Scholarships are financial gifts that do not need to be repaid. Thousands of scholarships are available and are offered by colleges, employers, individuals, private companies, nonprofit organizations, community groups, religious organizations, and professional or social associations.

Some college scholarships are merit-based, meaning they are awarded to students who meet or exceed specific criteria set by the scholarship provider. These may be based on academic achievement or a combination of academics and a particular talent, interest, or personal characteristic. Other scholarships are awarded based on financial need.

Many scholarships are designed for specific groups of students. For example, some are available to women or graduate students, while others are offered based on a student’s background, family employment, or military affiliation. Scholarship awards vary in amount and may cover full tuition or provide a one-time award of several hundred dollars. Regardless of the amount, applying for scholarships can help reduce the overall cost of education.

Elk Grove Regional Scholarship Foundation

The Elk Grove Regional Scholarship Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the college and career plans of students in the Elk Grove Unified School District area.  Scholarships are provided every year from the endowments and donations of community members, families, individuals, businesses, and community organizations.

Application Website: elkgroversf.org.

Application Opens:  November 2025

Application Deadline:  January 23, 2026

Cirkled In “No Sweat” Scholarship

The Cirkled In “No Sweat” Scholarship is a $2,500 cash award that may be used for a variety of educational expenses, including books and summer programs. Students can apply in just two simple steps: create a Cirkled In account and complete a student portfolio. 

To apply for the Cirkled In No Sweat Scholarship, create an account and tell us your complete story through your profile. No GPA or minimum income requirement. Just be YOU!

• Create a FREE Student account

• Complete your portfolio... And that's it!

The application process is so quick and simple you won't even break a sweat!

 Apply 

Some Scholarship Websites:

• Scholarships.com– An electronic database of scholarship opportunities for all students.

• FastWeb – The premier online resource for paying and preparing for college.

• Hispanic Scholarship Fund– Scholarships geared for students of Hispanic descent.

• CollegeScholarships.com– A scholarship search service helping students since 1995.

• BestColleges.com- Scholarships for Black and African American students.