Scholarships for students California. Some scholarships specifically open to California students, and others give preference to students in California.

The Music Center Spotlight Program
Sponsor: The Music Center
Amount: Varies
Closing Date: October 12, 2026
Description: Program is open to Southern California high school students who have talent in Acting, Non-Classical Voice, Classical Voice, Non-Classical Dance, Ballet, Jazz Instrumental and Classical Instrumental. Applicant must submit an audition video.

Hispanic Heritage Essay Contest
Sponsor: Optimum and TelevisaUnivision
Amount: Up to $3,000
Closing Date: October 15, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to legal residents of the United States who attend school in an Optimum serviceable area of Arkansas, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, New Mexico, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Virginia, or West Virginia. Applicant must be enrolled in the 6th-12th grade. In 500 words or less, applicant must share what connects them to Hispanic Culture.

National Rice Month Scholarship
Sponsor: USA Rice
Amount: Up to $5,000
Closing Date: October 31, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to graduating high school seniors in rice-growing states (Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Texas). Applicant must create a video about U.S. rice, National Rice Month, and the importance of rice to them, their state, or the world in general.

ISACA Scholarship
Sponsor: ISACA Foundation
Amount: Varies
Closing Date: November 3, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to current undergraduate and graduate students who are studying Cybersecurity. In addition to the general scholarships, there are scholarships open to students specifically from a demographic that is historically underrepresented within the tech profession, as well as students in the following metro areas: Hartford (CT), Houston, Washington DC, Las Vegas, New England, North Texas, Illinois, Sacramento, or San Diego.

Macy’s Emergency Scholarship Fund
Sponsor: Macy’s | LULAC National Educational Services Center, Inc.
Amount: Up to $500
Closing Date: Rolling
Description: Scholarship is open to deserving students facing economic hardship and immediate monetary need that, if not met, could result in an inability to complete classes or a degree program. Emergency financial need resulting from the following will qualify students from funding: change in family income/support, loss of job, death of an immediate family member, natural disaster, pending eviction or home foreclosure, burglary, or fire. Applicant must be a resident of California, Florida, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Puerto Rico, or Texas.

CalCPA Scholarship
Sponsor: CalCPA Education Foundation
Amount: Varies
Closing Date: Varies
Description: Scholarships are open to students with an interest in pursing professional careers in the accounting field. Applicant must be enrolled at an institution of higher learning in the state of California and must be a member of CalCPA (student membership is free). CalCPA chapters have different deadlines for scholarship – see website for details.