Visit FAFSA or California Dream Act to apply for financial aid. These sites will contain updates, applications, and more information.
Financial Aid, Scholarships, & Student Opportunities
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What:
- Join Erica Lehman for this online FAFSA event. This workshop is designed to offer support and guidance to students and parents looking to fill out FAFSA and OCCADA. If you have questions or special circumstances and need individual 1:1 support, please join to request an individual session. There will be an opportunity to fill out the form and ask questions during this time.
When:
- December 9th (CLOSED)
- 5:00-6:00 PM
(Formerly Cappex) is a website that matches students up with potential scholarships and also helps them discover and learn about different colleges.
The Fair Opportunity Project works a little differently than the other sites, as it doesn’t match students to scholarships. Instead, it offers a comprehensive 129-page guide, available in multiple languages, for high school students that includes information about letters of recommendation, how to compile a college list and examples of college essays that worked.
Fastweb is a free scholarship search platform that connects students to college scholarships, trade school scholarships, and financial aid tools. Their goal is to help you find scholarships to make college or vocational school more affordable.
Students can download the app for free and create a profile by taking short quizzes that ask questions about things like desired majors, GPAs, interests and background. The app then matches students with scholarships that align with their profiles and students can swipe right to save their favorites.
Orange County Community is a site that gives access to six specific scholarships to choose which works best for you.
Road2College is dedicated to helping families navigate the ever-changing world of college admissions and financing. Their community, tools, and services can help you find colleges that you can afford.
At Scholaroo, you’ve got a team of scholarship professionals working around the clock and around the globe to help you pay for college. They realize your time is precious so they do the leg work for you. Their team will identify the best scholarships for you from around the world based on your own unique profile and give you the behind-the-scenes tips, tricks, and tactics you need to realize scholarship opportunities.
Scholarship America’s mission is to eliminate barriers to educational success so that any student can pursue their dream. Their organization works directly with students, parents, colleges, businesses and communities to help students fulfill their college dreams.
Scholarships is a free college scholarship search platform that matches you to college scholarships you qualify for.
Another free mobile app that matches students with scholarships based on their interests, background and accomplishments.
Deadline: NONE
Amount: $1,000
Requirements:
- Applicant must be enrolled in a high school AVID program
- Have overcome obstacles
- Demonstrate financial need
- Preference given to applicant who struggled to get to college
AVID Senior Scholarship Updates, Scoring, and Calibration
This workshop will provide Orange County AVID Scholarship updates for the high school graduating class of 2025. Participants will experience the AVID scholarship scoring process by reading, scoring, and calibrating a simple AVID scholarship application.
Deadline: October 23, 2024 (CLOSED)
When:
- October 24, 2024
- 4:00-5:30pm
THINK Together AVID Scholarship
Deadline: December 2024 (CLOSED)
Amount: $2,500-$5,000
Requirements:
- Minimum 2.8 GPA
- Enrolled in the AVID program for a minimum of three years
- Accepted to and will attend an accredited four-year college or university
- Commitment to the community
Orange County AVID Senior Scholarship
Deadline: December 6, 2024 (CLOSED)
Amount: Varies
*Orange County AVID seniors nominated by their teacher, have an opportunity to apply for the Orange County AVID Senior Scholarship.
Deadline: December 6, 2024 (CLOSED)
Amount: Up to $6,000
Requirements:
- Applicants must have been enrolled in the AVID program for a minimum of three years
- Minimum of 2.8 GPA
- Must be accepted to an accredited four-year educational institution
- Selection is primarily based on demonstration of commitment to higher education and community service
Deadline: February 12, 2025
Amount: Varies
*The AVID Senior Standout is a student chosen by each AVID high school in Orange County. The AVID Senior Standout is a student chosen by each AVID high school in Orange County.
AVID 8th Grade Standout/Angels 8th Grade AVID Scholarship
Deadline: February 27, 2025
Amount: Varies
Requirements:
*The AVID 8th Grade Standout is specifically designed for outstanding Orange County AVID students selected by their AVID teacher/coordinator for their strong academic performance and four year university potential. AVID teacher/coordinator may nominate one AVID 8th Grade Student per middle school site. From this group, students will be chosen to receive the Angels 8th Grade AVID Scholarship.
*These educational scholarships support CTA members, dependent children of active members and CTA Aspiring Educators (formerly known as Student CTA) members throughout the academic year with funds to be used for education-related purposes*
Deadline: February 7th, 2025
This program offers up to 56 scholarships of up to $5,000 each to a dependent child of an active member of CTA, CTA/NEA-Retired or deceased CTA member and be claimed as a dependent on the member's current year's IRS form.
Dependent Children in Honor of Del A. Weber
This program offers one scholarship of up to $5,000 to a dependent child attending or attended continuation high school/alternative education programs.
This program offers up to 10 scholarships of up to $3,000 each to active members of CTA (including members working on an emergency credential).
CTA Aspiring Educators in Honor of L. Gordon Bittle Memorial
This program offers up to three scholarships of up to $5,000 each to active members of CTA Aspiring Educators and pursuing a career in public education
CTA Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Scholarship
The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Scholarship Program encourages Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) students to become educators, school nurses, school counselors or school therapists and to promote professional growth for BIPOC teachers and Education Support Professionals (ESP) members.
Deadline: February 21, 2025
The NEA Foundation Awards for Teaching Excellence
The NEA Foundation Awards for Teaching Excellence recognize, reward, and promote both excellence in teaching and advocacy for the profession. The NEA Foundation (NEAF or the Foundation) and National Education Association (NEA) present the awards jointly.
Deadline: February 21, 2025
Cesar E. Chavez and Dolores Huerta Education Awards Program
This award program provides recognition for educators and their students who demonstrate an understanding of the vision and guiding principles embraced by Cesar E. Chavez and Dolores Huerta.
Deadline: March 7, 2025
LGBTQ+ Safety in Schools Grant & Scholarship Program in Honor of Guy DeRosa
The grant program will support groups, projects, and presentations that promote understanding of and respect for LGBTQ+ persons. In addition, the scholarship program will support self-identified LGBTQ+ active CTA/CTA Aspiring Educators members enrolled in a teacher/counseling credential or graduate program who are pursuing a career in public education and who understand the importance of LGBTQ+ educators as role models in our public schools.
Deadline: May 30, 2025
Deadline: September 15, 2024 (CLOSED)
Amount: Scholars will receive funding for the full cost of attendance that is not already covered by other financial aid and the expected family contribution, as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), or the methodology used by a Scholar’s college or university.
*Cost of attendance includes tuition, fees, room, board, books, and transportation, and may include other personal costs
Requirements:
- A high school senior
- From at least one of the following ethnicities:
- African-American
- American Indian/Alaska Native*
- Asian & Pacific Islander American
- Hispanic American
- Pell-eligible
- A U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident
- In good academic standing with minimum cumulative weighted GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent)
- Additionally, a student must plan to enroll full-time, in a four-year degree program, at a U.S. accredited, not-for-profit, private or public college or university
- *For American Indian/Alaska Native, proof of tribal enrollment will be required
Crinkled in "No Sweat" Scholarship
Deadline: September 30, 2024 (CLOSED)
Amount: $2,500
Requirements:
- 13 years and up
- U.S. resident
- Enrolled in a school/home-school
The Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship
Deadline: September 30, 2024 (CLOSED)
Amount: $20,000
Requirements:
- Currently enrolled high school/home-schooled students attending school in one of the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or select DoD schools who will graduate high school during the 2023-2024 academic school year (students graduating from an American or expat school abroad are not eligible for this award; individuals who have already graduated from high school are not eligible)
- U.S. Citizens, U.S. Nationals, U.S. Permanent Residents, Refugees, Asylees, Cuban-Haitian Entrants, or Humanitarian Parolees - based on the guidelines utilized by U.S. Department of Education for Federal Financial Aid eligibility
- Expecting to receive high school diploma during current academic year
- Planning to pursue a degree at an accredited U.S. post-secondary institution
- Able to verify a minimum overall B/3.0 GPA in high school coursework
Deadline: October 15, 2024 (CLOSED)
Amount: Two $500 Scholarships
Requirements:
- Must be young women in the 12th grade
- Intend to pursue a career in Education or a STEM related field
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above
- Applications should be summitted via email to:
- Wendy Rincon, Administrative Assistant, ASCA Region 17
Tuna Canyon Detention Station
Marc Stirdivant Scholarship for Justice 2024
Deadline: October 19, 2024 (CLOSED)
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Elks National Foundation Scholarship Programs
Deadline: November 12, 2024 (CLOSED)
Amount: $1,000-$7,500 per year
Requirements:
- Current high school seniors
- Citizens of the U.S.
- Do NOT need to be related to a member of the Elks
- Applicants select from a list of lodges. Please select Saddleback Valley/Mission Viejo Lodge #2444.
Cooke College Scholarship Program
Deadline: November 14, 2024 (CLOSED)
Amount: Up to $55,000
Requirements:
- Senior standing
- Fall college enrollment
- GPA of 3.5 or above
- Demonstrate unmet financial need
Deadline: December 1, 2024 (CLOSED)
Amount: Not Disclosed
Requirements:
- Participate in a program-approved college readiness program in grades 11 and 12
- Be on track to graduate from an accredited high school in the current academic year
- Demonstrate a need for financial assistance
- Be eligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant in first year of college
- Plan to enroll full time at an accredited higher education institution
- Earn a minimum of a 2.4 GPA
LPA Interdisciplinary Diversity Scholarship Program
Deadline: December 2, 2024 (CLOSED)
Amount: $5,000 that can be awarded to 5 high school seniors
Requirements:
- High school senior in California or Texas
- Accepted in a full-time undergraduate program at an accredited 4-5 year college or university for the entire upcoming academic year
- Must be eligible to work in the United States
- The following degrees are eligible:
- Architecture
- Landscape Architecture
- Interior Architecture/Design
- Architectural Engineering
- Building Science
- Civil Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Related Fields
Orange County AVID Senior Scholarship
Deadline: December 6, 2024 (CLOSED)
Amount: Not Disclosed
Requirements:
*Orange County AVID seniors nominated by their teacher, have an opportunity to apply for the Orange County AVID Senior Scholarship
The Coolidge: A Scholarship for America
Deadline: December 11, 2024 (CLOSED)
Amount: Student's full tuition, room and board, required fees for four years of undergraduate study, and an annual stipend for books and supplies
Requirements:
- Must intend to enroll full-time at an accredited U.S. college/university as an undergraduate for the first time in the fall 2026
- Must be citizens or legal permanent residents of the United States of America by the deadline
- Cannot be the immediate family member of any current employee, trustee, or significant donor to the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation or the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Fund
Financial Futures Tax Simulation Scholarship
Deadline: January 12, 2025 (CLOSED)
Amount: $2,500 in educational funding
Requirements:
- Complete at least one lesson of our tax simulation
- Write a 200-500 word response to this prompt: "Why was it important to you to learn about taxes in school? Has your experience with our tax simulation given you more confidence related to future tax filings? Describe your biggest takeaway(s) from your own learning experience and how you plan to apply this knowledge in the future."
- Complete the application form by clicking the link above, including the short reflection essay you've written
Deadline: January 13, 2025 (CLOSED)
Amount: $2,000-$5,000
Requirements:
- Complete at least 3 lessons from either FutureSmart or SmartEconomics, presented by the MassMutual Foundation
- Submit a short essay about what you learned about how either FutureSmart or SmartEconomics made an impact on you. Limit one entry per person
- A committee of judges will read each submission and select a total of 22 student winners throughout the school year
Credit Worthy Scholarship Contest
Deadline: January 15, 2025 (CLOSED)
Amount: $1,000
Requirements:
- Complete Build - Credit Fundamentals or at least 3 modules of a course offered in the Credit Worthy program presented by OneMain Financial
- Submit a short essay about what you learned and how the Credit Worthy program by OneMain Financial has made an impact on you. Limit one entry per person
- A committee of judges will read each submission and select the scholarship recipients that will be awarded a $1,000 check prize
Mensa Scholarship Essay Competition
Deadline: January 15, 2025 (CLOSED)
Amount: Varies
Requirements:
- Members and nonmembers are both eligible
- Students must attend or plan to attend college or graduate school for the 2025-2026 school year
Deadline: January 23, 2025
Amount: $50,000 to 30 high school seniors
Requirements:
- Must be a high school senior with at least a cumulative 3.0 GPA, plan to pursue studies in the STEM fields at a four-year accredited college or university and show financial need
- Eligible STEM majors include computer and information systems, engineering, engineering technology, management information systems, mathematics, natural resources and conservation and physical sciences
- Applicants must live in Southern California Edison's service area
- The top 50 finalists will be required to submit a short video
- Dependents of Edison International and SCE employees and retirees are not eligible
Horatio Alger Association - Scholarships for High School Juniors
Deadline: Mutiple until March 1, 2025
Amount: 600+ scholarships up to $25,000 EACH
Requirements:
- Be enrolled full time as a high school junior in the United States
- Exhibit a strong commitment to complete a bachelor's degree at an accredited non-profit public or private institution in the United States (students may start their studies at a two-year institution and then transfer to a four-year institution)
- Demonstrate financial need ($65,000 or lower household income)
- Be involved in a co-curricular and community service activity
- Display integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity
- Maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0
- Be a US citizen
Accounting Careers National Scholarship Contest
Deadline: April 15, 2025
Amount: $5,000 in educational funding
Requirements:
- Complete at least one Accounting Careers: Limitless Opportunities course module
- Write a 300-500 word essay in response to this question:
- "When you think about your future, what are three goals that are important to you and what are some ways that a career in accounting could help you reach those goals?"
- Complete the entry form and submit!
DataSetGo Distinguished Scholar Award
Deadline: April 15, 2025
Amount: $5,000 in educational funding
Requirements:
- Complete at least one Data Science Foundations or Data Science Exploration: Financial Wellness Module
- Write a 300-500 word essay in response to this question:
- "What was the most memorable or surprising thing that you learned about data science and how will you use this new knowledge in your career, to advance your personal financial goals, or in other parts of your life?"
- Complete the entry form and submit!
Credit Worthy Scholarship Contest
Deadline: May 6, 2025
Amount: $1,000 in educational funding
Requirements:
- Complete Build - Credit Fundamentals or at least 3 modules of a course offered in the Credit Worthy program presented by OneMain Financial
- Submit a short essay about what you learned and how the Credit Worthy program by OneMain Financial has made an impact on you. Limit one entry per person
- A committee of judges will read each submission and select the scholarship recipients that will be awarded.
Deadline: June 9, 2025
Amount: $2,000-$5,000
Requirements:
- Complete at least three lessons from either FutureSmart or SmartEconomics, presented by the MassMutual Foundation
- Submit a short essay about what you learned and how either FutureSmart or SmartEconomics made an impact on you. One entry per person
- A committee of judges will read each submission and select a total of 22 student winners throughout the school year
The opportunities below may have multiple scholarships with different deadline dates throughout the entire year
California Teacher Association (CTA) Scholarships
Deadline: Multiple
Amount: Varies
Requirements:
- Each scholarship has different requirements. Click the site above for more information
IUSD College, Career, and Life Readiness Fair
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When:
- October 6, 2025
- 5:00-7:00pm
Where:
- Irvine High School
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What:
- Join Erica Lehman for this online FAFSA event. This workshop is designed to offer support and guidance to students and parents looking to fill out FAFSA and OCCADA. If you have questions or special circumstances and need individual 1:1 support, please join to request an individual session. There will be an opportunity to fill out the form and ask questions during this time.
When:
- December 9th (CLOSED)
- 5:00-6:00 PM
Eve & Gene Black Summer Medical Career Program
What:
- FREE program
- Participants will EITHER apply and be accepted to attend daily online programs with presentations/interactive sessions from a variety of general pediatricians, specialists including surgeons, nurses, pharmacists, dieticians, infectious disease, ophthalmologists, radiologists, child life, therapists, (i.e., physical, speech, occupational, or cognitive) OR apply and be accepted to attend an in-person program (in-person programs subject to change
- If selected to attend an in-person program, participants are responsible for their own transportation
- This program is ONLY open to qualified students from Los Angeles and its adjacent counties
Requirements:
- High school students who are currently in the 11th or 12th grade AND born on or before 7/1/09
Deadline: February 14, 2025
Program Dates:
- Program 1: July 7-17, 2025
- Monday-Thursday 10:00 AM - 12:15 PM
- Program 2: July 21-31, 2025
- Monday-Thursday 10:00 AM - 12:15 PM
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What:
- A 6-week experience combines working with professionals from CLAOC and one of our member companies. It is designed to provide you on-the-job learning, professional skill building, networking opportunities, and enhance your career readiness.
Requirements:
- CURRENT Juniors only
- Must be 16 by the start of the internship
Deadline:
- February 16, 2025
*Opportunities will be posted here as they are announced!