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Scholarships

Scholarship Resource Websites

FastWeb
Free personalized search for scholarships by academic year, unique situation (For example: Students who received foster care), race, etc.

FinAid
Comprehensive free resource for student financial aid information. Free scholarship search, financial aid calculators, info on student loans and financial aid application help.

Big Future by The College Board
Offers a free scholarship search and how to apply.

Scholarships.com
A free scholarship search with application strategies, information, contests, and grants. Search scholarships by grade level, major, state, and type. Also has great information about federal aid, financial aid, and student loans.

Foster Youth and CSUSM-Specific Scholarships

Please see scholarship websites for application deadlines:

ACE Scholars Services Transfer Scholarship
The ACE Transfer Scholarship is a two-year, 4 semester scholarship for incoming ACE transfer students totaling $4000. The scholarship will increase each semester if requirements are met (awarded in August and January).

American Association of University Women Rancho Bernardo (AAUW-RB)
$1000 scholarships for graduate or undergraduate women enrolled at CSUSM at the sophomore level or higher, taking at least 9 units with a declared major, cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better and financial need demonstrated. Contact ACE Staff for application.

Cal Coast Cares Foundation Foster Student Program
Scholarship award program for college-bound high school seniors and current college students who are in or have been in the foster care program. Contact ACE Staff for application.

CSUSM General Scholarship
There are Fall and Spring Scholarships, and each have very specific eligibility requirements. For the General Scholarship application, Cal State San Marcos Scholarship applicants must be enrolled at Cal State San Marcos in at least 6 units, admitted to and enrolled in a program of study leading to a degree or certificate program.

Foster Care to Success
All Foster Care to Success scholarships applicants must have been accepted into or expect to be accepted into college, and be under the age of 25 on March 31. Applicants also must have been in public or private foster care for the 12 consecutive months prior to their 18th birthday; or have been adopted or placed into legal guardianship from foster care after their 16th birthday; or they must have been orphaned for at least one year at the time of their 18th birthday.

Fostering Opportunities Scholarships
Fall and Spring scholarships for San Diego County foster youth. Students must attend an accredited public college or university, be enrolled in at least 9 units, and have a 2.0 GPA. 

Friends of Foster Children – San Gabriel Valley
Friends of Foster Children offers scholarships to those that can verify their status as a foster child/court dependent from Los Angeles County. Applicants must be enrolled in college, have a definite and verifiable educational plan for college, and can document financial need.

Guardian Scholars (through Promises 2 Kids)
The program provides former foster youth in San Diego County with a partial financial scholarship along with mentoring support to assist them in adapting to and excelling in a higher education setting. Guardian Scholars Students must be highly motivated foster youth or former foster youth who plan to enroll in college. Applicants are required to maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA, minimum of 12 semester units of coursework, obtain a part-time job (minimum of 10 hours a week), and file their FAFSA.

Just In Time for Foster Youth
JIT offers resources such as laptops, school supplies, and even dorm furnishing shopping sprees with a potential lifelong mentor and successful JIT Alumni. To apply you must be enrolled in a four-year college program as well as submit a written essay and a letter of recommendation along with your application.

National Foster Parent Association Scholarship (NFPA)
The NFPA Youth Scholarship Fund awards scholarships to current foster children and biological or adopted children of an NFPA member. Applicants must be a senior in high school or have received their GED within the last six months, and must have a parent/guardian that is an NFPA member.

nsoro Education Foundation
The nsoro Foundation provides academic scholarships to graduating high school students as well as current undergraduate or trade school students who were in foster care. Scholarship awards range between $4,000 and $8,000 per student per degree program on average depending on student financial need.

Orangewood Youth Center Grants & Scholarships
If you are a current or former Orange County foster youth Orangewood Grants & Scholarships may be able to help you with your expenses. Provide financial, educational, and emergency assistance to current and former foster youth with an emphasis on those who are pursuing higher education after emancipation. 

San Diego Foundation
Common Scholarship Application uses one online form to access more than 100 scholarships available for graduating high school seniors, undergraduates, graduate students and adult re-entry students who are attending 2-year colleges, 4-year universities, trade/vocational schools, graduate, medical and professional schools and teaching credential programs. Scholarships range from $500 to more than $5,000 and can pay for tuition, room and board, books, fees and other related expenses. Note that almost all of our scholarships require San Diego County residency.

United Friends of the Children College Sponsorship Program
The United Friends of the Children is a non-profit organization that offers College Readiness programs that prep high school foster youth in Los Angeles for graduation from high school. Through their College Sponsorship, they offer financial support for foster youth from Los Angeles County that are graduating seniors and transfer students. Applicants must have a minimum 2.8 GPA and have plans to attend a 4-year university in the fall.