College Access
Our vision is for all middle and high school students in Oakland public schools and charter schools to have access and support to set them on a path to college and career success. Oakland Promise provides scholarships to qualified Oakland students and the State of California provides additional funds through CalKids.
Scholarship Opens Oct. 6th, 2025
All Oakland High School Seniors: Our Oakland Promise Scholarship application will be posted on October 6th, 2025. Please check back this fall for updated instructions!
High School Class of 2026, our Oakland Promise Scholarship application will be posted on October 6th, 2025. Please check back this fall for updated instructions!
All Families with 2nd-12th Grade Students:
To claim your $500 from the State of California through CalKids, click here.
All Families with K-9th Grade Students:
Starting in the fall of 2016 and onward, every Oakland public school Kindergartner has $100 set aside in their Oakland Promise Scholarship account. The first $100 earned in Kindergarten stays with the family even if they move out of Oakland. Students earn additional scholarship amounts at 5th, 6th, 8th, 9th & 12 grade if they graduate from an Oakland public high school and enroll into post-secondary. Sign up for your OP Scholarship account now!
Providing Support to over 11,000 Middle and High School Students in Oakland Public Schools.
Providing Support to over 11,000 Middle and High School Students in Oakland Public Schools.
- Scholarships
- College Tours
- College and Career Workshops
- College Application Fee Payment Support
- High School Readiness Workshops for Middle School
- Financial Aid Application Assistance
The 2026 Scholarship application period is now OPEN.
College Access Team
Deprece Bonilla
Middle School Coordinator, College Access
Our Impact by the Numbers
1,400+ Scholars
In 2025 we awarded over 1,400 12th grade students 4.9 Million dollars in scholarships
54 Middle School & High School Partners
440 MS Students
Attended an Oakland Promise College Tour this Year
Financial Aid & Scholarships
High school students and families are provided both group and 1:1 support navigating the financial aid process and apply to local and national scholarships.
Learn More
Career Exploration
Explore your interest and learn about yourself. Our career exploration curriculum is aimed at supporting high school students identify career paths, gather work experience through internships and career panels with community members.
Learn More
Family Engagement
We want all of our students to be successful in a college or career of his/her choice. We provide quality resources and training for parents on high school preparedness plus college/career readiness.
Learn MoreResources
View all resourcesScholarship Policy Letter: Read more about our Scholarship Policy
Scholarships and Mental Health Resources for Students
Celebrating Our Scholar's Stories! Read more about scholar, Imahni Cheek's, journey!
2021 Scholarship Award Announcement: check out our data from last year!
Oakland Promise Scholarships
FindHelp.org: Find food assistance, help paying bills, and other free or reduced cost programs
Apply to UC 2021-2022
Parent Survey
Student Survey
Healthy Food Resources in Alameda County
Khan Academy (SAT prep for 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, grade students who want to attend college)
OUSD Family Central Website: OUSD Website for families. It includes resources for distance learning, technology, food, health, and legal assistance.
Stay Informed
Learn the latest news on Oakland Promise and in the field of education and community in Oakland.
Testimonials
"The Future Center at Castlemont is great because you can come to get all of your support in one place. I've gotten support enrolling in classes at Laney because of the Future Center and I know this is making me more prepared for college".
Lisipa Mikaele
Former 11th grader Castlemont student
"I applied to more than 20 scholarships and got denied 19 times, but the one that said “yes”, just happened to be the best one of them all. This scholarship under Oakland Promise has not only allowed me to go to school debt free, but also provided me with a mentor who will advise me on any questions or issues I might have while attending my university."
Imahni Cheeks
Class of 2021 Oakland Tech
"I recommend any Oakland high school student to apply, as it is important to apply to scholarships that support your local community that wants to see you succeed as much as you do."
Imahni Cheeks
Class of 2021 Oakland Tech
Video Testimonial
Reach out to the College Access Team
Have a question? Need some support? We look forward to hearing from you!
