20 Scholarships for UCLA Students to Apply For in 2023
Best UCLA Scholarships to Apply to
With an acceptance rate of about 14%, getting into University of California, Los Angeles is an accomplishment for students pursuing higher education. But, this accomplishment is not cheap, especially for students who have to relocate to attend classes.
Scholarships play a big part in lifting some of the financial burden off of these students, so they can focus on their studies and enjoy the liveliness of the surrounding city. Luckily for these students resources and scholarships are available to help.
Bruin Pride – UCLA No-Essay Scholarship
To celebrate the school spirit among the students of UCLA, Bold.org is sponsoring this scholarship to assist current or former students with covering costs associated with their attendance. Students who apply early, are passionate about their college, and are Bold in their endeavors will have the best chance of winning!
- Award amount: $10,000
- Deadline to apply: August 5, 2022
- Date winner will be announced: August 26, 2022
Future Minority Leaders Scholarship
In order to support minority students who come from low-income families, the Future Minority Leaders Scholarships will be awarding $1,000 to one of these students. Any BIPOC, low-income high school senior in California may apply for this scholarship.
- Award amount: $10,000
- Deadline to apply: November 1, 2022
- Date winner will be announced: November 30, 2022
Stand and Yell Community Impact Scholarship
This scholarship seeks to honor the lessons of looking for new experiences in the book “Stand and Yell” by supporting students seeking higher education and the next great adventure in their life. Applicants who are first-generation students, female, BIPOC, and/or LGBTQ+ and are pursuing higher education are encouraged to apply.
- Award amount: $500
- Deadline to apply: October 1, 2022
- Date winner will be announced: October 31, 2022
No You Did Not Win An Emi, But You Did Win This Scholarship
In order to support BIPOC students and their pursuit of higher education, this scholarship will be awarded to a first-generation BIPOC student. Applicants will have to submit a short essay detailing the story of their name, including what it means to them, why it’s important, and the power it holds.
- Award amount: $500
- Deadline to apply: October 1, 2022
- Date winner will be announced: October 31, 2022
Dr. Samuel Attoh Legacy Scholarship
The Dr. Samuel Attoh Legacy Scholarship exists to support two students studying geography, urban planning, or STEM. To apply, students will have to submit a short essay about what legacy means to them and how their upbringing has impacted your path in life.
- Award amount: $500 ($250 to two students)
- Deadline to apply: November 26, 2022
- Date winner will be announced: December 26, 2022
Scott McLam Memorial Scholarship
Scott possessed a deep passion for coaching young people and strove to instill in them respect for others, independence, commitment, teamwork, and discipline through the sport he loved. This memorial scholarship seeks to honor his life by giving $7,305 to a high school student who plays lacrosse.
- Award amount: $7,305
- Deadline to apply: November 1, 2022
- Date winner will be announced: November 30, 2022
R.L. Sexton Memorial Scholarship
The R.L. Sexton Memorial Scholarship recognizes that the costs of attending college are increasing and wants to help alleviate some of the financial pressure off of students. This scholarship seeks to support students who are pursuing degrees in process technology, psychology, or human resources by giving one student $1,000.
- Award amount: $1,000
- Deadline to apply: December 1, 2022
- Date winner will be announced: January 1, 2023
Trudgers Fund
In order to support students who have struggled with addiction and are pursuing higher education to improve their lives, the Trudgers Fund will be awarded to a high school or undergraduate student who has experienced addiction.
- Award amount: $1,000
- Deadline to apply: November 24, 2022
- Date winner will be announced: December 24, 2022
Dr. Meme Heineman Scholarship
In memory of Dr. Meme Heineman, this scholarship seeks to support students pursuing a degree in Psychology or Applied Behavior Analysis. This scholarship is open to students of all education levels and requires that applicants write an essay explaining how this scholarship will assist you to propel the field of applied behavior analysis.
- Award amount: $6,000
- Deadline to apply: January 14, 2023
- Date winner will be announced: February 14, 2023
Women in the Wings Scholarship
Like many other fields, women are vastly underrepresented in aviation. This scholarship aims to support women who are pursuing their education in aviation. Applicants will be asked to submit a short essay about an experience that led them to pursue a degree in aviation or a related field.
- Award amount: $2,500 (split amongst three winners)
- Deadline to apply: October 1, 2022
- Date winners will be announced: October 31, 2022
Larry Leon Irons Culinary Memorial Scholarship
To honor Larry Leon Irons’ incredible love and dedication to the culinary arts, this memorial scholarship will be awarded to a student who is pursuing a degree in the culinary arts. Applicants who have voluntary experiences are encouraged to apply.
- Award amount: $500
- Deadline to apply: October 1, 2022
- Date winner will be announced: October 31, 2022
Jose “Sixto” Cubias Scholarship
Jose “Sixto” Cubias was a humble man who made sacrifices to give his family the best life possible. To honor his memory, this scholarship will award $1,000 to an immigrant student of first-generation Americans of Central American descent.
- Award amount: $1,000
- Deadline to apply: December 1, 2022
- Date winner will be announced: January 1, 2023
Small Seed Big Flower Scholarship
Sometimes students need a little bit of help to reach their full potential. The Small Seed Big Flower Scholarship aims to provide support to first-generation undergraduate students who need financial assistance by awarding one applicant $1,015. Any first-generation, BIPOC undergraduate student may apply for this scholarship.
- Award amount: $1,015
- Deadline to apply: November 15, 2022
- Date winner will be announced: December 15, 2022
Pratibha Pandey Merit-Based Scholarship
This scholarship aims to support low-income students who are working on their time management skills in order to achieve academic success. Applicants who are low-income with a 3.2+ GPA are encouraged to apply.
- Award amount: $2,000 ($1,000 to each winner)
- Deadline to apply: November 15, 2022
- Date winner will be announced: December 15, 2022
Sullivan Promise Project Scholarship
The Sullivan Promise Project Scholarship seeks to award one student with $500 who display “hero qualities” through their community service or non-profit work. Each applicant must submit a short essay sharing how they give back to their community and work to make a positive impact in the world.
- Award amount: $500
- Deadline to apply: September 1, 2022
- Date winner will be announced: September 30, 2022
Solgaard Scholars: Access Oceanic Studies for LGBTQ+ Students
The Solgaard Scholars: Access Oceanic Studies for LGBTQ+ Students Scholarship seeks to celebrate both World Ocean Month and Pride Month by supporting a member of the LGTBQ+ community who is pursuing education in the field of ocean preservation, conservation, or any field related to oceanic health.
- Award amount: $5,000
- Deadline to apply: September 15, 2022
- Date winner will be announced: October 15, 2022
First-Year College Students: Jennie Gilbert Daigre Education Scholarship
Textbooks are often a college cost that students underestimate when making plans for their finances. To help first-year students get a jump start on these costs, this scholarship seeks to award $500 to an undergraduate student at a 2-year or 4-year institution.
- Award amount: $500
- Deadline to apply: September 1, 2022
- Date winner will be announced: September 30, 2022
Health & Wellness Scholarship
This scholarship seeks to reward one student of any education level who is prioritizing their health and their education at the same time. Each applicant will be required to submit a short essay why they believe it is important to live a healthy life.
- Award amount: $500
- Deadline to apply: September 1, 2022
- Date winner will be announced: October 1, 2022
Alexis Potts Passion Project Scholarship
This scholarship aims to help driven, motivated, and passionate students afford higher education so they can pursue their dreams. Applicants who are high school seniors or undergraduate students are eligible to apply and will have to submit a short essay about how their passion has impacted their life.
- Award amount: $620
- Deadline to apply: September 1, 2022
- Date winner will be announced: September 15, 2022
Mental Health Matters Scholarship
The Mental Health Matters Scholarship seeks to celebrate students who have struggled with their mental health while also being leaders in their community. Students of any educational level are eligible to apply if they have a GPA of 2.5 or higher, struggle with mental health challenges, and have proven themselves to be leaders in their communities.
- Award amount: $500
- Deadline to apply: September 1, 2022
- Date winner will be announced: September 30, 2022
About UCLA Scholarship
As of February 2022, the average student admitted to UCLA will pay around $37,000 for in-state students or around $60,000 for out-of-state students. These numbers include the cost of books, transportation, and personal costs as well as the cost of tuition. Without the help from financial aid, many of these students and their families would struggle to cover these costs.
There are scholarships that are open for these students specifically or available to all students that UCLA students can apply for.
What are UCLA Scholarships?
UCLA scholarships are financial awards that are given to students who attend the University of California, Los Angeles. These are usually scholarships that are only open to those who are enrolled in the university, but students are able to apply for outside scholarships that can be applied to their school costs if they win.
What Qualifies as a UCLA Scholarship?
UCLA scholarships are scholarships that are open to students who are enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles. These can be sponsored by the school or by smaller organizations or colleges within the university.
Types of UCLA Scholarships Available
Maybe you have already found some scholarships that are open to UCLA students and are interested in more specific types of scholarships that are open to these students. Here’s a short list of the types of scholarships that you can apply for.
Academic Merit-based Scholarships
These scholarships are based solely on your proven academic ability. These can be decided on the applicant’s grade-point average (GPA), standardized test scores (ACT, SAT, AP exams, etc.) or other academic scores.
Colleges may have academic merit-based scholarships for students who are part of their incoming class, so they’ll receive these scores when you apply. But, there are other organizations that have academic scholarships that you will have to submit these scores to.
If you are accepting recurring award money from an academic scholarship from UCLA, there may be a minimum GPA requirement you have to meet each year to keep getting the money each year or each semester.
Major-based Scholarships
Major-based scholarships are financial awards that are only available to students who have declared or intend to pursue a particular major. Some of these scholarships can be looking for a more broad selection of applicants like STEM majors or art majors.
Identity-based
Scholarships with the qualification partially based on the applicant’s identity are open only to people within those groups. Reasons why these scholarships exist range from trying to help students from disadvantaged backgrounds and marginalized communities to giving awards to students who share the same characteristics as someone who has passed in their honor.
Athletic Scholarships
Athletic scholarships are decided based on a student’s athletic ability usually within a given sport. Oftentimes, coaches from interested schools will scout out students who are performing well during their sport’s season and decide whether or not to make an offer.
Oftentimes the conditions for accepting award money from an athletic scholarship is that you are required to play for the college team of the school sponsoring the scholarship. So, if you are thinking of accepting an athletic scholarship from UCLA, you’re likely going to be required to play for the university.This will be a huge time commitment, so take time to consider if you can handle a college course load alongside time on the court or field.
Leadership merit-based Scholarships
Leadership scholarships are given to students who display the qualities of a good leader in and out of the classroom. It is not uncommon for contenders for these scholarships to be recommended instead of applying directly.
One of these scholarships that UCLA students should keep an eye out for is the UCLA Freshman Regents Scholarship as a part of the Regents Scholarship Program. All incoming freshman or transfer students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership and exceptional promise. This scholarship is by invitation only so there is not an application that you have to submit to be considered.
How to Find UCLA Scholarships to Apply for?
There are an abundance of places to look for and find scholarships for UCLA students. If you are new to the scholarship search, see if there are any scholarships offered by your university or listed on your school’s website from outside organizations. UCLA has a page dedicated to scholarships that their students can apply to on their main website.
Once you’ve exhausted the list provided by UCLA, check out other popular scholarship websites. There are so many websites dedicated to collecting and showcasing scholarships to students in need that you are sure to find plenty that you qualify for.
Before or after you register for classes, you should meet with an academic advisor to discuss a plan to finish your degree program on time. This meeting would be a great opportunity to ask your advisor questions about scholarships you should apply for. They may be able to suggest a few by name or direct you to another staff member or student who will be able to help you.
Tips for Winning UCLA Scholarships
So now you know where to look for scholarships, but how do you make sure that you get picked for the award? Well, there is no way to guarantee that you’ll win all the scholarships that you apply for, but you can definitely increase your chances.
A lot of scholarships that you may apply for will have some sort of written component whether it is a full length essay or questions that require an extended response. When your written responses are longer, make sure that you stay on topic and answer all parts of the question. Rambling or unrelated extra information will make it difficult for your application to keep the sponsor’s attention.
Another way to increase your chances of winning, is to find ways to decrease the number of applicants that you have to compete against for the award. Some students do this by deciding to apply for scholarships with smaller award amounts. A lot of students will overlook these scholarships as a waste of time and instead apply for scholarships where they have the chance to get the most money possible. But, if you apply for and win smaller scholarships consistently, over time that money will build up.
You can also increase your chances by applying for scholarships for a specific type of applicant. So instead of applying for scholarships for any STEM major, apply for scholarships for biology majors who are attending UCLA.
Frequently Asked Questions About UCLA Scholarships
Still have some questions about UCLA scholarships? Here are some common questions that you might have.
Are UCLA scholarships legit?
Yes, UCLA scholarships are legit. Although unlikely, it is possible that you may run into some scam scholarships online especially if you are looking online.
A way you can reduce the risk of falling victim to a scam is to use reputable sites that you or other people that you trust. Also, be mindful of the information that you submit when you apply. Scholarships will never ask you for your social security number, credit or debit card number, or bank information. If you are asked to submit any of this information, that scholarship is likely a scam.
How can I improve my chances of winning UCLA scholarships?
There are several things you can do to improve your chances of winning college student scholarships.
- Go for scholarships with smaller dollar amounts
- Apply for scholarships that are looking for a specific type of applicant
- Fully answer the prompt when an essay is required
- Check the format requirements for written responses
- Make sure you meet all the eligibility requirements
- Look for awards that give awards to multiple winners
How many UCLA scholarships can you get?
There is no limit to the number of scholarships that UCLA students can get, so you don’t have to limit yourself when you are applying.
If a scholarship comes with any stipulations that will affect your ability to apply for other scholarships, that information will be available to you, so make sure you understand all the terms of the award before you accept.
Are UCLA scholarships taxable income?
In general, scholarships are not considered taxable income. This is only true if you are enrolled in an eligible college and degree program and use the funds appropriately.
Check the description and other fine print of the scholarships that you apply for to see if there is a requirement for how the awarded funds are used.
If it is discovered that you have used scholarship funds for expenses unrelated to what is detailed in the description of the scholarship, then these funds may be considered taxable income.
What’s the best way to apply for UCLA scholarships?
Applying online is likely one of the easiest ways to apply for scholarships. You can find and filter the scholarships you apply for as well as keep track of these scholarships after you apply. Other students who are applying at the same time can also share links to scholarships that they think you would have a good chance of winning.
