Best Scholarships for Latino Students
Scholarships are a great way to pay for college without having to repay funds. Maximizing scholarship potential may be particularly useful for Latino students, who received on average less institutional grants than their white counterparts in 2016, according to a statistical note from UnidosUS.
There are hundreds of organizations that recognize this financial gap and offer scholarships specifically to Latin American students with the goal of making college education more accessible and affordable. Here is where you can start your search and apply for some of the best scholarships for Latino students.
Where to find scholarships for Latino students
The scholarships are offered by thousands of companies, organizations and programs. A scholarship search engine is the best way to find awards for Latino students, as these sites break down opportunities by category, award amount, and application details. Some popular scholarship search engines are Fastweb, Unigo, and Scholarships.com, but you can also Google “scholarships for Latino students” to find more options on the internet.
Although there are national and state scholarships available, they are usually more competitive because they offer high prices. To increase your earning potential, don’t just apply for the biggest rewards; examine small scholarships offered by minority advocacy groups, nonprofits, small businesses, and even your college or university.
The 5 Best Scholarships for Latino Students
Here are some scholarships offered specifically to Latino students. Some scholarships are annual, while others require applicants to reapply every semester. Before applying, check the details of the requirements so that you don’t miss out on any reward opportunities in the future.
1. Hispanic scholarship fund
The Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) awards over $ 30 million per year in scholarships to students of Hispanic descent based on academic merit and financial need. Recipients will also have access to HSF Fellowship Conferences, professional training, and a wide range of support resources.
To be eligible, students must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or DACA recipients, and plan to enroll full-time in a four-year college or college. Along with the application, students are required to submit their FAFSA or state financial aid forms.
Quantity: $ 500 to $ 5,000
Deadline: February 15, 2022
Apply here: https://www.hsf.net/scholarship
2. GMiS STEM scholarship
Great Minds in STEM is an organization that empowers Hispanic students pursuing careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) to be leaders in the national STEM community. For its scholarship program, it seeks students who demonstrate leadership or service qualities within underserved communities.
Undergraduate and graduate STEM students attending a qualifying university are eligible, although applicants must have a GPA of at least 3.0. Award amounts are based on academic merit, as well as leadership qualities and campus or community involvement. In addition to a personal statement and curriculum vitae, applicants must provide two letters of recommendation – one from a peer and one from a faculty member.
Quantity: $ 500 to $ 5,000
Deadline: April 30, 2022
Apply here: https://greatmindsinstem.org/gmis-scholarship-application/gmis-scholarships/gmis-scholarship-guidelines/
3. Hispanic Scholarship Consortium Scholarship Program
Students of Latin American descent can apply for the Hispanic Scholarship Consortium scholarship program, which offers renewable college scholarships to high school, undergraduate, and graduate students residing in Texas.
In addition to scholarship funds, academics have access to leadership training, mentorship, and assistance for first-generation students. Each scholarship has its own requirements, although students must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 to qualify and must participate in five hours of community service per semester.
Quantity: $ 1,000 to $ 5,000
Deadline: Applications open on January 14, 2022
Apply here: https://www.hispanicscholar.org/apply
4. Latino Technology Scholarship
Established by the Hispanic Silicon Valley Foundation, this scholarship is for Latino students who have attended high school or university in Silicon Valley and have been accepted into a STEM-related degree program.
To qualify, students must demonstrate financial need and have a GPA of at least 3.0. Applicants are expected to write a 500-850 word personal statement outlining their career goals, personal journey, and any activities that have helped them prepare for a career in STEM. Applicants must also submit a reference letter from a STEM professor and a copy of a Student Aid Report or California Dream Act application.
Quantity: Up to $ 30,000
Deadline: March 18, 2022
Apply here: https://www.siliconvalleycf.org/scholarships/lit
5. National LULAC scholarship fund
The League of United Latin American Citizens offers a national scholarship designed to empower members of the Latin American community by facilitating university enrollment.
Undergraduate and graduate students are welcome to apply if they meet the academic and status requirements, as are students in professional training programs. The application requires a personal essay of at least 500 words, and prizes are awarded based on grade point average, financial need, community engagement, and personal motivation. Students must also apply to a participating LULAC council; in 2021-2022, 13 states and Washington, DC, had participating councils.
Quantity: $ 250 to $ 2,000
Deadline: March 31, 2022
Apply here: https://lnesc.org/scholarships/lulac/
Next steps
Creating an organized system is your best bet for maximizing scholarship potential. Before applying for a scholarship, create a spreadsheet that lists important details, such as scholarship amounts, deadlines, and application requirements. You should also keep track of which scholarships you have applied for, when you should expect to receive a response, and the progress you have made towards your target fundraising goal.
If you are having difficulty finding scholarships specifically for Latino students, you can broaden your search as well. Scholarship sites often allow you to customize by location, major, and even hobby. Remember, the more scholarships you apply for, the more likely you are to win a prize. If you’re having trouble, you can always ask a friend or teacher to proofread your application and personal statement to make sure it’s the best representation of you and your goals.