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Scholarships & Resources for Hispanic & Latino Students

Hispanic and Latino students looking for a college education should keep a sharp eye out for scholarships and resources that can make a difference. Find some of today’s best financial, education, and advocacy resources for Hispanics and Latinos in 2024.

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Paying for college is a tough task, especially if you’re doing it alone. The good news is, there are a number of financial aid options available to help, including scholarships and grants. These forms of financial assistance may be the best for college students because they don’t requirement payment. And who doesn’t want a little free money to cover tuition, fees, and books?

When it comes to scholarships, you may find big national scholarships as you search. Or 5-figure grants that private companies make available to just about everyone taking a college class. These opportunities are fantastic, but they’re also competitive due to the number of people who apply. Instead, more and more college students are looking for narrower scholarships, meaning those created for people just like them. For you, this could be a scholarship for aspiring doctors or nurses, or for Hispanic or Latino students.

The following list of scholarships and key resources were created specifically for Hispanic and Latino students.

Scholarships for Hispanic & Latino Students

In many situations, grants and scholarships are the same. But sometimes, the awarding of a grant is based more on financial need, while scholarships may focus more on academic excellence, community service, a particular area of study, or membership in a particular group. See if one of these scholarships fits your college needs.

General Scholarships

Organization

Organization

Grand Rapids Community Foundation

Amount

Amount

Varies

Deadline

Deadline

3/1 (annual)

Eligibility

The scholarship is for students from Ottawa or Kent County, Michigan, who are of Mexican heritage and will be attending an accredited college or university to earn an undergraduate degree. Applicants must show financial need and have at least a 2.75 GPA.

How to Apply

One application allows students to apply to more than 70 scholarships. The application requires an essay, transcripts, and evidence of family income. Apply online here.

Organization

Organization

United States Hispanic Leadership Institute

Amount

Amount

$500 (2-year schools) and $1,000 (4-year schools)

Deadline

Deadline

11/30 (annual)

Eligibility

Students interested in applying must have at least one parent of Hispanic ancestry. U.S. citizenship is not required. Applicants must show financial need and be enrolled as a full-time student in an undergraduate program.

How to Apply

In addition to the application, students must complete two essays (one on the student’s background, one on the subject of leadership), and provide a picture, resume, and unofficial transcript.

Organization

Organization

Orange County Hispanic Educational Endowment Fund

Amount

Amount

Varies (minimum $2,500).

Deadline

Deadline

01/31 (annual)

Eligibility

To apply, applicants must be U.S. citizens or otherwise have legal status, live in Orange County, California, show financial need, and plan on attending a four-year post-secondary institution.

How to Apply

Interested students should visit HEEF’s website and create an online account to complete the online applicion

Organization

Organization

The Gates Scholarship

Amount

Amount

Varies

Deadline

Deadline

9/15 (annual)

Eligibility

Applicant must be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident. Additionally, applicant must be a high school senior, a Hispanic American or member of another ethnic minority, and have a minimum 3.3 GPA.

How to Apply

Applicants must provide evidence that they are Pell Grant-eligible. They may need to submit to an interview as a part of the selection process.

Organization

Organization

Colgate-Palmolive and the Hispanic Heritage Foundation

Amount

Amount

$2,000 to $10,000

Deadline

Deadline

11/14 (annual)

Eligibility

Open to graduating high school seniors of Hispanic heritage with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or qualify under DACA, and demonstrate leadership and dedication to their community.

How to Apply

The application requires recommendations, an essay and applicable transcripts.

Medical and Health Scholarships

Organization

Organization

American College of Healthcare Executives

Amount

Amount

$5,000

Deadline

Deadline

4/31 (annual)

Eligibility

Open to racially/ethnically diverse students with financial need who are enrolled full-time in a graduate healthcare management program like an MPH program, MHA program, or MBA in Healthcare Administration or Management . Applicant must also be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, or Canadian citizen.

How to Apply

Complete the online application. Requirements include three letters of recommendation, an essay, resume, and relevant academic transcripts.

Organization

Organization

The BECA Foundation

Amount

Amount

$500 to $2,000

Deadline

Deadline

3/30 (annual)

Eligibility

Applicants must be entering a medical or healthcare profession degree program at the undergraduate or graduate level and living or attending school (high school or college) in San Diego County.

How to Apply

Complete an online application and provided two letters of recommendation, academic transcripts, a personal statement, and Estimated Family Contribution financial information.

Organization

Organization

Oncology Nursing Foundation

Amount

Amount

$3,000

Deadline

Deadline

1/30 (annual)

Eligibility

Applicants must be a current RN committed to oncology nursing and enrolled in, accepted to, or have applied to a nursing bachelor’s degree program (including RN to BSN and accelerated BSN programs).

How to Apply

Applications can be completed online. Must include a letter of reference.

Organization

Organization

Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C.

Amount

Amount

$2,000

Deadline

Deadline

10/1 (annual)

Eligibility

Applicant must be a U.S. citizen currently enrolled at an accredited medical school (at least one semester completed and with a minimum 3.0 GPA) and part of a racial or ethnic minority, or committed to issues of diversity within their community.

How to Apply

Apply on the scholarship website. Requirements include a completed application, essay, and a copy of the applicant’s medical school transcript.

Organization

Organization

Fontana Transport Inc.

Amount

Amount

$5,000

Deadline

Deadline

3/14 (annual)

Eligibility

Applicant must be a high school senior who plans to pursue a full-time undergraduate degree at a four-year accredited university in any of nine areas of study, including pre-med. Applicants must also be first generation high school students from an underrepresented group and show financial need.

How to Apply

In addition to a complete application, students need a minimum weighted GPA of 3.5 and proof of attendance at a four-year university. Letters of recommendation are not required but strongly recommended.

5 Keys to Landing Your Scholarship

There are a lot of scholarships out there, but there are also a lot of students applying for them. That’s why your application needs to be as perfect as possible. Depending on the competition and the committee reviewing applications, one small mistake – like a late submission or even a typo – could very well make the difference between an award and a rejection. To increase your chances of landing a scholarship award, consider the following:

  • Key #1: Revise, revise, revise!
    Most applications will require a lot of information, including an essay. The best essays will go through multiple revisions, with at least two people looking it over.
  • Key #2: Pay close attention to the application directions
    You might be surprised how many people just assume they know how to complete a scholarship application. Always follow the instructions. If they don’t make sense, don’t be afraid to ask for clarification.
  • Key #3: Start early
    Some applications can be completed in a few hours. Others will take days. And those that require letters of recommendation and transcripts will require you to depend on others to do their part. The sooner you begin the process, the better.
  • Key #4: Apply locally
    Many local scholarships get overlooked because they are less well-known or smaller in amount. This means by applying to them, you statistically increase your chances of winning an award.
  • Key #5: Update your social media presence
    Always assume the scholarship committee does their homework. There’s a decent chance they will look you up online and see what your social media presence is like. Make sure they see the best side of you.

College Resources for Hispanic Students

There are numerous resources available to Hispanic and Latino students. The trick is finding the right organizations and making the most of what they have to offer. To facilitate your resource search, we’ve compiled a list of some of the more notable organizations that can be helpful in a variety of ways, including professional and educational development, as well as financial assistance.

Academic & Career

Social & Networking

  • Association of Latino Professionals For America (ALPFA)
    ALPFA prides itself as being the first national Latino professional organization. Its membership consists of both student and professional members working to promote the interests of Latino and Latina business leaders.
  • Prospanica
    Prospanica’s mission is to help Hispanic individuals reach their professional goals. The organization offers a host of resources including scholarship, community service, and career management opportunities.
  • Sigma Delta Pi
    National Hispanic honor society for students who wish to make the most of their studies of the Spanish language, honor contributors to Hispanic culture, and obtain a better understanding of Hispanic culture.

Advocacy & Diversity

  • Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI)
    The CHCI is a non-partisan, non-profit organization that works to facilitate the creation and organization of educational programs and leadership development opportunities for Hispanic students.
  • National Hispanic Institute (NHI)
    Through the use of community involvement and leadership, the NHI aims to educate youth to excel professionally, academically, and personally.
  • UnidosUS
    Organization that advocates on behalf on the Hispanic community through research, policy, and community outreach programs.

Healthcare Education

  • American Medical Student Association (AMSA)
    The AMSA is an organization for future doctors and physicians offering a host of resources, including educational, networking, and professional development opportunities.
  • HOSA
    With the help of education assistance, professional collaboration, and experiential learning, HOSA works to help professionals improve the international health community.
  • The Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA)
    The LMSA represents the interests of Latino and Latina medical students. Activities include advocacy and financial assistance.