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

Sam Rubin Memorial Scholarship
Sponsor: KTLA
Amount: $5,000.00
Closing Date: September 1, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to students currently enrolled in a college or university in Southern California. If student attends college outside of Southern California, they must show that they graduated from a high school in the Greater Los Angeles area. Applicant must demonstrate that journalism is their specific field of study.

San Diego Press Club Scholarships
Sponsor: San Diego Press Club
Amount: Up to $2,500
Closing Date: September 20, 2026
Description: Scholarships are open to students enrolled in San Diego County universities and community colleges OR permanent residents of San Diego County attending college elsewhere. Applicant must have an intent to pursue a career in journalism.

Ethical Torch Essay Scholarship
Sponsor: BBB Pacific Southwest
Amount: Up to $1,500
Closing Date: September 27, 2026
Description: Scholarship is open to students in grade 9-12 (graduating classes of 2027-2030) residing and enrolled in school in Orange County (California). Applicant must submit an essay on a ethical issue that they faced and how they handled it.

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.