The United Daughters of the Confederacy has many scholarships which it awards each year.  These awards are given to both males and females who are lineal and *collateral descendants.  You must be able to prove your descent, as well as the Confederate's honorable service.

There are generally TWO kinds of awards - those given by the General Organization (national level) and those given by Divisions (the state organizations.)  There are some chapters in CA who also give out scholarships, and they handle the publicity and availability themselves.

An application starts in a chapter which agrees to sponsor the candidate, and help put the paperwork together.  It will then move to the CA Division Educational Committee for consideration for a CA scholarship to a CA school.  All applications (whether a CA award is won or not) will then move to the General level for their consideration.  If you are only applying for a General award (i.e.: your college choice is NOT in CA) the application will go from the Chapter, to the Educational Committee for endorsement and forwarded to the General Organization.

Here is what the General website says about qualifying for GENERAL awards:

1. An applicant must be the lineal descendant of an eligible Confederate (that is, one who served honorably in the Confederate Army, Navy, or Civil Service or who gave Material Aid to the Cause). An applicant who is a *collateral descendant must be a member of the CofC or the UDC.
2. Applicants must be endorsed by the President and the Second Vice President/Education Chairman of Chapter and Division and by the Second Vice President General.
3. Applicants must complete and submit the official UDC General scholarship packet. Final approval of applications shall be made by the Second Vice President General.
4. An applicant must have a minimum 3.0 grade point average in high school.
5. Applicant must pass entrance examination of prospective college or university.

Here is the link to the Scholarship Guidelines on the General website.  Please read through the suggestions on that page.

If you think you might have a Confederate ancestor who qualifies, contact California Division use the form below.  We will put you in touch with a local chapter as close as possible.  The Chapter will have genealogists who can verify your descent and your Confederate's service.  You may reside or go to school in any state for most of the General Awards, but California Division scholarships are for students attending California colleges only.  The deadline for submitting completed applications is announced by the 2nd Vice President, but is typically around 15 Feb.  If you are currently attending any campus of the University of California, contact us as soon as possible.

California Division will process applications for General Scholarships for students who graduate from a California High School, but plan to attend college out of state.  If you live in another state or graduate from a non-CA high school, please contact the UDC Division closest to you, or where you plan to attend college.  (contact General for referrals)  If you live in a state which has no UDC presence, California will consider processing your application on an individual basis.  (We processed an application from Hawaii on one occasion)

*A collateral ancestor is the brother (or sister) of your direct line.  If your Great Grandfather was the "baby" of the family but had an older brother who served honorably, this Great-Great Uncle would be a collateral ancestor in your line.  To apply for a scholarship on a collateral, you must join either CofC or UDC first.

If you are "lucky" you will have a family genealogist who may have all the information you need to prove your ancestor.  Proving an ancestor from scratch can be a lengthy process, so do not wait until January to acquire the forms you will need.  Applications for a 15 Feb deadline are usually available during the summer prior to the deadline.

Fill out this form if you are interested in applying:  Scholarship Inquiry