7 College Scholarships for Hispanic and Latino Students

Finding scholarships can often feel like shopping for jeans. There are a plethora of options, but it’s hard to find the ones that work specifically for you. Some jeans may look like the perfect choice. However, a person must do more than just look at the jeans to determine if they are the perfect fit. With that in mind, College Raptor has put together a list of scholarships for Hispanic and Latino students that could be the perfect fit.

Here are some amazing scholarships for Hispanic and Latino students:

A group of students laughing together.

1. Chicana/Latina Foundation Scholarship

  • Amount: $1,500
  • Deadline: March 31

Between 40 and 45 female students will win $1,500 each, as well as from the Chicana/Latina Foundation Scholarship. Winners need to attend all of the Leadership Institute sessions between July and February after they win and have to act as ambassadors for the foundation for at least ten hours during the following college application cycle. They’ll also be invited  to attend the Annual Award Dinner.

The award is open to community college students, undergraduates, and graduates. A merit-based scholarship, students must:

  • Identify as Chicana and/or Latina
  • Be attending a college within specific California counties
  • Have lived in one of the specific California counties for at least two years and be living there at the time they submit their applications
  • Commit to attending the required events
  • Supply answers to 5 questions
  • Submit college transcripts
  • Submit one letter of recommendation
  • Attend an interview if selected as a semi-finalist

Community college students and undergraduates must be enrolled full-time, have completed at least 12 college units after your high school graduation, and have a 2.0 GPA on college coursework.

Graduates must be accepted to or currently enrolled in their program and have a 2.7 GPA on college coursework. Graduates also have to submit a resume.

2. National Hispanic Business Women Foundation Scholarship

  • Amount: Varies
  • Deadline: Usually in March

The National Hispanic Business Women Foundation (NHBWF) Educational Scholarship is for female Hispanic students. Both undergraduates and graduates are welcome to apply.

This award is both merit and need-based. If you’re interested in applying, you need to:

  • Live in Southern California
  • Demonstrate financial need
  • Have a 3.0 GPA or higher
  • Participate in community service
  • Apply using a Google account
  • Submit two letters of recommendation
  • Write two or three essays

3. Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities Scholarships

  • Amount: Varies
  • Deadline: Varies

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) partners with several different organizations to offer scholarships to students. Students from all ethnicities and backgrounds are welcome to apply, but qualification criteria does vary between each award.

The HACU is regularly adding new scholarships to the list. For the awards below, students have to be currently enrolled in a 2 or 4-year HACU-member institution in the United States or Puerto Rico and have completed at least one semester.

Chispa Scholarship

    • Award amount: $2,000
    • Awards available: 5
    • Deadline: November 1, 2024
    • Open to undergraduate students of any major enrolled in college part-time or full-time. Requires a minimum college GPA of 3.0.

Kia America Accelerate the Good Scholarship Program

    • Award amount: $10,000 to $15,000
    • Awards available: 9
    • Deadline: November 1, 2024
    • Open to undergraduate and graduate students who are attending school full-time and have a minimum GPA of 3.5. Students must be majoring in Sciences, Technology, Engineering, Math, or Business Administration.

Ford Philanthropy Scholarship

    • Award amount: $10,000
    • Awards available: Varies
    • Deadline: November 1, 2024
    • Open to undergraduate and graduate students who are enrolled in college full-time and have a minimum college GPA of 2.5. Students have to be majoring in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Data Science, and submit a short essay.

MGM Resorts International Scholarship

    • Award amount: $1,000
    • Deadline: November 1, 2024/End of July, 2025
    • Awards available: 17
    • Open to undergraduate students who are attending college full-time and have a minimum GPA of 3.0. Must be majoring in Accounting, Business Administration, Culinary Arts, Event Management, Finance, Hospitality, Hotel Administration, International Business, Marketing, or Public Relations

USTA Future Leaders in Sport Scholarship

    • Award amount: $5,000
    • Deadline: November 1, 2024
    • Awards available: 4
    • Open to undergraduate students who are enrolled full time and have a minimum college GPA of 3.0. Must be majoring in Accounting, Business Administration, Culinary Arts, Event Management, Finance, Hospitality, Hotel Administration, International Business, Marketing, or Public Relations

Additional scholarships they have offered in the past and may become available again in 2025 include Sands Hospitality Advancement Scholarship, Miller Lite Brewed to Be Bright Scholarship, Deloitte Foundation HACU Scholar, Café Bustelo El Café Del Futuro Scholarship, SiteOne Landscape Supply Scholarship, and the Diversity in Health Care Scholarship. They tend to have deadlines between May and July, and some awards are renewable.

4. The Gates Scholarship

  • Amount: Varies
  • Deadline: Usually September

The Gates Scholarship (TGS) is for minority high school students who have demonstrated financial need. It covers the full cost of attendance that isn’t already covered by financial aid and the Student Aid Index (SAI) from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The award is based on merit and financial need. Applicants must:

  • Be at least one of the following ethnicities: African-American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian & Pacific Islander American, and/or Hispanic American
  • Be eligible for the Federal Pell Grant
  • Have a 3.3 GPA or higher
  • Be enrolled full-time in a four-year program
  • Demonstrate leadership

5. Macy’s Emergency Scholarship Fund

  • Amount: Up to $500
  • Deadline: December 31

The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) National Educational Service Centers (LNESC) and Macy’s offer the Macy’s Emergency Scholarship Fund. It’s specifically for students who need emergency funding due to specific circumstances, such as a loss of job, pending eviction, or fire.

To apply, you need to:

  • Be a resident of California, Florida, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Puerto Rico, or Texas
  • Be enrolled in college full-time
  • Have a 3.0 GPA or higher

6. LULAC National Scholarship Fund

  • Amount: $250 to $2,000
  • Deadline: March 31

The LULAC National Scholarship Fund, in partnership with LNESC, is actually three different awards:

  • National Scholastic Achievement Award
    • $2,000
    • Must have a 3.5 GPA or higher
  • Honors Award
    • $500 to $2,000
    • Must have a 3.0 GPA or higher
  • General Award
    • $250 to $1,000
    • Grades and academic performance are considered, but the fund also considered mitigation, sincerity, integrity, financial need, community involvement, and leadership activities

Undergraduates and graduates are welcome to apply, but you must live near a LULAC Council to be considered.

7. CSF Fiesta Queen Scholarship and Pageant

Amount: $1,000-$5,500

Deadline: May 30

Every year, the Colorado State Fair Fiesta Queen Pageant selects one student to represent the local Hispanic community and culture. They will then also give awards to the Fiesta Queen’s “Court” and one applicant who is chosen as Miss Congeniality. Here’s a breakdown of the awards available:

  • Fiesta Queen: $5,500
  • 1st Court Attendant: $3,200
  • 2nd Court Attendant: $2,800
  • 3rd Court Attendant: $2,500
  • Miss Congeniality: $1,000

To enter, students must:

  • Be of Hispanic, Latino, and/or Chicano descent
  • Be between the ages of 18 and 22
  • Be a Colorado resident for at least 6 months
  • Have a 3.0 GPA or higher
  • Submit three letters of recommendation
  • Be accepted to or currently enrolled in college

Of course, these aren’t the only scholarships available to Hispanic and Latino students. We recommend using a scholarship search database. These resources are designed to find scholarships you qualify for so you don’t have to go read every award out there. College Raptor’s Scholarship Search tool offers information on over 17,600 awards? Use it today for free!

 

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