Guide to Scholarships and Financial Aid Resources for Hispanic Students

Latino students enrolled in college or postgraduate education increased from 2.9 million to 4.2 million between 2010 and 2022, reflecting the growth of the U.S. Hispanic population to over 63 million. However, like many Americans, Hispanic students face challenges in obtaining college degrees. One significant obstacle is the cost of education.

Various means of financial assistance are available through scholarships and grants for Hispanic and Latino students. Although finding and applying for this aid requires effort, it is often worth the investment. Learning how to navigate this process and exploring various financial aid options can help you pay for college and achieve your educational goals.

Various scholarships are available to support Hispanic students in their educational journey. These range from smaller, community-based scholarships to larger, national awards, each offering different levels of financial assistance. Understand the eligibility criteria for each scholarship to help you set up successful applications.

Many Hispanic students have special situations, circumstances and needs that set them apart from the general student population. With many undocumented workers in the country, several groups and associations seek to provide students who are undocumented or whose parents are undocumented with aid to attend post-secondary school.

Scholarships are also available for students who are migrant workers, come from migrant worker families or are first-generation U.S. citizens. Even being the first in your family to attend college can win you a scholarship.

Latinos are much more likely to be first-generation college students than other racial or ethnic groups. In 2015, almost half of Latinos (44%) were the first in their family to attend college, compared to African American (34%), Asian (29%) and white (22%) students.

Below are some scholarships first-generation Hispanic and Latino college students may qualify for:

Groceries, gas, insurance, rent and other necessities add up quickly. Review your monthly budget and spending habits if you're looking for additional college funds or ways to save. You can decrease some of your monthly payments to save hundreds of dollars a year. Here are some everyday student expenses that you can review for cost-saving opportunities:

We spoke with experts to gather insights on successfully navigating the scholarship application process. From avoiding common mistakes to crafting compelling essays, our experts provide valuable advice to help Hispanic students secure the funding they need for their education. Here are their answers to some of the most pressing questions about scholarship applications:

We've curated a list of resources that provide valuable support tailored specifically to help Hispanic students and their families find the support they need to navigate various challenges and achieve their educational and financial goals.

• College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP): This program offers financial and academic support to students from migrant and seasonal farmworker backgrounds to help them succeed in college.
• National Immigrant Justice Center: This center offers legal services to immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers to ensure human rights protections and access to justice.
• National Latinx Psychological Association: This organization is dedicated to advancing psychological education and training to meet the needs of Latino populations, promoting research and providing a network for Latino psychologists.
• United We Dream: The largest immigrant youth-led organization in the U.S. advocates for the rights of immigrant youth and provides support for their educational and personal development.