details

Description

The Continuing / Re-entry Student Scholarship is open to California residents who will be re-entering or continuing a collegiate education at a California college or university. You or your parent must have served or be serving in the United States Armed Forces during any of the eligible periods listed on the application.

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Continuing / Re-entry Student Scholarship

American Legion Auxiliary - Department of California

award

Up to $1,000

deadline

March 16, 2025
See Details

Description

The Continuing / Re-entry Student Scholarship is open to California residents who will be re-entering or continuing a collegiate education at a California college or university. You or your parent must have served or be serving in the United States Armed Forces during any of the eligible periods listed on the application.

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CalCPA Channel Counties Chapter Scholarship

California Society of Certified Public Accountants

Up to $7,500 December 31, 2024 See Details

Description

The CalCPA Channel Counties Chapter Scholarship is available to undergraduate and graduate students majoring in accounting. You must be enrolled in a program within the CalCPA Channel Counties' geographical boundaries to be eligible for this award.

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CalCPA Channel Counties Chapter Scholarship

California Society of Certified Public Accountants

award

Up to $7,500

deadline

December 31, 2024
See Details

Description

The CalCPA Channel Counties Chapter Scholarship is available to undergraduate and graduate students majoring in accounting. You must be enrolled in a program within the CalCPA Channel Counties' geographical boundaries to be eligible for this award.

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CalCPA Orange County/Long Beach Chapter Scholarship

California Society of Certified Public Accountants

Up to $7,500 December 31, 2024 See Details

Description

The CalCPA Orange County / Long Beach Chapter Scholarship is available to students attending a university / college within Orange or Long Beach County. You must be pursuing a career in accounting or tax and have a minimum 3.0 GPA to be eligible for this award. You must also be pursuing an accounting career in the Orange County / Long Beach...

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CalCPA Orange County/Long Beach Chapter Scholarship

California Society of Certified Public Accountants

award

Up to $7,500

deadline

December 31, 2024
See Details

Description

The CalCPA Orange County / Long Beach Chapter Scholarship is available to students attending a university / college within Orange or Long Beach County. You must be pursuing a career in accounting or tax and have a minimum 3.0 GPA to be eligible for this award. You must also be pursuing an accounting career in the Orange County / Long Beach...

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National President's Scholarship-California Division

American Legion Auxiliary - Department of California

$500 March 16, 2025 See Details

Description

The National President's Scholarship is available to seniors in high school who are the son/daughter of a veteran who served in the armed forces during eligibility periods for membership in The American Legion. You must have served fifty (50) hours of community service, be a resident of the State of California and plan to attend a California...

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National President's Scholarship-California Division

American Legion Auxiliary - Department of California

award

$500

deadline

March 16, 2025
See Details

Description

The National President's Scholarship is available to seniors in high school who are the son/daughter of a veteran who served in the armed forces during eligibility periods for membership in The American Legion. You must have served fifty (50) hours of community service, be a resident of the State of California and plan to attend a California...

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Educational Assistance General Scholarship

American Legion Auxiliary - Department of California

Up to $2,000 March 16, 2025 See Details

Description

The Educational Assistance General Scholarship is open to students residing in California attending a California college or university. You or your parent must have served or be serving in the United States Armed Forces during any of the eligible periods listed on the application.

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Educational Assistance General Scholarship

American Legion Auxiliary - Department of California

award

Up to $2,000

deadline

March 16, 2025
See Details

Description

The Educational Assistance General Scholarship is open to students residing in California attending a California college or university. You or your parent must have served or be serving in the United States Armed Forces during any of the eligible periods listed on the application.

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CCNMA Latino Journalists of California Scholarship

California Chicano News Media Association

Up to $1,000 October 20, 2025 See Details

Description

The CCNMA Latino Journalists of California Scholarship is available to Latino students who reside or attend school in California. You must be pursuing a degree in journalism to be eligible for this award.

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CCNMA Latino Journalists of California Scholarship

California Chicano News Media Association

award

Up to $1,000

deadline

October 20, 2025
See Details

Description

The CCNMA Latino Journalists of California Scholarship is available to Latino students who reside or attend school in California. You must be pursuing a degree in journalism to be eligible for this award.

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Directing Change Student Film Contest

Each Mind Matters

Up to $1,000 Varies See Details

Description

The Directing Change Student Film Contest is open to students between the ages of 12 and 25 in California. You must submit a film of no more than 60 seconds related to mental health and / or suicide prevention to be considered for this award. Up to 10 students or youth may be listed on the entry form, however there is no limit on the number of...

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Directing Change Student Film Contest

Each Mind Matters

award

Up to $1,000

deadline

Varies
See Details

Description

The Directing Change Student Film Contest is open to students between the ages of 12 and 25 in California. You must submit a film of no more than 60 seconds related to mental health and / or suicide prevention to be considered for this award. Up to 10 students or youth may be listed on the entry form, however there is no limit on the number of...

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California Colleges

University of California-Los Angeles

Four or more years; Public; $41,196 average out-state tuition; $11,442 average in-state tuition

University of California-Berkeley

Four or more years; Public; $41,196 average out-state tuition; $11,442 average in-state tuition

University of Southern California

Four or more years; Private not for profit; $60,446 average out-state tuition; $60,446 average in-state tuition

Stanford University

Four or more years; Private not for profit; $55,473 average out-state tuition; $55,473 average in-state tuition

University of California-San Diego

Four or more years; Public; $41,196 average out-state tuition; $11,442 average in-state tuition

University of California-Irvine

Four or more years; Public; $41,196 average out-state tuition; $11,442 average in-state tuition

California State University-Long Beach

Four or more years; Public; $17,622 average out-state tuition; $5,742 average in-state tuition