The future has never been brighter for Hispanic students, as record numbers of them are enrolling in college degree programs. According to the Pew Research Center, 35 percent of Hispanics ages 18 to 24 were enrolled in a two- or four-year college in 2014. That may not seem like a lot, but consider that those numbers are up from 22 percent in 1993. One way to continue this trend is to ensure that Hispanics have the financial support they need to commit to a degree program. The following scholarships for Hispanics, including scholarships for Hispanic women, aim to provide some of that financial support in order to bridge the racial gap in higher education.

General Scholarships for Hispanics

This organization offers scholarships for Hispanics on a competitive basis to students who have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Applicants must also have plans to enroll full-time at a U.S. accredited college or university.

  • Application Deadline: March 30
  • Award Amount: $500–$5,000
  • Minimum GPA: 3.0
  • Merit vs. Need-Based: Based on relative need
  • Field of Study: Though all majors are welcome, there is an emphasis on STEM majors.

These scholarships, part of the Univision Educación campaign program, support Hispanic students wishing to attend a four-year college in the United States.

  • Application Deadline: March 30
  • Minimum GPA: 3.0
  • Academic Status: Must plan to enroll full-time in an accredited, not-for-profit, four-year university or graduate school during the fall of a scholarship year

This organization offers a variety of scholarships to full-time undergraduate and graduate students pursuing careers in journalism. Applicants must be members of NAHJ. Awards include the NAHJ PepsiCo Scholarships and the NAHJ Ford Motor Company Fund Scholarship, among others.

  • Application Deadline: March 15
  • Award Amount: Most awards range between $1,000–$2,000
  • Minimum GPA: Most awards require a 2.5 GPA

The Ronald McDonald House Charities awards scholarships to applicants that have at least one parent of Hispanic or Latino heritage. Students with financial need who have also demonstrated academic achievement, leadership and community involvement will be considered.

  • Application Deadline: The application period opens October 1st
  • Geographic Area: Must live in a participating RMHC Chapter's geographic area
  • Academic Status: Must be eligible to attend a two- or four-year college, university or technical school with a full course of study

SHPE provides annual scholarships for Hispanic students who are enrolled full time in a STEM program. The scholarship will be awarded upon the basis of academic standing and financial need.

  • Application Deadline: TBD
  • Award Amount: $2,000
  • Minimum GPA: 2.75
  • Academic Status: Must be an active SHPE member

This organization supports students in their pursuit of STEM careers. Preference is given to students who can demonstrate academic achievement, leadership, community service and financial need. Top scholarships require attendance at the organization's symposium in order to be eligible to receive the award.

  • Application Deadline: April 30
  • Merit-Based or Need-Based: Both

This scholar-intern program is offered through a partnership between these two organizations. Through the program, students who are focusing on the healthcare industry can get money for college, plus work experience in a community-based health organization.

  • Application Deadline: April 16
  • Award Amount: $1,000–$5,000 per year, plus a $1,000 stipend
  • Geographic Area: Preference is given to students who reside in one of 19 states
  • Academic Status: Must already be enrolled in an associate or bachelor's degree program at the time of application

This scholarship is offered through a collaboration between organizations and companies wanting to support talented Latino scholars in Ohio, Kentucky and Kansas. Undergraduate and graduate students are welcome to apply.

  • Application Deadline: March 30
  • Minimum GPA: 3.0 (for high school students); 2.5 (for college and graduate students)
  • Geographic Area: Must either permanently reside in Ohio, Kentucky or Indiana and/or attend an institution in Ohio, Kentucky or Indiana

Scholarships for Hispanic Women

Latinas show great educational achievements when given a pathway to college. According to a White House Report released in 2015, Latinas outperform their male counterparts in both the high school and college level, yet they have some of the lowest college completion rates of all women. One of the main barriers to entering or completing college, according to the report, is poverty, which is what makes the following scholarships for Hispanic women so crucial.

This organization offers scholarships to Hispanic women who demonstrate a desire to contribute positively to their community. Nominations are prioritized for women who serve as role models for Hispanic women and youth in their community.

  • Application Deadline: August 19
  • Minimum GPA: None required, though the application asks for a list of academic honors

This scholarship offered by 100 Hispanic Women, an organization empowering Latinas, was created in partnership with the City University of New York (CUNY). The aim is to create professionally skilled Latinas who can help meet the needs of the 21st century.

  • Application Deadline: November 30
  • Award Amount: $1,000 annually for four years
  • Academic Status: Must attend a school within the CUNY system

The Chicana Latina Foundation, based in the San Francisco Bay Area, works to provide financial assistance for Latina women in Northern California wishing to pursue a college education.

  • Application Deadline: March 31
  • Award Amount: $1,500
  • Number of Scholarships Awarded: 31
  • Merit-Based or Need-Based: Merit-based
  • Minimum GPA: 2.5
  • Geographic Area: Must be enrolled in an accredited college, university or community college in one of 13 Northern California counties

This organization awards four student scholarships for Hispanic women already enrolled in a community college in California.

  • Application Deadline: TBD
  • Award Amount: $500

Additional Resources

With hard work, determination and scholarship savvy, aspiring Hispanic college students may be able to attain the assistance and support they need to forge ahead toward higher education and career success.

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