California Scholarships for High School and College Students

Overview The Doan Foundation funds scholarships that cultivate artistic talent and advance creative leadership among young people from underserved communities. These awards are intended for students who show strong commitment to the arts and a drive to create positive social impact through their creative work. Eligibility To qualify for consideration, applicants must meet all of the following: - Be a current high school senior living in Southern California. - Plan to enroll in an accredited college, university, or vocational/technical institution to pursue an Associate degree, Bachelor’s degree, or a professional certificate. - Be preparing for a career in an arts-related...

Introductory note This award was established by Susan Juhl in memory of her husband, Jerry, to help high school and college students who plan to pursue careers in the performing arts. Eligible artistic fields include music, dance, theatre, film, puppetry, and technical/design specialties such as sound, lighting, set, and costume. Eligibility and application essentials - Location: Applicants must be enrolled at a school on the Mendocino Coast. - Academic standing: No minimum GPA is required. - Financial status: Financial need is not a consideration for selection. - Primary selection criterion: Evidence of promise for a professional career in the performing...

Status: Open Region: Ukiah Valley Application deadline: March 1st by 11:59pm Overview This award was established by the friends and family of Ryan and Collin Petitte to assist students from the Ukiah area who plan to enter careers related to wildlife conservation, environmental resource management, environmental science, environmental engineering, or economics. Who may apply - Location/school: Residents or students from the Ukiah area - Financial need: Applicants must demonstrate financial need - GPA: No minimum GPA required - Field of study/career intent: Must be pursuing one of the specified career paths (wildlife conservation; environmental resource management; environmental science; environmental engineering;...

Scholarship Overview This award was established by Jack and Ruby Terwilliger to help students who show initiative, a “make it happen” mindset, and a strong drive to succeed. Eligibility - Location/School: Laytonville High School - GPA: Weighted 3.0 or higher - Financial need: Not required - Other requirements: Demonstrated potential for academic success and participation in community service - Special requirement: Completion of the GRIT scale About Jack and Ruby Terwilliger Jack and Ruby were an unusually energetic and creative couple who packed a remarkable amount into their lives together. Jack was born in 1914 in Willits, California; Ruby was...

Status: Open Region: Countywide Program deadline: March 1st by 11:59pm Overview This award was established by the California Retired Teachers Association, Division 55, in honor of Ukiah educator Bessie Scott. It is intended to assist Mendocino County students—either in high school or enrolled in college—who plan to pursue studies in education. Eligibility - Location/school: Available to applicants from anywhere in the county (countywide) - GPA: Minimum weighted GPA of 3.0 or higher - Financial need: Not required - Program of study: Applicants must intend to study education - Additional requirements: None Related scholarship opportunities - Marge Pardini Philanthropy Scholarship Fund...

Intro / Who this is for The Directing Change Film Contest invites youth ages 12–25 to use filmmaking and storytelling to raise awareness about mental health, suicide prevention, substance use, and other important topics affecting their communities. Eligibility and ownership basics - Participants must be between 12 and 25 years old. - All entries become co-owned with the contest organizers when release forms are signed. You retain the right to use your work, and we may also display submissions (for example, on the contest website and social media). - If a participant is under 18, a parent or legal guardian...

Background The Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) launched its scholarship initiative in 1961 to encourage capable, committed students to contribute to protecting California’s water quality and advancing sound water management policy. ACWA continues that effort by offering a graduate-level award, the ACWA Water Law & Policy Scholarship. Important deadline Applications must be submitted electronically by March 1 of each year. Award Each year ACWA presents a single $5,000 scholarship to a qualified graduate student. Who is eligible - Must be enrolled at the start of the academic year covered by the award at an accredited U.S. college or university...

Lompoc Rotary Club Scholarship Program — 2025–26 Overview The Lompoc Rotary Club awards scholarships to help local students pursue college or vocational training. For the 2025–26 cycle, a minimum of three (3) graduating high school seniors will each receive a $1,000 scholarship. These funds may be applied to education-related costs (for example: tuition, books, food, or housing). Scholarship disbursements will be made by check sent directly to the recipient’s college, community college, or vocational school. Who is eligible Applicants must be current high school seniors with ties to the Lompoc community who intend to enroll (full- or part-time) at a...

Introduction The Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) launched its scholarship program in 1961 to encourage students committed to protecting California’s water resources through effective management practices. ACWA continues that tradition and is offering several academic scholarships this year, including the Clair A. Hill Scholarship. Each academic year, the winner of ACWA’s Clair A. Hill Agency Award (a member recognition program) designates one Clair A. Hill Scholarship of $5,000 for a qualified student. This scholarship is sponsored by Jacobs. Important before applying Carefully read the Clair A. Hill Scholarship requirements below before completing your application. Applicants who fail to meet...

Overview The 2025–2026 CIF State Scholar‑Athlete of the Year recognizes college‑bound high school seniors in California who have excelled both academically and athletically and who serve as strong role models through high personal standards (integrity, honesty, etc.). Awards - Two State winners (one male and one female) will each receive a $10,000 scholarship. - Twenty Section winners (one male and one female from each CIF Section) will each receive a $1,500 scholarship. Who is eligible - Current California high school seniors who are planning to attend college. - California residents. - Students must have an unweighted cumulative GPA (grades 9–12)...

The Community Foundation of the Verdugos administers multiple scholarship funds established by generous donors—some who have passed on and others who continue to support students—intended to help young people further their education and career goals. Eligibility details for individual scholarships - “Big Man Fritsche” Scholarship — In honor of Leonard Fritsche, a longtime Glendale and La Crescenta resident nicknamed “The Big Man.” Open to students who live in the Verdugo Region (Burbank, Glendale, and the foothill communities of Sunland, Tujunga, La Crescenta, La Cañada‑Flintridge, Montrose, and Verdugo City) and who are graduating from a public or private high school in...

Introduction A large share of the Rotary Club of Los Angeles Foundation’s annual budget is devoted to scholarships for high-need, high-achieving students who live in Los Angeles County. These awards are granted through the Foundation’s annual Scholarship Program, which concludes a review process that includes evaluations and interviews of applicants. Many members of the Legacy Circle have designated their endowments specifically for scholarships; the Club therefore presents a number of awards in those donors’ names. The Scholarship Committee manages the program—handling gift acknowledgements, applicant review, selection and distribution of awards, and the annual Scholarship Program event. Scholarship details - Award...