WHAT ARE SCHOLARSHIPS BASED ON?
Merit (grades)
Merit scholarships are awarded on various factors of success such as leadership involvement, community service, athletics, GPA or other skills.
Need-based (finances)
Need-based scholarships are often determined based on a families income. Many universities and organizations use FAFSA or the CSS Profile to determine a students financial need.
TYPES OF SCHOLARSHIPS
University Scholarships
Most universities and colleges will offer both merit and financial need scholarships. Depending on the school, a student might automatically be considered for scholarships when applying while some require a separate application. These details can be found on individual university websites.
Athletic Scholarships
Only about 0.12% of all high school athletes receive a full ride athletic scholarship to a university. Athletic scholarships are merit in nature, as they solely depend on a students athletic ability. Scholarship money for athletics is allowed within Division I and Division II by the NCAA regulations.
Company & Non-profit Organization Scholarships
Within this category, there are scholarships given by organizations such as Boy and Girl Scouts, Rotary Club, and Coca-Cola. If you are a parent, check to see if your employer offers scholarships. Also check with any organizations or professional memberships you are a part of to see what they might offer. Many companies and organizations will offer scholarships to a specific high school or county, which reduces competition and increases the chances of your student winning.
ROTC
ROTC is a college program offered at over 1,700 colleges and universities that comes with a military service obligation upon accepting a scholarship. Different branches of the military offer a variety of scholarships ranging from full tuition to smaller partial scholarships.
WHEN TO START THE PROCESS
August of senior year is a good time to begin the scholarship search process. With most scholarship application deadlines occurring in March starting early provides ample time to sort through the options. It also allows you to not miss any of the early deadlines for bigger scholarships like Coca-Cola or Boy Scouts of America whose deadlines both fall in October.
MaiaLearning - log into your account using Clever, click on "$" or "Financial Plan" on left navigation bar - use filters in Scholarship Search to help you build a list.
Out of State Western Public Merit Scholarships
College Board Opportunity Scholarship Program - The College Board is investing $25 million in a new scholarship program, with students earning $5 million in scholarships each year, beginning with the class of 2020.
fastweb.com gocollege.com scholarships.com International Scholarship & Tuition Services
eastbayconsortium.org princetonreview.com (see “scholarship search”) CollegeBoard Unigo
careersandcolleges.com collegescholarships.com free-4u.com Career One Stop Cappex
SPECIFIC SCHOLARSHIPS
AAUW - Orinda, Moraga, Lafayette Branch of the American Association of University Women is offering a $1,500 scholarship to a senior woman at Acalanes, Campolindo and Miramonte High Schools. Deadline: February 15, 2023. Requirements: GPA 3.5 and Community Service.
A.W. Bodine-Sunkist Memorial Scholarship – For seniors who have an immediate family member who derives a majority of their income from California or Arizona agriculture, have financial need and a GPA and extracurricular activities indicative of potential for success. Scholarship amounts vary, however they average around $2000 per academic year and are renewable. Applicants are required to submit an essay discussing personal and agricultural background. Applications are available in the College Center or on their website.
American Foreign Service Association National High School Essay Contest - The winner of this contest receives $2500, a trip to Washington, DC to meet the Secretary of State and a full scholarship for a Semester at Sea voyage. Visit their website for the essay topics and other important information.
BPOE Most Valuable Student Scholarship – This is for high school seniors. This contest offers 500 special 4-year awards from $1000 to $15,000 per year. Selection based on financial need, leadership and scholarship. A 500 word essay is required along with 2 letters of recommendation, a counselor report and official transcripts of grades and SAT/ACT scores. Valuable information is available on their website.
Burger King McLamore Foundation Scholarship – Seniors who are employees, dependent children of employees and apply for and receive up to $50,000 in scholarship awards. Applicants must have at least a 2.5 GPA. Integrity, high standards, entrepreneurial spirit, good citizenship and education were the values that defined BURGER KING® co-founder James W. McLamore. It was those values that helped realize a dream and it is those same values that are the core of the BURGER KING McLAMORE℠ Foundation, which will continue to build on his legacy and his commitment to education.
California Association of Collectors Educational Scholarship – This is for high school seniors for use at any accredited college, university or vocational school. This is a scholarship up to $2,500. It is a simple one page application and an essay on the “Importance of Establishing and Maintaining Good Financial Credit during Your College Years.”
Christermon Foundation Scholarship Foundation – This scholarship is for seniors intending to enroll in a four-year college in the fall, whose parent/grandparents are associated with the California beverage industry (retailers, airlines, restaurants, hotels, suppliers, distributors, breweries, wineries, etc.)
Create-A-Greeting-Card $10,000 Scholarship Contest – Entrants must submit a unique photo, piece of artwork, or computer graphic for the front of a greeting card. The best design will win a $10,000 scholarship and have his/her design made into an actual card to be sold in The Gallery Collection’s line of products.
Davidson Institute Fellowship Scholarship - A prestigious scholarship for high-achieving students. Awards are $50,000, $25,000 and $10,000 scholarships to gifted and high-achieving students, 18 years old or under, who have completed a significant piece of work. Categories include STEM, Literature, Music, Philosphy and Outside-the-Box (i.e. other).
Daughters of the American Revolution Scholarships - Scholarships are available in amounts up to $5000 for outstanding seniors. The NSDAR awards multiple scholarships to students showing dedication to the pursuit of degrees in diverse disciplines including history, law, nursing, and education. The DAR Scholarship Committee awards scholarships to qualified applicants regardless of race, religion, sex or national origin. All multi-year scholarships, typically renewable up to four years, must be for consecutive years of attendance at an accredited college or university in the United States. The only exception is the American Indian Scholarship that is available for students pursuing vocational training.
Elevate Mental Health Awareness Scholarship - This scholarship is for students who have been affected by mental health challenges. Their hope is that the scholarship inspires greater awareness about mental health and fuels innovative solutions that help the millions of people who are suffering.
Foot Locker Scholar Athletes Scholarship – Foot Locker is offering twenty $20,000 scholarships to student athletes that have shown leadership within their teams, schools and communities. Applicants must be nominated. This award is open to all entering college freshman for fall who participate in a sport-related activity and who have maintained at least a 3.0 GPA.
Gates Millennium Scholars Program – This is a renewable, need-based scholarship to provide financial support throughout the scholar’s undergraduate career. Eligibility is: African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian Pacific Islander American or Hispanic American; must be a citizen, national or legal permanent resident of the US; have at least a 3.3 GPA; planning to attend a US based university; have demonstrated leadership abilities through participation in community service.
GE – Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program – There are approximately 20 scholarships available for college-bound students who demonstrate exemplary leadership, drive, integrity, and citizenship with $10,000 renewable scholarships- up to $40,000 total per recipient. You must have at least a 3.0 GPA and show financial need.
Good Tidings Foundation Community Service Scholarship – This Scholarship is available to Seniors, residing in specific counties in the greater Bay Area. 20 awards of $5000 are available for those applicants with substantial community service experience. Financial need is considered. Short essay on specified topic and a letter of recommendation is required.
Hispanic Heritage Foundation - The Hispanic Heritage Foundation’s (HHF) 2021 Youth Awards educational grants program is now accepting applications! Our Annual Youth Awards will award students up to $4000 in educational grants to fund their higher education or to fund a community-based project.
Intel Science Talent Search Scholarships – This scholarship is for seniors interested in pursuing careers in science, math, engineering and medicine. There are 40 scholarships are awarded from $5000-$100,000. In addition, 300 semifinalists each receive $1000 awards. A project report as well as entry forms must be submitted.
John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest – First place winner in this contest receives $10,000. Applicants write a creative essay of 1,000 words or less that demonstrates an understanding of political courage as described in JFK’s book Profiles in Courage. This contest is open to students in grades 9-12.
NFIB Young Entrepreneur Foundation Award – This is a great opportunity high school seniors who operate their own small business. NFIB’s goal is to identify bright, articulate, enterprising students who are interested in continuing their education and further developing their interests/skills. Our hope is that these students would continue owning their own business, becoming future NFIB members, or using their entrepreneurial skills to promote the benefits of the free enterprise system. Scholarships range from $1000-$15,000.
Patricia Grodd “Young Writers Contest - The Patricia Grodd Poetry Prize for Young Writers recognizes outstanding young poets and is open to high school sophomores and juniors throughout the world. In addition, the winning poem will be published in The Kenyon Review. The runners up will also see their poems published.
The Princeton Prize in Race Relations - $1000 cash award for San Francisco Bay Area students grades 9-12 who are doing outstanding work in their schools or communities to advance the cause of racial harmony. Applicants do not need to attend Princeton University to apply for this application.
Prudential Spirit of Community Award - This scholarship is for 9th through 12th grade students who have demonstrated exemplary community service. Volunteer activity has to, in part, taken place during the past 12 months. Local recognition given, plus state winner has all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. and $1000 award, with national awards of $5000 available.
Ronald McDonald House Charities US Scholarship Program – This scholarship is for seniors who are exemplary role models in their communities and have initiative to fulfill their educational goals.
Rossmoor Scholarship - This scholarship offers $3,000 scholarships with those recipients eligible for additional scholarships in specific areas.
San Francisco International Ocean Film Festival Student Film Competition – Submit an short oceanic-related film that is 5 minutes or less, filmed anywhere. The top 10 films will be screened at the festival and prizes for 1st-3rd place will be awarded. Open to all students in grades 6-12.
Stephanie Brown Cadet Memorial Foundation Scholarship – This is a renewable $1000 scholarship for seniors with a significant number of volunteer hours in community service within the last 18 months, a grade point average of at least 3.0, planning to attend a 2-4 year school for higher learning and a resident of the greater San Francisco Bay Area.
Stokes National Security Agency Scholarship Program - purpose of this program is to facilitate the recruitment of individuals, particularly minority high school students, who have demonstrated skills critical to NSA. Stokes provides a tremendous opportunity to gain valuable experience in your field while attending college and getting a degree. Stokes is open to high school seniors planning on majoring in computer science or computer/electrical engineering. Students will attend college full-time, and then work during the summer at NSA for 12 weeks in areas that are related to your course of study. You’ll acquire real-world experience and receive a year-round salary. (Please note: Eligible students must maintain a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale after their freshman year.) If selected as a program participant, you are required to work in your area of study for NSA after your college graduation for at least one-and-one-half times the length of study.
Travis Credit Union Community Impact Scholarship - Apply for a $2,000 Travis Credit Union Community Impact Scholarship, which is available to Travis Credit Union members who are high school seniors bound for college this fall. If not already a member, students must first become a member.
US Senate Youth Program – For juniors and seniors. Two student delegates and a first and second alternate will be selected from each state for a unique educational experience. Applicants should be interested in pursuing careers in public service. The 50th anniversary program will be held in Washington, D.C. from March 7-14, 2015. In addition, each delegate will also be awarded a $5,000 college scholarship for undergraduate studies, with encouragement to pursue coursework in history and political science. Selection is based on the students’ outstanding abilities and demonstrated qualities of leadership in an elected or appointed high school student office. To apply, please contact your state selection contact which can be found on the website.
VFW Voice of Democracy Program - Scholarship offers $1,000-$16,000 scholarships for students in grades 9-12. This is a patriotic speech writing competition. Entries must record an original 3-5 minute essay on standard cassette tape or CD. For information & applications, come to the College Center, visit their website, or contact VFW Post near you.
Wiredscholarship Sweepstakes - $1000 scholarships available monthly by registering with SallieMae College Answer. All students may apply, only those ready to enroll in college within 30 days will get $1000 scholarship. Younger student winners will receive $1000 check.
Human Rights Organization LGBTQ Student Scholarship Database
The Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship – The Jackie Robinson Foundation provides minority high school students with scholarships up to $24,000 over 4 years who have shown leadership potential and demonstrate financial need for attending an accredited 4-year college of their choice. The application can be found online as well as the required essay question. A letter of recommendation is also required.
Ron Brown Scholar Program - For African-American seniors a minimum of ten scholarships in the amount of $10,000 per year, renewable for four years is available to you. Applicants must excel academically, exhibit exceptional leadership potential, participate in community service activities and demonstrate financial need.
Sons of Italy – The Grand Lodge of California has scholarships available for graduating seniors who are wholly or partially of Italian descent and planning on continuing their education in the Fall.