To help promote greater college campus diversity, Hispanic scholarships have been created by many community organizations. Hispanics are the fastest-growing racial minority in the United States with over 50 million people.
Pew Research found that the number of Latinos enrolled in college has tripled since 1993 to 2.2 million. However, the Hispanic dropout rate is still significantly higher than other ethnicities at 14 percent. Only around 15 percent of Hispanics aged 25 to 29 have attained a bachelor’s degree. Young Latino/a students are often deterred from higher education because of financial need and/or family obligation. The following are 25 great scholarships for Hispanics to overcome any hurdles and achieve their college dreams.
Top Scholarships for Hispanics
1. Becas Univision Scholarship
Deadline: March 30th
Offering up to $5,000, the Becas Univision Scholarship is granted by the Hispanic Scholarship Fund. It’s for Latino/a students who are enrolling full-time at an accredited, non-profit college. They’re for students in bachelor’s or master’s programs. Eligible candidates must:
- be of Hispanic heritage
- carry a minimum college GPA of 2.5 or high school GPA of 3.0
- be U.S. citizens or legal residents
- complete the FAFSA form.
Funding may be used for:
- tuition
- fees
- textbooks
- room and board.
Contact
Becas Univision Scholarship
1411 West 190th Street Suite 700
Gardena, CA 90248
(310) 975-3700
scholar1@hsf.net
Scholarship Link
2. CHCI Scholarship Program
Deadline: April 16th
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute hosts an annual scholarship program to present:
- $1,000 to associate degree students
- $2,500 to bachelor’s degree students
- $5,000 to graduate students
They must be of Hispanic heritage in the United States and Puerto Rico. Qualified applicants must:
- be enrolled in at least nine credits at an accredited college
- exhibit financial need
- show active involvement in public service
- exhibit strong leadership potential
Applications must include:
- a resume
- letter of reference
- two essay responses.
Contact
CHCI Scholarship Program
1128 16th Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 543-1771
scholarships@chci.org
Scholarship Link
3. Chicana/Mexicana Foundation Scholarships
Deadline: March 31st
Valued at $1,500, the Chicana/Mexicana Foundation gifts 30 scholarships each year. Eligible are women of Hispanic heritage who are enrolled in an accredited two- or four-year college in Northern California. Eligible recipients must:
- have lived in California for at least two years
- maintain full-time studies
- have completed at least 12 college units
- achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5
- attend the CLF Leadership Institute
- commit to volunteering at least 10 hours with CLF.
Contact
Chicana/Mexicana Foundation Scholarships
1419 Burlingame Avenue Suite W2
Burlingame, CA 94010
(650) 548-1040
CLFinfo@chicanalatina.org
Scholarship Link
4. Daniella Altfeld-Moreno Scholarship
Deadline: January 11th
The Daniella Altfeld-Moreno Scholarship is sponsored by the Pride Foundation. It’s awarded $1,000 annually to Latino/a youth under age 25. They must self-identify as:
- lesbian
- gay
- bisexual
- transgender
- queer
- straight LGBTQ ally
Applications are accepted from active LGBTQ community members residing in select Pacific Northwest states, including Alaska. They must be attending any regionally accredited U.S. or Canadian institution full-time. Preference is given to students involved in intercollegiate or intramural athletics.
Contact
Daniella Altfeld-Moreno Scholarship
2014 E. Madison Street
Seattle, WA 98122
(206) 323-3318
scholarships@pridefoundation.org
Scholarship Link
5. Dominican Bar Association Scholarships
Deadline: July 15th
Each year, the Dominican Bar Association grants $3,000 scholarships for Hispanics enrolling at an ABA-accredited law school in the United States or Puerto Rico for a Juris Doctor degree. Selection is based on:
- academic achievement
- financial need
- community service record
Aspiring lawyers must submit:
- official transcripts
- a resume or CV
- two recommendation letters
- a personal statement of goals in legal studies.
Contact
Dominican Bar Association Scholarships
P.O. Box 203
New York, NY 10013
Dominicanbarassoc@gmail.com
Scholarship Link
6. Dr. Juan Andrade Scholarship
Deadline: December 31st
The United States Hispanic Leadership Institute (USHLI) offers the Dr. Juan Andrade Scholarship annually. The $1,000 scholarship is for full-time college students of Hispanic descent. They must have unmet financial need for attending an accredited two or four-year institution in the U.S. and U.S. territories. Application packets must have:
- a 1,000-word background essay
- one-page resume
- portrait picture
- official transcript
- three recommendations
Recipients are invited to the National USHLI Conference in Chicago.
Contact
Dr. Juan Andrade Scholarship
431 South Dearborn Suite 1203
Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 427-8683
acalderon@ushli.org
Scholarship Link
7. Esperanza Education Scholarships
Deadline: April 1st
The Esperanza Education Scholarships range from $5,000 to $20,000 each. They’re presented annually to immigrant Latino/a students who are pursuing post-secondary education. They must be graduating from licensed high schools in:
- Washington DC
- Maryland
- Virginia
To qualify, candidates must:
- be accepted for full-time enrollment at an accredited public college
- carry a minimum GPA of 2.5
- have been born outside the U.S. or have two parents born abroad
- demonstrate financial need.
Contact
Esperanza Education Scholarships
P.O. Box 27507
Washington, DC 20038
apply@esperanzafund.org
Scholarship Link
8. Ford Driving Dreams Scholarship
Deadline: March 14th
The Ford Driving Dreams Scholarship awards $2,000 scholarships for Hispanic students graduating from a high school in the San Antonio or Houston area of Texas. Qualifying seniors must:
- be accepted at an accredited U.S. college
- have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0
- score at least 20 on the ACT
- score at least 1050 on the SAT
- plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree full-time
Applicants must submit a 500-word essay answering “What Drives Your Dream?”
Contact
Ford Driving Dreams Scholarship
1133 19th Street NW Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 835-9646
communications@lnesc.org
Scholarship Link
9. George Ramos Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: April 2nd
Since 1984, the California Chicano News Media Association offers the George Ramos Memorial Scholarship. The $500 to $1,000 scholarships honor the long-time Latino Pulitzer Prize winning columnist and editor. Eligible applicants are Hispanic students from California who are enrolled full-time in an accredited in-state college or university. They must be studying:
- journalism
- news media
- communications
Applications must include:
- a resume
- official transcript
- reference letter
- five work samples.
Contact
George Ramos Memorial Scholarship
725 Arizona Avenue Suite 206
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(424) 229-9482
ccnmainfo@ccnma.org
Scholarship Link
10. HSF General College Scholarships
Deadline: March 30th
Perhaps the most well-known Hispanic scholarships, the HSF General College Scholarships are available for $500 to $5,000 each. Eligible are Latino/a undergraduate and graduate students who are enrolling full-time at accredited non-profit, four-year colleges. Those who can apply are:
- U.S. citizens
- permanent legal residents
- DACA immigrants
They must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0. All majors are accepted, but priority is given to:
- science
- technology
- engineering
- mathematics.
Contact
HSF General College Scholarships
1411 West 190th Street
Gardena, CA 90248
(310) 975-3700
scholar1@hsf.net
Scholarship Link
11. Jose Marti Scholarship Challenge
Deadline: April 1st
The Florida Office of Student Financial Assistance offers the Jose Marti Scholarship Challenge. It presents at least $2,000 to financially needy students of Hispanic heritage. They must be enrolling full-time at an eligible Florida institution. Applicants must:
- reside in Florida
- have U.S. citizenship or DACA status
- take at least 12 credits per term
- have an unweighted GPA over 3.0
- not be in default
Preference is given to students born in:
- Mexico
- Central America
- South America.
Contact
Jose Marti Scholarship Challenge
325 West Gaines Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399
(888) 827-2004
osfa@fldoe.org
Scholarship Link
12. MAES Presidential Scholarship
Deadline: April 30th
Each year, the Mexican American Engineers and Scientists (MAES) Foundation awards the Presidential Scholarship for $1,000 to $4,000. Eligible are Hispanic students aged 18 and older who are pursuing a college major in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM). Qualified candidates must:
- be paid MAES members
- attend an accredited four-year college
- hold a GPA of 3.0 or higher
- have unmet financial need
- be actively involved in volunteer work
- display excellent leadership potential.
Contact
MAES Presidential Scholarship
2437 Bay Area Blvd Suite 100
Houston, TX 77058
(281) 557-3677
questions@mymaes.org
Scholarship Link
13. Mexican American Dream Scholarship
Deadline: September 30th
The Council of Mexican Federations offers the Mexican American Dream Scholarship. The $1,000 scholarship is for outstanding Hispanic immigrants with AB-540 or DACA status. They must be pursuing an associate or bachelor’s degree full-time with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Eligible applicants must be California residents from one of these counties:
- Los Angeles
- Orange
- Riverside
- Ventura
- Inland Empire
Recipients must agree to complete at least 50 hours of volunteer service with the COFEM.
Contact
Mexican American Dream Scholarship
125 Paseo de la Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 417-8390
scholarship@cofem.org
Scholarship Link
14. MillerCoors National Scholarship
Deadline: June 30th
This is one of several scholarships for Hispanics in the ¡Adelante! Fund. The MillerCoors National Scholarship is given for $3,000 to college juniors or seniors with a declared major in:
- accounting
- computer science
- public relations
- finance
- communications
- international business
- sales
- supply chain management
- marketing
Candidates must:
- be of Hispanic descent
- attend a partnering U.S. university
- take at least 12 credits per semester
- have a GPA over 3.0
- display promise for business.
Contact
MillerCoors National Scholarship
8415 Datapoint Drive Suite 400
San Antonio, TX 78229
(210) 692-1971
info@adelantefund.org
Scholarship Link
15. NAHN Nursing Scholarships
Deadline: April 1st
The National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN) offers multiple Nursing Scholarships for Hispanics. They must be enrolling in CCNE or NLN accredited colleges. They must be pursuing an LPN diploma or in an associate, bachelor’s, or master’s program in nursing. For $1,000 to $3,000, eligible applicants must:
- be NAHN members
- exhibit financial need
- be U.S. citizens or legal residents
- have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above
- demonstrate promise for the nursing profession
- submit two letters of faculty recommendation.
Contact
NAHN Nursing Scholarships
6301 Ranch Drive
Little Rock, AR 72223
(501) 367-8616
info@thehispanicnurses.org
Scholarship Link
16. NBCUniversal Scholarship Program
Deadline: July 31st
The NBCUniversal Scholarship Program was created by the League of United Latin American Citizens. It provides 10 annual awards for $5,000 each to outstanding Hispanic high school seniors and college students. They must be working towards a bachelor’s degree in America. Successful applicants will:
- have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
- score at least 26 on the ACT
- score 1770 or higher on the SAT
- have U.S. citizenship or legal residency
- pursue full-time college studies.
Contact
NBCUniversal Scholarship Program
1133 19th Street NW Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 835-9646
communications@lnesc.org
Scholarship Link
17. Philip Arreola Scholarship Fund
Deadline: April 4th
For $10,000, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin operates the Philip Arreola Scholarship Fund. It supports Latino/a high school graduates who have been accepted as full-time students in an associate or bachelor’s program. Qualified recipients must:
- be legal U.S. residents
- live in Wisconsin
- demonstrate financial need
- have academic merit
Applications must include a two-page essay outlining applicants’ involvement in the Hispanic community.
Contact
Philip Arreola Scholarship Fund
1021 West National Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53204
(414) 643-6963
eagosto@wi.rr.com
Scholarship Link
18. Silicon Valley Latinos in Technology Scholarship
Deadline: May 6th
The Silicon Valley Latinos in Technology Scholarship program presents $30,000 over three years to more than 100 Hispanic students They must be entering their junior or senior year of an accredited STEM college program. Eligible candidates must:
- be U.S. citizens or legal residents
- be high school graduates of the Greater Silicon Valley
- maintain an undergraduate GPA above 2.5
- exhibit unmet financial need
- show commitment to closing the high-tech employment diversity gap.
Contact
Silicon Valley Latinos in Technology Scholarship
2440 West El Camino Real
Mountain View, CA 94040
(650) 450-5487
scholarships@siliconvalleycf.org
Scholarship Link
19. Toyota/TELACU Scholarship
Deadline: February 26th
The East Los Angeles Community Union partners with Toyota to grant a $5,000 scholarship to Hispanic undergraduate students. They must be pursuing a bachelor’s degree in:
- business
- science
- technology
- engineering
- math
To be eligible, candidates must:
- legally reside in California
- be rising juniors or seniors
- attend a regionally accredited college
- have good standing
Recipients also participate in corporate workshops to develop interviewing skills and find internships.
Contact
Toyota/TELACU Scholarship
5400 East Olympic Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90022
(323) 721-1655
Scholarship Link
20. Victor Grifols Roura Scholarship
Deadline: November 7th
The National Medical Fellowships Foundation gifts the Victor Grifols Roura Scholarship for $7,500 annually. It goes to one exemplary Hispanic student entering their second or third year at an accredited medical school. Aspiring doctors must:
- be U.S. citizens
- train in the Los Angeles metropolitan area
- show genuine clinical interests in hematology
- demonstrate leadership ability
- be committed to serving medically underserved communities
Applications must include:
- a transcript
- curriculum vitae
- short biography
- two recommendations.
Contact
Victor Grifols Roura Scholarship
347 Fifth Avenue Suite 510
New York, NY 10016
(212) 483-8880
scholarships@nmfonline.org
Scholarship Link
Steep tuition prices may make Hispanics question whether attaining a college degree is worth the investment. But pursuing college education does pay off long-term. On average, college graduates make $1 million more in their lifetime than high school graduates. Minimizing student loan debt is key to begin building your professional success. Grants and scholarships for Hispanic students are the best financial aid resources because they offer free money without repayment. Take pride in your cultural heritage by applying for these great Hispanic scholarships.
See also: Are There More Scholarship Opportunities at Small Colleges?
20 Great PhD Scholarships and Doctoral Grants for Minorities