There are more Hispanic students attending college in the United States today than ever before. Between 2000 and 2015, Hispanic undergraduate enrollment more than doubled to 3 million, according to the Hechinger Report. The rates of Hispanic students going to and graduating from college both increased. However, Hispanic Americans, the largest minority group in the United States, contend with systemic socioeconomic barriers on their path to a degree. At young ages, they are less likely to attend pre-school and more likely to attend low-performing primary and secondary schools. Nearly two-thirds of Hispanic college students attend community colleges or second-tier public universities, according to the Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce. They are also disproportionately from low-income families and are often first-generation college students, both factors that contribute to higher dropout rates. 

By offering scholarships for Hispanic and Latinx students, many nonprofit organizations, professional organizations, and large and small businesses are helping to lower the economic barriers that so many Hispanic and Latinx students face on their path to a degree.

Here are some of the best scholarships for Hispanic students:

Scholarships Available Through TUN Only

Jacoby & Meyers Latinx Community Scholarship

Jacoby & Meyers, a personal injury law firm in Los Angeles, is accepting applications for its Jacoby & Meyers Latinx Community Scholarship.

The company will award $5,000 to the winner.

To apply, those interested must write an essay of 350-500 words on how their Hispanic background influenced their goals for higher education and submit an unofficial copy of their transcript.  

Application Deadline: October 15, 2024

Award: $5,000

Eligibility: 

• Must be high school seniors or first- and second-year college/trade school students
• Must be of Latinx descent
• Must reside in California
• Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
• Must be actively involved in community service activities within the Latinx community 

Click here to apply for the Jacoby & Meyers Latinx Community Scholarship.

Other Scholarships for Hispanic Students

Association of Cuban-American Engineers Scholarship

The Association of Cuban-American Engineers, a longstanding professional association of Cuban-American engineering professionals, offers a scholarship to assist Cuban-American and other Hispanic students in pursuing an engineering degree. 

To apply, interested students must complete an online application. Applicants will be required to answer a few brief questions about their family history, their professional goals, their aspirations to help other Cuban and Hispanic engineering students, and their participation in extracurricular activities. They also must submit an official transcript and the first page of their Student Aid Report (SAR), showing their Estimated Family Contribution (EFC).

Amount: $500-$2,500

Eligibility:

• Must be a citizen or legal resident of the United States
• Must be a full-time student of an ABET-accredited college or university within the United States or Puerto Rico
• Must have completed at least 30 units of college work at an ABET-accredited college or university
• Students who have transferred to their current college or university from another must have completed at least one semester at their current school
• Must be enrolled as a full-time student for the spring term of the current school year and enrolled and in attendance during the fall term
• Must be of Cuban or other Hispanic heritage (defined as having at least one Cuban or Hispanic grandparent)
• Must be studying in a field related to engineering

Buenos Opiniones Scholarship for Latino Students

The Buenas Opiniones Scholarship for Latino Students offers scholarships for Latino students who are graduating from high school, are current undergraduate students, or are current graduate students. The program supports students through an award totaling a maximum of $10,000 over four years, and by providing personal, leadership, and professional development opportunities, networking and mentorship opportunities, and academic support. The scholarship is available twice a year, with different deadlines: once for students entering their fall semester, and once for students entering their spring semester.

To apply, interested students must submit their application by email to scholarships@buenasopiniones.com. All applications will require students to submit the following information: full name, email, Hispanic country of origin, school name, and area of study. Students must also submit a 500- to 1000-word essay describing their struggles as a Latino student in PDF format.

Award: $2,500 per application period (renewable for up to 4 years)

Eligibility:

• Must be of Hispanic heritage
• Must have a minimum GPA of 3.0
• Must plan to enroll in a technical, undergraduate, or graduate school during the spring or fall semester of the scholarship cycle year
• Merit-based scholarships are available for undergraduate and graduate students
• All majors and graduate fields are accepted

FJ Pollak/Maestro Cares Foundation Scholarship

The Maestro Cares Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of disadvantaged children and communities in the United States and Latin America, offers a scholarship for Latino students between the ages of 17 and 26 studying in the United States. Named in memory of Miami-based entrepreneur FJ Pollack, the scholarship is awarded to students based on financial need, academic achievement, interest in community service and volunteerism, and the desire to pursue a postsecondary education. Award recipients are expected to maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher and complete at least 40 hours of community service, volunteer work, or mentorship support to a younger student per semester. The scholarship is renewable annually for undergraduate students, as long as the student continues their enrollment in an accredited college, university, or vocational school, maintains the required GPA, and completes the required hours of community service. In order to renew the scholarship, students will have to provide proof of their grades and community service work.

To apply, interested students must submit an application and all required forms by mail or email. Applicants are required to submit a resume, official transcripts, three letters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, or mentors, and proof of community service or volunteer work hours.

Award: $2,000-$3,000 per semester ($6,000 maximum per year)

Eligibility:

• Must identify as Latino
• Must be between the ages of 17 and 26 as of the application deadline
• Must be a citizen, permanent resident, or undocumented resident of the United States, including DACA recipients
• Must be a high school senior, high school graduate, or current undergraduate student
• Must provide proof of admission or enrollment to an accredited 4-year college or university in the United States

Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley Latinos in Technology Scholarship

The Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley, an organization that encourages the participation of Latino and Hispanic people in the technology industry, offers a scholarship for college juniors and seniors pursuing a degree in a STEM field. Scholarship winners are eligible for up to $10,000 in annual financial support awarded for up to three years. The scholarship is restricted to students who are either from or attending college in one of 11 counties in California: Alameda County, Contra Costa County, Marin County, Napa County, San Francisco County, Santa Clara County, Santa Cruz County, Solano County, Sonoma County, or Yolo County. Since the program’s inception in 2015, awards have been granted to nearly 400 students at 45 colleges and universities around the country. 

To apply, interested students must submit an online application form. Applicants are required to write and submit a personal statement of between 500 and 850 words on their intended major and career goals within the STEM field they are studying, their personal characteristics, educational, and extracurricular activities, and how they have helped them prepare to succeed in their chosen field of study, and their personal journey, including significant accomplishments, challenges, or hardships, and the life lessons that they have learned through them. Through this statement, applicants should demonstrate why they are positioned to succeed in their field, and indicate why they are a good candidate for the Latinos in Technology scholarship. Applicants also need to submit their SAR, a transcript of their grades, and one letter of reference written by a college professor of a STEM-related class. DACA recipients must submit a copy of their Dream Act Application.

Award: Up to $10,000 per year for up to 3 years

Eligibility:

• Must be Latino or Hispanic, as defined by the U.S. Census
• Must have declared college major in a STEM field
• Must be a graduate of a high school and/or attending a college or university in one of the following Northern California counties: Alameda County, Contra Costa County, Marin County, Napa County, San Francisco County, Santa Clara County, Santa Cruz County, Solano County, Sonoma County, and Yolo County
• Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
• Must demonstrate financial need
• Must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or DACA recipient

Hispanic Scholarship Fund 

The Hispanic Scholarship Fund provides competitive scholarships to eligible students of Hispanic heritage, including high school seniors, undergraduate students, community college students transferring to four-year universities, and graduate students. The amount of the award varies based on merit; winners may receive anywhere between a minimum of $500 and a maximum of $5,000. Students in all fields are eligible to apply, but STEM majors are given some preference.

To apply, interested students will need to complete an online application through the Hispanic Scholarship Fund website. Applicants will need to submit a copy of their most recent transcript, a copy of their SAR, a financial aid award letter or offer, a picture of themselves, and enrollment verification. Students with DACA status will also need to submit a valid Employment Authorization Document (EAD).

Award: $500-$5,000

Eligibility:

• Must be of Hispanic heritage
• High school students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
• Undergraduate and graduate students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5
• Must plan to enroll full-time in an accredited, not-for-profit, four-year university, or graduate school in the United States for the upcoming academic year
• Must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, DACA recipient, or an Eligible Non-Citizen as defined by the Federal Application Financial Student Aid (FAFSA)

Latino Community Credit Union Scholarship

The Latino Community Credit Union (LCCU), a community development development center for the Latino American community, runs a scholarship program for students who are LCCU members. Applications are open to students in all fields of study. Since the program began in 2016, over $250,000 has been awarded to students in a wide variety of fields, including health care, public policy, technology, and the arts.

To apply, interested students must submit an online application through the LCCU website. Applicants are required to submit a proof of enrollment, in the form of a letter of acceptance from the educational institution they are attending during the upcoming year, or, if re-enrolling, a copy of their most recent transcript (unofficial transcripts are accepted). They also must submit two letters of recommendation from teachers, school faculty, mentors, coaches, or employers. Applicants will also be required to write and submit an application essay of between 500 and 1000 words that covers their personal biography, their career and personal goals, their reasons for applying for the scholarship, and an explanation of what winning the scholarship would mean for them.

Award: $2,500 (multiple awards)

Eligibility:

• Must be a member of LCCU
• Must currently attend or plan to enroll in any accredited post-secondary educational or technical institution in the U.S. to pursue an associate’s or bachelor’s degree
• Must have a GPA of 2.5 or higher
• Must demonstrate qualities of distinguished character and leadership
• Extra consideration is given to applicants who themselves and/or their parents or guardians use LCCU as the primary financial institution
• Former applicants and winners may reapply

Macy’s Emergency Scholarship Fund

The League of United Latin American Citizens National Education Service Centers (LNESC) and department store chain Macy’s have partnered to offer a scholarship for deserving students who face immediate monetary needs in order to complete classes or a degree program. The program is restricted to students in the following states: California, Florida, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, and Texas. Students may qualify for an emergency scholarship if they face an emergency financial need resulting from one of the following situations: a change in family income; the loss of employment; the death of an immediate family member; natural disaster; pending eviction or home foreclosure; burglary; or fire.

To apply, interested students must submit a completed and signed application. Applicants are required to include an essay explaining their immediate financial need, a budget detailing the amount of funds required along with supporting documentation (such as a statement from their university), and proof of full-time enrollment, including a transcript showing their cumulative GPA.

Award: Up to $500

Eligibility:

• Must be a resident of California, Florida, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, or Texas
• Must be enrolled full-time in an accredited college or university and in good academic standing
• Must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
• Must be able to demonstrate emergency financial need caused by an outside influence, such as: a change in family income; the loss of employment; the death of an immediate family member; natural disaster; pending eviction or home foreclosure; burglary; or fire

NBCUniversal/LNESC Scholarship

NBCUniversal Media and the League of United Latin American Citizens National Education Service Centers (LNESC) have partnered to offer a scholarship for Latino undergraduate students interested in working in the media and entertainment industry. Open to rising sophomores and juniors, 10 students are awarded a scholarship each year. Scholarships are worth $5,000 each, paid in two installments of $2,500 during the fall and spring semesters of the award year. Scholarships are non-renewable.

To apply, interested students must complete an online application. Applicants are required to submit a college transcript with proof of their grade point average and three letters of recommendation with a phone number and email address listed for each reference. Winning applicants will be required to submit an updated transcript before they receive their second scholarship installment during their spring semester.

Award: $5,000

Eligibility:

• Must be a sophomore or junior enrolled full-time in an accredited college or university
• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
• Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
• Must be Latino
• May study any major, but must demonstrate an interest in the media and entertainment industry

Prospanica Foundation Scholarship

Prospanica, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering Hispanic business professionals, offers a scholarship for Prospanica members who are attending an undergraduate or graduate school for business in the United States or Puerto Rico. Undergraduate students must be a sophomore or higher in order to qualify for the scholarship. Awards vary, and may reach a maximum of $5,000.

To apply, interested students must submit an online application. Applicants will be required to show proof of their Prospanica membership, including their Prospanica chapter affiliation, their undergraduate college/university transcript, and the top two pages of their 1040 tax form. Graduate students beyond their first year of graduate school must also submit their graduate school transcripts. Applicants are also required to submit an essay, a personal statement of their goals and aspirations, a CV listing their work experience, Prospanica involvement, community involvement, and extracurricular activities. After passing through a preliminary application round, applicants will enter a semifinalist round before winners are ultimately selected.

Award: Up to $5,000

Eligibility:

• Must be a U.S. citizen, legal permanent resident, or DACA recipient
• Must be of Hispanic/Latino heritage
• Must have a minimum GPA of 3.0, or have a minimum GPA of 2.75 in combination with two years of full-time work experience
• Must have a Prospanica membership (member ID is required)
• Must be enrolled or planning to enroll in a postgraduate (Master’s or Ph.D.) or undergraduate program in an accredited nonprofit university business school in the United States or Puerto Rico
• Undergraduate applicants must be a sophomore or higher at the time they apply

Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) Scholarship

The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) offers scholarships for Hispanic students studying STEM. Awards are available for high school seniors beginning an undergraduate career, current undergraduates, graduate students, and students or professionals pursuing technical certificates or graduate-level professional education. High school seniors entering college and undergraduate students may study at community colleges or four-year universities. Graduate students may pursue a master’s or doctoral degree, but must do so at an accredited university. Scholarships for students and professionals pursuing technical certificates or graduate-level professional education can only do so at select institutions. All applicants must be studying in a STEM field.

To apply, interested students must submit an online application. Applicants will be required to provide a recommendation letter, an official transcript, a resume, and a personal statement.

Award: Varies by type of scholarship based on education level

• $1,000 for graduating high school seniors
• $2,000 for current undergraduate students
• $3,000 for graduate students
• $2,000 for professional scholars
• $5,000 for students writing their dissertation

Eligibility:

• Must be an active member of SHPE
• Must be pursuing a STEM degree or professional certificate at a qualifying institution
• Must attend a degree program in the United States or Puerto Rico
• Must have a minimum GPA of 2.75
• Additional requirements vary by type of scholarship based on education level (see specific scholarship for your education level for details)

For more scholarships, check the TUN scholarship search engine.