Many Hispanic and Latino/a students find it quite challenging to cover their college expenses. However, there are various grants, scholarships, and financial aid that these students can leverage to realize their academic dreams. This article will guide you through all these financial aids.
Statistics estimate that by 2026, the number of Hispanic and Latino/a students joining U.S. institutions of higher learning will be more than 4.1 million, meaning they will outrun spread among all the other ethnic groups.
Despite this estimated growth, students from this racial-ethnic group are usually disadvantaged by financial challenges when joining institutions of higher learning. These economic challenges include being a member of a low socio-economic group, coming from a migrant family, or being the first one to attend college in your household.
There are scholarships and grants exclusively for Hispanic and Latino/a students to make their learning feasible. Below you can find a list of these financial aids, the award amount, eligibility requirements, and application due date.
Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Who’s eligible? Eligible applicants are U.S. citizens, permanent legal residents, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), who also must be of Hispanic heritage. High school applicants must have a minimum academic GPA of 3.0, while graduate applicants must have a minimum academic GPA of 2.5. They must be willing to attend the program on a full-time basis.
Deadline: March
Award amount: $500-$5,000
Apply for Scholarship
The Gates Scholarship
Who’s eligible? Besides being Hispanic Americans, eligible applicants must be high school seniors with good academic performance (at least a 3.3 GPA) and qualify for Pell grants. They should also be American citizens, permanent inhabitants, or U.S. nationals. This scholarship finances all expenses tied to attendance and are not met by financial aid or household contributions. These expenses include tuition, transport, fees e.t.c
Deadline: September
Award amount: Varies
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NBCUniversal Media Scholarship
Who’s eligible? This scholarship is accessible to all majors passionate about media and entertainment. To be eligible, you must be a Latino, a junior, or in your second year of college and registered in a full-time recognized program. Besides being a Latino, you must be at least 18 years and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, or you can legally work in the U.S. without needing financial aid. Academically, your GPA must be at least 3.0
Deadline: September
Award amount: $5,000
Apply for Scholarship
Scholarships for Latina and Hispanic Women
Chicana Latina Foundation
Who’s eligible? Eligible applicants must have resided in one of the 13 California counties for two or more years and must also identify as Latina or Chicana women. You should be registered in a recognized program. Graduate scholars must have a 2.7 GPA, while undergraduates, including those from community colleges, must have at least a 2.0 GPA.
Deadline: March
Award amount: $1,500
Apply for Scholarship
Illustrating Awesomeness Scholarship
Who’s eligible? To be eligible, applicants must be presently registered or are planning to register during spring semester intake for a bachelor’s degree program at an institution of higher learning in the U.S. This scholarship covers tuition fees and applies to women, or gender nonconforming individuals, of color.
Deadline: Varies
Award amount: $750
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ACS Scholars Program
Who’s eligible? Scholars coming from marginalized groups, majoring or seeking to major in chemistry and related fields, can apply. Eligible students should be U.S. natives or legal permanent inhabitants with at least a 3.0 GPA and must be admitted to a recognized academic institution.
Deadline: March
Award amount: $5,000
Apply for Scholarship
Scholarships for First-Generation Hispanic and Latino/a College Students
Education Dynamics Minority First Generation Scholarship Contest
Who’s eligible? Eligible applicants must be minority students at least 17 years old and the first in their households to join college. They must be admitted to a recognized institution and registered in a bachelor’s, associate degree, or certificate program.
Deadline: July
Award amount: $10,000
Apply for Scholarship
Fontana Transport Inc. Scholars Program
Who’s eligible? Any marginalized first-generation high-school senior planning to join a four-year college or university in the U.S. can apply. They should have at least a 3.5 GPA. Being a U.S. citizen is not a requirement. Click here for the fields on can take.
Deadline: March
Award amount: $5,000
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Dorrance Scholarship Program
Who’s eligible? Eligible applicants are Arizona high school majors who are the first to be admitted to the college in their households. They must be willing to reside on campus during their first two or more years of education. Also, they must have received invitations to either of the three Arizona state universities. Their GPA scores must be at least 3.0, including 1110 SAT and 22ACT composite scores.
Deadline: Varies
Award amount: $12,000 (per academic year)
Apply for Scholarship
Scholarships for Migrant Workers and Their Children
Frank Kazmierczak Memorial Migrant Scholarship
Who’s eligible? To be eligible, applicants should be able to prove that they migrated recently and are seeking agriculture-based work possibilities. To receive this award, they should be enrolled for a teaching career in a recognized private or public college. During application, applicants must submit the most present migration education certificate of eligibility.
Deadline: February
Award amount: At most $1,000
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Berrien Fragos Thorn Arts Scholarships for Migrant Farmworkers
Who’s eligible? This scholarship requires applicants to have at least 16 years of age during application. They must prove that they migrated seeking work opportunities in agriculture. They should also demonstrate an interest in gaining skills in an art-related course (find the list of these courses here). During application, applicants can be required to submit a portfolio of their related experience as well as a budget of how they intend to use the rewarded funds.
Deadline: June and November
Award amount: At most $2,500
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College Assistance Migrant Program
Who’s eligible? Eligible applicants must be in their junior year and enrolled for an undergraduate degree at a recognized institution in the U.S. They must be nomadic or seasonal farmworkers or their children.
Deadline: April
Award amount: Varies
Apply for Scholarship
Jean DeGrace Crandall Memorial Scholarship
Grants for Hispanic and Latino/a Students
Federal Pell Grants
Who’s eligible? Eligible applicants are scholars joining college for the first time and with an exceptional need for financial help. They can be eligible non-citizens or U.S. natives.
Deadline: Varies
Grant amount: At most $6,895 for 2022-2023
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Jose Marti Scholarship Challenge Grant Fund
Who’s eligible? This scholarship is need-based, meaning its awarded based on exceptional financial necessity. Applicants must demonstrate a financial necessity of at least $2,000 and be willing to do at least 12 credits at a specified college every semester to renew the grant each year. They must be Hispanic students who are either U.S. citizens or non-U.S natives residing in Florida at the time of application. They must also be planning to join an institution in Florida.
Deadline: April
Grant amount: $2,000 annually
Apply for Scholarship
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
Who’s eligible? This grant is awarded yearly based on the needs of the scholar. Applicants must be doing undergraduate programs and have exceptional financial needs. To be regarded for this grant, students are required to send applications through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Deadline: Varies
Grant amount: At most $4,000 annually
Apply for Scholarship
