Top 105 California Scholarships in September 2023

Easy scholarship open to all high school and college students, as well as anyone looking to attend college or graduate school in the next year.

Sallie Mae will award $2,000 each month to eligible entrants. No essay or account sign-ups, just a simple scholarship for those seeking help paying for school.

Open to high school students, college students, community college students, and graduate students.

The CCNMA Scholarships range from $500 to $1,000 per student and are based on several criteria, including: commitment to the field of journalism, scholastic achievement, community awareness and financial need. Students must be enrolled full time for the entire academic year in which they apply. They must also be a California resident or attend an accredited college or university in California. All winners are invited to and recognized at the annual CCNMA Scholarship Banquet. If you meet the below eligibility criteria, we encourage you to apply!

Are you a college-bound, high school senior passionate about helping your community? If so, consider applying for the Greenhouse Scholars Program! The program is open to residents of Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, New York, and North Carolina planning to attend a four-year university. It is offered by Greenhouse Scholars, is a non-profit organization that seeks to empower young students by providing "personal, professional, and financial resources they need to create lasting change in their own lives and the lives of others, regardless of circumstances." By funding young students' educations, they hope to cultivate leaders and make a difference in communities across the nation. Recipients of the award receive up to $5,000 to help pay for their educational expenses. If this sounds like a good opportunity for you, we encourage you to apply!

The Kate Somerville + Foster Nation “Defy Impossible” Esthetics Student Scholarship is funded by Beauty Changes Lives, an organization focused on empowering the next generation of beauty professionals through scholarships, mentorship, and advanced education to help them build more confidence in the industry. Every cycle, Beauty Changes Lives awards $20,000 to one individual who will or has already aged out of the foster care system and who plans to enroll in a California esthetics program. If this scholarship sounds like a fit for you, keep on reading for more application details.

The Jazz at the Ballroom Scholarship is funded by Jazz at the Ballroom, an organization that is committed to keeping swinging, classic jazz thriving, and creating an environment where every guest feels at home and each artist can share their stories, passion, and talent. Every year, their Jazz at the Ballroom Scholarship awards $1,000 to three high school jazz instrumentalists attending a California high school. If this scholarship sounds like a fit for you, keep on reading for more application details.

eQuality Scholarships for high school graduates recognize graduating high school seniors and recent graduates in northern and central California students for their service to the lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender community. Applicants must plan to attend or have begun attending an accredited post-secondary institution for the first time in the award year.

eQuality Scholarships for Medical Students recognize students enrolled or committed to enroll by the interview date in an accredited medical school in California or a California resident attending an accredited medical school elsewhere in the United States.

eQuality scholarships for Community College Transfer Students recognize northern and central California community college students for their service to the lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender community. Applicants must plan to attend or have begun attending an accredited 4-year college or university for the first time in the award year.

The eQuality Scholarship Collaborative awards scholarships to honor and encourage California students for their service to the lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender community. In general, eligible students fall into one of these categories: (A) Resident of northern or central California who completed or expects to complete high school (or equivalent) or community college sometime within July 1st (of the year five years prior to the application year) and June 30 of the application year; (B) LGBT+ graduates of Oakland Unified School District high schools; (C) Students pursuing a medical degree at an accredited medical school in California. Applicants of all sexual orientations and gender identities are eligible for most scholarships. Bear in mind that the eligibility requirements are somewhat different for each type of applicant/student. If you're a California student passionate about serving the LGBTQ+ community, we encourage you to apply!

Introducing the Doan Foundation Arts Scholarship, a beacon of hope for aspiring artists in California. In a world that often belittles creative careers, the Doan Foundation believes in the power and significance of art in our lives. Whether it's music, dance, fashion, design, or theater, art is an essential part of our existence. Sadly, students from low-income backgrounds face additional hurdles in pursuing their artistic dreams. That's why this scholarship is here to lend a helping hand to marginalized teens across California, providing them with the necessary resources to thrive in their artistic endeavors. If you're a low-income high school senior with a minimum GPA of 2.5 and a burning passion for the arts, this scholarship is for you. Share how the arts have transformed your life and the challenges you've conquered along the way. Additionally, feel free to showcase your proudest artistic creations. Let this be your stepping stone towards a future where art is celebrated.

Are you an adult learner or parent who resides in Oregon or in Siskiyou County, California? If so, the Ford Opportunity Program could be a great opportunity to meet 90% of your unmet college costs. Parents of any age or adults over the age of 25 are eligible to apply. If you fit the bill, we encourage you to apply today. This opportunity will pay for the vast majority of your college expenses!

Introducing the BBB Ethical Torch Essay Scholarship - a chance for high school students to showcase their moral compass and win scholarship prizes worth up to $1,500! The Better Business Bureau recognizes the importance of ethics and wants to honor students who make the right choices. If you're in grades 9-12 and reside in Apache, Coconino, Gila, Imperial, La Paz, Maricopa, Mohave, Navajo, Orange, Pinal, San Diego, Yavapai or Yuma Counties, in Arizona or Southern California you're eligible to apply. Simply submit a 500-word essay on an ethical issue you faced and how you handled it. As the deadline varies for each region, we recommend checking Better Business Bureau's website for your regional deadline before applying. Five students in Greater Arizona, Orange County, and San Diego County will be awarded this impressive scholarship! If you're eligible, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more.

Are you a graduate student enrolled in a nursing program in hopes of becoming a nursing educator? If so, consider applying for the Promise of Nursing Faculty Fellowships! The fellowships are open to registered nurses enrolled in graduate-level, degree-granting colleges and universities in one of the "Promise of Nursing" regions. Applicants should also be committed to becoming nurse educators upon completion of their program. The Foundation of the National Student Nurses' Association (FNSNA) offers this and other opportunities to assist nursing students in completing their education. The FNSNA’s mission is to “support nursing education and promote the nursing profession.” Thus, every year, they award scholarships worth up to $7,500 to help multiple recipients afford tuition, academic fees, and books. If you are passionate about becoming a nurse educator, we encourage you to apply!

Are you a child or spouse of a veteran who suffered a disability, died during service, was captured, or was declared missing in action? Further, are you attending a public university in California? If so, you may qualify for the California Veterans Association College Fee Waiver Program. The program is open to the dependent children and spouses of Veterans who suffered a disability or death, or who were declared missing or captured. Applicants must also be attending an accredited public institution in California. The California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) offers this program for California veterans and their families. CalVet works to serve the veteran community through education, advocacy, and direct services. Eligible applicants receive a waiver for mandatory system-wide tuition and fees at any State of California Community College, California State University, or University of California campus. If you are attending a public university in California and are related to a veteran, we recommend that you check your eligibility using the CalVet College Fee Waiver Calculator. If you are eligible, we encourage you to apply!

Are you a college student facing economic hardship? Further, are you residing in California, Florida, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Puerto Rico, or Texas? If so, consider applying for Macy's Emergency Scholarship Fund! The scholarship is open to full-time university students residing in the listed states/regions who are experiencing emergency financial need. Events that will qualify students for this scholarship include the following: change in family income, loss of job, death of an immediate family member, natural disaster, eviction or home foreclosure, burglary, and fire. Each year, the scholarship awards multiple recipients up to $500 to support them during their times of need. If you're a college student in California, Florida, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Puerto Rico, or Texas that has been impacted by an unexpected hardship affecting your education, we encourage you to apply! 

The Bill H. James Foundation Scholarship for Aspiring African American Engineers is funded by The ​Bill H. James Foundation, an organization that believes that receiving the proper support and guidance can transform an already bright individual into so much more. Thus, every year, the "Bill H. James Foundation Scholarship for Aspiring African American Engineers" awards scholarships of varying amounts to African American college juniors, seniors, and graduate students in California who are pursuing a degree in engineering. If this scholarship sounds like a fit for you, keep on reading for more application details.

The ExxonMobil Engineering Scholarship Program is intended to assist and encourage outstanding Hispanic college freshmen who plan to pursue a degree in engineering at U. S. post-secondary institutions. Applicants must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or better on a 4.0 scale or the equivalent, and plan to enroll in an accredited college or university. Applicants must reside within the following cities and surrounding areas and meet the following criteria to be considered for a scholarship: Albuquerque, New Mexico; Austin, Texas; Bayamon, Puerto Rico; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Corpus Christi, Texas; Dallas, Texas; El Paso, Texas; Houston, Texas; Kansas City, Missouri; Miami, Florida; Oxnard, California; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; San Antonio, Texas; San Diego, California; and Vancouver, Washington. If you're a Hispanic college freshman passionate about engineering, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more.