Over the last several years, the number of Hispanic and Latinx students enrolling in a four-year college has significantly increased.
But even with the many doors a higher education can open, one of the major concerns for just about every student is cost. Luckily, for Hispanic and Latinx students—especially those attending Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs) or one of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and University schools (HACUs)—there are numerous scholarships available to help.
Here are 10 scholarship opportunities centered around the Hispanic community that you should know about:
American Heart Association HSI Scholars Program
- Eligible for: HSI students pursuing research and health care fields
- Amount: $7,000
For Hispanic students that are attending a HSI university for a health care or related field, the American Heart Association selects numerous students each year to join the HSI Scholars Program. Those selected will not only receive a monetary award of $7,000, but will be provided with an academic year’s worth of career mentorship, virtual leadership, development workshops and hands-on research experience.
- Eligible for: Undergraduate and graduate students at HACU schools
- Amount: $5,000
Sponsored by the American coffee brand, Café Bustelo, the El Café Bustelo Scholarship was created to help Hispanic college students with a passion for community to finish their education. The $5,000 award is available to both undergraduate and graduate students, and has been awarded to over 110 Latino students since 2014. Applicants can be pursuing any major, but must have a minimum 2.0 GPA to be selected.
- Eligible for: Students of a HACU-member institution
- Amount: Varies
HACU offers numerous scholarships to help Latinx students complete their college degrees. While funding amounts depend on the specific scholarship that you apply for, most students receive an average of $5,000. Interested applicants must build a “scholarship profile” on the HACU website, where they will be matched with the best scholarship for them.
- Eligible for: Full-time Hispanic students with a minimum 2.5/3.0 GPA or higher
- Amount: $500-$5,000
The Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) Scholar Program provides monetary as well as career-centered resources to Hispanic students of all fields currently or prospectively pursuing a college education. HSF awards over $30 million in scholarships per year, with each student receiving anywhere between $500 and $5,000. Selected scholars will also receive career service resources, mentorship, leadership development, wellness training and more. High school students must have a minimum 3.0 GPA to be considered, while college and graduate students must have a minimum 2.5 GPA.
LULAC National Scholarship Fund
- Eligible for: Hispanic students who have applied or are enrolled as full-time college students
- Amount: $250-$2,000
In a unique collaboration between the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and the LULAC National Educational Service Centers, Inc. (LNESC), the LULAC National Scholarship Fund (LNSF) offers three different scholarships for Hispanic students pursuing a full-time college education. All applicants are eligible to receive one of the following scholarships: the Honors Award (3.0 GPA or higher), the National Scholastic Achievement Award (3.5 GPA or higher) or the General Award (based on circumstance, no GPA required). Applicants must live near a participating LULAC Council and can have any major or area of interest to be considered.
McDonald’s HACER National Scholarship Program
- Eligible for: Hispanic high school seniors pursuing higher education
- Amount: Between $5,000 and $100,000
Since 1985, McDonald’s has offered the McDonald’s HACER National Scholarship Program to help Latinx students pursue an education past high school. The HACER National Scholarship is available to students of Hispanic heritage who have a minimum 2.8 GPA. Several scholarships are awarded at different tiers, with tier 3 students receiving $5,000 grants and tier 1 students receiving grants as high as $100,000. Scholarships are selected based on academic achievement, financial need, community involvement and character.
NBCUniversal Media Scholarship
- Eligible for: Undergraduate Hispanic students pursuing a degree in media or entertainment
- Amount: $5,000
In partnership with the LULAC National Educational Service Centers, Inc. (LNESC), NBCUniversal offers their annual media scholarship to Hispanic students pursuing an education in media or entertainment. Applicants must be in their sophomore or junior year of college, have a minimum 3.0 GPA and be a full-time student to apply. Those awarded the scholarship will receive half of the $5,000 reward in the fall semester and the second half in the spring.
- Eligible for: Students of Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs)
- Amount: $5,000-$10,000
Working with the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, Nike has created their own scholarship, granting between $5,000 and $10,000 to students who are attending HSIs. The scholarship amount will depend on financial need. Applicants must be full time students, have a minimum 2.5 GPA and can be pursuing any major to qualify.
Prospanica Foundation Scholarship
- Eligible for: Prospanica members enrolled in a college or university
- Amount: $2,000-$5,000
For members of Prospanica—an organization dedicated to fostering Hispanic professionals through education and MBAs—the Prospanica Foundation Scholarship offers numerous awards to undergraduate and graduate students each year to help them receive their higher education degrees. Applicants will receive anywhere between $2,000 and $5,000 depending on financial need and must have a 3.0 GPA (or 2.75 GPA with full-time work experience) and an active Prospanica membership to apply.
- Eligible for: Undergraduate juniors or seniors pursuing a STEM or business degree
- Amount: Up to $5,000
Toyota and the TELACU Education Foundation have teamed up to award numerous scholarships to Latinx undergraduate students currently pursuing a STEM or business degree. Selected students will receive up to $5,000 along with individualized mentoring, internship opportunities and career transition assistance upon graduation. The Toyota/TELACU Scholarship is part of TELACU’s College Success Program, which offers even more financial opportunities for collegiate students.
Read more articles for the Hispanic community here.
