Scholarships for Hispanic and Latino Students

Hispanic and Latino students make up nearly 28% of all undergraduates in the United States, yet they receive a disproportionately small share of scholarship funding. The good news: billions of dollars in awards exist specifically for Hispanic and Latino students — from national foundations to local community organizations. Whether you are a first-generation college student, a DACA recipient, or someone looking to cut the cost of a four-year degree, this guide will help you find the money and put together a strong application.

Below, you will find the major national scholarships, institutional aid at Hispanic-Serving Institutions, state programs, DACA-eligible options, community-level awards, and practical application tips. Let's get into it.

Major National Scholarships

These are the big names. They award millions of dollars each year and are open to Hispanic and Latino students across the country.

Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF)

The Hispanic Scholarship Fund is the largest organization supporting Hispanic American higher education. For the 2025-26 cycle, HSF awards scholarships ranging from $500 to $5,000 to undergraduate and graduate students. To qualify, you need:

A minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
U.S. citizenship, permanent legal residency, DACA status, or eligibility to complete a FAFSA
Enrollment in an accredited, not-for-profit institution
Plans to enroll full-time in the upcoming academic year

HSF awarded over $40 million in scholarships in 2024. The application window typically opens in October and closes in mid-February. Beyond the scholarship dollars, HSF also connects recipients with mentoring and career development through its Scholar Support Services.

LULAC National Scholarship Fund

The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) offers several scholarship categories:

LULAC National Scholarship Fund (LNSF): Awards of $250 to $2,000 per year for students attending two-year and four-year institutions.
LULAC GE Scholarship: Targeted at students in engineering and business programs, with awards up to $5,000.
LULAC GM Scholarship: For students pursuing STEM fields, with awards up to $3,500.

LULAC scholarships are distributed through local LULAC councils, so check with your nearest council for deadlines. In most cases, the national deadline falls in March.

Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU)

HACU does not directly award scholarships in the traditional sense, but it manages the HACU Denny's Hungry for Education Scholarship and partners with corporations to fund awards of $500 to $5,000. HACU also runs the HACU National Internship Program (HNIP), which places students in paid internships at federal agencies and corporations with stipends averaging $620 per week for 10-week sessions. These internships can be just as valuable as a scholarship when it comes to reducing your total college costs and building your resume.

Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI)

The CHCI Scholarship Program awards $1,000 to $5,000 annually. CHCI focuses on students who demonstrate financial need, community involvement, and strong academics. For 2025-26:

Must be of Hispanic descent (at least one parent of Hispanic origin)
Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, DACA recipient, or eligible non-citizen
Full-time enrollment required
Minimum 3.0 GPA for graduate applicants; 2.7 GPA for undergraduates

The application deadline is generally in mid-April. CHCI also runs a prestigious fellowship program in Washington, D.C. for young professionals — worth looking into if you are interested in public policy.

MALDEF Scholarship Resource Guide

The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) does not award scholarships directly. Instead, MALDEF publishes a free scholarship resource guide that lists dozens of scholarships for Latino students, organized by state, field of study, and eligibility. Think of it as a directory. It is updated regularly and is one of the best starting points for a broader search.

HSI Institutional Aid

Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) are colleges and universities where at least 25% of full-time undergraduates are Hispanic. There are now over 570 federally designated HSIs across the country, according to the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. These schools receive targeted federal funding under Title V of the Higher Education Act, and much of that money flows directly to students through institutional scholarships, grants, and support programs.

Some examples of HSI institutional aid for 2025-26:

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley: Merit-based scholarships of $1,000 to $10,000 per year, with additional need-based grants for qualifying students.
Florida International University: The FIU Hispanic/Latino Scholarship covers up to $3,000 per year for eligible students.
California State University, Los Angeles: Multiple endowed scholarships specifically for Hispanic students, ranging from $500 to $5,000.
University of New Mexico: The UNM Amigo Scholarship offers $1,000 renewable awards for first-time freshmen.

When comparing schools, check whether they are an HSI. These institutions often have larger pools of aid set aside for Hispanic students and more robust support services, from bilingual advising to culturally relevant programming.

State-Specific Programs

Many states run scholarship programs aimed at Hispanic and Latino residents. Here are some of the most notable:

California: The California Dream Act Application allows undocumented and DACA students to apply for state financial aid, including Cal Grants of up to $12,630 per year at UC campuses.
Texas: The Texas Public Education Grant and TEXAS Grant program provide need-based aid of up to $10,000 per year at public universities, available regardless of immigration status at some institutions.
New York: The NYS DREAM Act opens the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) — worth up to $5,665 per year — to undocumented students who attended a New York high school.
Illinois: The Illinois DREAM Fund awards scholarships of up to $10,000 to undocumented immigrant students.
Florida: The Jose Marti Scholarship Challenge Grant provides $2,000 per year to Hispanic-American students with financial need and a minimum 3.0 GPA.

Check your state's higher education agency for local programs. Many fly under the radar and have smaller applicant pools, which can improve your odds.

DACA-Eligible Scholarships

If you have DACA status, you are not eligible for federal financial aid (FAFSA), but you are eligible for a growing number of scholarships. Here are some key options:

TheDream.US National Scholarship: Up to $33,000 for associate degree students and $80,000 for bachelor's degree students at partner colleges. This is one of the largest awards available to DACA recipients.
Golden Door Scholars: Full-tuition scholarships for undocumented students at select four-year institutions. Learn more at Golden Door Scholars.
Hispanic Scholarship Fund: As noted above, HSF explicitly includes DACA recipients in its eligibility criteria.
CHCI Scholarship: Also open to DACA recipients.
Questbridge: While not exclusively for Hispanic students, Questbridge partners with top colleges to provide full-ride scholarships to low-income students, including DACA recipients.

Many private colleges and universities have also begun offering institutional aid to undocumented students. It is always worth contacting a school's financial aid office directly to ask what is available.

Local and Community Options

National scholarships get the most attention, but local and community awards can be easier to win because fewer people apply. Here is where to look:

Local LULAC councils: Many offer their own scholarships in addition to the national fund.
Hispanic Chambers of Commerce: Your regional chamber often sponsors annual scholarship awards of $500 to $2,500.
Church and parish programs: Catholic parishes in predominantly Hispanic communities frequently sponsor educational grants.
Employer programs: Companies with large Hispanic workforces, including major retailers, agriculture firms, and food service companies, often have employee or dependent scholarship programs. Ask your parents' employers.
Community foundations: Search your county's community foundation website. Many maintain scholarship funds specifically for Latino students.
High school counselors: Your school counselor should have a list of local awards. If they do not, ask them to check with your district's college and career center.

A good strategy is to apply to at least five to eight local scholarships in addition to the national ones. Even a few $500 awards add up quickly.

Application Tips

Strong applications share a few common traits. Here is what to focus on:

Start early. Most major deadlines fall between October and April. Create a spreadsheet with every scholarship name, deadline, required materials, and status.
Tell your story with specifics. Scholarship committees read thousands of essays. The ones that stand out include concrete details — a specific moment, a conversation with a family member, a problem you solved in your community. Avoid vague statements about "making a difference."
Show financial need clearly. If the application asks about your family's finances, be direct. Include numbers when possible: household income, number of dependents, expected costs.
Get strong letters of recommendation. Ask teachers or mentors who know you well, not just the ones who gave you the best grade. Give recommenders at least three weeks and a one-page summary of your goals and activities.
Proofread everything. Have at least two people read your application before you submit. Spelling and grammar errors signal carelessness.
Apply broadly. Do not limit yourself to Hispanic-specific scholarships. Apply to general merit-based, need-based, and field-of-study scholarships as well. Cast a wide net.
Follow up. If you do not hear back by the listed notification date, send a polite email to check on your application status.

Roadblocks to Watch

Even with all these resources, there are real challenges that can trip you up:

Verification of Hispanic heritage: Some scholarships require proof of Hispanic or Latino origin, which can be complicated if you have a mixed background or limited documentation. Check requirements early and contact the organization if you are unsure.
FAFSA limitations for undocumented students: Without a Social Security number, you cannot file a FAFSA. This locks you out of federal Pell Grants and subsidized loans. Focus your energy on state aid programs and private scholarships that do not require FAFSA completion.
Scholarship scams: Any organization that charges an application fee or guarantees a scholarship win is a red flag. Legitimate scholarships are free to apply for.
Renewal requirements: Many scholarships must be renewed each year, often with GPA minimums and full-time enrollment requirements. Read the fine print before you accept an award so you know what it takes to keep it.
Tax implications: Scholarship money used for tuition and fees is generally tax-free, but amounts applied to room, board, or personal expenses may be taxable. Talk to a tax professional or your school's financial aid office if your total scholarships exceed your tuition bill.

The Bottom Line

There is real money out there for Hispanic and Latino students — from national foundations awarding thousands of dollars to local community groups offering smaller but meaningful awards. The key is to start early, apply broadly, and treat the scholarship search like a part-time job. Every hour you spend filling out applications could translate to hundreds or thousands of dollars in free money for your education.

If you are not sure where to start or how your scholarship search fits into your bigger college plan, build a free college plan at [CollegeLens](https://collegelens.ai/plan/school). It will help you match your goals, finances, and timeline so you can focus on the scholarships that matter most for your situation.

You have earned your seat at the table. Now go get the funding to back it up.

— Sravani at CollegeLens