Scholarships for Hispanic Students
Updated September 14, 2023
A Closer Look at
Hispanic Student Enrollment
About 75 percent of the Hispanic population is concentrated in California, Florida, Texas and a few other states, and many want to stay close to home when attending college. In fact, over half of all Latino undergraduate students in higher education are enrolled in just 11 percent of the institutions in the U.S. Many of these degree-granting institutions, those with at least 25 percent Hispanic undergraduate full-time enrollment, are classified by the U.S. Department of Education as Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs). HSIs can be two- or four -year institutions, and many offer online programs. In the 2011-12 academic year, more than 350 institutions were identified as HSIs.
What Makes a University an HSI?
Meet the Expert: With Margarita Barresi
Margarita Barresi
Margarita Barresi was born and raised in Puerto Rico and studied at Boston University, where she was fortunate to be awarded financial aid. She writes frequently about higher education and financial aid topics, and has one daughter in college and another on the way.
For the first time in our country's history, the majority of U.S. high school students headed to college are Hispanic. Latinos now represent about 17 percent of all college students, up from 11 percent in 2006, and according to the Pew Hispanic Center, more females than males are earning degrees.
This shift in demographics presents a few unique challenges for students. Finding ways to make college affordable, such as finding scholarships and other educational resources is often a deciding factor in pursuing a degree. From tuition costs and room and board to lab fees and textbook costs, calculating the total cost of college is quite an undertaking for any student, regardless of ethnicity. Here, we address these concerns and guide students to solutions to finding the most affordable college options possible.
Scholarships for Hispanic Students
Scholarships and grants are an ideal way to help pay for tuition. They are essentially gifted funds based on financial need, cultural background, educational and civic achievements, athletic ability, hobbies, intended major, etc. Funds received do not have to be repaid, although some sources require students to give back to a community or organization as a condition of the scholarship or grant.
There are many opportunities for Hispanic students, but the trick is knowing where to look for the right scholarship or grant. Though high school guidance counselors and college financial aid offices are a good place to start, it helps for students to do research outside as well:
Business
AICPA Fellowship for Minority Doctoral Students
Sponsoring organization:The American Institute of CPAs
Amount:$12,000
Application due date:�June 19
In order to encourage minorities to become accounting professors, this scholarship is designed for students who are pursuing a doctorate in accounting. Applicants must have a master's degree in accounting or three years of work experience in the field.
Sponsoring organization:League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and the GE Foundation
Amount:$5,000
Application due date:�August 10
Students must be at least in their sophomore year of college and enrolled in an accredited business degree program. Applicants must have at least a 3.25 grade point average. This scholarship is also available to students enrolled in engineering programs.
Golden State Minority Foundation Scholarship
Sponsoring organization:Golden State Minority Foundation
Amount:$2,000
Application due date:�April 1
This scholarship is for students enrolled in a business degree program in southern California. Students must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0, and those who work more than 25 hours per week are not eligible to receive this award.
Lockheed Martin Scholarship Program
Sponsoring organization:Hispanic College Fund (HCF)
Amount:$500 to $5,000
Application due date:�February 16
This scholarship is for students enrolled in business, science or engineering degrees. To qualify, students must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0, maintain full-time student status, and demonstrate financial need.
MillerCoors National (Business)
Sponsoring organization:Adelante Fund
Amount:�$3,000, renewable
Application due date:�July 3
College juniors and seniors who are majoring in business disciplines such as general or international business, public relations, marketing, economics, finance, or sales may apply for this scholarship. In order to apply, candidates must have at least a 3.0 grade point average and be enrolled at a participating university on a full-time basis.
National Society of Hispanic MBAs Scholarship
Sponsoring organization:National Society of Hispanic MBAs (NSHMBA)
Amount:�$2,500 to $10,000
Application due date:
In order to promote Hispanics in business, this scholarship is designed for MBA students enrolled in an accredited business school on a full- or part-time basis. Eligibility requirements include maintaining at least a 3.0 grade point average and participation in an NSHMBA chapter.
Computer Science
Alliance/Merck Ciencia Hispanic Scholars Program
Sponsoring organization:National Alliance for Hispanic Health
Amount:$2,000
Application due date:�Spring, check site for details
This award is for students enrolled in a technology-related bachelor's degree program. In order to qualify, applicants must be full-time students with a minimum 2.75 grade point average.
ESA Foundation Computer and Video Game Scholarship
Sponsoring organization:Entertainment Software Association Foundation
Amount:$3,000
Application due date:�March 1-May 15
Up to 30 scholarships are available to students who are interested in using their computer skills to create video games. Applicants must have a minimum 2.75 grade point average and plan on undertaking a career in computer and video game arts.
Sponsoring organization:Great Minds in STEM
Amount:$1,000 to $10,000
Application due date:�April 30
Awarding over $2.3 million in scholarship money to date, the HENAAC Scholarship Program is designed to encourage Hispanic students to earn STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) degrees, including those in computer science.
Technical Minority Scholarship
Sponsoring organization:Xerox
Amount:$1,000 to $10,000
Application due date:�September 30
Minority students studying a technical discipline on a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral level can apply for this scholarship. Applicants must have at least a 3.0 grade point average.
PO Pistilli Undergraduate Scholarship
Sponsoring organization:The Design Automation Conference (DAC)
Amount:$4,000
Application due date:�Spring
This scholarship is for students obtaining a degree in computer engineering or computer science. Eligibility requirements include a minimum grade point average of 3.0 and achievements in math and science courses.
Education and Teaching
Frank Kazmierczak Memorial Migrant Scholarship
Sponsoring organization:Kazmierczak Scholarship Committee
Amount:$1,000
Application due date:�February 1
Named in honor of migrant educator Frank Kazmierczak, this scholarship is for education majors who are either migrant workers or the children of migrant workers. Applicants must submit a personal essay detailing why they want to become a teacher, as well as two letters of recommendation.
The Gates Millennium Scholarship
Sponsoring organization:Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Amount:Varies
Application due date:�January 14
This scholarship is for students earning education, STEM, or public health degrees. Students must have a grade point average of at least 3.3 to be eligible for this award.
Minority Teacher Education Scholarship
Sponsoring organization:Florida Fund for Minority Teachers (FFMT)
Amount:$4,000
Application due date:�July 1 and November 1
The Minority Teacher Education Scholarship is for students enrolled in education degree programs in an FFMT-approved school in Florida. Students must have completed an associate's degree or 60 credit hours in order to qualify.
Minority Teachers of Illinois (MTI) Scholarship Program
Sponsoring organization:Illinois Student Assistance Commission
Amount:Up to $5,000 per year
Application due date:�March 1
Students in Illinois who plan to teach in the state may be able to receive funding from this program. Applicants must prove residency, maintain a 2.5 grade point average, and sign an agreement promising to teach at a public, private, or parochial school in Illinois.
Sponsoring organization:Indiana Commission for Higher Education
Amount:Varies
Application due date:�September 4
Minority students attending an Indiana college or university to train for a teaching career may apply for this scholarship. Award criteria include state residency and a 2.0 minimum grade point average, and students must commit to working in the state upon graduation.
Minority Teaching Fellows Program
Sponsoring organization:Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation
Amount:$5,000
Application due date:�April 15
This scholarship is for students in Tennessee enrolled in an education degree program. In order to receive this award, students must attend school full-time and maintain a 2.5 grade point average. In addition, award recipients must commit to teaching at a Tennessee public school after graduation.
Engineering
The Airport Minority Advisory Council Educational and Scholarship Program
Sponsoring organization:The Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC)
Amount:$2,000
Application due date:�Fall
AMAC awards scholarships to minority students enrolled in aviation-related degree programs, including engineering. Students must show activity in community and extracurricular activities and be citizens of the United States.
HSF/ General College Scholarships
Sponsoring organization:Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Amount:$500 to $5,000
Application due date:�April
This award is for students enrolled in STEM-related majors, such as engineering. High school applicants must have at least a 3.0 grade point average in order to be eligible for the scholarship, while current college students must earn at least a 2.5.
NACME Pre-Engineering Scholarship Program
Sponsoring organization:National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering (NACME)
Amount:$2,500
Application due date:�March 15
NACME awards this scholarship to high school seniors who will be majoring in engineering. Applicants must have at least a 3.0 grade point average and 1650 SAT score.
Rixio Medina & Associates Hispanics in Safety Scholarship
Sponsoring organization:American Society of Safety Engineers
Amount:$4,000
Application due date:�March
This scholarship is awarded to engineering students who are bilingual, and pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in occupational safety. Students attending an ASAC/ABET accredited safety program are preferred.
Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers Scholarships
Sponsoring organization:Society of Professional Engineers (SHPE)
Amount:�$1,000 to $5,000
Application due date:�June 15
SHPE provides scholarships for students enrolled in STEM majors based on financial need and merit.
UPS Scholarship for Minority Students
Sponsoring organization:Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIE)
Amount:$4,000
Application due date:�November 15
This award is for students enrolled in an industrial engineering program recognized by IIE.
Math
Actuarial Diversity Scholarship
Sponsoring organization:The Actuarial Foundation
Amount:$1,000 to $4,000
Application due date:�May 1
This award is given to students who are studying mathematics in order to pursue an actuarial career.
Nursing
Sponsoring organization:Hispanic College Fund
Amount:$8,000
Application due date:�February 23
Northern California students can apply for the Kaiser Permanente Scholarship, which is awarded to nursing students at the college junior and senior level. The award is based on financial need and applicants must have a minimum 3.0 grade point average to qualify.
Minority Nurse Faculty Scholarship
Sponsoring organization:American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
Amount:�$18,000
Application due date:�May 1
Students earning a doctoral nursing degree with the intention of becoming a teacher may apply for this scholarship. Students must commit to teach post-graduation, and must be enrolled full-time in a program.
Minority Nurse Magazine Scholarship Program
Sponsoring organization:Minority Nurse Magazine
Amount:�$1,000 to $3,000
Application due date:�May 1
This award provides funding for students enrolled in a BSN or accelerated master's nursing program. Applicants must provide transcripts to prove they have at least a 3.0 grade point average, as well as letters of recommendation and a written statement summarizing goals and accomplishments.
Sponsoring organization:National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN)
Amount:Varies
Application due date:�April 3
The association provides scholarships to members enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate level nursing program. Applicants must be full-time students with a minimum 3.0 grade point average.
Sciences
Sponsoring organization:American Meteorological Society
Amount:$3,000
Application due date:�February 7
In order to encourage minorities to enroll in atmospheric, oceanic and hydrologic sciences, the AMS offers a scholarship for undergraduate students.
Sponsoring organization:Esperanza
Amount:�$1,500
Application due date:�Varies
This scholarship is awarded to science majors living in Cuyahoga and Lorain counties in Ohio. In addition, this award is available for students enrolled in math, computer science, business, or engineering degree programs.
Graduate
Sponsoring organization:American Political Science Association
Amount:$4,000
Application due date:�June
APSA awards scholarships to students enrolled in political science doctoral programs. The association grants awards based on grade point average, GRE scores, recommendations and extracurricular activities.
ASA Minority Fellowship Program
Sponsoring organization:American Sociological Association
Amount:$18,000
Application due date:�January 31
This award is for students enrolled in a sociology PhD program who plan to become researchers.
The LAGRANT Foundation Scholarship for Graduate Students
Sponsoring organization:The LAGRANT Foundation
Amount:�$5,000
Application due date:�February 28
This award is for master's degree students who plan to enter an advertising, marketing or public relations field. Eligibility requirements include a 3.2 grade point average.
Sponsoring organization:GEM
Amount:$16,000
Application due date:�July 1-November 15
These awards are given to students entering an engineering doctoral program. In addition, GEM offers awards to students working on a science PhD.
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Hispanic Students Facing Special Situations
Some Hispanic students face unique challenges that can put a damper on their plans for post-secondary education. For example, their parents may have inconsistent seasonal work, or lack the documentation needed to help secure a student loan easily. While these issues may seem difficult to overcome, they are not insurmountable. Below, we've outlined several higher education hurdles that Hispanic students encounter each school year, and provide key resources and advice to help them get started, get funding and earn a degree.
Children of Migrant Workers
For migrants, the temporal nature of their work often results in exclusion from the college preparatory process available to individuals settled in a particular community and school system. Completing necessary steps, such as filling out FAFSA® forms and meeting school application deadlines, becomes especially difficult. Fortunately, there are numerous resources – local and national – that can help.
College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP).
Through the U.S. Department of Education, CAMP offers assistance to students who are children of migrant or seasonal farm workers in the United States and helps to fund their first year of studies in an approved post-secondary institution.
Migrant Education Programs (MEPs).
The DOE funds state programs aimed at ensuring that migrant students reach challenging academic goals and graduate with a high school diploma or complete a GED. California's MEP is a good example of such a program. Students should check the availability of an MEP in their state.
Migrant Students Foundation (MSF).
The MSF is a non-profit organization helping migrant students gain access to higher education by connecting them with scholarships, internships and service learning opportunities.
Undocumented Students
The controversy continuing to swirl around the fates of immigrants without legal status in the United States has created a great deal of confusion regarding issues of undocumented students and college opportunities. Many students today continue to believe that the doors to a higher education remain shut and locked due to their undocumented status. Options for these students are available, however, including the following:
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).
DACA provides certain undocumented immigrants who entered the United States before their 16th birthdays a number of benefits and protections including work permits and exemption from deportation, thus easing financial and other related pressures.
DREAM Act. The DREAM Act is a piece of legislation whose aim is to create a pathway to citizenship for undocumented children growing up in the United States. It was first introduced in Congress in 2001 and reintroduced several times since, but currently remains unpassed. State-level versions have passed in many states, however, that allow undocumented students to apply for and receive scholarships. California again provides a good example of the types of state DREAM Act benefits available.
MALDEF: Scholarship Resources.
There are a variety of college scholarships offered to undocumented students. The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund provides this excellent resource site that includes a link to its current Scholarship Resources Guide.
First Generation College Students
There are literally millions of Hispanic students today facing the exciting prospect of becoming the first in their families to turn the dream of earning a college degree into a reality. Most colleges want to help by offering special programs for first-generation students enrolled or considering enrollment at their institutions. Here are a few other resources for this first-generation:
ACT.
ACT is a nonprofit organization whose mission is "helping people achieve education and workplace success. ACT offers many resources including this guide entitled Helping Your Child Become a First-Generation College Student.
First in the Family.
Part of a larger nonprofit aimed at helping high school students reach their college goals, First in the Family provides this resource page with numerous useful links, including this one entitled Advice About College from Low-Income and First-Generation Students.
LOFT Institute.
A great resource for all Latino students, the Latinos on Fast Track (LOFT) Institute helps first-generation students through education events and mentoring programs.
Along with these and other great resources that can be found online, students are well advised to make use of the college and career counseling services offered at their own high schools.
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More Educational Resources for Hispanic Students
Resources abound for Hispanic students seeking a college degree. College admissions offices can guide students to campus-specific assistance, but other help is available too. Below you'll find additional resources for the Hispanic student who is looking to make the most of their college experience.
Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities National Internship
program is “opening the doors of opportunity” for Hispanic students.
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, Inc.
provides resources for Hispanic students and their parents, including a college preparatory kit, a middle school checklist, and financial aid and scholarship information. Most information is available in both English and Spanish.
The U.S. Department of Education
has a specialized tool kit for Hispanic families, designed to help students succeed in school.
ASPIRA is a group of organizations that provides educational support and enrichment to Latino youth and their families in schools, community centers, and ASPIRA clubs.
Latinos in College
is a website dedicated to helping Hispanic students succeed in college and beyond. Overcoming homesickness, being the first generation college student, and tools for parents are just a few of the topics students will find here.
New Futuro
is a comprehensive website that helps to guide Hispanic students and their families through the college application process.
If social media is your thing, College Action Plan has an E-Mentoring group on Facebook. Families will find information about planning for college from middle school through the college application process.
Excelencia in Education
provides an analysis of Latino students and helps to promote education policies to support them.
MyCollegeOptions
has a list of resources for all students, whether they're trying to decide which college to attend, preparing for standardized tests, or looking to save for college.
Student Now
offers a list of resources for Latino students looking into college, including scholarship information, sorority and fraternity options, as well as general information for Latino students.
Most Affordable Hispanic Serving Institution College Programs: Classroom and Online
Hispanic students searching for a good college fit clearly need to consider many factors. If a school with a large Hispanic population is important to them, then an HSI probably makes sense. But students may want to look beyond percentage of Hispanic students at a college to see what the school offers them in terms of support before and during the college years. And because cost is also a key factor, Affordable Colleges Online has compiled a list of the 32 most affordable HSIs in the United States.
| College | City | State | Total Enrolled | % Hispanic | Tuition & Fees | Type |
| Miami Dade College | Miami | Florida | 99,232 | 54% | $ 3,366 | Public |
| Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus | Portales | New Mexico | 6,868 | 26% | $ 4,350 | Public |
| University of Houston- Downtown | Houston | Texas | 16,341 | 34% | $ 5,022 | Public |
| The University of Texas – Pan American | Edinburg | Texas | 23,023 | 88% | $ 5,165 | Public |
| The University of Texas of the Permian Basin | Odessa | Texas | 5,170 | 37% | $ 5,250 | Public |
| The University of Texas at Brownsville | Brownsville | Texas | 18,970 | 86% | $ 5,488 | Public |
| Texas A & M International University | Laredo | Texas | 8,287 | 88% | $ 5,714 | Public |
| CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice | New York | New York | 18,040 | 30% | $ 5,759 | Public |
| CUNY Lehman College | Bronx | New York | 16,084 | 37% | $ 5,808 | Public |
| California State University – Monterey Bay | Seaside | California | 5,216 | 29% | $ 5,963 | Public |
| South Texas College | McAllen | Texas | 36,951 | 94% | $ 6,045 | Public |
| University of New Mexico – Main Campus | Albuquerque | New Mexico | 33,304 | 32% | $ 6,050 | Public |
| California State University – Dominguez Hills | Carson | California | 15,909 | 33% | $ 6,095 | Public |
| California State University – Los Angeles | Los Angeles | California | 22,830 | 32% | $ 6,101 | Public |
| California State Polytechnic University – Pomona | Pomona | California | 22,770 | 25% | $ 6,125 | Public |
| California State University – Fullerton | Fullerton | California | 39,521 | 26% | $ 6,195 | Public |
| California State University – Fresno | Fresno | California | 22,285 | 31% | $ 6,228 | Public |
| California State University – San Bernadino | San Bernadino | California | 19,065 | 33% | $ 6,327 | Public |
| Florida International University | Miami | Florida | 56,288 | 57% | $ 6,417 | Public |
| New Mexico State University | Las Cruces | New Mexico | 21,692 | 39% | $ 6,513 | Public |
| California State University – Stanislaus | Turlock | California | 9,411 | 27% | $ 6,582 | Public |
| California State University-Bakersfield | Bakersfield | California | 9,456 | 34% | $ 6,709 | Public |
| Texas A & M University – Kingsville | Kingsville | Texas | 11,927 | 52% | $ 6,940 | Public |
| Texas A & M University – Corpus Christi | Corpus Christi | Texas | 11,785 | 36% | $ 7,084 | Public |
| The University of Texas at El Paso | El Paso | Texas | 26,232 | 72% | $ 7,214 | Public |
| The University of Texas at San Antonio | San Antonio | Texas | 35,098 | 43% | $ 7,389 | Public |
| New Jersey City University | Jersey City | New Jersey | 10,605 | 26% | $ 10,422 | Public |
| University of the Incarnate Word | San Antonio | Texas | 9,153 | 53% | $ 23,690 | Private Not-for-Profit |
| Saint Thomas University | Miami Gardens | Florida | 5,000 | 38% | $ 25,110 | Private Not-for-Profit |
| Fresno Pacific University | Fresno | California | 5,027 | 33% | $ 25,336 | Private Not-for-Profit |
| St. Edward's University | Austin | Texas | 6,109 | 27% | $ 31,110 | Private Not-for-Profit |
| University of La Verne | La Verne | California | 10,304 | $ 33,350 | Private Not-for- Profit |
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