Scholarships for Latino and Hispanic Students
Hispanic and Latino/a students can pursue college scholarships that specifically celebrate their heritage.
Many colleges and universities offer welcoming campus climates and financial assistance for students from diverse backgrounds, including Hispanic and Latino/a students. Scholarships like the ones we explore below provide funding specifically for individuals of Latin American descent.
Are you ready to discover your college program?
Hispanic and Latino/a Student Challenges
Economic Barriers
People from Hispanic and Latino/a communities continue to face systemic economic disadvantages. U.S. Census Bureau data from 2022 found that Hispanic and Latino/a community members represented 28.4% of the national poverty population — a disproportionately high percentage for a group that comprises only 19.3% of the overall population.
The incomes of Hispanic and Latino/a households also lag behind national averages. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Hispanic households had a median income of $62,800 per year in 2022 — almost $12,000 lower than the national median household income for all citizens, which was $74,580 that same year.
Educational Barriers
Similar barriers to access and achievement impact the educational outcomes of Hispanic and Latino/a students. A 2024 NCES study found that 33% of Hispanic 18- to 24-year-olds enrolled in college in 2022. That year, the national average for all races was 39%. The NCES also tracked a decline in Hispanic and Latino/a college enrollment rates over the preceding decade, which fell 4% from 2012 levels.
A 2022 study published in the Journal of Higher Education Outreach and Engagement cited several factors behind the trend, including:
- A lack of financial resources
- Lower rates of parent-school interaction
- Language and cultural barriers
Political Barriers
Undocumented Hispanic and Latino/a students have particularly limited access to postsecondary funding. For example, filling out a FAFSA requires a Social Security number, so undocumented college and university students may jeopardize their presence in the U.S. by applying for private or state-based aid. Similarly, DACA students can submit a FAFSA but cannot receive federal aid.
The Importance of Grants and Scholarships
Grants and scholarships offer financial assistance to students without the repayment conditions of loans. Grants are typically based on financial need, while scholarships can evaluate need, merit, or demographics.
The Federal Pell Grant program is one of the largest sources of financial aid for students. Available to undergraduates with strong financial needs, Pell Grants provide nonrepayable awards of up to $7,395 per school year. However, college enrollees do not take full advantage of the program: A 2024 National College Attainment Network report found that graduating high school seniors left more than $4 billion in Pell Grant funding unclaimed in 2023.
According to the Education Data Initiative, the average U.S. student carried about $37,850 in federal loan debt as of March 2024. Repaying such debt can take years or decades, throttling graduates’ ability to build wealth. Grants and scholarships can dramatically reduce the costs of higher education and help students minimize their debt burdens, making these funding sources critically important to long-term financial health.
Finding and Applying to Scholarships
The easiest way to apply for financial aid is to submit a FAFSA, although state, county, and local organizations — including school districts and community service groups — also offer scholarships. These awards may require additional opportunity-specific application processes.
Hispanic and Latino/a students often qualify for specialized scholarships, including funding from private companies and organizations. For example, Hispanic and Latino/a students may qualify for scholarships awarded to first-generation or undocumented learners. Colleges and universities can also award financial assistance to specific ethnic groups.
Where to Look
For high school students exploring college and university options, guidance counselors can be a valuable source of information about funding opportunities. Learners can also contact potential schools to inquire about grants, scholarships, and comparable programs available for Latino/a and Hispanic students.
The U.S. Department of Labor provides a scholarship search tool and offers resources about the types of aid available for specific student demographics, including Hispanic and Latino/a students.
Ethnicity-based professional or academic organizations also gather information about funding for Latino/a and Hispanic students. Groups like the Hispanic Scholarship Consortium and the Hispanic Scholarship Fund offer guidance on regional and national opportunities for college and university funding, while professional bodies, such as the National Association of Hispanic Nurses, award scholarships to individuals earning degrees in specific disciplines.
How to Apply
Scholarship application requirements vary. As students prepare their applications, they should review their educational performance and community-based activities. Understanding what individual scholarships are looking for in terms of GPA, community involvement, and leadership experience helps learners clearly explain their strengths to potential funders.
Many scholarships require application materials like transcripts, a resume, and an essay. Some programs ask learners to write about something directly applicable to the organization’s mission, while others require applicants to describe their career goals and how they can contribute to their professional field of choice.
Another common application material is letters of support from teachers or members of the community. Students should have several potential letter-writers in mind. Be sure to give these recommenders ample time to write their letters.
Prospective college and university enrollees should apply for as many scholarships as possible. Applying earlier than each opportunity’s deadline ensures that your application materials will arrive in time for full consideration.
Hispanic and Latino/a Scholarships
While not comprehensive, the following list of scholarships explores multiple financial assistance opportunities for Hispanic and Latino/a students. Specialized scholarships serve subsets within Hispanic and Latino/a communities, including undocumented immigrants and migrant workers. Individuals should fully explore the requirements of each program to determine if it aligns with their unique circumstances before applying.
General Scholarships
Undocumented students may apply.
Special Interest Scholarships
Undocumented students may apply.
Migrant Workers Scholarships
Undocumented students may apply.
Undocumented Students Scholarships
Hispanic and Latino/a Grants
Grants provide financial assistance for students who demonstrate financial need. College applicants receive consideration for grants when they submit their FAFSA, although it’s worth noting that undocumented immigrants are not eligible for federal aid.
Submitting a FAFSA can also open access to state and private grants. Additional grant resources for Hispanic and Latino/a students are available through education advocacy groups within the Hispanic and Latino/a communities.
Grant options include:
- Federal Pell Grants: Federal Pell Grants are need-based grants available to low-income undergraduate students who do not yet hold bachelor’s degrees. Pell Grants may also be applied to postsecondary programs at participating institutions. The aid amount from Pell Grants depends on a student’s expected family contribution, the overall cost of attendance at their chosen school, their enrollment status, and the length of their academic program.
- State Grants: State grants are usually administered through state-level education departments, higher education agencies, or adult education agencies. They support residents by awarding grants based on financial need. Grants may also support a specific discipline, such as nursing or teaching.
- Private Grants: Private grants may honor specific individuals, groups, or social causes, awarding annual educational support for general study or programs in specific fields.
Grants
The list below provides a sampling of grants available to Hispanic and Latino/a students. Future college and university enrollees should research grants that meet their individual needs.
Learners can also benefit from talking to financial aid representatives at prospective schools. Specific departments and program initiatives at colleges and universities may also offer grants.
Undocumented students may apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Percentage of Hispanic Students Go to College?
According to NCES data, 33% of Hispanic 18- to- 24-year-olds enrolled in college in 2022. Enrollment rates were higher among Hispanic females (39%) than males (27%). College enrollment for Hispanic students declined from 2012 to 2022, falling from 37% to 33%.
How Can Hispanic and Latino/a Students Find Scholarships for College?
Latino/a learners can apply for scholarships by completing a FAFSA. Along with funding opportunities provided through FAFSA, Latino/a students can pursue financial aid through private funders, community organizations, or loan programs. Note that undocumented students cannot receive federal aid through FAFSA.
What Percentage of Students Get a Scholarship?
In 2024, the Education Data Initiative found that only about 7% of college students receive scholarship awards. Meanwhile, a 2023 NCES report stated that 40% of U.S. undergraduates received a Pell Grant in the 2019-20 school year.
How Do You Become a National Hispanic Scholar?
Hispanic and Latino/a high school sophomores and juniors are eligible to become National Hispanic Recognition Awardees. This program from the College Board recognizes students based on their performance on the PSAT/NMSQT exam or AP exams.
