Minority Scholarships

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.

African American Scholarships

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.

Hispanic/Latino Scholarships

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.

American Indian/Native American Scholarships

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.

Asian/Pacific Islander 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.