A large percentage of the U.S. college population is comprised of minority students from various backgrounds and races, including African Americans, Native Americans, Hispanic and Latinos, Asian and Pacific Islanders, and so forth. To qualify as minority student, you don't need to be a first generation immigrant or the first person in your family to go to college. Specific organizations qualify women or LGBTQ students as minorities.
Scholarships for minority students vary in their criteria and are not limited to race or ethnicity. Typically, multi-ethnic students may qualify for at least one of the listed minority scholarships. Make sure to see if you qualify for more than one type of minority scholarship by conducting a free scholarship search. Minority scholarships are not limited to United States residents. Students outside the United States may apply as well, whether they are studying at home or abroad. Some scholarships may not even require U.S. citizenship, so be sure to check the official rules carefully when applying for scholarships.
The types of scholarships for minority students vary from academic merit scholarships to athletic scholarships to need-based scholarships. When searching for financing opportunities, take into consideration your skills, talents, and areas of need. Scholarships are not limited to college institutions either - there are specific charitable organizations, corporations, professional associations, and minority advocacy groups that are dedicated to serving underrepresented student populations.
Explore some of these scholarship opportunities by clicking on the links below and be sure to conduct a free college scholarship search to find more scholarships that may be available to you.
A common category for scholarships is ethnicity, along with other classifications for "minorities," since they tend to be underrepresented in many areas of society. Colleges and universities, along with many philanthropic organizations, seek ways to support students in their pursuit of higher education. However, ethnic background may not be the only factor required when applying for such scholarships. Many scholarships many not focus on ethnicity at all. Popular organizations that award African Americans include the United Negro College Found and the National Assistance for the Advancement of Colored People. Historically black colleges will also award students of African American heritage based on a variety of criteria. Therefore, we encourage you to conduct a free scholarship search to find all the scholarships in our database that you may qualify for.
Some well-known organizations such as the Ronald McDonald House Charities or the ¡Adelante! Fund are dedicated to assisting Hispanic and Latino students when it comes to paying for college. Though Hispanic and Latino scholarships are numerous, ethnicity should not be the singular feature highlighted when searching for a scholarship. Whether it is ethnicity, a sport at which you excel, or a musical instrument, strong academics are always encouraged. Many factors contribute to winning a scholarship, and chances in winning can be increased when combining and adding more appealing elements. That is why we encourage students to conduct a free scholarship search to find all the scholarships in our database for which you qualify.
Since there are fewer Native Americans than there are Latinos, Hispanics, and African Americans, there is less competition when it comes to Native American scholarships. Native Americans have been historically underrepresented in higher education and with colleges' initiatives to help provide funding for this group, many scholarships are subject-specific to encourage growth in underrepresented fields. Some scholarships require post-college work in certain regions as well, such as Native American communities and tribes. Conducting a free scholarship search will show you what scholarships you qualify for based on a number of criteria.
Native American-specific scholarships will typically require documentation and proof of Native American descent and lineage. Also, certain scholarships may be limited to a specific tribe, such as the Cherokee, Choctaw, Creek, Chickasaw, or Seminole tribes. Always be sure to read the rules and eligibility carefully before applying. It is most efficient to utilize our free scholarship search service, since you can never be certain as to how you can qualify for a particular scholarship. By filtering out many scholarships, we cater to your individual profile, and can supply you with the most appropriate, individual-specific scholarships.
Just as there are scholarships specifically targeted towards Latino, Hispanic, African American, and Native American minority students, there are scholarships solely for Asian or Pacific Islander students. It is misleading to categorize together all Asian and Pacific Islander populations since they not only differ regionally, but culturally as well. Asian American and Pacific Islanders, just as Latinos and Hispanics, are fast-growing populations in U.S. colleges and universities. When it comes to scholarships, there are organizations that may be looking specifically for either Asians or Pacific Islanders - and some may want both. For example, the Asian and Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund is dedicated to creating opportunities for students to access, complete, and succeed after post-secondary education through their scholarship program. AAPI students may need to prove interest in a specific field, demonstrate academic success or community leadership. Conducting a free scholarship search will show you what scholarships you qualify for based on a number of criteria.
This program places minority students interested in journalism as a career and who want to learn about science writing at Science Magazine for 10 weeks over the summer. Interns experience what it's like to cover the scientific and technological issues that shape our global community. The internship is open to any minority undergraduate with a serious interest in science writing. Preference will [...] More
The Diversity Scholarship focuses on broadening the number of traditionally underrepresented groups in the management and operation ranks of the transportation, travel, and tourism industry.
Eligible candidates must have completed, at a minimum, their first year of college at an accredited university; must have a declared major or course of study relevant to the transportation, travel, and [...] More
The Foundation of the American College of Healthcare Executives established this scholarship in honor of Albert W. Dent, the first African-American Fellow of ACHE. This scholarship is offered to provide financial aid to minority students in healthcare management graduate programs to help offset tuition costs, student loans and expenses. Offered annually, the Albert W. Dent Graduate Student [...] More
The Actuarial Diversity Scholarship promotes diversity within the profession through an annual scholarship program for Black/African American, Hispanic, Native North American and Pacific Islander students.
Each applicant must fulfill all the requirements listed below: -Intent on pursuing a career in the actuarial profession -Must have at least one birth parent who is a member of one of the [...] More
The Against The Grain Groundbreaker Leadership Scholarship provides financial assistance and promotion of Asian-American college seniors and graduate students who have exhibited exemplary leadership, vision, and passion that is blazing a trail for others to follow and changing lives in the Asian-American community. For more information or to apply, please visit the scholarship provider's [...] More
The LITA/LSSI Minority Scholarship, established in 1994, is awarded annually by the Library and Information Technology Association, a division of the American Library Association, and Library Systems and Services, Inc.
The scholarship is designed to encourage the entry of qualified persons into the library and automation field who plan to follow a career in that field; who demonstrate [...] More
Spectrum recruits and provides scholarships to students to assist individuals interested in obtaining a graduate degree and leadership positions within the profession and our organization. The aim is to increase the number of racially and ethnically diverse professionals working as leaders in the field of library and information science to best position libraries and institutions at the core of [...] More
The AMS Minority Scholarships will award funding to minority students who have been traditionally underrepresented in the sciences, especially Hispanic, Native American, and Black/African American students. Funding for the scholarships is provided by donations made by members to the AMS Giving Program. The two-year scholarship is distributed once per year during freshman and sophomore years [...] More
The Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund (APIASF) is the nation's largest 501(c)3 non-profit organization that provides scholarships to Asian and Pacific Islander Americans (APIAs) with financial need. Applicants must register for a free account on the scholarship provider's website to complete the application.
Applicants must be of Asian and/or Pacific Islander ethnicity as [...] More
The Banatao Family Filipino American Education Fund will award five scholarships of $5,000 to qualified incoming freshmen enrolled at four-year colleges or universities. Each scholarship is renewable for a total of four years on the basis of satisfactory academic performance in a full-time undergraduate program. Awards are for undergraduate study only. Applicants must be incoming freshman [...] More
Catching the Dream is a national Native American education and scholarship center. Our high-priority areas of study are math, engineering, science, business, education, and computers. These fields of study are critical to the future of Indian people and the nation, and Native Americans are very underrepresented in these fields.
Our strategy is to actively seek out Native American high school [...] More
Catharine Lealtad Scholarships are named for Macalester's first African American graduate, Catharine Lealtad, who graduated in 1915. These scholarships are awarded to selected African American, Latino, and Native American students with strong high school records. The Admissions committee selects recipients. There is no special application to complete. Lealtad Scholarships will be renewed at the [...] More
Seeing an educational need in their congressional districts, the CBC Spouses Education Scholarship was established in 1988 by the spouses of Congressional Black Caucus members in response to federal cuts in spending for education programs and scholarships, which disproportionately affect people of color. This opportunity awards scholarships to academically talented and highly motivated [...] More
This program was established in 2000 in honor of the late Curtis Mayfield to ensure that African-American or Black students pursuing a degree in the performing arts receive financial assistance. Performing arts includes theater, drama, comedy, music, dance, opera, marching bands, etc.
Selected applicants will be constituents of a CBC member’s district. To determine your Representative, enter [...] More
The Charles Shelton Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide educational scholarships to African-American students pursuing a degree in veterinarian medicine or veterinarian technology. Scholarships are awarded to individuals who have demonstrated an interest and commitment to animal welfare. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA, be aa African-American [...] More
The Cap Lathrop Endowment Scholarship Fund was established in 1997 in memory of Captain "Cap" Lathrop who was a pioneer in Alaska’s telecommunications and broadcast industry.
The Endowment, one of The CIRI Foundation’s several scholarship endowment programs, is funded with contributions from its major donor, A.E. "Augie" Hiebert, founder of Northern Television, Inc., General Communications, [...] More
The CIRI Foundation (TCF) offers general and cultural fellowships to applicants attending non-credit workshops, seminars or preparatory/study courses that broaden an applicant's understanding and appreciation of education, culture, and society and directly relate to the improvement of the applicant's employment skills. Cultural fellowships are offered to encourage applicants in performing and [...] More
The CIRI Foundation (TCF) offers general scholarships to full-time and part-time degree-seeking students. Scholarships are offered for the full academic year or per term. There are two scholarship deadlines a year. Please review the scholarship information to decide which is the appropriate deadline to apply for, review requirements, award details, and terms. There are two general scholarships - [...] More
In order to apply for the Edward S. Roth Scholarship, applicants must be graduating high school seniors, current full-time undergraduate or graduate students enrolled in manufacturing engineering. Must have and maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA. Preferences will be given to students demonstrating financial need, minority students and students participating in a Co-Op program. Must be seeking a [...] More
The First In The Family Freedom From Religion Foundation Catherine Fahringer Memorial award is available to high school youth who live in the U.S. who identify as atheist, agnostic, humanist and/or secular, and are accepted into two or four-year colleges. Preference is given to students of color (Black/African American, Latino(a), Asian/Pacific Islander, Native American) who are (or have been) in [...] More
The GMiS Scholarahip is intended to support Hispanic graduating high school seniors, undergraduate, and graduate students pursuing a science, technology, engineering, math or health-related degree at an accredited college/university in the U.S. or Puerto Rico. These merit-based scholarships range from $500 to $10,000. For more information or to apply, please visit the scholarship provider's [...] More
Grand Rapids Community Foundation awards hundreds of scholarships annually primarily to Kent County students bound for or in college, or those pursuing a technical career.
To be eligible for the Achille & Irene Despres, William and Andre Scholarship, students must be of Mexican heritage, reside in Kent or Ottawa counties, be attending an accredited college/university for undergraduate [...] More
The Arts Council of Greater Grand Rapids Minority Scholarship is open to students of color (African-American, Asian, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, Pacific Islander) attending a non-profit public or private college/university majoring in fine arts, including all visual and performing arts. Applicants must have financial need, be a Kent County resident, and have a minimum 2.5 GPA.
Grand Rapids Community Foundation awards hundreds of scholarships annually primarily to Kent County students bound for or in college, or those pursuing a technical career. To be eligible for the Black Men Building Resources Scholarship, students must be African American students with financial need residing in Kent County who graduated or received a GED from a Grand Rapids area high school. For [...] More
Grand Rapids Community Foundation awards hundreds of scholarships annually, primarily to Kent County students bound for or in college, or those pursuing a technical career. To be eligible for the Hackett Family Scholarship, students must be seniors at, or have graduated from any Grand Rapids public high school in Grand Rapids Michigan and will be an undergraduate student attending an accredited [...] More
The Grand Rapids Community Foundation administers and awards the following Law Scholarships to students of color (African American, Asian, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, Pacific Islander or Alaskan Native).
The Miller Johnson West Michigan Diversity Law School Scholarship is awarded to students of color currently residing in Michigan (with preference given to West Michigan residents) [...] More
The Warner Norcross & Judd Law School Scholarship is awarded to students of color pursuing a law degree at any accredited law school in the United States. The applicant must be a current or former resident of Michigan if they are not currently attending a school in Michigan. For more information or to apply, please visit the scholarship provider's [...] More
The Hsiao Memorial Economics Scholarship was established in honor of Liang-Lin Hsiao who was a professor of economics at Indiana State University. Applicants must be a graduate student attending an accredited U.S. college or university in the coming fall who is pursuing a graduate degree in economics. Preference is given to students pursuing a career in academia (teaching or research) and also to [...] More
The Indiana CPA Society provides financial assistance to encourage accounting careers and promote financial activities for Indiana students. One such effort is the awarding of $50,000 in scholarships since 2002 to 57 students at independent campuses across the state through the Indiana CPA Educational Foundation.
Applicants must be an under-represented U.S. racial/ethnic minority student [...] More
Since 1964, the Italian Catholic Federation has awarded over $2,000,000.00 in scholarships to more than 6,000 high school students, of the Catholic faith, attending college. Applications are received from students in public as well as Catholic high schools in California, Arizona, Nevada, and Illinois.
Applicants must be Roman Catholic and of Italian Descent. Live within the Roman Catholic [...] More
Since 1964, the Italian Catholic Federation has awarded over $2,000,000.00 in scholarships to more than 6,000 high school students, of the Catholic faith, attending college.
Applicants must be Roman Catholic and of Italian Descent who live within the Roman Catholic Dioceses of Arizona, California, Illinois and Nevada, only where Branches of the Federation are established (applicants of [...] More
The Korean American Scholarship Foundation (KASF) offers the Eastern Regional Chapter Scholarship to students with a Korean heritage studying in the United States regardless of citizenship status (including Korean Nationals). Students who will be a full-time student at a school in one of the designated Eastern region states (Delaware, District of Columbia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, North [...] More
Founded in 1936, the Korean University Club of Hawaii has been providing academic scholarships to students of Korean ancestry since 1950. The Korean University Club of Hawaii is a multi-generational group of Americans of Korean ancestry continuing the intent of its founders in promoting understanding of ancestral heritage and culture, participating in community affairs, and providing educational [...] More
The Leonard M. Perryman Communications Scholarship for Racial Ethnic Minority Students awards a scholarship for undergraduate studies of religion, journalism, or communications. The scholarship assists a United Methodist undergraduate who intends to pursue a career in religious journalism through study at an accredited U.S. college or university. Applicants must be a United Methodist ethnic [...] More
The Mae & Mary Scholarship Fund's mission is to financially assist and to empower young people to experience their unlimited potential through education. We are a charitable educational organization dedicated to the advancement of African Americans pursuing careers in medical and healthcare related fields. Applicants must be African American, graduating high school seniors who plan on attending a [...] More
The Matt Fong Asian Americans in Public Finance scholarship honors the memory of former California state treasurer, Matt Fong, for his dedication to public service, active involvement in state politics, and direct impact he had in opening up opportunities for Asian Americans in the public finance industry. Matt Fong's life embodied the mission of the Asian Americans in Public Finance [...] More
We strongly encourage underrepresented groups to pursue STEM fields of study. Because we greatly value a broad range of perspectives and contributions, a large majority of our scholarships will be awarded to female students, underrepresented minority students (African-American, Hispanic or Native American etc.) or students with disabilities. We will review all applications and select final [...] More
Provides support for a student with a history of migrating for employment in agriculture who has successfully completed one year of college to cover expenses beyond what the youth is entitled to in federal/state and other scholarship assistance. This scholarship is designed to assist the youth in obtaining a baccalaureate degree without being encumbered with substantial debt. Applications must be [...] More
Minnesota Indian Scholarship Program provides post-secondary financial assistance to eligible Minnesota resident students who are of one-fourth or more Indian ancestry and demonstrate financial need for an award. Scholarships are available to eligible Indian undergraduate students enrolled at least three-quarters of the time and graduate students enrolled at least half-time.
Minority teacher education scholars program is a collaborative performance-based scholarship program for African-American, Hispanic-American, Asian-American, and Native American students. The participants in the program include Florida’s Florida College System institutions and its public and private universities that have teacher education programs.
Applicants must be a resident of the State [...] More
If you plan to teach at a non-profit Illinois public, private, or parochial preschool, elementary school, or secondary school, for which the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has determined that no less than 30% of the enrolled students are African American/Black, Hispanic American, Asian American, or Native American; and you are of African American/Black, Hispanic American, Asian American [...] More
The National Association of Asian American Professionals Philadelphia's Chapter scholarship program that benefits graduating high school seniors and current college students who are Asian/Asian American. Several high school and college students will be selected within their respective pools to receive scholarship money, to be used toward tuition, books, and/or living expenses.
The National Press Club, the leading professional organization for journalists, wants to recruit promising future journalists who will bring diversity to American journalism. The scholarship consists of a one-year scholarship, with an additional $500 book stipend that is renewable up to 3 years.
The competition is open to high school seniors who are preparing to enter college and intend to [...] More
The Osage Nation Higher Education Scholarship is available to Osage students pursuing post-secondary education at the associate level or beyond. A wide range of educational choices is supported, including associates, bachelors, masters, and doctoral degree programs at accredited schools. Students must maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of a 2.0 and be in good standing to remain eligible [...] More
Page Grants are awarded to Minnesota students of color who attend Minnesota post-secondary schools and agree to complete annual service projects with young children. Students at all levels of academic achievement can qualify for a grant. The selection process highlights an applicant’s attitude toward education, willingness to provide service to children, and financial need.
The Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (PMAHCC) realizes the substantial rewards of giving a way into educational opportunities to eager Hispanic students. PMAHCC supports scholarship funds of the Hispanic community in Pittsburgh and continues to give time and effort in the accumulation and security of their resources to benefit the continuous rise of the number of [...] More
The Student Opportunity Scholarship program serves Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) college students by providing need-based aid for sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are full-time, first-degree students attending accredited institutions in the United States. Student Opportunity Scholarship applicants will explore who God created them to be in a series of essay questions intended for students to [...] More
RMHC/HACER National Scholarships are $100,000 ($25,000 per year paid over four years) for five students who verify enrollment at any accredited institution that provides post-secondary education each year, among other requirements.
Applicants must be a high school senior under 21 years of age with a minimum 2.7 (4.0 scale) GPA. Must be a legal U.S. resident and must be eligible to attend a [...] More
The Sault Tribe Higher Education Grant Program is for Sault Tribe members attending a Michigan state-supported two- or four-year college or university full-time (12 credit hours or more). Grants are based on unmet financial need as determined by the individual college in which the student is enrolled.
Applicants must be attending a Michigan state-supported two-year or four-year college or [...] More
The SEED Foundation's SEED Scholar Program is proud to support Indian youth with scholarships for higher education. The SEED Scholar program has now developed into one of the largest scholarship programs run by Indians for Indian youth. To date, SEED has awarded $283,000 to 45 young men and women.
Applicant must be of Asian-Indian heritage with at least one parent of Indian ancestry and must [...] More
SHPE will provide $2,000 to applicants who are employed full-time in the U.S. or Puerto Rico in a technical career field and enrolled at least half-time (6 hours) in a science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) degree program and maintain a 3.0 GPA throughout the academic year. Applicant must be pursuing a first master's or doctoral degree. Applicant must be a paid SHPE member in good [...] More
The Native American Awards Internship falls within the Native American Awards Program which supports students, who are formally or informally affiliated with a Native American community or tribe, to visit the Institution to learn about research or other museum-related activities using its Native American-related resources.
Internship Awards are available for students currently enrolled in an [...] More
Applications submitted by eligible Native American students each spring are reviewed by members of the Scholarship Committee, who award the competitive grants. Up to $2,000 per year is paid directly to each recipient’s college or university. Grantees must maintain a grade point average of at least 2.0 and submit grades to us each semester.
Applicants must be of Native American or Alaska [...] More
LAGRANT Foundation Undergraduate Scholarship recipients will receive a trip to New York or San Francisco where they will participate in career building activities including a welcome dinner with a keynote speaker, two daylong career & professional development workshops and a scholarship and donor recognition reception. Applicants must be from a minority ethnic group, studying a field of study [...] More
The Unitarian Universalist Association established the President William G. Sinkford Fund in 2008, during the last year of Rev. Sinkford's UUA Presidency. To honor his legacy in the years to come, the Sinkford Fund will further Rev. Sinkford's visions by providing scholarships for promising and passionate students preparing for Unitarian Universalist ministry. Applicants must be ministerial [...] More
The Truman D. Picard Scholarship is dedicated to the support of Native American students pursuing higher education in natural resources. Applicants must submit a letter of application, resume, three letters of recommendation and evidence of validated enrollment in a federally recognized tribe or Alaska Native Corporation, as established by the U.S. government (i.e. a photocopy of an enrollment [...] More
Upakar was founded to support the educational and career aspirations of the Indian-American community. In addition to the financial award, Upakar provides a mentoring program for our scholarship recipients. This is an outstanding opportunity to seek the advice of and network with successful professionals across the United States from the Indian-American community. Each year, we will renew the [...] More
The Vietnamese American Medical Association of Greater Houston (VAMA-GH) is a non-profit organization for physicians of Vietnamese heritage who live and practice in the Greater Houston area. VAMA-GH is proud to offer scholarships for high school, college and medical school. The goals of the scholarships are to recognize excellence in scholastic achievement, foster interests in serving the [...] More
In addition to receiving a $10,000 Vinson & Elkins Scholarship, each V&E Scholar is offered summer internships. To be eligible to become a Vinson & Elkins Scholar, students must attend and be in good standing at a high school accredited by the Texas Education Agency. The high school must also be located in the greater Austin, Dallas or Houston area. Only high school seniors may apply. You must be [...] More
A highly-educated American Indian population is vital for improving the economic sufficiency and prosperity of American Indian communities located within the state of Washington. To this end, Washington State, in collaboration with the American Indian Community and other private sector partners, established the American Indian Endowed Scholarship (AIES). This program provides educational [...] More
Awards under this program are made to Wisconsin residents who are at least 25% Native American and are undergraduate or graduate students enrolled in a degree or certificate programs at the University of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Technical College, independent colleges and universities, tribal colleges, or proprietary institutions based in Wisconsin. Awards are based on financial need with a limit of [...] More
Awards under the Wisconsin Minority Undergraduate Retention Grants are made to Wisconsin resident minority undergraduates, excluding first-year students, enrolled at least half-time in independent, tribal, or Wisconsin Technical College institutions. According to the statutes, a minority student is defined as a student who is either an African American; American Indian; Hispanic; or Southeast [...] More
The Talent Incentive Program (TIP) Grant provides grant assistance to the most financially needy and educationally disadvantaged Wisconsin resident students attending colleges and universities in the State of Wisconsin. First-time freshmen students are nominated for the TIP Grant by the school financial aid offices or by counselors of the Wisconsin Educational Opportunity Programs (WEOP). To [...] More
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's engineering school will soon be called the "Grainger College of Engineering" after receiving another $100 million gift from The Grainger Foundation. The Grainger donation is the largest amount ever gifted to a public university to rename a college. [...]
Thirteen parents and one coach charged in the "Operation Varsity Blues" college cheating scandal will plead guilty in accordance with plea agreements. While elite parents implicated in the admissions scandal cheated to help their children get into college, there is a growing concern about how students, in general, may be cheating their way through college; specifically by buying ghostwritten essays online. [...]
Why not have schools auction off college seats to the highest bidder? The question was posed by a senior vice president at the Harvard Management Company on his public LinkedIn page amid the recent national college admissions cheating scandal. According to Michael Cappucci, it is simply "an honest question." He goes on to ask, "Why do we have a system where wealthy parents have to make shady payments to even more shady intermediaries to get their kids into college?" The post, which has since been removed but still drew much online anger was authored by Cappucci who is "not a top official" at the company; many people still presumed Harvard is connected to his idea, according to Inside Higher Ed, but Harvard was quick to distance itself from the LinkedIn post. [...]
