NEVER pay to apply to a scholarship.
Never give your social security number or driver's license number.
Sweepstakes "Enter to Win" scholarships are usually just a means to capture your information for marketing purposes.
"No Essay" scholarships are also often to capture your information for marketing purposes.
If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is!
When in doubt, speak with your parents or College & Career Center to confirm a scholarship is legitimate.
How do outside scholarships affect my general financial aid package?
Have you heard of the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)?
Participating out of state schools across the Western US will offer Californians in-state tuition.
Check the current list of participating schools out here!
How can I find scholarships as a first-generation college student?
Check out College Greenlight for financial and informational support.
How can I find scholarships as an undocumented student? (Check back as this list updates regularly)
You can find plenty of other support for undocumented students applying to college here.
Also check out the following awards available to DACA and non-citizen students
HSF Scholar (Opens in January)
TheDream.US National Scholarship (Opens November 1, 2025)
Scholarship America Dream Award (Opens in October)
MPOWER Global Citizen Scholarship (Deadline July 31, 2025)
MPOWER Monthly Scholarship Series - (Scholarship updates monthly, check regularly for new award)
MPOWER Women in STEM Scholarship (Deadline July 31, 2025)
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation - High School Seniors (Opens in August), Community College Transfers (Opens in October)
SchoolHouse Connection - Must have experienced homelessness in the last 6 years
Cal Lutheran Outside Scholarship Opportunities (Not specific to study at Cal Lutheran)
Raise.Me (Earn micro-scholarships based on student achievements)
Scholarships for Tribal Citizens (Must demonstrate Tribal affiliation via a Tribal Eligibility Certificate)