As a student, it is recommended that you look for scholarship opportunities that can help reduce the financial burden of attending Cabrillo College. We encourage students to search for scholarships throughout their time at Cabrillo. For a successful search, we recommend that you search broadly from a variety of sources.
Many scholarships require students to have a FAFSA or CADAA Application on file before applying. Below are some helpful places to start.
Cabrillo College Scholarship Information
Online Scholarship Searches
International Students Scholarship Information
Cabrillo College General Annual Scholarship
Cabrillo College Scholarship Information
Cabrillo College offers a wide variety of scholarships every year to current students, enrolling high school graduates, and transferring students. Scholarships are awarded annually on a competitive basis, with consideration given to academic promise, scholastic achievement, financial need, and student potential.
Cabrillo College Scholarship Opportunities Database: This includes Cabrillo, community, and private organization scholarships! Please be aware that the links on this database are maintained by the donor and not the Cabrillo College Financial Aid Office.
Cabrillo College General Annual Scholarship: An annual application that awards selected students each Fall through private donations to the Cabrillo College Foundation ($500-$2,500). The 2024 application opens in January 2024 and is due in February.
Cabrillo College High School Scholarship: 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. .
Cabrillo Division/Department Scholarships: For more information, criteria, and applications, be sure to check in with instructors and/or Division Offices in early Spring
Online Scholarship Searches
International Students Scholarship Information
Cabrillo College General Annual Scholarship
The Cabrillo General Annual Scholarship Application process begins each year after the end of the Fall semester. Applications are available online and students who apply have their application reviewed and ranked by the scholarship committee, which is made up of Cabrillo faculty and staff. Decisions are made by May and awards are disbursed at the start of the Fall semester. Scholarships are awarded to selected Cabrillo College students who show clear academic goals, scholastic achievement, and community and/or campus involvement.
Eligibility Requirements
Enroll in and complete a minimum of six units at Cabrillo for the Fall term
Maintain a minimum 2.75 GPA for all Cabrillo College course work
Submit a FAFSA or Dream Act Application (excludes international students)
Student Statement Tips
The most heavily weighted part of the application is the student statement
Be sure to include information on the following:
Special circumstances or unusual hardships
Your educational and career goals and how you know those are the right goals for you
Other claims on your time beyond class and homework
Any personal experiences that have impacted the pursuit of your education
Essay Writing Tips Webinar presented by Marcie Wald*
* The webinar above does not discuss the current application's word limit, which is 500 words.
Selection and Awarding of Recipients
After the application period closes in early February, eligible applications will be reviewed by the selection committee
Award notices and regrets will be sent in May via email to the email address on file
Scholarship funds are released after the 2nd week of the Fall semester if the student has satisfied all requirements
A thank you letter to the donor is required for all students, along with proof of enrollment for those students not attending Cabrillo College