California State Chapter Scholarships

California State Chapter P.E.O. administers more than 50 individual scholarships through four committees that share a single application. This application is used for all individual scholarships for which an applicant may qualify. Many of the scholarships within these groups have specific eligibility requirements and restrictions.

• Dorothy L. Weller Scholarship Fund (Law)
• Ethel O. Gardner Scholarship Fund (Field varies)
• Ruth G. White Scholarship Fund (Medicine)
• Scholarship Selection Committee (Field varies)

View the Cottey College Public page for additional information on scholarships and other funding for California resident women attending or considering Cottey College.

Apply for California State Scholarships

Applications for the 2027-2028 academic school year are open September 1, 2026 through the January due date. The Application Instructions and Guidelines document has been updated for this current application cycle.

Section I.  GUIDELINES AND ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Important Information

Please carefully review the Application Instructions and Guidelines document on the P.E.O. California website. This will detail important information to assist you in completing this application, along with deadline and filing instructions.

Note: You can save and resume your submission over time if desired. When you choose the "Save" button you'll be emailed a link that you can use to resume working on your application.

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be a woman
• Must have permanent California residency
• Must be a citizen or legal permanent resident of the U.S. or Canada, and be able to provide proof if requested
• Must be a high school graduate (or equivalent) at the time of scholarship funding next Fall 2027, and will be/plan to be enrolled in an accredited post-secondary educational institution in the U.S. or Canada at that time

Thank you for your interest in the P.E.O. California State Chapter Scholarships. Applicants must have permanent California residency status and must be a woman who is, or will be at the time of scholarship funding next Fall, a high school graduate (or equivalent) who will be enrolled in an accredited postsecondary educational institution in the U.S. or Canada. Recipients must be a citizen or legal permanent resident of the United States or Canada and must be able to provide proof of such if requested. The scholarship funds are for the academic year beginning with the Fall term, 2027.