California Scholarships
Made possible by the generosity of Hawley Central California AFS Endowed Fund, Carstens Family Scholarship Fund and Marjorie B. Anderson Scholarship Fund
The California scholarships are available for students from central California, Orange County, San Diego and Ventura. If you don't live in one of these areas, you can still apply for need-based aid through our Global Leaders program. Click here to get started.
Central California
Students living in select counties are eligible to apply for the Elita Hawley Scholarship. Click here for more details.
To Qualify:
- Submit your AFS preliminary application (if you haven't already).
- Carefully follow the application instructions found here.
Orange County
AFS offers hundreds of scholarships each year through the Global Leaders Scholarship Program, but we have additional financial aid for students living in Orange County, California. Preference will be given to students from Newport Beach and Newport Harbor High Schools. Eligible students may qualify for a Global Leaders need-based aid award up to $5,000*. Follow the steps below to apply.
San Diego
Students living in the San Diego Metro Area are eligible for significant local need-based aid opportunities. Eligible students may qualify for Global Leaders need-based aid awards covering up to 90% of tuition*. Follow the steps below to apply.
Ventura
Students attending either Ventura High School or Buena Vista High School may be eligible for a scholarship of $2,500*. Follow the steps below to apply.
*Award amounts are not guaranteed and are based on the information you provide in your FAST financial aid application and the funds available at the time you submit your FAST application.
How to Apply:
- Start the Process. Submit your AFS preliminary application (if you haven't already).
- Apply for FAST. Click on the “FAST” button to the right to begin your FAST application ($36 fee payable by credit card.) If you do not have a credit card or cannot budget the fee, please see our fee waiver policy.
- Send Financial Information. Mail your supporting tax documents to FAST. Upon completion of your online FAST application, you will receive an email from FAST specifying which tax documents you must mail to them. This email will also contain instructions on how to use FAST's quick processing system to ensure your tax documents receive priority handling once they are received by FAST. We encourage you to use the quick processing system.
It typically takes FAST several days to verify your taxes once they are received. AFS will then review your application and email you the results within one week. If you are also applying for merit-based aid, AFS will wait to receive your merit-based aid application before bringing your application to the Global Leaders committee.
Questions?
- Visit our Financial Assistance Policy.
- Email scholarships@afs.org with any questions about the Global Leaders Financial Aid program.
- For help completing the FAST application, contact FAST directly at 1-877-326-FAST, their 24-hour service line. Please do not call AFS with questions specific to your FAST application.
