Close Mobile Menu
Back
Benefit of the Week

The Graduate Wine Collective

Wines crafted by UC Berkeley alumni.
Join the Club
Back

Stay Connected to Cal

Subscribe
Back
Upcoming Event

Lair Open House & Pregame Fun Zone

Feb 7th 2026 at 3:30 pm
Back
Back
Two monks in orange robes and red umbrellas walk through the ancient ruins of Bayon Temple, surrounded by lush greenery.
Upcoming Tour

Bali, Singapore, Thailand & Angkor Wat

February 10 - 25, 2026
Back
Let’s camp

Summer shines brighter at the Lair!

Now booking unforgettable summer stays.

Book a Stay or Log In
Back
Cover of the latest California Magazine issue.
Latest Issue

2025 Fall/Winter

Read Now

Our Awards Programs

The Alumni Scholars Program provides invaluable support to Cal undergraduates. Our awards programs help the best and brightest excel at Berkeley by alleviating the burden of college education costs and providing a vital support network as they prepare for success at Cal and beyond.

Learn About Our Awards

taap scholars 2021

The Achievement Award Program

TAAP serves a diverse pool of incoming first-year and transfer students who have significant financial need, face substantial barriers to a college education, and volunteer in their communities.

Support TAAP
Three women posing for the camera

African American Initiative Scholarship

Funded by the San Francisco Foundation and in partnership with UC Berkeley and the Cal Alumni Association, the African American Initiative Scholarship provides African American students with financial support to make their Cal education more accessible.
The Leadership Award Scholars Panel

The Leadership Award

Recognizes Cal students who demonstrate innovative and motivational leadership in their academic, work, or community environments.

Support The Leadership Award
native-american-scholarship-rotator-960x400

The Cal Alumni Association Native American Scholarship

A one-year, merit-based award that recognizes Native American students at UC Berkeley for leadership, community involvement, and contributions to the Indigenous community.
three mildred jordan sharp scholars

The Mildred Jordan Sharp Scholarship

A one-year, merit-based award that recognizes junior women at UC Berkeley who have demonstrated leadership, service, academics, and personal development in pursuit of a specific future goal or career.
The Cal Pride Scholarship Cal Alumni Association

The Cal Pride Scholarship

A one-year, merit-based award that recognizes continuing students and incoming transfer students of the UC Berkeley campus for academic achievement, leadership, and community involvement, as well as their contribution to the LGBTQ community.

In Scholars' Words: Your Support Means Everything

  • “Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for listening to our struggles and our stories and for allowing every scholar to feel that success is within their reach.”

    Cristina Acosta Navarro, Alumni Scholar

  • “Finances are a significant concern for me, especially as a self-financed student. This scholarship greatly reduces my college expenses, and therefore, allows me to focus on my academics and pursue opportunities that will benefit my career.”

    Ismael Javed, Alumni Scholar

  • “When I received my email saying that I had been awarded this scholarship, I could not stop smiling.... I will always remember the surge of happiness I felt in the moment when I received the email. Thank you for supporting me, thank you for taking your time to interview me, and thank you for creating a positive impact in my life.”

    Angela Mendoza, Alumni Scholar

  • “Thanks to this scholarship, I can decrease my work study hours and focus more on studying and becoming part of the Berkeley community. As a transfer student, I only have two years to enjoy everything that Cal has to offer and the CAA Alumni Scholarship will be a key element in my having the best Berkeley experience.”

    Mercedes Sosa Cordero, Alumni Scholar

  • “For me, being a Leadership Award scholar means that I have the grit and determination it takes to be successful here at UC Berkeley.”

    Cody Tran, Alumni Scholar

  • “It gives me confidence to be recognized as a Leadership Award scholar for accomplishments I have made in my life, and the award encourages me to endeavor to be a better leader in the community.”

    Minori Aoki, Alumni Scholar

Your Support Matters

Areas of Support
Why Give to the Alumni Scholars Program?

Your gift to CAA keeps Cal golden and the future of current Berkeley students bright.

Learn More
Questions? Contact the Alumni Scholars Program team.

News from Our Scholars

Co-owners Linda Sanchez ’14 and Jesus Chavez ’13 pose inside of Casa de Chocolate. Co-owners Linda Sanchez ’14 and Jesus Chavez ’13 pose inside of Casa de Chocolate. / Courtesy of Linda Sanchez
Career

Sometimes, Your Career After Cal Is Like a Box of Chocolates

By Chinwe Oniah and Amanda Chiu

Coming to UC Berkeley with a passion for social justice and advocacy, Linda Sanchez ’14 found a career path that aligned with those values: co-owning a chocolate shop.
The Campanile at UC Berkeley. View of the Campanile, UC Berkeley / UC Regents
Scholars

To Receive Is to Give: TAAP Scholars’ Legacy of Service

TAAP Scholars John Lam ’24 and Alishba Sardar ’23 both came from nontraditional education backgrounds. Their experiences laid the groundwork for their advocacy efforts.

Jayden Zheng poses outside Bancroft Library wearing his graduation stole. Jayden Zheng ’23. / Hey Zinah Photography
Scholars

Becoming Yourself through the Struggle

As a first-generation student from a low-income background, Jayden Zheng ’23 attributes the resources and support he found at Cal for allowing him to achieve his goals.
All News
Peet's
Bank of America