There are many scholarships available for high school seniors in California, and the best scholarships for you will depend on your specific qualifications and circumstances. Year after year, loads of high school seniors in California secure scholarships.
However, it is a known fact that scholarships are highly competitive and the number of scholarships awarded annually is limited. It is important for high school seniors in California to apply for as many scholarships as they are eligible for, to increase their chances of receiving one.
Best Scholarships for High School Seniors in California
Here are a few examples of scholarships that are commonly available to high school seniors in California:
1. The Cal Grant
The Cal Grant is a state-funded scholarship program for low-income and middle-income students who are residents of California and are attending college in California. The program provides financial assistance for tuition and fees at California colleges and universities.
This is a state-funded scholarship for low and middle-income students that provides financial assistance for tuition and fees.
Requirements for The Cal Grant
- Eligible students must be California residents and high school graduates or equivalent.
- They must be planning to attend an eligible California college or university as full-time students in the upcoming academic year.
- They must have a minimum GPA of 3.0.
- They must meet the income and asset limits set by the state of California.
- They must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) and submit it by the deadline.
- They must have completed the required coursework, known as the “a-g” pattern, which includes a set of college-preparatory classes in high school.
- They must not exceed the maximum time frame for use of a Cal Grant, which is typically four years for a Cal Grant A and two years for a Cal Grant B.
2. The Regents’ and Chancellor’s Scholarship
The Regents’ and Chancellor’s Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship offered by the University of California (UC) system to high-achieving students who demonstrate financial need. The scholarship provides full tuition and fees, as well as a stipend for books and living expenses.
This scholarship is offered by the University of California (UC) system and provides full tuition and fees to high-achieving students who demonstrate financial need.
Requirements for The Regents’ and Chancellor’s Scholarship
Here are the general requirements for the Regents’ and Chancellor’s Scholarship:
- Eligible students must be admitted to one of the nine undergraduate campuses of the University of California.
- They must be California residents and demonstrate financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA).
- They must have a minimum GPA of 3.5 and have completed the “a-g” coursework with a grade of “A” or “B”.
- They must have taken the SAT or ACT and have scored in the top 9% of all test-takers
- They must be willing to participate in a summer program and meet the academic progress requirements.
- They must be willing to participate in community service and leadership development opportunities.
It is important to note that the Regents’ and Chancellor’s Scholarship is a highly competitive scholarship and the number of awards is limited.
The scholarship is renewable for up to four years as long as the student maintains a certain GPA and continues to demonstrate financial need. The specific requirements and deadlines can vary by campus, so it is important to check with the UC campus you plan to attend for more information.
3. The Gates Millennium Scholars
The Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS) program is a scholarship program funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation that provides financial assistance to high-achieving, low-income minority students. This scholarship is offered by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and provides financial assistance to high-achieving, low-income minority students.
Requirements for The Gates Millennium Scholars
- Eligible students must be a citizen, national, or legal permanent residents of the United States and be of African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian Pacific Islander American, or Hispanic American descent.
- They must have a cumulative high school grade point average (GPA) of 3.3 or higher on an unweighted 4.0 scale.
- They must be planning to enroll in a full-time undergraduate program at an accredited college or university in the United States in the upcoming academic year.
- They must demonstrate leadership abilities and have a strong commitment to community service.
- They must meet the federal Pell Grant eligibility criteria, which means they must have a family income of less than $50,000 per year, and demonstrate a high level of financial need.
- They must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the GMS application by the deadline.
The GMS program is quite competitive, and only a small number of scholarships are given out each year. The scholarship is also re-eligible for up to four years as long as the student maintains a specific GPA and continues to fulfill the program’s conditions.
5. The California Dream Act
The California Dream Act scholarship is a state-funded scholarship program for students who meet certain eligibility criteria. The scholarship is available to students who are not legally present in the United States but meet the eligibility criteria as defined by the California Dream Act.
This scholarship is offered by the State of California and provides financial assistance to AB 540 students who meet certain eligibility criteria.
Requirements for The California Dream Act
- Eligible students must have attended a high school in California for three or more years and graduated from a California high school or obtained a GED/high school equivalency certificate.
- They must be AB 540 students, which means they meet certain requirements related to attending California schools and their parents’ taxes and are not eligible for federal financial aid.
- Eligible students must be planning to attend an eligible California college or university as full-time students in the upcoming academic year.
- They must meet the income and asset limits set by the state of California.
- They must complete the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) and submit it by the deadline.
- They must have completed the required coursework, known as the “a-g” pattern, which includes a set of college-preparatory classes in high school.
- They must not have exceeded the maximum time frame for use of a California Dream Act scholarship, which is typically four years.
It is important to note that the California Dream Act scholarship program has different requirements for Scholarships A and B, so it’s important to check with the California Student Aid Commission for specific requirements and deadlines.
6. The Elks National Foundation
The Elks National Foundation scholarship is a scholarship offered by the Elks National Foundation to high school seniors based on academic performance, leadership, and financial need.
Requirements for The Elks National Foundation
Here are the general requirements for the Elks National Foundation scholarship:
- Eligible students must be high school seniors and citizens of the United States.
- They must plan to attend an accredited college or university in the United States as full-time students in the upcoming academic year.
- They must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
- They must be a child or grandchild of an Elks member, a child of a deceased Elks member, or a student who is sponsored by an Elks Lodge.
- They must submit the scholarship application, transcripts, and other required documents by the deadline.
- They must be willing to participate in an interview with a selection committee if selected as a semi-finalist.
It is important to keep in mind that the Elks National Foundation scholarship is fiercely competitive and that only a small number of scholarships are given out annually. Additionally, the scholarship is given based on the student’s leadership abilities, financial needs, and academic success.
7. The Coca-Cola Scholars Program
The Coca-Cola Scholars Program is a scholarship program funded by The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation that provides scholarships to high school seniors based on academic performance, leadership, and community service. This scholarship is offered by The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation and provides scholarships to high school seniors based on academic performance, leadership, and community service.
Requirements for The Coca-Cola Scholars Program
- Eligible students must be high school seniors and citizens or legal permanent residents of the United States.
- They must plan to pursue a degree at an accredited post-secondary institution in the United States.
- They must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- They must be involved in leadership and community service activities and have a record of volunteerism.
- They must complete the scholarship application, including essays and transcripts, by the deadline.
- They must be willing to participate in an interview with a selection committee if selected as a semi-finalist.
The Coca-Cola Scholars Program is quite competitive, and only a few scholarships are given out each year. Specific qualifications and dates may vary from year to year, so it’s vital to check the Coca-Cola Scholars Program website for the most up-to-date information.
8. Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program is a scholarship program funded by the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation that provides financial assistance to high-achieving, low-income students to help them afford the cost of attending college.
Requirements for Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program
- Eligible students must be in the final year of high school or be current undergraduate students.
- They must have a minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale.
- They must demonstrate exceptional academic ability and achievement.
- They must have a financial need and come from a family earning less than $95,000 per year.
- They must plan to attend an accredited four-year college or university in the United States.
- They must complete the scholarship application, including essays, transcripts, and other required documents, by the deadline.
- They must be willing to participate in an interview with a selection committee if selected as a finalist.
It is significant to highlight that the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program is extremely competitive and that only a small number of scholarships are awarded each year. The quantity of scholarships varies depending on the student’s credentials and the available cash, and they are also given out based on the student’s academic performance and abilities.