Scholarship Information
Scholarships & Financial Aid
Looking for scholarships? Here are just a few for you to get started:
1. Naviance
Local scholarships can be found in Naviance under Colleges > Scholarships & Money > Scholarship List to see what is currently available. Be sure to check back from time to time as scholarship application windows open up at different times throughout the year.
Here are some scholarships search engines:
(Source: usnews.com)
Expect lots of emails from your scholarship search. You may want to consider creating an email address specifically to field scholarship searches
Chegg also offers online tutors to help students with their scholarship essays.
9. Community foundation website:
Check local community foundations' websites, which may also host a list of area scholarships.
10. College websites where you’re applying:
Although not all schools award merit-based scholarships, those that do are very valuable because they’ll likely renew all four years.
The process for giving out scholarship money varies from school to school. You should also check the department of the major you’re considering, which may have its own scholarships and process for awarding them. Go to the college's website and search for the word 'scholarships' to find out more about what they offer.
FAFSA
To apply for federal student aid, such as federal grants, work-study, and loans, you need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Completing and submitting the FAFSA is free. It gives you access to the largest source of financial aid to pay for college or career school. In addition, many states and colleges use your FAFSA information to determine your eligibility for state and school aid. Click HERE to get started!
The FAFSA Process
Each October, the FAFSA is available for the next school year. It's important for seniors and their parents to fill it out as soon as possible to meet school and state financial aid deadlines. The deadline for the state of California is March 2nd each year.
FAFSA Resources
FAFSA: Determining Your Dependency Status
Cal Grant
Cal Grant is a financial aid program administered by the California Student Aid Commission providing aid to California undergraduates, vocational training students, and those in teacher certificate programs. Cal Grants give funds to students who meet the GPA and parent income requirements. Your eligibility will be based on your FAFSA application, your verified Cal Grant GPA (uploaded by our district office) and the California colleges listed on your FAFSA. For more information about Cal Grants, click HERE.
California Dream Act
The California Dream Act allows undocumented and nonresident documented students who meet certain provisions to apply for and receive private scholarships funded through public universities, state-administered financial aid, university grants, community college fee waivers, and Cal Grants. For more information about the Dream Act, click HERE.
Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)
Students who are residents of WICHE states are eligible to request a reduced tuition rate of 150% of resident tuition at participating two- and four-year college programs outside of their home state. The WUE reduced tuition rate is not automatically awarded to all eligible candidates. Many institutions limit the number of new WUE awards each academic year, so apply early!
WICHE members include: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. For more information on WUE, click HERE.
Net Price Calculator
The Net Price Calculator is a tool that you can use to estimate your "net price" to attend a particular college. For more information, click HERE.
Additional Scholarships Websites
For Pleasanton Unified Seniors
For Asian American Students
For California Latino Students
Public Websites ~ Scholarships
For Alameda County Students
For California Residents
Scholarships for Undocumented Students