Are there specific scholarships for high school students in California?

I'm a high school junior in California, and I'm starting to panic a bit about how I'm going to pay for college. I've heard that there are scholarships specifically for California students, but I'm not sure where to start looking. Anyone have recommendations for scholarships or resources I should check out while I'm still in high school? Also, if you've successfully applied for any and have tips, that would be amazing!

There's an abundance of scholarships available specifically for high school students in California. One path you might want to consider is the Cal Grant, which is offered by the California Student Aid Commission specifically for in-state students attending a California college or university.

Another option is the Middle Class Scholarship Program, which provides need-based scholarships to undergraduate students from California attending a University of California or California State University campus. The award amount varies depending on a number of factors, including your family income and your individual cost of attendance.

For students in San Francisco or northern California, there's the JVS Scholarship Program. This program provides several scholarships each year to qualified Jewish students who are in financial need.

As for application tips, the first thing you should do is gather necessary documents such as transcripts, financial records, etc. These will often be needed for the application. Also, make sure to give yourself ample time to write essays if required. Ask a teacher, counselor, or parent to proofread your essays to ensure they are clear and free of spelling or grammar mistakes.

For finding scholarships, use reliable scholarship databases and directly visit the websites of scholarship providers. Be wary of scholarship scams which may ask for unnecessary personal information. Keep in mind that legitimate scholarships never ask for an application fee.

Last but not least, remember to start applying as early as possible. Many scholarships have deadlines early in the year, so don't wait until the last minute. Good luck!