Scholarships
There are thousands of private scholarship foundations - some are listed below - while there are also a number of trusted, centralized search engines, including FastWeb, scholarships.com, College Board, and 10,000 Degrees. Note, you should never pay a fee to apply for scholarships, or to be part of a scholarship search engine/company!
Also, always double-check deadlines, especially if it requires a hard copy to be mailed: is the deadline the received-by date, or the sent-by date?
Lastly, know that scholarships are not just free money given out to anyone who asks. They will have certain requirements, such evidence of substantial community service and volunteering; hardships overcome; leadership; excellence in an academic subject; a proven track record of academic success which demonstrates your potential to succeed in college; letters of recommendation from teachers or adult supervisors that testify to your personal qualities and strengths; or one or more essays. Many also have minimum GPA's. As such, prepare for this as early as 9th grade, so that when you apply for scholarships as a senior, you have those factors in hand and are a strong applicant!
FOR SENIORS/Class of 2023:
TL Scholarship Foundation: Our very own TL Scholarship Foundation gives out over 30 scholarships to graduating TL seniors each year! Applications are typically available in February of each year. Your odds of winning one of these scholarships is excellent! We strongly recommend that all seniors apply.
Stamps Scholars. Maximum = $75,000/year. 36 colleges across the United States award the Stamps Scholarships, including UCLA, USC, Oregon, Arizona, and Texas. Who: seniors. Factors: "Students who demonstrate academic merit, strong leadership potential, and exceptional character. We support exceptional young people with promise and vision who are eager to make their contribution to the world and have the work ethic to make their dreams a reality." Deadline: varies by college, though often there is no separate application, students are nominated by the college.
Coca-Cola Scholarship. Maximum: $20,000. Who: High school seniors. Factors: students who are actively involved in their school, passionate and service-oriented, and demonstrate a sustained commitment to bettering their community; minimum 3.0 cumulative unweighted GPA.
Good Tidings Scholarship. Maximum: $10,000. Who: high school seniors, low-income. Factors: students who have been extensively involved in community service. Agree to volunteer minimum 1 shift (2-4 hrs) at our Winter Wonderland Toy Giveaway Program between Dec. 1–20. Deadline: ~November 6.
Soroptimist Club/Live Your Dreams Scholarship. Maximum: $16,000. Who: senior girls. Factors: write an essay of up to 750 words, about how you have faced obstacles on the path to living your dreams, and how you think this scholarship could help you live your dream. Deadline: ~November 15.
Soroptimist Club/Violet Richardson Award. Maximum: varies. Who: girls between 14-18, who have demonstrated initiative in both identifying a problem and trying to solve it, and/or who have had significant and noteworthy accomplishments as volunteers. Examples: fighting drugs, crime and violence, cleaning up the environment and working to end discrimination and poverty, especially actions that benefit girls or women. Factors: Write an essay of up to 750 words: "Tell us where you volunteer and why. Describe the goals of the organization and its impact on the problem(s)it addresses. What is your role in the organization? What have you accomplished as a volunteer?" Deadline: ~November 15.
Prudential Spirit of Community Award. Maximum: $1,000+. Who: seniors, juniors, sophomores, 9th graders who have excelled at volunteering. Factors: requires nomination by TL Principal, or head of a Girl Scout Council, 4-H, American Red Cross, YMCA, or Points of Light Global Network member. Deadline: November 20
GE-Reagan Foundation. Maximum: $40,000. Who: US citizen, must enroll in full-time, four-year college. Factors: minimum GPA 3.0, leadership, drive, integrity, citizenship. Click here!
Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Award. Maximum: $36,000. Who: Jewish teens who have demonstrated remarkable leadership and initiative in projects that embody the values of tikkun olam , “repairing the world." Deadline: January 8.
Gates Millennium Scholarship. Maximum: full cost of college, for all four years. Who: Seniors who are African-American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian Pacific Islander-American, or Latinx-American. Factors: cumulative GPA of 3.3 on an unweighted 4.0 scale. Demonstrated leadership abilities through participation in community service, extracurricular, or other activities. Must meet federal Pell Grant eligibility criteria. Deadline: January 15.
Coolidge Scholarship. Maximum: your full 4-year college tuition, room, board, and expenses. Who: juniors (not seniors!). Factors: Coolidge Scholars are selected based primarily on academic excellence. Secondary criteria include: an interest in public policy, an appreciation for the values President Coolidge championed, as well as humility and service. Requires that applicants read President Coolidge’s Autobiography and complete a few other reading assignments. Deadline: January 20.
Redwood Empire ASHRAE/American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers. Maximum: $2,000. Who: Graduating seniors, pursuing an education in an engineering discipline or an allied science (e.g. computer science, material science, applied physics or atmospheric science) related to the mission of ASHRAE. Factors: minimum GPA 3.0. Click here! Deadline: ~January 20.
Black College Expo Scholarship. Maximum: varies. Who: high school senior or junior. Factors: essay, maximum 500 words, "Why is a college education important to me?" Deadline: ~January 27.
Hamilton Relay. Maximum: $500. Who: seniors who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind or have difficulty speaking. Factors: Requires letter of rec, and 1-page essay ("which would you find most beneficial to you in your college/career, and how will that impact your future career/volunteer goals? Services include: TTY, Hearing Carry Over, Voice Carry Over, Speech-to-Speech, Deaf-Blind Service, Spanish and Captioned Telephone.") Deadline: ~January 30
eQuality Scholarship. Maximum: $6,000. Who: Students attending any accredited post-secondary institution in the US or abroad; or - for the nursing scholarships - enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an accredited ADN or BSN RN program in California; all sexual orientations and gender identities eligible. Factors: Service to the LGBTQIA+ community; leadership; hardship or special circumstances; academic achievement. Click here! Deadline: ~January 31
Jackie Robinson Foundation. Maximum: up to $30,000. Who: Seniors. Factors: Show leadership potential, demonstrate a dedication to community service. Deadline: ~February 1
Bay Area All-Star Scholarship Team. Maximum: $5,000. Who: Display leadership qualities in and out of the classroom; minimum grade point average of 3.0 from sophomore to senior years; demonstrate the value of education, good work ethic and community outreach; demonstrate a commitment to extracurricular activities. Factors: Write an essay "explaining why you believe you are a deserving BAASST candidate." Deadline: ~February 5, 2022
Hispanic Scholarship Fund. Maximum: $5,000. Who: Hispanic heritage, minimum GPA = 3.0. Deadline: ~February 15, 2022.
Thurgood Marshall/Visa Black Scholars Program. Maximum: $20,000. Who: Black and African-American seniors. Factors: Must pursue a career in technology or business: Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Science, Networking, Cybersecurity, HR, Finance, Marketing, Sales, International Business, or related majors. Deadline: ~February 15, 2022.
Lions Club speech contest. Maximum: $21,000. Factors: Give a speech on the following topic: "Homelessness in California: What is the Solution?" Must be arranged through your local Lions Club (search here) Deadline: ~February 20, 2022.
Novato Republican Women's Scholarship. Maximum: $2,500. Factors: Essay of 500-700 words required ("Why was the Electoral College created by the Founders and put into the U.S. Constitution? Why is it important to you and the USA today?"), referencing the US Constitution, and Federalist Papers 10 and 68; grade point average, and scholastic and extracurricular accomplishments are considered as an enhancement to the application. Click here! Deadline: ~February 28, 2021.
Daughters and Sons of Italy Western Foundation. Maximum amount: $5,000. Who: must be wholly or partially of Italian descent. Factors: Essay of 200+ words, describing your Italian origin; future aspirations, work experiences, extracurricular activities, and organizations of which you are a member; and a paragraph describing an Italian you admire (not related to you) who made an impression in your life. Please indicate if applying for academic or athletic scholarship. Click here! Deadline: ~March 1, 2022.
PEO/Philanthropic Education Organization (flyer, application). Maximum: $2,500. Who: girls attending college within California; family income under $100,000. Factors: also requires 250-word statement about the student's goals in college. Deadline: ~March 1, 2022.
Shui Kuen & Allen Chin Scholarship. Maximum: $1,000. Who: Past/present worker in Asian-owned or Asian cuisine restaurant (or child of current employee), open to all ethnicities; record of community advocacy & social justice work on behalf of Asian-American, immigrant, LGBTQIA+, or other progressive causes; demonstrated financial need. Click here! Deadline: ~March 2, 2022.
Banatao Family Filipino American Education Fund. Maximum: $5,000. Who: At least 50% Filipino heritage; majoring in Engineering, Math, CompSci, Environmental or Physical Science (not health careers); demonstrated financial need. Click here! Deadline: ~March 2, 2022.
Italian Catholic Federation. Maximum: $ 400 for first year, increasing to $1,000 for senior year of college. Who: Either 1) must be both Roman Catholic and also Italian descent; or 2) if Roman Catholic parent, guardian, or grandparent is a member of the Italian Catholic Federation, student must be Roman Catholic but need not be of Italian descent. Factors: Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2. Click here! Deadline: ~March 15, 2022.
Redwoods Retirement Community. Maximum: $3,000. Who: scholastic achievement, community service, leadership skills, financial need. Factors: 2 letters of rec, 1-page autobiography (all details & application here!). Deadline: ~March 19, 2022.
Bay Area Gardeners. Maximum: $2,000. Who: first-generation-to-college; GPA ~2.5; service to community; attending college in San Francisco, San Mateo, or Santa Clara counties. Factors: essay, letters of rec. Deadline: ~March 19, 2022.
Marin Municipal Water District. Maximum: $1,000. Who: seniors. Factors: write an essay about your "ideas about the importance of clean water, water conservation and watershed preservation." Deadline: TBA.Mahatma Rice Scholarship Award. Maximum: $2,000. Who: high school seniors. Factors: 150-250 word essay, answering the following question: "What is your plan for college and what are the choices you will make to earn the degree or degrees that will assure you a fulfilling job in your chosen career?" Deadline: "March"
Rotary. Terra Linda Rotary Scholarship: Application. Maximum: various amounts, total awarded $8,000. Who: Terra Linda High School Senior students planning on attending a college, university, or vocational school. Factors: academic success, community service and financial need. Deadline: March 30.
Asian Pacific Fund. Maximum: $3,000. Who: at least 50% Asian heritage, first generation to college. Factors: minimum GPA: 2.8, demonstrated financial need. Deadline: ~March 27, 2022.
Jewish Community Federation. Maximum: $10,000. Who: for Jewish students; plus one for any student whose parents are gay/lesbian. Factors: 11 scholarships, varies. Deadline: ~March 31, 2022.
EEqual (Education Equality, youth-led) Maximum: $2,000. Who: students experiencing homelessness, housing insecurity, or extreme poverty. Factors: minimum 2.0 GPA, interview, essays. Deadline: ~March 31, 2022.
Growing Up Asian in America. Maximum: $1,000. Who: open to students of all backgrounds. However, your entry must be in line with the contest theme, and be about an Asian or Pacific Islander American experience. For example, you can focus your work on friends or loved ones who are Asian or Pacific Islander American. Factors: submit an essay, 2D art, or a video. Deadline: ~April 2, 2022.
Masque Scholarship. Maximum: up to $3,000 total. Who: seniors majoring in performing arts in college. Factors: 2 essays, one up to 200 words, one up to 500 words. Deadline: ~April 9, 2022
Armenian Genocide Awareness Scholarship. Maximum: $1,000. Who: open to all. Factors: Create greater awareness of the Armenian Genocide via either an essay or visual art. Deadline: ~April 9, 2022
Marin Garden Club. Minimum: $1,500. Who: Applicants must demonstrate contributions to conservation, horticulture or environmental fields and have plans to major in these fields in college. Factors: two letters of recommendation, essay about your interest/experience/talents/goals in conservation, horticulture, and/or environmental fields. Deadline: ~April 15, 2022.
George Maloney. Maximum: $1,000. Who: students w/ demonstrated academic effort & success; ability to overcome obstacles; positive, caring attitude towards others, especially those less fortunate; service to others; optimistic, positive attitude about life & opportunities ahead. Factors: essay up to 250 words; 2 letters of rec. Deadline: ~April 15, 2022.
Golden Gate Marin Artists Maximum: $500. Who: a Marin County girl who plans to pursue art at a 4-year college. Factors: must include 5-8 pieces of art, JPEG format, as well as both a personal statement and an artist's statement. Deadline: ~April 19, 2022.
McKinsey Diverse Young Leaders Scholarship. Maximum: $5,000. Who: African-American, Latinx, Native American. Factors: minimum GPA 3.5, and either 25 ACT or 1250 SAT; strong academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, and proven leadership ability. Deadline: ~April 20, 2022.
North Bay Officials Organization. Maximum: $500. Who: varsity football players. Factors: superior degree of sportsmanship, fairness, enthusiasm, spirit, leadership and overall good moral character during his high school career, both on and off the football field; other sports, activities, clubs, interests, where good moral character and sportsmanship is shown may be considered by the committee. Deadline: ~April 20, 2022.
Lapiz Family Scholarship. Maximum: $2,000. Who: Past/present Farm or Migrant farm worker, or child thereof; attending a UC; demonstrated financial need. Click here! Deadline: ~April 24, 2022.
Marin Nakayoshi Club (click here for intro letter, and here for application). Maximum: $500. Who: students with parents of Japanese ancestry. Other factors: academic record, ACT/SAT, extracurricular achievements, essay, interview. Deadline: ~April 24, 2022.
Pinay Aspire Scholarship. Maximum: $1,000. Who: High school senior girl of Filipina descent who is proud of her Filipino-American culture. Factors: Must demonstrate personal hardship and a strong potential for success. Deadline: ~April 24, 2022.
Beach Blanket Babylon Scholarship. Maximum: $15,000. Who: For students highly talented in acting, dance, or vocal. Factors: students should choose a song, dance, or monologue that shows off their talent the best. Click here! Deadline: ~April 26, 2022 (if re-instituted).
Tzu Chi. Maximum: $1,500. Who: 3.0 minimum GPA, demonstrated financial need. Factors: A 2-page essay about Tzu Chi (a Taiwanese, Buddhist humanitarian organization), based on the information you’ve gathered from websites, publications, news articles, etc. Please explain what you’ve learned about Tzu Chi that inspires you and why. Express your thoughts openly and honestly. Also, a 2-5-page autobiography describing the student's personal, academic, and volunteer contributions. Deadline: ~April 30, 2022.
CodeWizards HQ. Maximum: $2,500. Who: 3.5 GPA or higher, STEM majors preferred. Factors: 600-word statement of purpose, optional 2-minute video. Deadline: ~May 1, 2022
ASHRAE/American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers. Maximum: $3,000. Who: graduating seniors accepted into an engineering, pre-engineering, or engineering technology program. Factors: GPA 3.0. Click here! Deadline: ~May 1, 2022
A Kid's Chance of California Scholarship. Maximum: $10,000. Who: if your parent or legal guardian was killed on the job or had a serious injury that significantly reduced your family's income. Deadline: ~May 15, 2022.
PB&J Scholarship. Maximum: $1,000. Who: Students who have experienced serious personal situations, such as medical issues, bullying, change of school, parental divorce or death, homelessness, foster care, abuse, etc. Factors: no minimum GPA, but requires 1-2 letters of rec. Deadline: ~May 31, 2022.
