In 1849, James W. Marshall, a supervisor working on the construction of a sawmill outside of Sacramento, was examining his workers’ excavation of a riverbed the day before when he noticed them. Shiny shards of some glinting material, scattered along the river. Gold. In an instant, ankle-deep in the mud along the banks of a swampy creek, James Marshall had altered the course of American history. Hundreds of thousands of prospectors looking to get rich quickly flooded the annexed territory of California, which was quickly granted statehood a year later. Railroads began to cross the country, connecting east and west. California established itself as the destination for dreamers, coined as the “Golden State.”
Today, California is the largest state, population-wise, in the union, and still upholds the cultural image of a land of possibility. When the state’s name is mentioned, it conjures images of glittering cities, surfing music, sunshine, and glamorous movie stars. With such a reputation on their shoulders, the students of California must do everything they can to continue their state’s “Golden” place in Americana. Something of a modern gold rush has brought many out-of-state students to California’s renowned institutions of higher learning, leading native Golden Staters to begin looking at different strategies to go to school in their home state. Well, my Californian friends, once again, you’ve struck gold. Here are some appealing scholarships for California students following in their state’s tradition of ambitious pursuit of a goal:
California Chafee Grant Program
Deadline: File the FAFSA
Amount: Varying
Between the 2010 and 2015 censuses, the already-massive population of California grew over 5%. The Golden State now houses nearly forty million people. According to data collected by the census in conjunction with the Kaiser Family Foundation, California now has the highest population of children in the nation, at a touch under ten million. In a state with a still-burgeoning population of minors, it is perhaps more important than ever for Californians to encourage those on the fence to enter education, one of the more vital areas of study for the state’s future.
In order to help young students go to college and shape the future of the growing population, the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) sponsors the Chafee Grant Program, which helps foster youth students. To apply, students must file the FAFSA.
San Diego Community Foundation Scholarships
Deadline: June 1, 2020
Amount: Varying
The southern California metropolis of San Diego is known for many things, including beautiful weather, perennially bad-luck sports teams, a strong military community, and, to a generation of millennials, the setting of the iconic Drake & Josh sitcom. If, unlike the show’s main characters, you’re not hedging your bets on rock music or Oprah Winfrey noticing you, the San Diego Community Foundation provides alternative routes for students through their varied scholarships for local California students.
Budding scholars must have a minimum GPA of 2.5, participate in community service, and also fill out a FAFSA form. Scholars, who must be San Diego County residents, will be notified of the opportunities they are eligible for by May of that year. The Community Foundation aims to foster a family environment in the San Diego area through its various helping hands.
OSHPD Bachelor of Science Nursing Scholarship Program
Deadline: February 23, 2021 (Opens January 4, 2021)
Amount: $13,000
The Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD) in California established numerous scholarships for college students entering the medicinal field, including specialized medicine, hospital administration, or vocational nursing. The program’s Bachelor of Science Nursing Scholarship encourages incoming freshmen at any accredited institution in California enrolled in a nursing program to apply.
The financial stipends listed on the website state that recipients of the award will get up to $10,000 for tuition money. Upon graduation, the recipient must commit to a twelve-month stint as a nurse in a California medical facility. Typically, in order to help the state’s needs, these facilities will be in understaffed areas, that is, rural or lower-income. The scholarship provides a great opportunity for aspiring nurses to both pay off their steep college tuition and gain rewarding real-world practical nursing experience.
Cal Fund Community Scholarships
Deadline: Varying
Amount: Varying
Through their Los Angeles Scholars Investment Fund program, or LASIF, the Cal Fund provides fantastic opportunities for any student hoping to give back to the LA community. According to their mission statement, LASIF offers both scholarships, usually for low-income students in California, and program support for colleges, i.e. helping students prepare for and select colleges.
Grant opportunities are available for those interested in sustainability, immigration, education, and other areas of importance to the local community. The scholarships differ in eligibility stipulations, but the main requirement is that students should either be from or serve the Los Angeles, California, area. Angelenos interested in this fantastic opportunity should visit the Cal Fund’s site for more information on the various programs.
Berkeley Undergraduate Scholarship
Deadline: March 2
Amount: $6,000
The University of California, Berkley is universally considered to be one of the best public universities in the country. Located on the rocky shores of Alameda County, the campus borders the hard-working industrial city of Oakland and is also across the bay from the glitzy metropolis of San Francisco.
The University is noted for the diverse interests of its student community; past alumni include former Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren, Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, as well as the Third Eye Blind’s lead singer Stephan James, all California natives. According to CollegeBoard statistics, they would not be outliers today; nearly 85% of Berkeley students are state residents.
In order to reward California students who choose Berkeley for their secondary education, the school offers the Undergraduate Scholarship to incoming freshmen who meet certain academic standards and financial need. The scholarship is open to California residents entering Berkeley with a 3.5 GPA that demonstrate financial need via the FAFSA form, which serves as the official application. The winning students will receive faculty mentoring, tutors, and also $6000 in financial awards towards tuition.
Cal Grants
Deadline: File the FAFSA
Amount: Varying
Nearly every state in the union provides a government-funded federal aid program for students in need of financial assistance to continue their education. California is no different, administering this service through the Cal Grant Award. This award is a bit more complex than some of the simple financial aid packages offered in other states. Much like the crawling freeways that snake through the urban centers of California cities, there are also different routes that lead to different places.
There are four grant awards and each has a letter assigned to them: A, B, C, and T. Grant C applies to students entering vocational schools and Grant T is for those entering teaching programs.
Grant A and B awards are the most common, applying to undergraduates. A is for middle-income students that intend to attend a two or four-year institution and can only be used towards tuition. B is for lower-income students who intend to use the grant for an academic program of one year or more and can be used towards additional expenses as well as tuition, such as books and living expenses.
Both are based on the student’s FAFSA information and filed GPA. Yeah, it’s a pretty confusing process, but luckily, all the information needed is easily accessible, and the program fills a very important void in the lives of those who need a little extra help to reach their full potential.
| Lender | Rates (APR) | Eligibility | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
5.50%-16.12%* Variable
3.99%-15.61%* Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT CITIZENS |
 |
5.54% - 15.70% Variable
3.99% - 15.49% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT SALLIE MAE |
|
|
4.63% - 17.99% Variable
3.49% - 17.99% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT CREDIBLE |
 |
6.00% - 13.75% Variable
3.99% - 13.75% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT LENDKEY |
 |
5.66% - 14.72% Variable
3.69% - 14.56% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ASCENT |
 |
3.70% - 8.75% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ISL |
 |
5.62% - 16.85% Variable
3.69% - 16.49% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT EARNEST |
 |
5.00% - 14.22% Variable
3.69% - 14.22% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ELFI |
