Scholarships for high school seniors in California 2023/2024

California, also known as the Golden State, is the third largest state in the United States, with a population of slightly more than 38 million people. This means that California is home to one in every eight Americans. There is a large higher education system to accommodate all of these people. We’re talking about well-known universities like Stanford, U.C.L.A., and U.S.C., as well as a vast network of community colleges and technical schools.

The state’s number one export is computers and electronic products. Transportation equipment, machinery, and various manufactured commodities are also important exports. Agriculture is another significant industry in the state.

Make use of the list below to investigate the complete range of funding opportunities available in the state. You’ll find funding opportunities for fields such as nursing, engineering, the biological sciences, teaching, music, law, the aerospace industry and much more.

Scholarships for high school seniors in California 2023

Association of California Water Agencies Scholarships

ACWA awards two $3,000 scholarships to deserving students studying in a water-related field.

Eligible students must be California residents enrolled full-time as juniors or seniors in a four-year, publicly funded college or university in California during the year the scholarship is awarded. Applications must be postmarked by APRIL 1 of each year, or the next business day if April 1 falls on a weekend or holiday.

Scholarship Qualification
Applicants must be: • a California resident • a full-time junior or senior in the year the scholarship will be applied • enrolled in a California accredited, publicly funded college or university • studying a water-resources related field or discipline • planning to attend school for the entire academic year
Criteria for Selection
The awards are based on a combination of academic achievement and the applicants’ commitment to their chosen fields, best demonstrated by pursuing a degree related to or identified with engineering, agriculture or urban water supply, environmental studies, and public administration associated with resource management. Financial need is also taken into account.

Sponsoring OrganizationAssociation of California Water Agencies
910 K Street Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95814

Contact Person: ACWA Scholarship Program

Phone: 916-441-4545

Fax: 916-325-4849

Web: http://www.acwa.com/content/scholarships/scholarships

Email: [email protected]

CAL Grants

To be eligible for a Cal Grant, you must be: – a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen. – be a California resident attending a state-approved school or college. – be making adequate academic progress. – be enrolled in a program that leads to an undergraduate degree or certificate. – Do not hold a bachelor’s or higher degree prior to receiving a Cal Grant. – be enrolled in at least half-time classes. – have met the requirements of the United States Selective Service System. – not owe a refund on any state or federal educational grant or have a student loan in default. All Cal Grants are awarded based on financial need and academic performance. Cal Grant B takes into account disadvantaged backgrounds.

Sponsoring Organization California Student Aid Commission
P.O. Box 419026
Rancho Cordova, CA 95741-9026

Contact Person: Financial Aid Office

Phone: 888-224-7268

Fax: (916) 464-8002

Web:http://www.csac.ca.gov/

L. Gordon Bittle Memorial Scholarships

Each year, three $2,000 scholarships are awarded. Student California Teachers Association (SCTA) membership is required, as is a desire to work in public education. This scholarship is not available to CTA members who are currently employed. Applicants may be undergraduate, graduate, or credential students. Scholarship recipients will be required to show proof of enrollment in an approved teacher preparation program at an accredited institution of higher learning in California in order to receive funds.

Sponsoring OrganizationCalifornia Teachers Association
1705 Murchison Drive P.O. Box 921
Burlingame, CA 940110921

Contact Person: Human Rights Department

Phone: 650-697-1400

Fax:

Web: http://www.cta.org

Email: [email protected]

Joel Garcia Memorial Scholarship

The Joel Garcia Memorial Scholarships are given out annually to qualified Latino students who want to work in journalism. The scholarships, which range from $500 to $2,000 per student, are awarded based on a number of factors, including commitment to the field of journalism, academic achievement, community involvement, and financial need. Students must be enrolled full-time for the entire academic year, be a California resident, or attend an accredited California college or university. Graduate students are welcome.

Sponsoring Organization California Chicano News Media Association
ASU Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication 725 Arizona Ave., Suite 206
Santa Monica, CA 90401-1734

Contact Person: Joel Garcia Memorial Scholarship

Phone: (424) 229-9482

Fax: (424) 229-9486

Web: http://www.ccnma.org

Email: [email protected]

Golden State Minority Foundation Scholarship

The scholarship requirements are as follows: – Attend school or reside in California – Be a member of an under-represented ethnic minority (Black, Latino, Native American) – A minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is required. – United States citizen or permanent legal resident – Currently enrolled in college as a junior or higher – Employed no more than 28 hours per week – Full-time status at a four-year college/university – demonstrated community service

Ken Innouye Scholarship

Members of ethnic minorities are eligible for the Ken Inouye Scholarship. 1. You must show proof of enrollment or acceptance as a journalism major at a four-year college. (If your college does not have a journalism program, you must provide a letter from a member in good standing of the Society of Professional Journalists in your geographic area stating that you intend to pursue a career as a professional journalist and that you demonstrate strong journalistic potential.) Students majoring in advertising, public relations, publicity, or law are ineligible. Students completing pre-journalism programs must provide proof of admission to a journalism program. 2. You must have completed at least your sophomore year of college and have at least one semester remaining in a journalism program after the scholarship is awarded. Graduate students enrolled in journalism programs may apply. 3. You must be a resident of Los Angeles, Ventura, or Orange counties, or a student at one of those three California universities. 4. If you have previously received a chapter scholarship and continue to meet the eligibility requirements, you may apply to have it renewed. Renewal requests are reviewed in the same manner as all other scholarship applications and are given no preference. 5. You may apply for more than one scholarship, but no applicant will be awarded more than one scholarship. On a single page, you can check off all of the scholarships for which you are applying. Do not submit separate scholarship application forms. Several applications will be rejected. 6. Awards are given primarily based on achievements and potential. Financial need will be taken into account when deciding between applicants who are otherwise equally qualified.

Sponsoring Organization Los Angeles Professional Chapter of SPJ
California State University, Long Beach 1250 Bellflower
Long Beach, CA 90840

Larry Acterman Public Education Award

Scholarship Information

Eligibility
Applicants must be: 1. a high school senior (and US citizen) graduating from the Long Beach Unified School District.
2. Enroll in a full-time program leading to a degree and a teaching credential at an accredited four-year public college or university in California.
3. Show a strong commitment to and interest in pursuing a career as a K-12 public school teacher in California.
4. Show exceptional academic ability as well as a strong desire to complete college and become a public school teacher.
You must arrange for at least two letters of recommendation for this scholarship.

Scholarship Information • At least one letter must be written by a member of your school’s administration (e.g. teacher, academic counselor, principal, etc.).
• At least one letter must be from an unrelated adult who has participated in some significant activity with you outside of school.

Sponsoring Organization Orange County Community Foundation
4041 MacArthur Blvd #510 Suite 100
Newport Beach, CA 92660

Pine Cone Foundation Scholarship

The Pine Cone Foundation (PCF), a 501c3 organization, provides financial assistance to LD students who wish to attend a California community college. Once a PCF scholarship is awarded, it is a year-round support program that can total up to $5,500 over a three-year period. Please visit: https://pineconefoundation.org/apply/ for all scholarship information, FAQs, and to download the PDF application.

LAF/CLASS Fund University Program

The LAF/CLASS (California Landscape Architecture Student Scholarship) Fund is intended to help students in landscape architecture and ornamental horticulture programs in California. Students in financial need who demonstrate promise and commitment to the profession are eligible for the awards. All applicants must be studying landscape architecture or ornamental horticulture. Six $1,500 scholarships are available to juniors and seniors enrolled in landscape architecture programs at Cal Poly Pomona (2 awards), Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (2 awards), and the University of California Davis (2 awards).

Sponsoring Organization Landscape Architecture Foundation
818 18th Street, NW Suite 810
Washington, DC 20006

Contact Person: Ron Figura

Phone:

Fax:

Web: http://www.asla.org/nonmembers/laf-awards.htm

Email: [email protected]

LAF/CLASS Fund Landscape Architecture Program

The LAF/CLASS (California Landscape Architecture Student Scholarship) Fund is intended to help students in landscape architecture and ornamental horticulture programs in California. Students in financial need who demonstrate promise and commitment to the profession are eligible for the awards. All applicants must be studying landscape architecture or ornamental horticulture. Ten $500 scholarships are available to students enrolled in landscape architecture programs who are continuing their current curriculum. Two students are currently enrolled at the University of California, Berkeley. Two University of California, Los Angeles students Two students are currently enrolled at the University of California, Davis. Cal Poly Pomona has two students. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo has two students enrolled.

Sponsoring Organization Landscape Architecture Foundation
818 18th Street, NW Suite 810
Washington, DC 20006

Contact Person: Ron Figura

Phone:

Fax:

Web: http://www.asla.org/nonmembers/laf-awards.htm

Email: [email protected]

LAF/CLASS Fund Internship Program

The LAF/CLASS (California Landscape Architecture Student Scholarship) Fund is designed to assist students enrolled in programs of landscape architecture and ornamental horticulture in California.  The awards are given to students in financial need who show promise and commitment to the profession.  All applicants must be continuing their studies in landscape architecture or ornamental horticulture.  Two $2,000 scholarships to juniors or seniors enrolled in a landscape architecture program and continuing a current curriculum program from Cal Poly Pomona or San Luis Obispo or U.C. Davis for participation in an internship program of employment in the field of landscape architecture, landscape construction and a related field within the green industry.  Internship programs are supported by specified offices providing the participant with an additional rate of $6/hour.  School faculty will participate in jury review.