Scholarships for Latino & Hispanic Students

Paying for college can feel like a daunting task, especially if you’re not sure where you’ll come up with the funds. One way to cover the costs of attending college is to look for scholarships. 

Depending on your situation, there are a number of different scholarships available, including scholarships for Latinos. If you have Latino heritage, you could qualify for money for school. 

Scholarships for Latinos

There are a number of different scholarships for Hispanics and Latinos. You can look at resources like Scholarships.com and FastWeb for ideas of different Latino and Hispanic college scholarships. You might also find other scholarship ideas based on other characteristics and qualities. 

For those looking for Latino or Hispanic college scholarships, here are some of the available options:

ALCOA Fund Scholarship

The ALCOA Fund Scholarship is open to those who attend school in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. It’s also available to certain Catholic school graduates in Greater Cleveland. Applicants must be African American or Hispanic, demonstrate financial need and have a GPA of at least 2.75. Scholarships are available in amounts up to $5,000.

Association of Cuban-American Engineers Scholarship Foundation

Receive up to $2,500 per year for three years if you meet the qualifications for this scholarship. This is a scholarship for students of Cuban descent, and you need a GPA of at least 3.0 to qualify. If you plan to study engineering, this option may be a good choice for you. This application period opens in July, and closes in Sepetember of each year.

José Martí Scholarship Challenge Grant Fund

In order to access this Hispanic college scholarship, you need to be a resident of Florida and of Hispanic descent. The scholarship amount is $2,000 and financial need must be demonstrated.

HACU IES Abroad Scholarship

One way to enhance your learning experience is to travel abroad. However, it can be costly to do so. This scholarship for Hispanics is designed to help students get up to $5,000 for a semester abroad. You must demonstrate financial need and attend a Hispanic-Serving Institution. 

Hispanic Scholarship Fund

The Hispanic Scholarship Fund offers scholarships for Hispanics all the way up through graduate-level classes. This scholarship may be helpful for those who are already in college and looking for ways to supplement their funding, as well as those who are just starting up.

Scholarship amounts range from $500 to $5,000. You need to meet GPA requirements and a few other simple conditions in order to qualify.

Latinos in Technology Scholarship

One of the best scholarships for Latinos, you can get up to $30,000 paid over the course of three years to help with college. This is a scholarship aimed at those in STEM fields who are in their junior or senior years of college, or transferring from community college to a four-year institution. You need to have attended high school at a qualifying school in California and have at least a 3.0 GPA.

NBCUniversal/LNESC Scholarship

For Latinos hoping to move forward with careers in media and entertainment, The NBCUniversal/LNESC Scholarship can be a potential source of help for funding a college education. This scholarship is aimed at juniors and seniors, and it offers up to $5,000. You need a GPA of at least 3.0 to qualify. Please visit the link to check application deadlines.

The Randy Falco Scholarship

Receive up to $10,000 if you get the Randy Falco Scholarship, which is offered by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. This scholarship is specifically aimed at Latino and Hispanic students who hope to have a career in the television industry when they finish school.

Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers Scholarship

If you’re interested in STEM fields, you can apply for one of the many scholarships available through the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE). You do need to check the specifications of the scholarships available, since some of them require you to be a member of the SHPE in order to qualify. You might also need to meet GPA requirements and fulfill other criteria.

Other ways to fund college

While scholarships for Latinos and Hispanics can be a good way to get some money for college, you might need other ways to fund your educational experience. As you prepare, make sure to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA can help you find government financial aid, and many states and schools use it for additional need-based funding decisions.

Some other ways to cover the costs of college include:

• Part-time employment. Consider getting a part-time job in order to reduce the need for loans. This can include federal work-study to get an on-campus job that’s more likely to work with your schedule.

• Savings. If you have time before you apply to college, it can help to begin saving up for college so you have more money set aside.

• Student loans. Both federal and private student loans can help you cover funding gaps. If you have scholarships and savings, and you still need some help paying for college, student loans can help. Consider starting with federal loans, and then if you still need additional loans, private loans can be a way to bridge the gap.

Bottom line

You probably need a variety of strategies to help you fund college. If you qualify, looking for scholarships for Latinos and Hispanics can be a good way to get extra money to help with college. Additionally, consider exploring additional options like employment, savings and student loans. Look for ways to get your costs covered in a way that’s likely to work for you and allow you to accomplish your goals.