There are now over 60 million Hispanic and Latinx residents of the United States, including more than 3 million Hispanic students enrolled in two- or four-year programs. As Hispanic and Latinx college enrollment continues to increase, scholarship opportunities play a crucial role in enabling Hispanic students to complete their degrees. Hispanic students are less likely to have student debt than other ethnic groups, but are also more likely to attend public two-year schools and community colleges. Scholarships, grants, and other supplemental educational funds help more students complete four-year programs and earn bachelor’s degrees.

Here are eight scholarship opportunities for Hispanic and Latinx high school seniors:

McDonald’s HACER National Scholarship

The McDonald’s Hispanic American Commitment to Education Resources (HACER) scholarship provides resources for Hispanic students entering college. Intended to help outstanding Hispanic high school seniors, the program offers generous scholarships based on academic achievement, financial need, community involvement, and their performance in an interview during the application period. The number of winners and the total amount awarded varies by year. 

To apply, interested students must submit an online application. Applicants are required to submit a personal statement, a transcript, a letter of recommendation, a list of community service work, and a completed FAFSA and/or Form 1040. Applicants will also need to participate in an interview, which may be conducted in-person or by phone.

Award: Up to $100,000 (over 4 years)

Eligibility:

• Must be a high school senior
• Must be a legal U.S. resident
• Must be younger than 21 years of age
• Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8
• Must be eligible to attend a two- or four-year college or university with a full-time course of study
• Must enroll and attend an accredited college or university in the academic year after your selection (scholarship funds are paid directly to the institution)
• Must have at least one parent of Hispanic heritage

The Gates Scholarship

Awarded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Gates Scholarship is one of the most prestigious and generous scholarships open to graduating high school seniors. The Gates Scholarship is not only open to Hispanic American students, but also to all students from minority backgrounds, including African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian and Pacific Islander American students. The scholarship is intended for students of low-income backgrounds, and interested students must be pell-eligible in order to apply.

To apply, interested students must go through a multi-step application process. In the first phase, applicants must fill out an online questionnaire including their academic information (including transcripts, class rank, high school name and address, and SAT/ACT scores), college information (including acceptance letter and financial aid award letter), financial information (including dependent or independent status and parent or guardian’s personal gross income), and a list of extracurricular activities. Two thousand students will be selected to move on to the semi-finalist round. Applicants invited to move on to this stage must provide supporting documentation and letters of recommendation, and write several application essays. Six hundred of these applicants will be selected for the finalist round, where they will be asked to interview with the selection committee.

Award: Full funding for the total cost of education (renewable for up to 5 years)

Eligibility:

• Must be a high school senior
• Must be at least one of the following ethnicities: African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian & Pacific Islander American, and/or Hispanic American
• Must be Pell-eligible
• Must be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident
• Must be in good academic standing with a minimum cumulative weighted GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent)

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 Student Aid Report (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 to $5,000

Eligibility:

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

ExxonMobil/LNESC Scholarship

American multinational oil and gas corporation ExxonMobil and the League of United Latin American Citizens National Education Service Centers (LNESC) have partnered to offer a scholarship that recognizes outstanding Hispanic high school seniors who plan to pursue a degree in engineering at U.S. colleges and universities. Thirteen scholarships are awarded each year: one recipient receives an award worth $20,000 paid over four years, and 12 recipients receive awards worth $2,000.

To apply, interested students must complete an application form. Applicants are required to submit verification of their admission to their college or university; three letters of recommendations including a complete telephone number and email address for each reference; ACT or SAT test scores; an official high school transcript; and a typed personal statement of no more than 300 words describing their professional, career, and academic goals.

Award: 

• $20,000 (1 award)
• $2,000 (12 awards)

Eligibility:

• Must be a graduating high school senior
• Must be a Hispanic student accepted into and planning to attend a full-time program in engineering leading to a bachelor’s degree at an accredited U.S. college or university
• Must have a cumulative high school GPA of at least 3.0
• Must have scored 29 or higher on the ACT test, or 1350 or higher on the SAT test
• Must be a U.S. citizen or have the legal right to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship now or in the future (includes DACA recipients)
• Must live in one of the following cities or the surrounding geographical areas: Oxnard, CA; San Diego, CA; Colorado Springs, CO; Miami, FL; Kansas City, MO; Albuquerque, NM; Philadelphia, PA; Bayamon, PR; Austin, TX; Corpus Christi, TX; Houston, TX; Dallas, TX; El Paso, TX; San Antonio, TX; or Vancouver, WA

FJ Pollak/Maestro Cares Foundation Scholarship

The Maestro Cares Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of disadvantaged children and communities in the United States and Latin America, offers a scholarship for Latinx 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 to $3,000 per semester (maximum of $6,000 per year)

Eligibility:

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

Hispanic Heritage Foundation Youth Awards

Founded by the Hispanic Heritage Foundation in 1998, the Youth Awards honor exceptional Latinx high school seniors. Applicants may be interested in studying any of the following subjects: business and finance, engineering, entrepreneurship, education, healthcare and science, media and entertainment, social justice, or technology. Every year, a gold, silver, and bronze award are granted to students in each of the previously listed categories. Winning students receive a one-time grant to fund their college education or to fund a community service effort that tackles a social issue. Winning students will be celebrated in 10 virtual ceremonies and receive access to a professional and academic network of over 200,000 professionals. 

To apply, interested students must submit an online application. Applicants must submit a letter of recommendation, a transcript of grades for all of high school, and four short essays of a maximum of 250 words, responding to prompts given through the online application form.

Award: $1,000 (to use toward funding college education or to fund a community service effort)

Eligibility:

• Must be a high school senior preparing to graduate in the spring following the application deadline
• Must have a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Must enroll at an accredited college or university in the fall semester following their high school graduation
• Must be of Hispanic heritage (includes Spain, Brazil, and the Philippines)
• If selected, attendance to the virtual regional awards ceremony is mandatory
• Must be a U.S. permanent resident, U.S. citizen, or qualify under the DACA

Univision NATAS Scholarship

The Foundation of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) — the organization that manages the Emmy Awards — offers several scholarships for students interested in careers in television and journalism. The Univision NATAS Scholarship is specially offered for Hispanic and Latinx students pursuing careers in television. Students should be involved in a course of study that would prepare them for any career in the television industry.

To apply, interested students must submit an online application form by the deadline.

Award: $10,000

Eligibility:

• Must currently be a high school student
• Must be planning to pursue an undergraduate degrees at an accredited university, a four-year college, or two-year college
• Must be a US citizen
• Must be Hispanic/Latinx
• Must study full-time
• Must be studying Communications, Filmmaking/Video, Journalism, Music, Performing Arts, Performing Arts, Photojournalism/Photography, TV/Radio Broadcasting

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.

Awards: 

• $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.