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
California Dream Act Service Incentive Grant (DSIG)California Student Aid Commission |
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award Up to $4,500 |
deadline June 30, 2026 |
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DescriptionThe California Dream Act Service Incentive Grant (DSIG) is available to undocumented students who demonstrate sufficient financial need (determined by CSAC and verified by their institution), complete a California Dream Act Application (CADAA) for the academic year, are active recipients of a Cal Grant A or B award, and complete 300 service... View Scholarship Details |
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Vivienne Camp ScholarshipJewish Family and Children's Services |
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award Up to $4,350 |
deadline Varies |
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DescriptionThe 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;... View Scholarship Details |
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Pacific Egg and Poultry Association ScholarshipPacific Egg and Poultry Association |
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award Up to $1,350 |
deadline November 14, 2025 |
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DescriptionThe Pacific Egg and Poultry Association Scholarship is available to full- time undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in a college or university offering poultry curriculum. You must be attending a school in: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington or the western provinces of Canada... View Scholarship Details |
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CCNMA Latino Journalists of California ScholarshipCalifornia Chicano News Media Association |
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award Up to $1,000 |
deadline October 20, 2025 |
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DescriptionThe 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. View Scholarship Details |
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Directing Change Student Film ContestEach Mind Matters |
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award Up to $1,000 |
deadline Varies |
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DescriptionThe 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... View Scholarship Details |
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State of California College Fee Waiver for Veteran DependentsState of California |
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award 100% of tuition |
deadline Varies |
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DescriptionThe State of California College Fee Waiver for Veteran Dependents is available to dependents and spouses of U.S. military veterans who meet certain conditions. This benefit waives mandatory system-wide tuition and fees at any State of California Community College, California State University, or University of California campus. View Scholarship Details |
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Western Undergraduate Exchange ProgramWestern Interstate Commission for Higher Education |
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award Varies |
deadline Varies |
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DescriptionThe Western Undergraduate Exchange Program is open to students residing in WICHE states who wish to attend a participating school outside of their state of residence. Participating states include: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and... View Scholarship Details |
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Veterans Dependents Educational Assistance ProgramCalifornia Department of Veterans Affairs |
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award Varies |
deadline Varies |
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DescriptionThe Veterans Dependents Educational Assistance Program is open to the spouses, children or unmarried surviving spouses of a California veteran who was service-connected disabled or who has died of service-related causes. The veteran must have served during a "qualifying war period." This fee waiver must be used at any State of CA Community... View Scholarship Details |
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Intel PhD Fellowship ProgramIntel Foundation |
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award Varies |
deadline Varies |
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DescriptionThe Intel PhD Fellowship Program is open to PhD candidates at select U.S. universities who are working in fields related to Intel's business and research interests. The one - year fellowship includes a cash award, equipment with Intel architecture, an Intel mentor, and the opportunity to conduct research or an internship at Intel. View Scholarship Details |
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Fiat Lux ScholarshipUniversity of California, Berkeley |
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award Varies |
deadline Varies |
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DescriptionThe Fiat Lux Scholarship is available to freshmen who graduated from one of the partner high schools and who attended a partner high school in California for at least three years enrolled to attend UCLA. You must be from an underrepresented population or first-generation college students, U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens (California Dream... View Scholarship Details |
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California Colleges
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University of California-Los Angeles
Four or more years; Public; $41,196 average out-state tuition; $11,442 average in-state tuition |
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University of California-Berkeley
Four or more years; Public; $41,196 average out-state tuition; $11,442 average in-state tuition |
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University of Southern California
Four or more years; Private not for profit; $60,446 average out-state tuition; $60,446 average in-state tuition |
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Stanford University
Four or more years; Private not for profit; $55,473 average out-state tuition; $55,473 average in-state tuition |
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University of California-San Diego
Four or more years; Public; $41,196 average out-state tuition; $11,442 average in-state tuition |
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University of California-Irvine
Four or more years; Public; $41,196 average out-state tuition; $11,442 average in-state tuition |
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California State University-Long Beach
Four or more years; Public; $17,622 average out-state tuition; $5,742 average in-state tuition |
Popular Majors in California
- Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences
- Psychology
- Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration
- Business, Management, and Marketing
- Business Administration, Management and Operations
- Biology
- Early Childhood Education and Teaching
- Business
- Computer Science
- Exercise Science and Kinesiology
- Elementary Education and Teaching
- Sociology
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Political Science and Government
- Engineering
- Accounting and Business/Management
- Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography
- Biochemistry
- Graphic Design
- Pre-Medicine/Pre-Medical Studies