Scholarships
Why Scholarships?
Scholarships are an opportunity to fund your education! You can win these through merit and/or financial need, unlike grants (which are mostly awarded based on financial need), and there is no limit to how many you can win!
Where do I find them?
Online or in the College & Career Center.
Create profiles on websites like Going Merry, FastWeb, or Cappex to find scholarships that fit you. We also have opportunities in the C&CC from local organizations that support Newport-Mesa graduates and Orange County students. Most of these opportunities will be available on this website!
What should I highlight in my application?
Your accomplishments, your strengths, and your commitment. Scholarship committees are looking for students who are passionate and invested in things outside of themselves.
Also, consider if your goals are in line with the goals of the organization sponsoring the scholarship. Let them know how you are committed to working toward your common goals!
2021 Local Scholarship Opportunities (Organized by due date)
Asian Pacific Fund Scholarship Programs
10 Scholarship programs with unique criteria
Award ranges from $1,000 - $20,000
Minimum Eligibility Requirements:
- Incoming or current college students of any background
- Will enroll full time in Fall
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- U.S. Citizen or permanent resident
Earliest Scholarship Due by February 26, 2021
$2,500
Eligibility Requirements:
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Must be a citizen, national or legal permanent resident of the U.S.
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Must be enrolled in either a 4-year institution or 2-year institution as an incoming freshman (Fall 2020)
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Must have a minimum cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.0 or have earned a GED
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Must demonstrate financial need and qualify based on income restrictions and limitations
Due by February 28, 2021 at 2 PM (Pacific Time)
Asian Pacific Fund Scholarship Programs
10 Scholarship programs with unique criteria
Award ranges from $1,000 - $20,000
Minimum Eligibility Requirements:
- Incoming or current college students of any background
- Will enroll full time in Fall
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- U.S. Citizen or permanent resident
Scholarships Due March 12 & March 26, 2021
MLG's Annual "Never Stop Learning" Scholarship
$250-$1,000
Eligibility Requirements:
- High School Senior residing in Orange County, CA
- Planning on attending an accredited university or community college in the U.S.
Submit a 750-word essay answering the following question:
If you could change one thing with the justice system, what would it be and how would you change it?
Due March 31, 2021
Send completed essay to scholarship@mlgaplc.com
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority – Orange County Alumnae Chapter Scholarship
Eligibility Requirements:
- College-bound high school senior
- Resident of Orange County
- Identifies as African-American
- Service and/or leadership in school and/or community
- Scholastic Achievement
- Demonstrated financial need
Due by March 31, 2021 by mail to the Scholarship Committee, Orange County (CA) Alumnae Chapter
Assistance League of Newport-Mesa Scholarship- TBD
$3,000 (multiple awards)
Eligibility Requirements:
- High School Senior in NMUSD (living within NMUSD boundaries)
- Intending to continue education beyond high school
- Demonstrated commitment to community service, educational promise, strength of character
- Has overcome challenging circumstances or family circumstances require financial assistance
Due TBD
Complete the scholarship application and submit to...
The Isidore and Penny Myers Memorial Scholarship
$10,000 per year / renewable for 4 years
Eligibility Requirements:
- Immigrant or child of an immigrant (does not require legal documentation)
- Minimum 3.5 GPA
- Only MALE students for 2020 (alternates annually)
- High School Senior in NMUSD
- Admitted to or pending admission to a 4-year college/university
- Demonstrates superior character, personal achievement, academic excellence and involvement, participation in community service, a drive to attain continued higher education, and compelling financial need.
Due April 2, 2021
Important documents: Program Brochure | Applicant Guidelines | Application Form
Hazel Cubbon Greenleaf Scholarship
Varies: minimum one-time $500, may be four-year scholarship
Eligibility Requirements:
- Graduating from high school in Spring 2021
- Attending a school in NMUSD
- Intending to enroll in Fall 2021 in a transfer or career education program at a community college OR 4-year college of your choice
Due April 2, 2021 by 5:00pm
Important documents: Program Brochure | Application Form
Asian Pacific Community Fund Scholarships
(NO ETHINIC BACKGROUND REQUIREMENT)
Royal Business Bank Scholarship
4 - $2,000
Eligibility Requirements:
- High School Senior in select counties (including Orange)
- Plan to attend 4-year in Fall 2020
- Cumulative unweighted 3.0 GPA
- Household income at or below County Low Income level (on tax returns)
- Open to All majors & no ethnic background
Cathay Bank Scholarship
20 - $1,000
Eligibility Requirements:
- High School Senior in select counties (including Orange)
- Plan to attend 4-year in Fall 2020
- Cumulative unweighted 3.0 GPA
- Household income at or below County Low Income level (on tax returns)
- Open to All majors & no ethnic background
Mega Bank Scholarship
5 - $1,000
Eligibility Requirements:
- High School Senior in select counties (including Orange)
- Plan to attend 4-year in Fall 2020
- Cumulative unweighted 3.0 GPA
- Household income at or below County Low Income level (on tax returns)
- Open to All majors & no ethnic background
Preferred Bank Scholarship
5 - $1,000
Eligibility Requirements:
- High School Senior in select counties (including Orange)
- Plan to attend 4-year in Fall 2020 (or CA Community College)
- Cumulative unweighted 3.0 GPA
- Household income at or below County Low Income level (on tax returns)
- Open to All majors & no ethnic background
Due April 2, 2021 at 11:59 PM
Golden West College High School Scholarships
8 scholarship programs
Minimum Eligibility Requirements:
- Member of the graduating class of 2021
- Enroll in at least 12 units for Fall 2021 at GWC
- Minimum of cumulative 2.5 GPA
- Submit FAFSA or Dream Act Application
Due April 9, 2021 at 5:00pm
Asian Pacific Fund Scholarship Programs
10 Scholarship programs with unique criteria
Award ranges from $1,000 - $20,000
Minimum Eligibility Requirements:
- Incoming or current college students of any background
- Will enroll full time in Fall
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- U.S. Citizen or permanent resident
Scholarships Due April 9 & April 30, 2021
Colonel William Cabell Chapter, NSDAR Scholarship
$1,500
Requirements:
- Graduating senior from a Newport Beach or Costa Mesa HS
- Intention to attend a College, University, Community College or Trade School
- Completed application form with required essay and resume
Essay Info:
- Topic: How will you apply what you learned from American History to your future life?
- 300-500 Words
- DO NOT include name on essay document
- Typed in Times New Roman, 12 pt font, double spaced
- Submit in .doc, .docx. or .pdf format
Resume Info:
- Include: HS GPA; Honors and Awards; Extracurricular and Sports; Volunteer Service and Community Involvement; Employment; etc.
- Submit in .doc, .docx. or .pdf format
Due April 15, 2021 at 11:59pm PT
Applications are to be submitted via the google form. The form requires you to sign in via a google account, if you do not have one, please email colonelwilliamcabell@gmail.com
PFLAG South Orange County Scholarship
Awards will range from $500 - $2500
Eligibility Requirements:
- 2.0 Overall GPA
- Must be a resident (or a parent must be a resident) of Orange County at the time of the application
- Must identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer or straight ally
- LGBTQIA high school senior continuing to higher education OR LGBTQIA full-time undergraduate OR LGBTQIA student attending or planning to attend a vocational/trade school
- Ages 17 to 24
- Involved in LGBTQ support, education and/or advocacy in their school or community
Due April 23, 2021 to socpflagscholarship@gmail.com
National Charity League, Inc., Newport Chapter Scholarships
Award amount varies annually depending on funds and the number of applicants: ranging from $300-$5000
Eligibility Requirements:
- Senior girl in NMUSD
- Have a GPA of 2.5 or higher.
- Demonstrate a financial need.
- Be a graduating senior girl that has attended high school in the NMUSD for at least two (2) years.
- Not be a daughter of a National Charity League member or be a Ticktocker.
- Register as a full-time college student (12 units or more) in the fall of 2020.
- Be a United States citizen.
Due April 23, 2021
The Roger Yamanaka Scholarship
$2,000-$5,000
Eligibility Requirements:
- High School Senior
- Demonstrated commitment to service
- Leadership in service
Due April 30, 2021
Complete the scholarship application and submit to arnagy@nmusd.us
The Dr. Sheila Horman Scholarship
Eligibility Requirements:
- Currently a Costa Mesa High School graduating senior who will be attending college next year
- Minimum of a 2.5 cumulative GPA
- Completed a minimum of 40 community service hours
- Demonstrate financial need
- Student must have strong motivation, drive to learn, and potential for growth
- If awarded must provide proof of enrollment (statement of intent, schedule of classes, etc.)
Due April 30, 2021
Complete the scholarship application and submit to arnagy@nmusd.us
2021 CMHS PTSA Scholarship - TBD
Eligibility Requirements:
- Student at CMHS
- must be PTSA on or before January 31st.
Due TBD
Old Courthouse Museum Society & Junior Achievement of Orange County Scholarship Essay Contest - TBD
$1,000
Eligibility Requirements:
- High School Seniors attending a public school in Orange County
- Graduate in Spring 2021
- Enroll in college for Fall 2021
Due TBD
Asian Pacific Fund Scholarship Programs
10 Scholarship programs with unique criteria
Award ranges from $1,000 - $20,000
Minimum Eligibility Requirements:
- Incoming or current college students of any background
- Will enroll full time in Fall
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- U.S. Citizen or permanent resident
Last Scholarship Due May 17, 2021
The Brad Evans Foundation Scholarship (Future UC Berkeley students ONLY)
$10,000
Eligibility Requirements:
- An Orange County high school senior from NMUSD
- A student who has been accepted to an accredited program at the University of California, Berkeley and enrolls as a full time student
- Preference may be given to students who have shown an outstanding record in their chosen field
- Minimum GPA of at least 3.5
- An outstanding student in their chosen field with a demonstrated record of community service and leadership.
Due May 26, 2021
Program Website: The Brad Evans Foundation |
Scholarship Application: Apply online
Orange Coast College High School Scholarships
2 scholarship programs
Minimum Eligibility Requirements:
- Graduating High School in Spring 2020
- Graduating from an Orange County high school
- Minimum of cumulative 2.5 GPA
Due May 28, 2021 by 5:00pm
Complete the scholarship application and submit to OCC Scholarship Office
Newport Mesa Administrators Association (NMAA)
John W. Nicholl Memorial Scholarship
This $5000 award is disbursed in five annual allotments of one thousand dollars. The initial payment is granted upon proof of registration as a freshman for the Fall term following high school graduation. The second, third and fourth payments are disbursed upon receipt of transcripts that reflect completion of sufficient units to advance the recipient to the status of sophomore, junior and senior. The final allotment is disbursed when the recipient begins training for a teaching credential following completion of Bachelor degree requirements.
Scholarship Flyer | Application
Due TBD
Robert C. Francy Memorial Scholarship
This $1000 award is awarded to an individual who is highly motivated to become a professional in the field of science, has demonstrated the temperament and ability needed to succeed, and is determined to be in need of financial assistance by the N-MAA Scholarship Committee.
Scholarship Flyer | Application
Due TBD
RICHARD PENJOYAN EDUCATIONAL TRUST (RPET) - TBD
Renewable scholarship award
To qualify for this scholarship, the following four criteria must be met:
- G.P.A. of 2.0 or better
- Desire to attend an institution of higher education & acceptance
- Community involvement through volunteer work, employment, participation in sports, etc.
Due TBD
The 2019 El Dabe Ritter Scholarship
$1500
El Dabe Ritter Trial Lawyers passionately believes in and supports the importance of a proper education. They believe that without an education, many doors will remain closed. Going to school is an uphill battle – and if you don’t have the proper aid in place – you may end up never going to school. This scholarship is their way of providing support to those who want a higher education.
To qualify for the scholarship:
- Applicants should be enrolled in an accredited university, in the U.S.A.
- Applicants must have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA
- Plan to pursue a higher education
Note: This scholarship will be awarded in the 2020 Fall Semester.
Due no later than June 30th, 2021.
RED FLAGS- Be Cautious
Tips & Tricks
CMHS Scholarship Application Due 12/1/2020
Create an account on the Orange County Community Foundation website!
Search for Scholarships for Undocumented Students