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CASA of Santa Cruz County offers educational and vocational scholarships to support current foster youth, former foster youth, youth currently in the juvenile justice system, and youth formerly in the juvenile justice system within the Santa Cruz County Jurisdiction.
CASA of Santa Cruz County's scholarships are up to $1,000 per year. Eligibility includes anyone attending college (at least 6 units per semester based on an annual review), vocational training, community colleges, professional credential programs, four-year universities, or other accredited educational pursuits. Graduate students qualify for a scholarship of up to $2,000. All applicants may reapply for up to five years. The scholarship is paid directly to the applicant via check, not the university. The funds are not restricted; the use of the scholarship is at the applicant's discretion to support their educational or vocational pursuits. Applicants can apply for one scholarship per year.
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Current and former foster youth and dependents or wards of the court may qualify for up to $5,000 a year in free money for career training or college with the Chafee Grant.
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Federal Pell Grants usually are awarded only to undergraduate students who display exceptional financial needs and have not earned a bachelor's, graduate, or professional degree.
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The Community Foundation Santa Cruz County offers various scholarships to graduating high school seniors and Cabrillo College students in Santa Cruz County. Scholarships open in November 2025. For new applicants the deadline is late January 2026, and for returning applicants is February 26th 2026.
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An annual application that awards selected students each Fall through private donations to the Cabrillo College Foundation ($500-$2,500).
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Scholarships are offered to encourage Santa Cruz County High School Seniors to begin their college education at Cabrillo. Each scholarship fund is designed to assist students who meet specific eligibility requirements, and award amounts start at $500. Recipients must enroll full time at Cabrillo to be eligible.
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A state sponsored program, which waives enrollment fees ($46 per unit) for eligible California/AB540 residents and a portion of a students' parking permit for Fall and Spring semesters.
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If you're a student who is or was in foster care, who's already enrolled in or planning to enroll in community college, university, or a vocational training program. You're eligible to receive up to a $2,000 scholarship each year you're in school, for a maximum of 5 years. They will also pair you with an amazing Pivotal coach who will stick with you throughout your higher education journey and help you pursue a career when you've finished school.
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Omega Nu Scholarships are open to students who plan to enroll in a California community college, CSU, UC, or California Vocational School and are currently enrolled in a local high school or community college.
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The "Imagine that your high school or college has been overrun with zombies. Your math professor, the cafeteria ladies, and even your best friend have all joined the walking dead. Flesh out a plan to avoid the zombies, including where you’d hide and the top five things you’d bring to stay alive." (250 words or less)
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Make Me Laugh is a fun scholarship that lets you cut loose and lighten things up. Looking for a scholarship for comedians? Now is your chance to show us your funny bone. Perhaps you always have an embarrassing - but funny - story to share. Great! We'll promise to laugh with you, not at you.
