Scholarships

A Word About Scams

Scholarships are FREE money. You should never have to pay a fee, agree to a portion of a scholarship award to another party, or complete online forms you are not comfortable filling out. To learn more about signs to look out for, read How to Avoid College Scholarship Scams

Scholarship Newsletter

The Scholarship Newsletter is a list of current scholarships that are available for students nationwide. Click on the link below to open up the weekly newsletters folder.

Scholarship Newsletter Folder

HORATIO ALGER SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION - SENIORS

Application Deadline is February 15th, 2026

Eligibility Requirements:

Be enrolled full time as a high school senior in the United States
Exhibit a strong commitment to pursue and complete a bachelor’s degree at one of the target colleges/universities on our website (complete list can be found here: Senior Scholarships)
Demonstrate financial need ($100,000 or lower household income)
Be involved in co-curricular and community service activities
Display integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity
Minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0
Be a United States citizen

APPLY HERE

Review the section below to determine the scholarships for which you are eligible.
By filling out one application, you will be considered for all scholarships for which you are eligible, except for some Specialized Scholarships
Click the Apply Now button (during the application period) to start your application. Some Specialized Scholarships require a separate application and you will find the button in the Scholarship Program section.

Optimist International sponsors three scholarship contests for students to earn money to pursue opportunities in higher education: the Communication Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CCDHH), the Essay Contest and the Oratorical Contest. The contests are conducted at the Club level, then Zone and Regional (if necessary) and at the District level. District-level scholarships are funded by the Optimist International Foundations and awarded by Optimist International.

Topic for the Essay Contest: “How My Acts of Service Help Me Understand What My Community Means to Me”

Who: The contest is open to contestants under the age of 19 as of October 1st of the current Optimist International contest year (October 1 - September 30) and who have not yet completed secondary school or its equivalent, including CEGEP students in Québec, Canada. There is no minimum age. Students must enter in the District in which they reside. U.S. students attending school on military installations outside the U.S. are eligible to enter in their last home of record.

Topic for the Oratorical Contest: "The Moment I Realized I Belonged - My Definition of Community"

Who: The contest is open to contestants under the age of 19 as of October 1st of the current Optimist International contest year (October 1 – September 30) and who have not yet completed secondary school or its equivalent, including CEGEP students in Québec, Canada. There is no minimum age.

ELK GROVE OPTIMIST 2026 ESSAY AND ORATORICAL CONTESTS

Application Deadline is February 16th, 2026

Essay applications, copy of essay and birth certificate are due by February 16, 2026. Oratorical applications, copy of speech, and copy of birth certificate are also due by February16, 2026 Students can enter for one or both contests. We cannot move forward any applications received after this date. All applications, copies of essay/speech and supporting documents must be received in the Elk Grove Optimist Club mailbox at the address given below or email to debbieshook74@gmail.com
Additional information regarding the essay and oratorical contests can be found in the attached flyer. For more information on these contests and the Optimist organization, please go to the Optimist International website/scholarships. https://www.optimist.org/member/scholarships1.cfm

TRI COUNTIES BANK SCHOLARSHIP PROGRaM

Application Deadline is February 25th, 2026

In partnership with the Community Foundation of the North State, Tri Counties Bank annually awards scholarships totaling $110,000 to high school seniors planning to attend a community college, trade school, or four-year college or university.
Scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate an interest in public service, community engagement, or business entrepreneurship. For more information and to apply, visit https://www.tcbk.com/about/community/scholarship-assistance
If you have questions about the Tri Counties Bank Scholarship Program, email CommunityScholarship@tcbk.com

Who may apply

Applicants must be a high school senior graduating in 2026. Students currently enrolled in college are not eligible. Only children with a parent or legal guardian employed by a California vineyard during the 2025-2026 winegrape growing season are eligible to apply. Children whose parent or guardian is a California winegrape grower may request a waiver from this eligibility requirement based upon financial need. To qualify for waiver consideration, a letter demonstrating financial need must be submitted with the completed application packet. Children of current directors or employees of the CAWG Foundation are not eligible to apply.

Apply here!

California Association of Winegrape Growers Foundation

CAWG Foundation Scholarships

The California Association of Winegrape Growers Foundation is offering a minimum of six scholarships in 2026 to graduating high school seniors. Students may study the subject of their choice.

CAWG Foundation is awarding two types of scholarships:

1) Scholarships in the amount of $8,000 to students applying to a four-year campus in the University of California or California State University system.
2) Scholarships in the amount of $2,000 for students applying to any two year, California community college.

APPLICATIONS ARE DUE NO LATER THAN MIDNIGHT ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2026.

Sons of Italy Western Foundation

Application Deadline is March 1st, 2026 (postmarked)

Eligibility Requirements:

Applicat MUST BE wholly or partially Italian descent
Applicant MUST BE enrolled in an accredited College, University, Community College or Trade School in the Fall of 2026.

Scholarships are available for the following categories:

Academic Awards for graduating high school seniors
Italian Language Study Grands for graduating high school seniors for the Summer of 2026
Career Education for graduating high school seniors pursuing a career in a skilled field.

Application forms are available ONLINE at the Sons & Daughters of Italy, Grand Lodge of California website at www.osiaca.org Once on the website, click the link for SCHOLARSHIPS.

For additional information, please contact Scholarship Committee Chairsperson, Annette Porter, ampdynomom@aol.com or call/text (310) 245-4502

APPLY HERE

Review the section below to determine the scholarships for which you are eligible.
By filling out one application, you will be considered for all scholarships for which you are eligible, except for some Specialized Scholarships
Click the Apply Now button (during the application period) to start your application. Some Specialized Scholarships require a separate application and you will find the button in the Scholarship Program section.

HORATIO ALGER SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION - JUNIORS

Application Deadline is March 1st, 2026

Eligibility Requirements:

Be enrolled full time as a high school junior in the United States
Exhibit a strong commitment to pursue and complete a bachelor’s degree at an accredited non-profit public or private institution in the United States
Demonstrate financial need ($100,000 or lower household income)
Be involved in co-curricular and community service activities
Display integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity
Minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0
Be a United States citizen

Sacramento Region Community Foundation

Application Deadline is March 13th, 2026

Review Open Scholarships
- Every available scholarship opportunity has unique criteria, such as financial need, area of study, career goals, or life experiences.
- View all scholarships here
Complete the Application
- Create an account in the Scholarship Portal, complete the general application, and get personalized scholarship recommendations.
Apply for Scholarships!
- Submit separate scholarships for each scholarship by their deadlines. Recipients of awards are notified via email, typically early June.
- To submit the applications, you’ll need a copy of your most recent transcript that includes your unweighted GPA. You may also need references; copy of your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) submission summary report or CA Dream Act report; and a personal essay.

These awards offer genuine support to help students pursue their higher education goals. Scholarships range from $1,000 to $10,000, each with its own eligibility criteria, and most applications close March 13, 2026.

Cabrillo Civic Clubs APPLICATION.pdf

Cabrillo Civic Clubs of CALIFORNIA sCHOLARSHIP

Application Deadline is March 15th, 2026

Criteria: Be of Portuguese descent & have at least a 3.50 gpa & participate in 3 extracurricular activities.

Submit an application with: An official high school transcript and letter of recommendation

Website available here

For local information, please contact:

Rachel Tatro

(916) 568-1301

racheltatro@sbcglobal.net

Sacramento Area Fire Fighters, Local 522 Scholarship Program

Application Deadline is April 1st, 2026

Sacramento Area Fire Fighters, Local 522 is offering four (4) $1,000 scholarships to Senior High School students who will be attending college the year following graduation. Two scholarships will be awarded to daughters/sons of Local 522 members, and two scholarships will be awarded to students who attend one of the high schools within Local 522's jurisdiction.

Qualifications:

Each applicant must submit a 500-word essay on the topic "Life in the Firehouse"
The essay may either be handwritten or typed
Proper English and writing skills will be judged
The heart of the essay will be judged on how realistic the writer portrays firefighters in real life
Contestants are encouraged to visit local fire houses to conduct interviews, gather info, etc.
Adherence to application instructions will be judged
ESSAYS MUST BE POSTMARKED WITH USPS POSTMARK ON OR BEFORE APRIL 1, 2026. NO APPLICATIONS OR ESSAYS WILL BE PERMITTED IN PERSON; THEY MUST BE MAILED.

Judges will be a local school teacher, college professor, etc.
The recipients will be presented certificates of award at their school awards program when possible or by mail to their home address
The decision of the judges chosen by Local 522 will be final.

Interested in applying? Applications are available in the College and Career Center.