Scholarship and Contest Opportunities for San Diego County Students
There are many local scholarship and contest opportunities available for students in San Diego County. For more student awards and free or low-cost opportunities, visit SDCOE's What's Happening webpage.
Scholarships
San Diego Community College District: San Diego Promise Information Nights
High school students can learn more about the admission requirements and benefits of the San Diego Community College District (SDCC) San Diego Promise, which aims to eliminate financial barriers to a community college education. An information night will take place virtually June 17 from 6 to 7 p.m. Interpretation is available in American Sign Language, Spanish, Japanese, Filipino, Somali, and Vietnamese. Visit the SDCC San Diego Promise page for complete details.
Cal-SOAP Workshops and Scholarship
The California Student Opportunity and Access Program (Cal-SOAP) provides webinars and in-person workshops to help students and their families learn about scholarship applications and local financial aid resources. The workshops are open to all San Diego County students, with a special focus on current high school seniors. Check out the Cal-SOAP website for more information on programs to help pay for college including current scholarships.
SeniorCare.com Aging Matters Scholarship
SeniorCare.com is offering a $1500 scholarship to incoming freshman or current college students who best demonstrate why "Aging Matters" to them. Applicants must currently care for an aging loved one, volunteer within the senior community, or intend to pursue a career that will have an impact on the elder population. All applicants can get more information and apply online on the Seniorcare.com website. Apply by May 15.
Health Care Communicators of Southern California Scholarship
High school seniors and college students currently enrolled in a school district within San Diego, Orange, or Los Angeles counties, and who intend to pursue a career in healthcare, are invited to apply for the Health Care Communicators of Southern California (HCCSC) scholarship. A minimum scholarship award of $3,000, generously provided by AMN Healthcare, will be granted. Scholarship recipients will also be recognized at the prestigious Finest Awards event in May, alongside leading communications professionals in the healthcare industry. The application deadline is June 30. View the HCCSC Scholarship flyer for more information.
ITE San Diego Scholarship
Students interested in pursuing a career in transportation engineering can apply for the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) San Diego scholarship. $1,000 scholarships are available to graduate students, undergraduate students, local community college students, and high school seniors graduating in 2026 and who are planning to pursue a transportation-related program at a college or university. Applications must be submitted by Sept. 26. Reach out to Mychal Loomis at mloomis@kittelson.com for any questions. More details can be found on the ITE San Diego scholarship application.
Contests
California Coastal Commission Contests
California students in 6th through 12th grade are invited to submit a podcast, narrative essay, or photo essay to the Climate Storytelling Contest. This year's theme explores feelings towards climate change, and educator resources are available. The deadline to submit is May 29 by 5 p.m. Visit the contest page for more information.
Teenage Handbook Competition
Middle and high school students are encouraged to submit artistic expressions for the 2025 Teenage Handbook Competition with a chance to win over $2000 in prizes. The Teenage handbook is a digital collection of creative expressions by teens, for teens, on teen issues. The submission deadline is July 31. For more details, including the rules, visit the competition webpage.
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