Scholarships for Latino students: Scholarships are a fantastic method to cover the cost of college without having to repay the money. For Latina students, maximizing funding opportunities might be very beneficial.
Latino enrollment in American colleges and universities has more than doubled over the past 20 years, but due to financial difficulties, Latino students still enroll and graduate from college at lower rates than students from other demographic groups.
Numerous organizations are aware of this financial gap and provide scholarships specifically for Latino college students in an effort to increase access to and affordability of a college education. You may start your search and submit an application for a handful of the top scholarships for Latina students right here.
State and federal funding possibilities
Hispanic students should complete the free FAFSA before searching into scholarship opportunities (FAFSA). For students who meet the requirements, the Department of Education offers a number of grants, including the Federal Pell Grant, which is given based on financial need and is not repaid.
The maximum grant payout amount varies annually. The top prize is $7,395 for the academic year 2023–2024.
You must be an American citizen or lawful permanent resident to be eligible for federal funding. While many states provide financial aid to students regardless of immigration status, DACA students are not eligible for federal student funding.
California, Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and the District of Columbia are some of these states.
Undocumented students now have access to public grants and scholarships in other states as well. It is important to research the options available in your state if you are a DACA student.
Where Latina students can find scholarships
Many of businesses, initiatives, and organizations give scholarships. The easiest approach to uncover rewards for Latino students is through a scholarship search engine because these websites categorize opportunities, list award amounts, and provide application information.
Fastweb, Unigo, and Scholarships.com are a few well-known scholarship search engines, but you may also Google “scholarships for Latino students” to find more possibilities.
There are both national and state-level scholarships available, but since they have higher reward amounts, they tend to be more competitive. Look into lesser scholarships sponsored by minority advocacy groups, charitable organizations, small businesses, and even your college or university to improve your earning potential.
For Latina students, here are 5 helpful scholarships
Here are some scholarships that are available only to Latino students. While some scholarships only require a single application, others require it each semester. Check the requirements in detail before applying to ensure that you don’t miss out on any upcoming award opportunities.
This list is not comprehensive, so do your research to find scholarships that apply to you:
1. Latino Scholarship Fund
Based on academic achievement and financial need, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) grants more than $30 million in scholarships each year to students of Hispanic heritage. Additionally, recipients will have access to career development opportunities, HSF Scholar Conferences, and a wealth of other resources.
Students must be DACA recipients, U.S. citizens, or permanent residents and intend to enroll full-time in a four-year university or graduate program in order to be eligible. Students must submit their FAFSA or state-specific financial aid paperwork along with their application.
Although applications for the 2023–24 academic year are now closed, if you will be enrolled for the 2024–25 academic year, this is a nice alternative to keep in mind.
- Between $500 and $5,000
- Due date: February 15, 2023
2. Scholarship in Science from GMiS
Brilliant Minds in STEM is an organization that helps Hispanic and Latino students who are interested in STEM fields become leaders in the country’s STEM community. It seeks for students for its scholarship program who have leadership abilities or community involvement in underserved areas.
Students must have a GPA of at least 3.0 to be eligible, and they must be STEM majors or minors at a qualifying university. Amounts of awards are determined by academic achievement, leadership abilities, and activity in the community or on campus.
Candidates must submit a personal statement, a resume, and two letters of recommendation: one from a faculty member and one from a peer.
- Between $500 and $5,000
- Deadline: The 30th of April 2023
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3. The Scholars Program of the Hispanic Scholarship Consortium
The Hispanic Scholarship Consortium’s Scholars Program, which offers renewable college scholarships for Texas-based high school seniors, undergraduates, and graduate students, is open to students of Latino origin.
Along with financial aid, scholars have access to mentoring, leadership development programs, and help for first-generation college students. Each scholarship has its own specifications, but in order to be eligible, students must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 and complete five hours of volunteer work each semester.
First-generation college students and students from low-income households are especially encouraged to apply, according to the website.
- Between $1,000 and $5,000
- Deadline: The 30th of April 2023
4. The LULAC National Scholarship Program
A national scholarship program is offered by the League of United Latin American Citizens with the goal of empowering the Latino population by making college more accessible.
If they meet the academic and status requirements, students in vocational programs as well as undergraduate and graduate students are welcome to apply. Awards are given based on GPA, financial need, community involvement, and personal motivation.
The application requires a personal essay of at least 500 words. Students also need to submit their applications to a LULAC Council that is involved. 13 states and Washington, D.C. had participating councils in 2022–2023.
- Between $250 and $2,000
- Deadline The 31st of March 2023
5. Scholarships from The Dream US
An group called TheDream.US exists to support undocumented students in completing their college degrees. For DREAMers, it is the biggest college access and success program in the country. The National Scholarship and the Opportunity Scholarship are the two scholarships they provide.
Any illegal immigrant students (with or without DACA or TPS status) who entered the country before the age of 16 and before November 1, 2017, are eligible for in-state tuition, and are eligible for the National Scholarship. To be eligible, you must have earned your GED or be a high school graduate (or a graduating senior).
To be eligible, applicants must also have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5. This scholarship is only valid at partner institutions. On its website, TheDream.US provides a list of partner universities. There are partner colleges at the moment in 22 states.
Undocumented students who reside in states that forbid them from paying in-state tuition are eligible for the Opportunity Scholarship. The requirements for this scholarship are similar to those for the National Scholarship, but you must reside in and complete high school in a state where undocumented students cannot receive in-state tuition.
You must also consider enrolling in a college that is an Opportunity Partner. They include Trinity Washington University, Eastern Connecticut State University, Delaware University, Dominican University, and Christian Brothers University.
Both scholarships require that applicants establish a serious need for funding, and both are re-eligible for if you continue to meet the criteria each year.
Amount:
- Up to $16,500 for an Associate’s degree and up to $33,000 for a Bachelor’s degree are available through a national scholarship.
- Opportunity Scholarship: For a Bachelor’s degree, up to $80,000 in total.
Deadline:
Scholarship nationwide: April 28, 2023
Scholarship for Opportunity: April 31, 2023
