Zina Kumok Image Written By: Zina Kumok | Edited By: Kevin Ladd | Updated: December 5, 2024

Hispanic Scholarships

Key takeaways:

  • Many scholarships emphasize leadership, community service, and involvement in Hispanic communities.
  • The Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) provides scholarships to students of Hispanic heritage. Awards range from $500 to $5,000 based on need and academic achievement.
  • Some scholarships offer mentorship, internship opportunities, and other forms of support beyond financial aid.

According to Pew Research, between 2000 and 2020, Hispanic students’ enrollment in college has grown almost 300%. And while college can open up more career and financial opportunities, it can also lead to a huge amount of student debt.

However, if you’re savvy, you can avoid or minimize student loans by applying for and receiving scholarships. Scholarships are free money. There’s no limit to how many you can apply to or how much you can win.

And if you’re Hispanic, you may qualify for Hispanic scholarships. Keep reading to learn more about Hispanic scholarships, and to see our top picks.

Continue reading the article below the scholarship list.

25 Hispanic Scholarships with Approaching Deadlines

What is a Hispanic scholarship?

A Hispanic scholarship is a scholarship given to a Hispanic student, which is someone from a Spanish-speaking country. Latino students may also be eligible for Hispanic scholarships.

Some Hispanic scholarships may require that you are a first-generation college student, while others may not stipulate that.

These scholarships may be open to all kinds of Hispanic or Latino students, while some may only be given to women, parents or returning college students.

Just like other kinds of scholarships, Hispanic scholarships can have a merit or need-based component, or both. Need is often determined by results from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

How to qualify for a Hispanic scholarship

Each scholarship provider sets its own eligibility criteria, so there is no definitive set of requirements. That’s true even for Hispanic scholarships.

One of the most basic eligibility requirements is citizenship, and most scholarships require that you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. If you are part of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, qualifying for scholarships will usually be much harder however, here is a list of scholarships specifically available for DACA students.

TheDream.US National Scholarship is open to DACA students and can be renewed for multiple years.

Here’s how to qualify:

And while many scholarships are available for all U.S.-based students, some scholarships also have a regional or geographic component, like the Hispanic Scholarship Consortium. This $5,000 award and is renewable. Here’s how to qualify:

Also, some scholarships are only available for full-time students, while others are given to both part- and full-time students.

Some Hispanic scholarships may also require that you attend a certain college or university to be eligible. For example, the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities partners with several different companies to offer scholarships for Hispanic students.

Here’s how to qualify:

How to apply for a Hispanic scholarship

Applying for a Hispanic scholarship is similar to applying for any other scholarship. What many students get wrong is not submitting all the required documents. For example, if a scholarship requires that you submit an official transcript and you submit an unofficial transcript, you may be disqualified.

Many scholarships, especially those with a need-based component, will require that students complete the FAFSA to be eligible. If you haven’t filled out the FAFSA, then you may not qualify.

Where to find Hispanic scholarships

Hispanic scholarships are offered by third-party providers, companies, and nonprofit organizations. To find and apply for scholarships that match your qualifications, create an account at Scholarships.com.

Some schools also have specific scholarships for Hispanic or Latino students or general diversity scholarships. You may qualify for these just by submitting your basic application for general acceptance.

However, many schools require additional paperwork. Contact the financial aid department and ask them how to maximize your scholarships.

Also, don't just look for Hispanic scholarships. Remember, you're likely eligible for tons of diversity or minority scholarships. This also applies if you’re a woman, part of the LGBTQIA+ community or are from a single-parent household. You should also search for scholarships related to your major or degree program or any other skills and interests.

Frequently asked questions about Hispanic scholarships

The McDonald's HACER® National Scholarship offers up to 30 scholarships for Hispanic students, with three different award tiers. The first tier receives up to $100,000, the second tier receives $10,000 or $20,000 and the third tier receives $5,000.

The Gates Scholarship is a highly selective, full-tuition award for outstanding high school seniors from low-income households who are Hispanic or belong to other minority groups. Gates Scholars receive funding to cover the full cost of attendance not already covered by other financial aid. Eligible students must demonstrate an exceptional academic record, leadership abilities, and strong personal success skills.

The Hispanic Scholarship Fund is one of the most popular scholarships for Hispanic students. And for good reason. They give out more than $30 million in scholarships every year, with individual awards ranging from $500 to $5,000.

Here’s how to qualify:

  • Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or have DACA status
  • Have a 3.0 GPA (if you’re a high school student) or a 2.50 GPA (if you’re a current college student)
  • Be a full-time student at an accredited college
  • Be of Hispanic heritage
  • Submit the FAFSA

Hispanic scholarships often don’t have a language component, even if many Hispanic students speak Spanish as either their first or second language.

If you’re not 100% Hispanic, make sure you’re eligible for a Hispanic scholarship before applying. Some awards may require you to be a certain percentage to qualify, while others don’t have any specific rules.

Being Hispanic means that you’re from a Spanish-speaking country. However, Hispanic scholarships may or may not require that you were born in a Spanish-speaking country.

You may still qualify for a Hispanic scholarship, even if you were born in the U.S. (or somewhere else). Just make sure to read through the eligibility requirements to determine if you qualify. If you’re not sure, you can email the scholarship committee.