Scholarships

Benefits

Good Tidings Foundation is a non-profit, 501-(c)-3 children's charity that encourages and supports the growth of marginalized children in the Bay Area by creating spaces for athletics, artistic activities, education, and wonder.  

Our purpose is to provide opportunities that otherwise would be unavailable to kids regardless of their financial status, ethnic origin, or religion.  We created this education scholarship award in 1999 for high school seniors who recognize the benefits of serving their community. Our scholarships award high school seniors based on the greatest service and financial need.

The $10,000 scholarship check will be dispersed evenly over the course of 4 years. Winners will be notified by November 25, 2026. A total of 10 applicants will be accepted to receive this scholarship.

Qualifications

Candidates must meet the following baseline requirements:

• High School Senior graduating in 2027

• A resident of one of the following California counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Lake, Marin, Monterey, Napa, Sacramento, San Benito, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Yolo

• Winners must volunteer a minimum of 1 shift (~2-4 hours) for our Good Tidings' Winter Wonderland Toy Giveaway Program in Burlingame, CA taking place from December 5-20, 2026

• Must plan on attending college, vocational, or continuing education. 

*Please note that a letter of recommendation is required in order to submit your application. Letters of recommendation must be submitted by the deadline in order for your application to be considered. To support the integrity of our selection process, our staff connects directly with your reference/recommender. Please ensure that your recommenders are aware that a member of our team will reach out to them via phone to verify details of their letter.

Deadlines

Submit application by 12pm on November 4th.

How to Apply

Start an application

Benefits

The Legacy Funds of Holy Names University is open to high school seniors and current college students residing in the Bay Area and attending Colleges/Universities in California. This scholarship supports students who demonstrate resilience, leadership, academic ambition, a commitment to community, and financial need. Scholarship awards start at $10,000 per recipient, with larger awards available based on need and merit.

• Awards begin at $10,000 per recipient, with larger amounts available based on merit and financial need
• Annual scholarship for students who reflect the values of Holy Names University
• Supports education at accredited colleges and universities across California

Qualifications

Candidates must meet the following baseline requirements:

• Must be a current high school senior, college student, or adult learner
• Must reside in the San Francisco Bay Area and enroll in an accredited California college or university
• Must demonstrate financial need
• Must show a strong commitment to community service, education, or social justice

Deadlines

Submit application by May 14, 2027.

How to Apply

1. Visit the HNU website to access the scholarship application
2. Complete the application form in its entirety
3. Prepare and submit an original essay that reflects your personal goals
4. Submit academic transcripts
5. Provide documentation of financial need

Benefits

This program prepares college students to commission as Second Lieutenants in the U.S. Marine Corps upon graduation, offering world-class leadership training and premier financial support at participating colleges nationwide, like UC Berkeley, Yale University, Duke, University of San Diego, and many more.

• Full Tuition: Covers 100% of college tuition and mandatory academic fees.
• Stipends: Provides book allowances and a monthly subsistence stipend.
• Immediate Career: Graduates step directly into a respected, high-impact career as a Marine Officer.

Through their time in the program, students also receive:

• Premier Leadership Development: Students receive hands-on leadership and management training, preparing them to lead Marines immediately upon graduation.
• Mentorship & Camaraderie: Midshipmen are embedded in a tight-knit community, receiving ongoing mentorship from active-duty Marine Officers.
• Guaranteed Career Path: Graduates earn an immediate commission as a Marine Officer, stepping straight into a highly respected and impactful career.

Qualifications

To apply, candidates must meet the following baseline requirements:

• Citizenship & Age: U.S. Citizen; age 17–23 by September 1 of their entering college year.
• Education: High school graduate or equivalent and applying for participating colleges.
• Academics: Minimum test scores of 1000 SAT, 22 ACT, or 74 ASVAB.
• Fitness: Must meet Marine Corps physical fitness and medical standards.

Deadlines

The selection board reviews applications in October and January. Early submissions receive maximum consideration.
Applications for October must be completed by October 1st.

How To Apply

Contact a local Marine recruiter for hands-on application mentorship or Apply Online

Benefits

Explore multiple admissions pathways to 55 colleges, including full four-year scholarships, career development, and graduate school scholarships.

Through the National College Match, high-achieving high school seniors from low-income backgrounds can apply for early admission and full four-year scholarships to some of the nation’s top colleges, plus access to a lifelong network of QuestBridge Scholars and Alumni for support during college and beyond.

We review all applications holistically, and there are no absolute criteria or cut-offs for GPA, standardized test scores, income, or other factors. Take this chance to dream big.

Find out more

Qualifications

Candidates must meet the following baseline requirements:

• Excel academically by earning primarily A’s in the most challenging courses available and displaying intellectual curiosity and strong writing ability.
• Come from households earning less than $65,000 annually (for a household of four), with minimal assets.
• Exhibit strong character, such as resilience, integrity, and motivation to succeed.

Deadlines

Submit application by October 1st and additional application requirements for Finalists by November 1st.

How to Apply

1. Start an application Begin your free National College Match application in late summer before your senior year.
2. Gather materials Reach out to your recommenders and school counselor, and gather financial documents, a transcript, test scores (if taken), and a School Profile (if available).
3. Submit application Submit your application by the deadline. You have successfully submitted your application when you see a green check mark on your Manage page.
4. Rank colleges Rank up to 15 college partners to be considered for early admission and a full four-year scholarship.
5. Finalists notified If you're selected as a Finalist, your next step is to submit additional application requirements to each school you ranked by November 1.
6. Match Day In early December, Finalists find out if they matched. Matched? Congrats! You're admitted to college early with a full four-year scholarship.
7. Not matched? It's okay! QuestBridge Regular Decision offers you a chance for admission at colleges you ranked, and you can apply to additional college partners that interest you.

Benefits

We have searched the web and curated over 1,200 programs, scholarships and tools that are designed to help and support first-generation low-income students and professionals across the nation. You can search by national or state resources. The website will continue to be updated as we find more resources. Click on the title of each resource listed on the website to be directed to its website for more details.

RiseFirst.org

Benefits

The Ronald A. Hammond Scholarship is one of the University of Miami’s most prestigious scholarships, honoring the legacy of the University’s first director of minority affairs. Hammond Scholars receive the full cost of tuition for eight semesters (10 semesters for students in five-year degree programs) or the completion of the first degree, whichever is sooner.

With the support of the Office of Academic Enhancement, Hammond Scholars take part in exclusive programs, benefit from one-on-one advising, participate in group community service efforts, and are personally referred for additional prestigious academic opportunities.

Qualifications

To be considered for the Hammond Scholarship, you must apply and be admitted through either the Early Decision I or Early Action admission plans. There is no separate application outside of the Common Application to be considered. The Hammond Scholarship is open only to U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents.

A Hammond Scholar must complete a full-time undergraduate program of study with no fewer than 12 credit hours during each of the fall and spring semesters for a minimum of 24 credit hours per academic year. A minimum of a 3.0 GPA for the academic year must be maintained at the University of Miami, with the initial calculation at the end of the second semester of attendance. The award is subject to revision pending receipt of any grant, scholarship, or prepaid tuition and/or housing aid not anticipated at the time the award is made. Visit our Terms & Conditions page for more information.

Deadlines

All students who apply by the November 1 deadline are automatically considered for the scholarship.

School counselors and current or former Hammond Scholars may submit an optional nomination, but a nomination is not required. The nomination form will be available here on September 1 and must be submitted by November 13.

Hammond Scholars are notified of their selection at the time of Early Action decision release, late January. 

How to Apply

Apply to the University of Miami and be admitted under either the Early Decision I or Early Action admission plans.

Benefits

The United States Junior Chamber International (JCI) Senate Foundation will award $2000 or $2500 scholarship grants to graduating high school seniors who will continue their education at an accredited post-secondary college or university in the United States. Scholarships of $1000 or $1500 will be awarded to graduating high school seniors who will attend an accredited vocational, technical or trade school program in the United States. The number of grants awarded annually is at the discretion of the Foundation and must be used for educational expenses in the first year of full-time study immediately following high school graduation. Checks awarded will be made out in the name of the recipient and will be paid directly to the educational institution of the recipient’s choice.

Qualifications

Candidates must meet the following requirements:

• Graduating high school seniors in the United States, who reside in a state that has a JCI Senate scholarship chairperson or contact. Check www.usjcisenate.org under the scholarship tab for a listing of participating states. If your state does not have a chairperson or contact listed, you are not eligible to apply.
• COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY STUDENTS MUST HAVE A GPA OF 3.75 AND ABOVE TO BE CONSIDERED.
• VOCATIONAL SCHOOL STUDENTS MUST HAVE A GPA OF 3.25 AND ABOVE TO BE CONSIDERED.
• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this scholarship.
• You must attend a college, university, or vocational school in the United States to be eligible.
• You must begin your college career/education program in 2027.

Deadlines

Applications must be postmarked by January 12, 2027.

How to Apply

1. Visit the USJCI Senate website to access the scholarship application
2. Carefully read the instruction pages
3. Follow the embedded checklist
4. Include photo (optional but encouraged), transcript, & supporting documents
5. Every page must include student name & page number
6. Applicants may not use AI for the personal statement. Use of AI tools is disqualifying.
7. Mail application to: 
   Mary Alessandra-Cook
   CAJCF Scholarship Chair
   P.O. Box 3028
   Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA 90274

Benefits

Awards range from $500 to $5,000

Qualifications

Scholars must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Citizenship – U.S. Citizen

• Senior standing – Plan to graduate from a California high school in spring 2027.

• Fall College Enrollment – Intend to enroll in an accredited, public or not-for-profit, four-year college or university in the U.S. beginning in fall 2027, for the 2027-2028 academic year.

• GPA – Earn a minimum, cumulative unweighted GPA of 2.7 or above.

• Demonstrate an unmet financial need.

The William R. Blow Sr. Scholarship Fund reviews each scholarship application individually. The criteria used in the selection process are:

• Academic ability and achievement: Maintains a strong academic record and receives outstanding recommendations (preferably from teachers), shows a desire to be challenged, and demonstrates enthusiasm for learning. Eligible applicants must have a minimum, cumulative unweighted GPA of 2.7.

• Leadership: Motivates others, takes initiative, and contributes positively to the community.

• Persistence: Exhibits determination when faced with obstacles, goal-oriented, and confronts challenges with an ability to adapt to change.

• Unmet financial need: We also consider a scholar’s cost of attendance minus the expected family contribution (EFC) and all financial aid, such as grants, scholarships, work-study, and loans. This is the amount that scholar’s and/or their families must cover out-of-pocket.

Deadlines

Submit application between April 1 and April 30, 2027.

How to Apply

To apply, students will need to submit an online application with all the supporting documents by the scholarship deadline.
Complete applications include:

• Online Application

• Complete written responses

• Upload a screenshot of the SAI (Student Aid Index) portion of your Student Aid Report (FAFSA)

• Upload most recent transcript (unofficial accepted)

• Upload letters of recommendation (on school letterhead)

• Upload resume (optional)