While enrollment in four-year colleges among Hispanics and Latinos has reached a new high over the last few decades, rising educational costs remain an ever-looming obstacle for many students.
Last year, the Pew Research Center reported 3.8 million Hispanics and Latinos enrolled at a postsecondary institution in 2019, a significant increase from the 1.5 million Hispanics and Latinos enrolled in the year 2000. According to the report, the increase in enrollment reflects the nationwide rapid population growth among Latinos.
College is already a financial struggle for many students. To make the matter worse, the Covid-19 pandemic and the massive layoffs that follow only exacerbated the financial situation for thousands of Latino students. Yet, to lighten the financial load, we’ve compiled a list of scholarships that are designed to help Hispanic and Latino students in their post-secondary education journey.
50 College Scholarships You Can Apply for Now
Tuition, books, student services, and general living expenses can add up for many students, most of whom end up carrying a hefty debt for the most of their lives.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, students who earned a certificate at a public school carry an average debt of $13,700 in student loans. That cost increases depending on the degree you earn and the type of school you attend.For example, students who complete a bachelor’s degree program at a public school end up owing an average of $26,100, but students who attend a private for-profit school can owe a much higher debt of$35,700.
There are more obstacles for many students of color, including those of Hispanic or Latino descent. Pursuing an educational career post-high school is true especially challenging for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) recipients and undocumented students who don’t have access to traditional federal aid, such as federal student loans or Pell Grants. Luckily, Hispanic and Latino students from all walks of life will have access to several scholarships listed in this guide.
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General Scholarships & Grants for Hispanic and Latino Students
AICPA Fellowship for Minority Doctoral Students
- Amount: $12,000
- Eligibility: This scholarship is awarded to full-time minority accounting Ph.D. and Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) scholars interested in becoming accounting educators. Eligible candidates must hold a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license and have been accepted into an accredited, full-time Ph.D. or DBA program. Applicants must also hold a master’s degree or at least three years of full-time professional accounting experience.
- Deadline: May 2024
ASA Minority Fellowship Program
- Amount: $20,000
- Eligibility: Since 1974, the program has supported more than 460 students of color who pursued a Ph.D. in sociology. These fellows have an interest or specialization in social psychology; gender and sexuality; education; medicine and health; inequalities; and race and ethnicity, among other fields of study. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, have been lawfully admitted to the U.S, or be eligible under DACA.
- Deadline: January 2024
ASPSA Diversity Fellowship Program
- Amount: $5,000
- Eligibility: Each fall semester, ASPSA Diversity Fellowship will provide $5,000 for 12 to 14 students who are pursuing a Ph.D. in political science. The funds will be dispersed over the span of two years. Each spring semester, the program will also offer fellowships to graduate students in the pre-dissertation stage of their doctoral program totaling $2,000, depending on funding availability. Applicants must be from a racial or ethnic minority group.
- Deadline: May 2024
Berrien Fragos Thorn Arts Scholarships for Migrant Farmworkers
- Amount: $2,500
- Eligibility: This scholarship is meant for any students from a migrant background in pursuit of an agricultural career. Students must show interest in some form of art including visual, literary, performance or more. There are no essays required, but letters of recommendations are integral to the application.
- Deadline: June and November 2024
Frank Kazmierczak Memorial Migrant Scholarship
- Amount: $1,000
- Eligibility: Created by an educator himself, this scholarship is designed for candidates with a recent history of migrating for agricultural work opportunities and who are interested in pursuing a teaching career are eligible to apply. You must submit two letters of recommendation, a personal essay, and an official school transcript.
- Deadline: February 2024
The Gates Scholarship
- Amount: Full cost of attendance
- Eligibility: High school seniors from various ethnic backgrounds, including Hispanics, are eligible to apply if they are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. The scholarship helps those students from low-income families and who are eligible for Pell Grant. Applicants must have at least a 3.3 GPA and plan to enroll full-time in a four-year degree program at an accredited college or university in the U.S.
- Deadline: September 2024
The Hispanic Scholarship Fund
- Amount: $500-$5,000
- Eligibility: This scholarship is intended for Hispanic students who are either U.S. citizens, permanent legal residents, or DACA recipients. High school and college-level applicants must have a minimum of 3.0 and a 2.5 GPA, respectively. Those interested in applying must also submit either a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form or a state-based financial aid form. Finally, applicants must plan to enroll as full-time students in an accredited, public, or non-profit, four-year university or graduate school within the U.S.
- Deadline: February 2024
The Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship Program
- Amount: $35,000
- Eligibility: This scholarship is open to graduating minority high school seniors who are also U.S. citizens. Applicants must show a financial need and demonstrate a history of academic excellence. This is meant for students who are planning on attending an accredited four-year college within the U.S. Scholarship recipients can be awarded up to $35,000 over four years and receive sponsorship to attend the annual Mentoring and Leadership Conference in New York City.
- Deadline: January 2024
Jean DeGrace Crandall Memorial Scholarship
- Amount: $1,000 minimum
- Eligibility: This scholarship is awarded to those in post-secondary programs who are also migrant farmworkers or children of a migrant farmworker. Candidates must show a history of migration within the state of New York. Those interested in traditional Mexican art and culture are especially encouraged to apply. Students must include a personal essay detailing any obstacles they faced and how they overcame these adversities on top of a transcript and two recommendation letters.
- Deadline: April 2024
José Martí Scholarship Challenge Grant Fund
- Amount: $2,000
- Eligibility: This scholarship is a need-based merit scholarship offered to Hispanic or Latino/a students who are planning on attending a post-secondary educational institution in Florida. Applicants must submit a FAFSA application.
- Deadline: April 2024
The LAGRANT Foundation
- Amount: $2,500-$3,750
- Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students must be enrolled full-time at a four-year, accredited school for advertising, marketing, or public relations fields of study. They must also have at least one year to complete their degree from the time the scholarship is awarded in May 2024.
- Deadline: February 2024
La Unidad Latina Foundation
- Amount: $500-$2,000
- Eligibility: Applicants must be enrolled full-time in a bachelor’s program at an accredited four-year college or university with a minimum of 2.8 GPA and should have completed at least one semester of school.
- Deadline: TBD 2024
Leo and Trinidad Sanchez Scholarship
- Amount: $4,500
- Eligibility: Applicants must reside in Santa Clara County or Santa Cruz County in California. They must also be currently graduating high school or enrolled as an undergraduate at West Valley College. You must be enrolled in an architectural school or in a program that ultimately leads to a degree in architecture to apply.
- Deadline: TBD 2024
Louis Hernandez Jr.’s Foundation for A Bright Future Scholarship
- Amount: $10,000
- Eligibility: Candidates must demonstrate academic excellence and involvement in their community or workplace. They need to show they’ve done charitable work or completed a social project. They should also show they’ve participated in extracurricular activities. Applicants need to demonstrate that they have experienced an economic or social hardship.
- Deadline: March 2024
LULAC National Scholarship Fund
- Amount: $250-$2,000
- Eligibility: Applicants must have applied for or be enrolled as a full-time student in a college or university. That includes two-year colleges or vocational schools that lead to an associate degree. Graduate students must have applied or be enrolled as a part-time student in a college or university. You must also be a U.S. citizen, legal permanent resident or a DACA recipient to apply.
- Deadline: February 2024
The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Scholarship Program
- Amount: Up to $6,000
- Eligibility: This scholarship is open to students who identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, or People of Color). You must be pursuing a degree or certificate in a career in public education such as school counselors or teachers.
- Deadline: TBD 2024
The NBCUniversal Media Scholarship Program
- Amount: $5,000
- Eligibility: This scholarship program is intended to help undergraduate Latino students interested in the media and entertainment industry. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, legal permanent residents or have legal authorization to work in the country without requiring sponsorship. Students must also be enrolled full-time in a post-secondary school in the U.S. and maintain a 3.0 GPA. The award money will be split to disburse in fall and spring.
- Deadline: January 2024
The Ronald A. Hammond Scholarship
- Amount: Full cost of attendance
- Eligibility: This scholarship is offered to high school seniors who have demonstrated academic excellence. It covers the entire cost of tuition for four years of full-time undergraduate study at the University of Miami if the student is enrolled for at least 12 credit hours. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
- Deadline: November 2023
TLF Undergraduate Scholarships
- Amount: $2,000
- Eligibility: This scholarship, funded by the LAGRANT Foundation, is open to minority, college-level students studying advertising, marketing, public relations, or another related field. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or DACA recipients to apply. They must also maintain at least a 3.0 GPA.
- Deadline: February 2024
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Scholarships for Hispanic and Latina Women
Chicana Latina Foundation
- Amount: $1,500
- Eligibility: Eligible candidates must self-identify as either Chicana or Latina and be enrolled in an accredited college or university in California. They must also show they had lived for at least two years in Northern California at the time they applied. Undergraduate students must also be enrolled full-time and have completed 12 college units after graduating high school. Applicants must also have a 2.0 GPA. Graduate students must either be in the process of completing a course, thesis, or dissertation or have been accepted into graduate school. They must have a 2.7 GPA and commit to participating in various foundation events.
- Deadline: January 2024
Cuervo Rincon Scholarship of Excellence for Latinas
- Amount: $1,000
- Eligibility: Any undergraduate female student of Hispanic or Latina descent who has minimum of a 3.8 GPA can apply. Eligible applicants will need to submit an essay detailing the positive impacts they’ve made on their community, their future career plans, and details on how this scholarship will help them achieve their goals.
- Deadline: November 2023
Illustrating Awesomeness Scholarship
- Amount: $750
- Eligibility: This scholarship is meant for undergraduate women or gender non-conforming individuals of color who begin college or university classes in the spring.
- Deadline: November 2023
New York League of Puerto Rican Women, Inc
- Amount: $1,000
- Eligibility: This scholarship is awarded to undergraduate Puerto Rican women for their academic achievements and their service to the community. Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA with no failing grades and a minimum of 12 accumulated credits. You’ll need to provide an essay describing your educational and career goals, an official college transcript, and two letters of recommendation from a professor, college advisor, employer or supervisor. You will also be interviewed by the scholarship committee.
- Deadline: May 2024
The Rossiter Family Scholarship on Behalf of William J. Rizzo, Jr.
- Amount: $12,000
- Eligibility: This scholarship is for women of color enrolled in an accredited program in civil or environmental engineering. Applicants must be residents of Massachusetts and attend a college or university within that state.
- Deadline: TBD 2024
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Scholarships for Undocumented Students
Coyner and Donna Smith Diversity Scholarship
- Amount: $12,500-$25,000
- Eligibility: This scholarship program is meant to support graduating high school seniors from low-income, minority families residing in Nebraska. Students planning on attending college can receive up to $25,000, regardless of which state the school is located. Those who want to attend a trade school can receive up to $12,500. Applicants don’t need to be a U.S. citizen to apply, but they do need to be documented residents of Nebraska.
- Deadline: February 2024
TheDream.Us National Scholarship
- Amount: $16,500-$33,000
- Eligibility: Undocumented students who are about to graduate high school, have earned a GED, or are enrolled in a community college or university are eligible to apply. Applicants must have a 2.5 GPA or better and plan on enrolling full-time in an associate or bachelor’s degree program at a partner college. You are eligible to apply if you came to the U.S. before November 1, 2017, and have continuously lived in the country since then. DACA students or applicants who have Temporary Protected Status (TPS) are also eligible to apply.
- Deadline: TBD 2024
TheDream.Us Opportunity Scholarship
- Amount: $80,000
- Eligibility: This scholarship is offered to undocumented students who live in states where they effectively have no access to a college education. They might be living in a state that will not admit them or they cannot afford to attend college out of state due to higher out-of- state tuition. These locked-out states include Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carlina, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
- Deadline: TBD 2024
Dr. Juan Andrade Jr. Scholarship for Young Hispanic Leaders
- Amount: $500-$1,000
- Eligibility: Applicants, including undocumented individuals, must be enrolled as full-time undergraduate students in an accredited two-year or four-year school in the U.S. The scholarship is $1000 for a four-year college and $500 for a two-year college. They must also show a need for financial support. Those interested in applying must submit both background and leadership essays. Submissions also include a recent photograph of the applicant, a resume, letters of recommendation and an unofficial transcript.
- Deadline: November 2023
Golden Door Scholars
- Amount: $30,000
- Eligibility: This scholars program offers support to undocumented students, through mentorships on top of financial assistance. It’s meant to help recipients pursue a bachelor’s degree. Eligible candidates may be high school seniors, recent high school graduates or currently enrolled in college.
- Deadline: TBD 2024
(ISC)2 Undergraduate/Associate Scholarships
- Amount: $1,000-$5,000
- Eligibility: Eligible applicants should be pursuing a career in cybersecurity, information assurance or related fields. This scholarship is open to non-U.S. citizens. Keep in mind that the scholarship does not auto renew so you will need to reapply every year.
- Deadline: TBD 2024
McDonald’s HACER National Scholarship
- Amount: $5,000-$100,000
- Eligibility: This scholarship is open to students who have at least one parent of Hispanic heritage. Recipients are chosen based on their academic achievement, community involvement, personal statement, and financial need. High school seniors, legal residents, and DACA recipients younger than 21are eligible to apply. That also includes DREAMers—young undocumented immigrants who qualify for the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act. Applicants must at least have a minimum of 2.8 GPA and should be eligible to attend a college or university as a full-time student. The scholarship will be open to applicants in the fall.
- Deadline: TBD 2023
The Rumba Meats Scholarship
- Amount: $1,000
- Eligibility: This scholarship program helps celebrate Hispanic culture and preserve the heritage through food. The United States Hispanic Leadership Institute partnered with Rumba Meats offer 25 recipients a $1,000 scholarship to attend culinary school. Applicants must be a graduating high school senior who has been accepted to enroll full-time to an accredited two or four-year school in the U.S. The scholarship is also open to undocumented students.
- Deadline: September 2023
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Scholarships for First Generation Latino or Hispanic Students
APHA Kaiser Permanente Community Health Scholarship
- Amount: $15,000
- Eligibility: This scholarship program supports students pursuing a Master of Public Health (MPH), a Doctor of Public Health or a Ph.D. Students must be full-time at a partner university. They must also be U.S. citizens or hold a permanent residence visa. Preference will be given to applicants who identify as first-generation college graduates. Those pursuing a master’s degree will receive a $15,000 tuition award each year over a period of two years for full-time study. Students pursuing a doctorate degree will receive a $20,000 tuition award per year for three years.
- Deadline: August 2023
EducationDynamics $10,000 Minority First Generation Scholarship Contest
- Amount: $10,000
- Eligibility: This scholarship is open to all minority applicants who are the first in their families to attend college. Applicants must be at least 17 years old and plan on pursuing an associate’s or bachelor’s degree at an accredited post-secondary school or certification program. Winner will be notified in September.
- Deadline: July 2023
Dorrance Scholarship Program
- Amount: $48,000
- Eligibility: This scholarship is meant for graduating seniors living in Arizona. Applicants must be first-generation college students who are planning to attend one of the state’s public universities. They are required to live on-campus during their freshman and sophomore years. They should also have a minimum 3.0 GPA and at least one test score of 1110 SAT, 22 ACT, 72 CLT or 1050 PSAT.
- Deadline: TBD 2024
Fontana Transport Inc. Scholars Program
- Amount: $10,000
- Eligibility: This scholarship is open to first-generation minority high school seniors who plan to further their educational careers. To be considered, applicants must pursue a full-time undergraduate degree at an accredited four-year university. They should show an interest in transportation management, math, science, engineering, architecture, environmental design, pre-med, psychology, and Spanish language and literature.
- Deadline: TBD 2024
Hispanic Education Endowment Fund
- Amount: $2,500
- Eligibility: This scholarship is open to first-generation Hispanic students planning to enroll full-time at a four-year college or university. All applicants must have lived in Orange County, California for the past three years. They also need to show they have a financial need and an application of FAFSA or CA Dream Act.
- Deadline: TBD 2024
I’m First! Scholarship
- Amount: $2,000
- Eligibility: This scholarship is open to high school students who will be the first in their family to attend college. Eligible applicants must attend any college that has partnered with the Center for Opportunity, a Maryland-based non-profit organization that sponsors the scholarship. Candidates must show a financial need and an interest in community volunteer work. They must also have communication, writing, and leadership skills. Recipients will be asked to write blogs on their college experience on the scholarship website.
- Deadline: TBD 2024
Minority/Women in STEM Scholarship
- Amount: $1,000
- Eligibility: This scholarship is intended to help first-generation, low-income students pursuing a career in STEM. Any female high school senior of color and first-generation undergraduate student are eligible. Those interested are required to submit a 400 to 600-word essay explaining any challenges they’ve had to overcome and how they plan to make a positive impact on the world through their STEM education.
- Deadline: TBD 2024
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STEM Scholarships for Hispanic or Latino Students
ACS Scholars Program
- Amount: $1,000-$5,000
- Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors or college freshmen, sophomores or juniors intending to major or already majoring in chemistry, biochemistry, chemical engineering, chemical technology, or another chemistry-related science may apply.
- Deadline: March 2024
Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship
- Amount: $40,000
- Eligibility: This scholarship is open to high school seniors pursuing a bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, computer engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, robotics, or any other computer science-related career. Students must attend an accredited four-year college or university. On top of a minimum 2.3 GPA, students must also be involved in school activities, work experience, financial need, and be from a diverse ethnic background.
- Deadline: November 2023
AMS Scholarship for Underserved Communities
- Amount: $6,000
- Eligibility: The award is meant to support students who have been traditionally underrepresented in the sciences, particularly Hispanics, Native Americans, and African Americans. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or hold permanent resident status. Students must also be entering their freshman year of college and plan on pursuing careers in the atmospheric or related oceanic and hydrologic sciences. Students studying marine biology are not eligible.
- Deadline: February 2024
Chris Jackson Computer Science Education Scholarship
- Amount: $5,000
- Eligibility: Undergraduate students interested in pursuing a career in computer science may apply for this scholarship. Applicants must submit an essay discussing their future career plans. They should also discuss their goals, their dream job, and why they should receive the award, which will be distributed twice a year.
- Deadline: October 2023
The DGV Scholarship Program
- Amount: $20,000
- Eligibility: Applicants must be from an underrepresented demographic in the financial services sector, such as a woman or a person of color. They must also plan to pursue a degree in STEM, finance, or business.
- Deadline: February 2024
ExxonMobil Engineering Scholarship
- Amount: $20,000
- Eligibility: This scholarship is designed for Hispanic students pursuing an Engineering degree. The applicants must reside within the following cities: Albuquerque, NM; Austin, Texas; Corpus Christi, Texas; Dallas, Texas; El Paso, Texas; Houston, Texas; San Antonio, Texas; Bayamon, Puerto Rico; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Kansas City, Mississippi; Miami, Florida.; San Diego, California; Oxnard, California; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Vancouver, Washington. You must be a freshman entering college in the fall with a cumulative GPA of 3.7.
- Deadline: October 2023
GmiS (Great Minds in STEM) California Medical Scholarship
- Amount: $5,000
- Eligibility: To apply, you must be a member of an underrepresented group within the medical field. Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school with at least a 3.0 GPA. Eligible candidates should be pursuing a Doctor of Medicine degree and must have been admitted to or are currently enrolled at certain medical schools in California.
- Deadline: August 2023
MS Engineering and Science Fellowship Program
- Amount: $16,000
- Eligibility: Fellows must be available for employment and will receive a $4,000 living stipend per full-time semester for up to four semesters, totaling $8,000 per academic year. They will also receive a minimum of $16,000 over the entire span of the master’s program. Fellows will also have a chance to participate in up to two paid summer internships. The program also offers fellowship benefits to university and associate fellows. The GEM Member University will provide full tuition and fees.
- Deadline: January 2024
Ph.D. Engineering and Science Fellowship
- Amount: $5,000
- Eligibility: This program offers doctoral fellowships to underrepresented minority students who have either completed or are currently enrolled in a master’s in engineering program. Those who have received admittance into a PhD program directly from a bachelor’s degree program may also apply.
- Deadline: January 2024
STEM Stars Actuarial Scholars Program
- Amount: $20,000
- Eligibility: The scholarship is open to high school students skilled in math and who have an interest in the actuarial field. Support starts in high school and extends into college and beyond. Recipients will be awarded $5,000 annually for four years. They’ll also receive mentoring, tutoring and be exposed to internships and job shadowing opportunities.
- Deadline: TBD 2024
SVCF Latinos in Technology Scholarship
- Amount: $30,000
- Eligibility: This scholarship supports Latino students who have declared a major in and have been accepted into a STEM program. Applicants must be currently enrolled in school and entering their junior or senior year at a four-year undergraduate college or university. They should also reside in Northern California.
- Deadline: TBD 2024
Submitting a Stellar Application
Submitting a complete and thoughtful scholarship application could mean the difference between paying off your tuition or losing out on free money. Scholarship committees will most likely take notice if you submit a complete, well-rounded application on time. It will also show that you are a student who is meticulous and who can follow instructions well. Here are a few things you can do to ensure your chances at acquiring multiple scholarship awards:
Follow Directions Carefully
This may seem obvious, but some people submit incomplete applications because they simply fail to read all the directions. Many scholarships ask for a transcript, a letter of recommendation and an essay. Keeping a list and checking the things you’ve obtained can help you keep track. Scholarships meant for Hispanic and Latino/a students might also provide directions in Spanish.
Showcase Your Accomplishment
Tooting your own horn may not come naturally to you, but it’s important that you promote yourself to scholarship committees. Sharing your accomplishments with enthusiasm demonstrates a sense of self-confidence in your own skill set. It also highlights the passion and drive you have in pursuing your goals. And if you’re the first Latino/a to do something in your community, don’t forget to flaunt it.
Source Strong Letters of Recommendation
A letter from someone who knows you personally and academically can go a long way. Be sure to choose someone who is well-equipped to write an informed letter of recommendation that’s specific to you, your accomplishments, your skills, and your strengths. Consider meeting with this person and giving them sufficient time to write a powerful letter before the application deadline. And don’t forget to provide this individual with a copy of your resume, a writing sample and other work samples that showcase your strengths and qualities.
Proofread (or Have Someone Do It for You)
Many scholarships will require you to write an essay or a personal statement—giving you the opportunity to show off your own accomplishments, discuss your educational plans and explain how the extra money would help you reach your goals. Before submitting any written work, be sure to proofread your writing—multiple times, if necessary. You should consider having at least two different people read your written work. They can give you valuable feedback and even catch errors you did not notice. Visit a writing center and talk to someone familiar with the scholarship process if that helps. Finally, avoid asking close family members or friends to proofread your work. They are more likely to sugarcoat the truth. Since your essay will be viewed by strangers who do not know you, having a stranger’s feedback can be valuable.
Don’t Miss the Deadline
Meeting a deadline demonstrates that you’re timely, responsible, and serious. Most scholarships won’t accept any applications once the deadline is up. Missing the deadline could be detrimental to your chances of receiving a scholarship award.
Increase Your Chances of Earning a Scholarship
More Hispanic/Latino students are enrolling at four-year colleges, but many are still struggling with tuition costs and other expenses. This could make applying for specific scholarships a lot more competitive. Promoting your volunteer work and your cultural experiences can help you stand out. Here are a few helpful tidbits to keep in mind before you start applying:
Focus on Your Extracurriculars
Your extracurricular activities reflect yourself and your interests, which is why it’s important to volunteer at places that you’re passionate about. Most scholarship programs list volunteer work or some form of community involvement as a requirement. That’s why it’s important you ruminate over how your volunteer work aligns with your future career goals. Be sure to start your volunteer work as early as possible. The longer you’re committed to something, the more serious you’ll appear to the scholarship committee.
Apply to Anything You Qualify For
Nowadays, there’s a scholarship for just about anything. There’s even a $10,000 scholarship for fashion-forward teens who create masterful prom dresses or tuxes from Duck Brand duct tape. It’s called the Stuck at Prom Scholarship Contest. The point is this: You have options when it comes to choosing the right scholarship that fits your niche. There are plenty of scholarships geared toward helping Hispanic or Latino/a students, whether you’re undocumented or the first in your family to attend college.
Don’t Sleep on the Small or Local Scholarships
Large scholarships might have the biggest impact on your educational costs, but they’re also the most competitive. Look for local scholarships, too. Reach out to your teachers, counselors, and community leaders because, chances are, they can recommend some lesser-known scholarships. Contact local nonprofit organizations that support Hispanics and Latinos in your community. You might find a few willing to help you reach your goals. Just remember: The more scholarships you apply for, the more chances you’ll have at winning some free mullah!
Be Yourself
Imagine reading through stacks of essays that all say the same basic thing. It sounds a little monotonous and formulaic, right? If you want to stand out, add a little liveliness to your writing. Be yourself. Scholarship committees want to know more about you, your culture, your experiences and how all those factors have shaped you into who you are now. Remember that your culture and your background make you uniquely you, so don’t be afraid to share them with others.
Highlight What Makes You Unique
People of color are uniting to speak their truths and, although it may not seem like it sometimes, the world is listening. So, this is the time to share your own truth. If you’re from an immigrant family, then highlight how you and your family overcame the struggles of moving to a new country. Maybe those experiences helped you realize your calling for social justice. If food is a big representation of family gatherings (because let’s be honest, who doesn’t love Mexican or Latin American foods), then share how those childhood experiences fueled your passion for cooking.
Follow-up and Say Thank You
A little thoughtfulness and humility go a long way, especially nowadays. Sending out thank-you cards can help you stand out from the crowd. Everyone wants to know that their helpful efforts were appreciated. Following up with the scholarship committee that gifted you a little monetary support will be a reassurance that the award they gave you will help you on your life journey.
