Even with scholarships for Hispanic students available today, access to education remains unequal. Undergraduate and graduate Hispanic students are among the most disadvantaged groups when it comes to obtaining a college education, with 70% of Latinx students being first-generation college students and more than half of Hispanic undergraduate students coming from low-income families.
Don’t let money be an impediment to achieving your educational goals. Read here to learn more about the scholarships and grants that are available to you.
Scholarships for Hispanic and Latino Students
Despite recent record enrollment numbers for Hispanic and Latino college students, many of these students face significant obstacles on their way to graduation. Financial aid, particularly “free” scholarships, and grants are critical for Hispanic and Latino students impacted by rising living costs, low wages, and statewide divestment in higher education.
Many Hispanic and Latino students attend college for the first time. College tuition is more expensive than ever, and these students frequently face mounting debt while having fewer employment options and earning potential than their non-Hispanic peers. The following guide looks at important scholarships that can help Hispanic and Latino students succeed.
Problems Facing Hispanic and Latino/a Students
Economic Recession Due To COVID-19
Hispanic and Latino students considering college during the COVID-19 pandemic have been hit especially hard, as a significant percentage enter school as low-income students. In 2020, 32% of Latino/a students postponed or canceled their college plans.
Reduction in Community College Enrollment
Hispanic and Black students became the largest enrollment groups in community colleges nationwide in 2015, thanks in part to President Obama’s tuition-free community college plan. However, enrollment in two-year colleges fell by more than 10% during the pandemic in 2020.
Less Generational Wealth Than White Students
College is extremely expensive for many, including many Hispanic and Latino/a students and their families. Low-income families are 64% less likely than higher-income families to save money. Furthermore, in 2016-17, 47 percent of Hispanic Americans were denied or approved for less credit than requested, more than double the rate for white Americans.
First-generation college students
As the first members of their families to attend college, many Hispanic and Latino students are unfamiliar with the complexities of the processes required to apply to college and for financial aid.
Best Scholarships For Hispanic Students
Below are scholarships for Hispanics and Latino students. Explore this Hispanic scholarship fund to take your education to a greater height.
General College Scholarships for Hispanic and Latino/o Students
1. GMiS STEM Scholarship
ELIGIBILITY
Applicants must have Hispanic ancestry or have demonstrated significant involvement in an underserved community. They must also have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and be enrolled full-time in a STEM graduate or undergraduate degree program at a two-year or four-year college or university.
Scholarship Amount: $500-$5,000
Deadline: April
2. Hispanic Scholarship Fund
ELIGIBILITY
- Applicants must be a citizen of the United States, permanent legal residents, or DACA-eligible.
- They must also be of Hispanic descent and
- Must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 for high school students or 3.0 for college and graduate students.
- Applicants must be enrolled or planning to enroll in a four-year university or graduate school full-time.
Scholarship Amount: $500-$5,000
Deadline: February
3. LULAC National Scholarship Fund
ELIGIBILITY: Latino/a and Hispanic students are eligible for a variety of League of United Latin American Citizens awards. Applicants must be able to demonstrate strong academic performance, leadership potential, and community involvement.
Scholarship Amount: $250-$2,000
Application Deadline: Varies
How To APPLY: Click here to read more and apply
4. La Unidad Latina Foundation
Eligibility: Applicants must be of Latino/a descent and currently enrolled in a graduate or undergraduate program.
Scholarship Amount: Up to $2,000
Application Deadline: October
How To APPLY: Click here to read more and apply
5. TheDream.Us National Scholarship
Eligibility: Applicants must be DACA or TPS eligible. They must also be current high school or community college students in the United States, or recent graduates/GED recipients. Students must have arrived in the United States before the age of 16 and have lived in the country continuously since November 1, 2015.
Scholarship Amount: Varies
Application Deadline: Varies
Scholarship details and How To APPLY: Click here to read more and apply
About Scholarships for Hispanic and Latino Students
There are significant barriers to obtaining a college education for Hispanic students. Approximately 70% of Latino undergraduates in higher education come from low-income families. As the cost of a college education rises, many Hispanic students are finding it more difficult to fund their education.
Furthermore, nearly half of the Latino students are the first members of their families to attend college. Because of these obstacles, it can be difficult for Hispanic and Latino students to overcome them and attend college.
Despite the fact that Hispanic or Latino students made up 21.7 percent of undergraduate students in 2019, the second largest ethnic group, Hispanic adults are still less likely to have a college degree than white students.
How to Qualify for Scholarships Hispanic Students
To qualify for Best Scholarships For Hispanic Students, the applicant must:
1. Must be Hispanic and/or Latinx
To be eligible for the scholarships on this list, as well as many other Hispanic scholarships, you must identify as Hispanic, which means you or your family are from a Spanish-speaking country. Some scholarships may require applicants to be Latinx, which means that you or your family are from a Latin American country (South America, the Caribbean, or Mesoamerica).
2. Check the eligibility requirements for each scholarship
Latinx students are eligible for a variety of scholarships. This includes broad scholarships open to all racial minorities as well as scholarships restricted to Hispanic or Latinx students in specific fields, such as the Hispanic Women in Wildlife Conservation Scholarship.
Scholarships designed specifically for Latino students are fantastic opportunities because they have such limited eligibility, reducing the number of applicants and increasing your chances of winning!
There are also some scholarships for immigrant students, such as the Amplify Immigrant Students Scholarship. Tontimes can help you find any type of college scholarship you’re looking for.
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