Where to find scholarships for college in California?

I'm planning to apply to colleges in California and I'm curious about scholarships available there. Does anyone know of specific scholarships or resources to help me fund my education in California?

Sure, you're asking a great question. Finding college scholarships can be a bit challenging but there are several tactics you can use to make this task more manageable. I'll offer some guidance on specific scholarships for students planning to attend college in California, as well as general resources to find scholarships.

Firstly, it would be beneficial to check the financial aid websites of schools you are considering applying to, as many California colleges and universities offer their own scholarships. These scholarships tend to have smaller applicant pools compared to national ones, which could potentially increase your chances of receiving them.

One specific scholarship for California students is the California-Hawaii Elks Association Scholarship. This scholarship program is specifically for high school seniors and college students who are residents of California or Hawaii.

Another one is the Cal Grant Program which offers grants, a type of financial aid that you don’t have to pay back, they are for students who are pursuing an undergraduate degree or vocational or career training in California.

You might want to start with the community foundation in your area. For example, if you're from San Diego, the San Diego Foundation offers many scholarships for students from San Diego County. For Los Angeles residents, the Los Angeles Community Foundation oversees several scholarships. The Silicon Valley Community Foundation offers similar opportunities for residents of Santa Clara County.

It's also important to check out the Appily (formerly Cappex) scholarship database. It maintains a comprehensive list of scholarships available nationwide and you can filter by factors like your GPA, intended major, and intended college location, which in your case is California.

Admittedly, the scholarship search process does require a fair bit of research and dedication, but I trust you'll find it to be a helpful exercise. Best of luck with your search!