Scholarships for Hispanics
There are many generous scholarships for Hispanics. If you are interested in finding out how your heritage can help you pay for your education, read on. The web is a goldmine for enterprising Hispanic students who want to fund a college education while staying out of debt. Of course there are other scholarship programs available to larger groups of student, but a savvy scholarship searcher will also look for grants and programs that specifically fund students from their own background, in order to maximize the possibility of finishing a college degree with little to no debt.
A Comprehensive List of Scholarships for Hispanics
The first opportunity every high achieving Hispanic student should look into is the Hispanic Scholarship Fund. Through the HSF, scholarships are available to students who are permanent legal residents or citizens of the U.S who are planning to attend (as a full-time student) an accredited college or university in the U.S. or its outlying territories. There is a minimum GPA requirement of 3.0, and students must fill out the FAFSA. December 15th is the deadline to apply to these scholarships, but students who are already currently enrolled in a college or university are eligible, as well as those who are preparing to graduate from college. No Hispanic student with financial need should pass up the opportunity to apply for one of these scholarships. Their site also includes a helpful list of tips on what makes a strong application, this is a useful tool that can be applied to other scholarship applications as well.
Students of certain heritages may want to check out scholarships that apply to students with their specific heritage. For example, those with Cuban heritage (and either U.S. citizenship or California legal residency) should take a look at the Adventures in Education scholarship competition. Last year only 30 students applied. Considering that the organization awards up to 12 scholarships of $750 to $2,000, the odds of winning this scholarship are very good. Applications are due April 15th and more information, including the address to submit application materials.
Hispanic students who are strong leaders in their community as well as solid academically can qualify for some very prestigious scholarships. Gates Millenium scholarships, established by the famous founder of Microsoft, are provided every year to many high-achieving, low-income minority students pursuing higher education. Many Hispanic students are eligible to receive one of the thousand scholarships given out by the program. Make sure you start your application early in the year, as it requires recommendations and all materials are due in January. You must be Pell grant eligible and a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident to pursue this opportunity. These scholarships for Hispanic students are renewable throughout the course of the college degree, making them an ideal option for those who meet the scholarship requirements and are committed to finishing their education.
Another minority scholarship program with a famous name attached is the Jackie Robinson Foundation, which gives out scholarships to excellent students who happen to be minorities, including Hispanic students. It has a similar profile and application to the Gates Millenium Scholarship, so if you meet the minimum SAT score requirement (1000 on critical reading/math, or a 22 composite score on the ACT), apply by March 30th. The application is available online.
Hispanic students interested in specific majors may want to look for scholarships that recognize both their academic interests and personal heritage. The Adelante Fund is one example of a scholarship organization that rewards based on both criteria. $3,000 scholarships are available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents of Hispanic descent who major in certain scientific or business fields. Participation is limited to certain colleges, universities, and geographic areas, but this scholarship funded by Yum! brands is an excellent opportunity for those students who qualify. In addition to the scholarship, recipients attend a leadership development conference with other Adelante recipients. Applications open on February 1st, and more information and future deadlines can be found on this page.
The great thing about these kinds of scholarships is they often provide support and leadership development throughout the challenging college years. They serve as a community and social support as well as financial help for Hispanic students who are award recipients. They are committed to the goal of helping students of Hispanic heritage afford school and become the future leaders of this country and the world.
A Flexible Hispanic Scholarship
The scholarships mentioned so far require citizenship or documented permanent residency, but they are not the only college funding options available to Hispanic students seeking a scholarship. The Berrien Fragos Thorn Arts Scholarships for Migrant Farmworkers are a good example of this more flexible kind of scholarship. If you are interested in expressing your creativity through the performing or visual arts, creative writing, or media and meet the qualifications, this scholarship can be a great way to pay for part of your education. Enrollment in school at the time of application is not required, making this a more flexible and attractive option for certain students without excluding those who take a more traditional path. Application and contact information can be found on this page.
A Google Search or a personalized scholarship search on a site like Fastweb.com may help you find even more appropriate scholarships. There are many national and local scholarships for Hispanics. Good luck in your search!
