PrepScholar

Choose Your Test

Sat / act prep online guides and tips, how to win a hispanic scholarship fund award.

Financial Aid

body-money-pile-cc0

If you’re a high school senior of Hispanic or Latinx heritage, you'll definitely want to learn more about the Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) . With more than 150 types of scholarships available through this program, there’s a lot to learn—and a lot to win!

When you submit an HSF award scholarship, you’re actually submitting yourself for consideration for many different awards (much like when you submit a FAFSA ). I’ll talk about all the details you’ll need to take into consideration before submitting your own application for Hispanic scholarships. Then, we'll take a look at application strategies for current high school seniors.

What Is a Hispanic Scholarship Fund Award?

The Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) is a large organization that oversees many scholarship programs. It has partnerships with both philanthropic and corporate organizations to fund scholarships for Hispanic students.

Since 1975, HSF has awarded more than $675 million in scholarship money, with 5,100+ new scholarships awarded each year . Overall, it's a real powerhouse of an organization, which aims to ensure that every Hispanic household in the US has at least one college graduate.

In essence, there's no single HSF award; instead, HSF offers many different scholarships, each with its own funding sources, eligibility requirements, and award amounts. The great thing about HSF is that you only have to submit one application every year to be considered for all available scholarships .

These scholarships are merit-based,  meaning they're awarded based on academic and personal achievements, not financial need; that said, financial need is taken into consideration when determining the amount of the award.

Most awards are not renewable —you only receive one annual award amount. As I mentioned above, however, you can submit an HSF scholarship application every year. Re-submitting applications in the future may help your chances of getting more scholarship funding . HSF really values building a community and slightly favors past award winners when reviewing scholarship applications.

HSF award amounts vary from $500 to as high as $5,000, but the specific amount you could win will vary depending on your financial need.

HSF scholarships offer more than just funding for school, though. Here's a list of the benefits that come along with an HSF award :

  • Career center platform to help you look for jobs and internships
  • Mentor match program
  • Online course system to augment your normal college studies
  • HSF newsletter with extracurricular and volunteer opportunities
  • HSF events and programs, such as Latinos United and Networking for Advancement (LUNA) and National Leadership Conference (NLC)
  • An extra "point" on future HSF scholarship applications—if you've won an HSF scholarship in the past, you'll be more likely to win one in the future

All in all, an HSF award is a really great resource in more ways than one. Because one application means you'll be considered for countless scholarships, it's well worth your time to apply for an HSF award . So let's get started!

How to Know If You're Eligible for an HSF Scholarship

In order to receive an HSF award, you must meet all of the following eligibility requirements :

  • Be of Hispanic heritage (defined as being at least 1/4 Hispanic or Latino)
  • Have a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale (for high school students)
  • Have a minimum 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale (for college and graduate students)
  • Plan to enroll full-time at an accredited nonprofit four-year university or graduate school during the fall of the scholarship cycle year
  • Be a US citizen, permanent legal resident, DACA, or eligible non-citizen as defined by the FAFSA
  • Complete the FAFSA
  • Complete the State Dream Act financial aid application, if applicable

Students of all majors are considered, although there is an emphasis on STEM fields . This is likely because students of Hispanic heritage are especially underrepresented in the fields of math, science, technology, and engineering.

What Do You Need to Apply for an HSF Scholarship?

Before you start working on your Hispanic Scholarship Fund application, it'd be wise to gather the following information and reports.

To complete your HSF application, you'll need the following materials:

  • Your FAFSA and Student Aid Report—get complete instructions here
  • School transcripts —you can get these from your guidance counselor
  • Enrollment verification from your school—check with the admissions office about this
  • Financial aid award letter from the college you're enrolling in—the HSF uses this to determine your award amount but not whether you receive a scholarship
  • Letters of recommendation —you'll need at least one academic recommender, but additional writers can be academic or non-academic

body-paperwork-cc0

Your school guidance counselor should be able to help you gather the paperwork you need.

How Do You Submit an HSF Application?

The Hispanic Scholarship Fund application opens January 1  each year and typically closes mid-February. The 2023-24 cycle is currently underway, and awards will be disbursed sometime in December 2023. For the 2024-25 scholarships, the application is estimated to open January 1, 2024, and close February 15, 2024.

By submitting just one application, you'll be considered for a variety of awards. However, although you might be eligible to receive multiple scholarships, you can only be awarded one scholarship per year. Remember that you are encouraged to submit an HSF scholarship application every year you're in school.

After you submit an HSF scholarship application, you'll learn whether you won an award via email in June or July.

Want to build the best possible college application?   We can help.   PrepScholar Admissions combines world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies. We've guided thousands of students to get into their top choice schools, from state colleges to the Ivy League. We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit and are driven to get you admitted to your dream schools. Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in:

How May You Use Hispanic Scholarship Fund Award Money?

HSF scholarship funds can be used for tuition, books, fees, and other academic expenses. You can also use the award money to pay for room, board, and transportation expenses.

How to Raise Your Chances of Winning a Hispanic Scholarship Fund Award

HSF scholarships are highly competitive; unfortunately, not all qualified applicants receive a scholarship each year. It’s important, then, that you dedicate yourself fully to the application process if you’re serious about trying to get an HSF award.

I'll address some long- and short-term strategies to help you win an HSF scholarship here.

Long-Term Considerations

As you prepare for HSF scholarship applications, keep in mind that students are evaluated on the following criteria:

  • Academic achievement
  • Personal strengths
  • Commitment to giving back to their communities

HSF also strives to help students achieve their goals, particularly in areas in which Hispanic/Latino students are underrepresented, namely STEM fields .

body-microscope-close-up-5

You'll be considered an even stronger applicant if you plan on going into science, tech, engineering, or mathematics.

You should also note that HSF scholarships are looking for students who are well rounded . In other words, they would prefer a student with a slightly lower GPA and an impressive resume to a student with a perfect GPA and no extracurricular activities.

Nevertheless, the strongest HSF applicant will demonstrate both academic excellence and involvement in extracurricular activities .

If you're a younger high school student, you can start working on making yourself a stronger applicant, both for scholarships and college applications (there tends to be a lot of overlap).

Here are three things that can make applicants more competitive , according to HSF.

#1: Taking Honors or Advanced Classes

This speaks to your academic achievement. Students who challenge themselves with a more difficult course load will seem more ambitious and tenacious.

#2: Consistent Involvement in Extracurricular or Volunteer Activities

Depending on what activities you’re involved in, your participation in extracurriculars/volunteer activities can speak to all the qualities that applicants are evaluated for.

  • Academic achievement: Activities such as Science Olympiad , Mock Trial, and Debate can augment what you’re already doing in class. Basically, participation demonstrates intellectual curiosity.
  • Personal strengths : Your success in various activities/organizations will speak to your personal strengths. If you win any awards, honors, or accolades through your participation in extracurriculars, these will get you brownie points on applications.
  • Leadership : If you hold an authoritative role as a club officer, or if you started a club or volunteer organization, you’ll prove that you are a strong and effective leader.
  • Commitment to giving back to the community : Generally, any volunteer or school-related activity will demonstrate a commitment to your community.

#3: Demonstrating Experiences That Have Contributed to Your Personal Growth

You might be questioning what exactly this point is supposed to mean. After all, experiences that contribute to personal growth will be different for everyone.

In general, though, any experience that challenges you or forces you out of your comfort zone will contribute to your growth .

Here are some examples of how you can demonstrate these types of experiences in the domains relevant to the HSF application:

  • Academics : Again, difficult coursework, especially in your weaker subject areas, will challenge you intellectually. If you approach the challenge productively by seeking extra help from teachers and keeping up with your work, you’ll come across as a strong applicant. Letters of recommendation from appropriate teachers can really shed light on whether you seek out challenging academic experiences.
  • Leadership: No one starts off as a leader in any club or activity; you have to work your way up by proving yourself and earning respect over time. Volunteer to take on new and challenging learning experiences in your extracurriculars. You can do this by leading a group, proposing an independent learning project, or even starting your own club or organization.
  • Commitment to giving back to your community: How do you demonstrate commitment or passion to giving back? You do more than what’s required or expected of you. Do you feel that your school or community is missing a particular type of service group? For example, maybe you’ve noticed that the younger kids in your school community don’t have access to tutors or mentors for homework help, and you have a passion for education and teaching. This would be a great opportunity to give back to your community while also demonstrating real initiative and leadership.

body_growth-1.png

Take every opportunity to describe personal growth and development - scholarships (and colleges) love to see this upwards trajectory.

Sometimes, leadership and community commitment go formally unrecognized. Although I know it’s difficult for some students to toot their own horns, formal awards, honors, and accolades can really help you boost scholarship and college applications.

Work on taking the above advice over the long term, but also try to actively seek out award opportunities in your community . You can do this by checking with your school's guidance counselor or by doing a Google search for any awards in your area.

Short-Term Considerations

If you're ready to start working on your applications, this section will be especially helpful. I'll break down the best ways to approach each part of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund application so you can optimize your chances of winning an award.

The actual essay prompts for the 2024-25 HSF scholarship application aren't available yet, but the HSF lists ideas for personal statements that will likely overlap with its own application essays.

You can use the following prompts to brainstorm before you have access to the actual application in January:

  • What are your goals? Why did you choose these goals?
  • Why did you choose to apply for HSF fund scholarships?
  • What are your values and philosophy about education? Why?
  • Are there any accomplishments (either in or out of school) that you're particularly proud of? What have you learned from these experiences?
  • Do you have a time-management system? What is it?
  • How do you schedule your time to include both academic and social activities?
  • What difficulties or disadvantages have you faced in your life, and how have you overcome them? What is one area in which you are weak, and how have you or do you plan to overcome this weakness?
  • Identify a leadership experience and talk about the most important lessons of the position and experience.
  • What makes you unique?

Your actual scholarship essay will be evaluated on four different factors, which are as follows:

#1: Length : There’s a maximum word count for each essay. The best essays will use all the space available. While you don’t need to write the exact max number of words, you should try to get as close as possible to the maximum.

#2: Content : The essay prompts will be focused and direct; make sure your response is as well. If the prompt includes multiple parts, ensure that you’re answering each part of the prompt.

  • Highlight the qualities that the HSF values in scholarship recipients, including academic achievement, personal strengths, leadership skills or experiences, and commitment to giving back to the community. Reference the section above for examples of activities, experiences, and challenges you could highlight.
  • If there are any major weaknesses in your HSF application (such as a lack of leadership experiences or poor academic performance), use your essays to explain yourself . Don’t make excuses—keep your tone matter-of-fact, but optimistic.
  • If you’ve experienced any extraordinary hardships or obstacles, mention them in your essays . It’s important that application readers have a full and comprehensive understanding of situational factors that could have affected different aspects of your application.

#3: Use of Examples : The examples you use in your essays should be personal (without being confessional) and relevant to the prompt. Your essay responses will be more engaging if, for example, you begin your writing with an anecdote or personal story.

#4: Grammar, Spelling, and Punctuation: Errors are distracting and detract from the quality of your writing. Avoid mistakes by giving yourself plenty of time to write the essay. Have a trusted teacher or mentor edit and proofread your work, too.

body-spelling-mistake-typo-cc0

This sign doesn't make a great first impression. Make sure your HSF essay does!

Letters of Recommendation

Your academic recommendation writer must be an instructor, an adviser, or someone who can evaluate you academically (e.g., your academic performance, motivation, plans and goals, etc.). Additional recommenders can be either academic or nonacademic.

Secondary recommendation writers must be able to evaluate your community service and extracurricular activities (e.g., your leadership, work ethic, or commitment). Recommendations from family members, family friends, and other close friends are discouraged by HSF.

Strong letters of recommendation are important for any application. Here’s how you can go about getting the best letters possible for an HSF award application:

#1: Ask the Right People : Ideal recommendation writers are those in educator/mentor positions and with whom you have a long, positive history. The best recommender will be excited to vouch for you.

If you have someone in mind, ask them to write your letters in such a way that they have an "out" if they’re not comfortable doing it. If they don’t have any positive things to say about you, they’ll end up writing a lukewarm letter, and this will really hurt your application.

Ask if they’d be comfortable writing you a "very strong" or "glowing" letter. This way, you'll know that if they decline or hesitate, you’re probably better off asking someone else to write you a letter.

You can ask more than one person to write you a letter of recommendation. This is potentially a great opportunity to present yourself as a well-rounded applicant. I advise you to ask for letters from two to three people; any more than that, though, and the HSF scholarship evaluators will have too much to read!

#2: Give Your Letter Writers Plenty of Advance Notice: Aim for 10-12 weeks, if possible. Since the deadline for HSF is in mid-February, you'll want to aim to ask for rec letters by mid-November.

What's Next?

Although the HSF application means you'll be considered for many scholarships, you don't want to stop there! To really optimize your chances of getting scholarship funding, you should apply to as many scholarship programs as possible.

The good news is that we have comprehensive guides to submitting the best applications for some of the nation's top scholarships. Read these to learn how to win the Gates Millennium Scholarship , the Ronald McDonald House Charities scholarships , the Walmart Scholarships , and the Coca-Cola Scholarship .

Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points?   We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download them for free now:

Francesca graduated magna cum laude from Harvard and scored in the 99th percentile on the SATs. She's worked with many students on SAT prep and college counseling, and loves helping students capitalize on their strengths.

Ask a Question Below

Have any questions about this article or other topics? Ask below and we'll reply!

Improve With Our Famous Guides

  • For All Students

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 160+ SAT Points

How to Get a Perfect 1600, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 800 on Each SAT Section:

Score 800 on SAT Math

Score 800 on SAT Reading

Score 800 on SAT Writing

Series: How to Get to 600 on Each SAT Section:

Score 600 on SAT Math

Score 600 on SAT Reading

Score 600 on SAT Writing

Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests

What SAT Target Score Should You Be Aiming For?

15 Strategies to Improve Your SAT Essay

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 4+ ACT Points

How to Get a Perfect 36 ACT, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 36 on Each ACT Section:

36 on ACT English

36 on ACT Math

36 on ACT Reading

36 on ACT Science

Series: How to Get to 24 on Each ACT Section:

24 on ACT English

24 on ACT Math

24 on ACT Reading

24 on ACT Science

What ACT target score should you be aiming for?

ACT Vocabulary You Must Know

ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score

How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League

How to Get a Perfect 4.0 GPA

How to Write an Amazing College Essay

What Exactly Are Colleges Looking For?

Is the ACT easier than the SAT? A Comprehensive Guide

Should you retake your SAT or ACT?

When should you take the SAT or ACT?

Stay Informed

Get the latest articles and test prep tips!

Follow us on Facebook (icon)

Looking for Graduate School Test Prep?

Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here:

GRE Online Prep Blog

GMAT Online Prep Blog

TOEFL Online Prep Blog

Holly R. "I am absolutely overjoyed and cannot thank you enough for helping me!”

Hispanic Heritage Scholarship Fund

College Scholarships

hispanic heritage essay scholarship

Hispanic Heritage Scholarship Fund is committed to support Hispanic/Latino students in Central Florida to successfully complete their higher education college career. By providing scholarship funds and addressing gaps in student support, networking, and professional development, the scholarship fund will achieve its overarching goal of ensuring that Central Florida Hispanic/Latino students successfully complete their undergraduate studies.

Eligibility guidelines

hispanic heritage essay scholarship

To qualify for the Hispanic Heritage Scholarship, you must:

  • Be of Hispanic Heritage
  • Have a minimum overall unweighted 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) for high school students and undergraduate students
  • Plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree and enroll full-time (12 credit hours) in one of the following schools for fall and spring of the upcoming scholarship year:

hispanic heritage essay scholarship

4. Be a U.S. Citizen, Permanent Legal Resident, DACA or Eligible Non-Citizen as defined by the scholarship fund

5. Apply for Federal Financial Aid using the FAFSA

6. Interview with the selection committee representative s

The following are preferred, but not required:

  • Students who are able to demonstrate an evident financial need
  • Student who are from the Central Florida region
  • Degrees in “STEM” (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) fields
  • Degrees that support Central Florida’s anchor industries, such as construction management and hospitality management; and
  • Degrees that represent economic priorities in the region, such as degrees in the arts, business management/economics and education.

Scholarship recipients are selected by a volunteer committee of business and community leaders and past alumni who understand the link between education and success. Each scholarship is credited directly to the student’s account at the college or university in which the student is enrolled.

Application FAQ

How can i apply.

Students must complete and submit the application within the application period, and ensure that their FAFSA, recommendations and transcript have been received by the scholarship fund. This year’s application period is from February 2nd to March 1st. Please continue to visit our Web site for more information.

What is the amount of each scholarship?

Our scholarships range between $3,500 and $5,000.

Do I have to be Hispanic to apply?

Yes. For purposes of the Hispanic Heritage Scholarship, “Hispanic” is defined as anyone who was born in or is a first or second generation descendant of a person who was born in any of the following countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, El Salvador, Spain, Uruguay, or Venezuela.

Is there a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) requirement?

Yes. Students must have a minimum 3.00 GPA based on a 4.00 scale.

Do I have to be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident to apply for a scholarship?

At the time of the application submission, applicants must comply with one of the following conditions: Be a U.S. citizen (either born or naturalized) Be a legal permanent resident with a valid permanent resident card or a passport stamped I-551 (not expired) Have documented DACA status (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) Be an eligible non-citizen as defined by our organization. These include: U.S. permanent resident, with a Permanent Resident Card (formerly known as an Alien Registration Receipt Card or “Green Card”) Conditional permanent resident (I-551C) Other eligible non-citizen with a valid Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) from the Department of Homeland Security showing any one of the following designations: Refugee, Asylum Granted, Indefinite Parole, Humanitarian Parole, or Cuban-Haitian Entrant

I am a refugee or have established asylum status. Am I eligible to apply?

Applicants with established asylum status may apply. Applicants must submit a valid I94 at the time of submission of their application. The I94 must be stamped as: Refugee, Asylum Status, Conditional Entrant, Parolee or Cuban Haitian Entrant.

I have an international student visa or a work visa. Am I eligible to apply?

International students are not eligible. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents with a valid permanent resident card or a passport stamped I-551 (not expired) at the time of submission of their application.

I am a high school student. Can I apply?

Graduating high school seniors may apply as long as they have been accepted into an accredited college or university. High school students will be asked to include a copy of the enrollment letter in the scholarship application.

Can I attend any college or university in Central Florida to be considered?

In order to qualify, the applicant must plan to attend one of the following institutions in fall and spring of the scholarship year: University of Central Florida Valencia College Seminole State College Lake-Sumter State College Rollins College AdventHealth University

I am older than the traditional college student. Am I eligible to apply?

Our scholarships are not age-based. Students may apply as long as they meet all the eligibility requirements, regardless of age.

I am a graduate student. Am I eligible to apply?

Our scholarships are for students who are working on pursuing a bachelor’s degree. Graduate students do not qualify.

I am currently enrolled in college, but taking EAP classes since I did not attend high school in the United States and English isn’t my first language. Am I still eligible for the scholarship?

Yes. As long as you meet all of the other scholarship requirements, you are eligible to apply.

When will scholarship recipients be notified?

All applicants will receive a notification letter by e-mail before June 30, 2023 stating whether or not they have been selected as a scholarship recipient.

I want to change one of the sources of recommendation that I included in my application? Can I do that?

To change our update your recommender’s information, please e-mail us with the name and e-mail address of your new source of recommendation/reference. Our staff will send the recommender a unique link to your recommendation form.

Can my recommendations be submitted by mail or email instead of through the online system?

Due to the high volume of applications and recommendations, we only accept online recommendations at this time. As you complete your scholarship application, please make sure that your references are aware that you have listed them for recommendations, and let them know that they will receive an e-mail notification with a link to the recommendation form.

My source of recommendation did not receive the e-mail with the link to the online recommendation form. How can I send them another link?

Please e-mail us with the name and contact information of your source of recommendation. We will re-send the link to them.

If my recommendation gave me a handwritten letter, can I submit it to you?

Handwritten recommendations are not accepted. In order for the recommendation to be accepted and your application to be considered complete, the recommender must fill out the recommendation questionnaire that is e-mailed by the scholarship fund.

My source of recommendation is unable to complete the recommendation form before the deadline. What should I do?

Recommendations must be submitted on or before the due date. It is your responsibility to follow up with the people you have listed as your sources of recommendation and make sure that they are able to complete the form before the deadline. If they are unable to do so and you choose to include a different source of recommendation that is able to complete the process in time, please e-mail us with the name, e-mail and phone number of your alternative source of recommendation.

I graduate from high school this year, so I don’t have my official transcripts for the year. What should I submit?

We are asking for official, sealed transcripts with your grades through the last semester. Please ask your school to send them directly to the scholarship fund.

Does the scholarship fund accept electronic transcripts or do they need to be sent by mail?

We accept official electronic transcripts e-mailed directly to us from your school or university. This is our preferred method of receiving transcripts. If your school does not offer official electronic transcripts, the school may also send them by mail. Mailed transcripts must be in the original, sealed envelope from the university or high school. Certified mail will not be accepted. As long as they are still in the sealed envelope from your university or high school they will be accepted. If sent by mail, they must be received by the deadline.

Can I send my transcripts via certified mail?

Please do not send your transcripts via USPS, UPS or FedEx asking for a signature. We cannot guarantee that we will be in the office to sign in person or that we will be able to collect them at a local USPS, UPS or FedEx hub. The scholarship fund’s office is not regularly staffed during business hours. Therefore, transcripts sent via certified mail or requiring a signature may not be received.

Will my application be considered complete if my official transcripts are not sent by the due date?

The application will be considered incomplete and will not go on to the selection process. The transcripts must be received or postmarked by the due date in order to be considered complete

I don’t think my school can meet the deadline for the transcripts. Can you reach out to my school regarding transcripts?

Due to the high volume of applications received, we cannot follow up with the applicants’ schools to expedite the transcripts. It is your responsibility to ensure that your transcripts are delivered by the deadline.

How will I know if you received my transcripts?

You will receive a confirmation via e-mail after your transcripts have been received and processed. This process may take up to five business days.

I already applied. When we will award recipients be notified?

Award recipients will be notified by June. Notification letters will be sent out to all applicants, regardless of whether they are chosen to receive a scholarship or not.

I have a question that has not been answered in this FAQ. How can I reach the scholarship fund’s office?

Please fill out our contact form if you have any additional questions.

to HSF Home

  • Support HSF
  • Scholar Program

College Application Process

  • Preparing For College
  • College Life
  • College Life Series
  • Federal Financial Aid

Applying to College

There are many ways to apply to college. Here are some basic steps:

Gather information and applications from your choice of colleges and universities.

If you are applying to several private colleges, you will most likely need to submit a  Common Application . Check out their website to learn more.

Make a list of requirements for each college (for example, letters of recommendation, essays, and transcripts).

Mark the due dates on your calendar, and mark TARGET date for one week before applications are due. You will need time to get all the paperwork together and collect letters of recommendation, etc.

Don't wait until the last minute!

Sign up for Standardized Tests; if you have already taken them, send your scores to the universities where you will be applying.

Most applications will be due before the end of December, then you need to start applying for financial aid and scholarships while you wait for your letters.

Decision letters usually arrive before the end of March.

Letters of Recommendation

Getting great letters of recommendation in the first few months of your senior year is critical to the college application process. Here are some recommendations you can follow to secure your strong letters from your teachers and guidance couselors:

Ask for your teachers and counselors to write your letters of recommendation at least 5 weeks before they are due.  Your recommenders will need time to craft strong letters. Request your letters of recommendation from people who know you well. 

Give your recommenders an up-to-date resume so that they can include all relevant information in their letters.

Check-in with your recommenders every other week to answer any questions they may have.

Personal Statements

Personal statements are an important requirement in the application process.  They are a great way to tell readers about you.  Use these essays as an opportunity to highlight your personal experiences for college and scholarship applications.

Essays can range from short (200-500 words) to long (900+ words).  In your writing, make sure you are answering the question posed. You should support your main ideas with the best example or anecdote. Be sure to include only relevant details and use smooth transitions to tie your essay together. Your essays should be thoughtful and reflective.

Choosing a Major

A major is an organized collection of classes relating to a particular subject (e.g., English), theme (e.g., Women's Studies) or professional field (e.g.,Pre-Med, Pre-Law, Engineering, etc.) that will lead to the attainment of your degree from a particular college or university.  By declaring a major, you decide upon a certain set of classes and/or work in an area you wish to focus on.

No one major is objectively better than any other, and different people are cut out for very different things. Your major does not determine your life.  Your values, personal ambitions, and dreams will ultimately be what propel you into the kind of life you desire.  You may not know what career you want right now, but give some thought to the general sort of post-college life you want to build for yourself, and that will help propel your decision on choosing a major.

What are your chances of acceptance?

Calculate for all schools, your chance of acceptance.

Duke University

Your chancing factors

Extracurriculars.

hispanic heritage essay scholarship

9 Scholarships for Hispanic and Latino Students

Do you know how to improve your profile for college applications.

See how your profile ranks among thousands of other students using CollegeVine. Calculate your chances at your dream schools and learn what areas you need to improve right now — it only takes 3 minutes and it's 100% free.

Show me what areas I need to improve

What’s Covered:

  • 5 Tips for Winning Scholarships

More and more Hispanic students are attending college every year. From 2000 to 2018, the college enrollment rates of Latino students between 18 and 24 years old rose from 22% to 36% . Although college is becoming more accessible for Hispanic students, the cost remains a barrier to equitable access. About 70% of Latino undergraduates in higher education come from families in the bottom half of earners. One way that Hispanic/Latinx students can control college costs is with scholarships, including numerous specifically targeted scholarships for Hispanic students. 

1. ABA Diversity Scholarship

Amount: $5,000 

Deadline: N/A

Eligibility: 

  • Freshman, sophomore, junior, senior, or graduate student at an accredited university
  • Declared a major related to the travel and tourism industry 
  • Demonstrate diversity, nationality, race, and ethnicity to evaluators

Application requirements: A 500-word essay on the role the applicant hopes to play in advancing the transportation, motorcoach, travel, or tourism/hospitality industry.

The American Bus Association (ABA) awards this scholarship to students from underrepresented groups in the travel, tourism, and transportation industry with hopes to increase diversity in management and operational positions. Winners are selected on a variety of factors, including:

  • Academic achievement 
  • Financial need
  • Commitment to travel, tourism, and transportation industries 

2. Association of Cuban-American Engineers Scholarship Foundation

Amount: $500 to $2,500

Deadline: January 31, 2022

  • Citizen or legal U.S. resident 
  • Completed at least 30 units of work at an ABET-accredited college or university 
  • Full-time student
  • Cuban or other Hispanic heritage (at least one grandparent Cuban or other Hispanic nationality)
  • Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA

Application requirements: First page of the Student Aid Report, which shows the applicant’s estimated family contribution. 

The Association of Cuban-American Engineers Scholarship Foundation (ACAESF) was established to assist Cuban-American and other Hispanic students in their pursuit of an engineering degree. The award is open to both undergraduate and graduate students.

3. Latino Cooperativa Credit Union Scholarship

Amount: N/A

Deadline: May 14, 2021

  • Currently attending or planning on attending an accredited college, university, or technical school in the U.S. pursuing an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree
  • Minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA 
  • Demonstrated distinguished leadership and character 

Application requirements: 

  • Copy of acceptance letter to the institution where you’ll pursue a degree; for those re-enrolling, a transcript
  • 500 to 1,000 word essay including bio, goals, reason for applying, and what winning will mean for you (English or Spanish) 
  • Two recommendation letters (English or Spanish) 

Latino Cooperativa Credit Union was established in 2000 to serve unbanked individuals and immigrant communities. Since 2016, it has awarded more than $350,000 in scholarships supporting members on their academic journeys; recipients have gone on to launch careers in industries ranging from healthcare to high-tech to the arts. Extra consideration is given to applicants and families who use LCCU as their primary financial institution. 

4. Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards

Amount: Up to $1,000 

Deadline: December 2021

  • Enrolled in high school and graduating in the spring of 2022
  • Minimum unweighted 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale 
  • Planning to enroll at an accredited higher education institution
  • Of Hispanic heritage (includes Spain, Brazil, Philippines)
  • U.S. permanent resident, U.S. citizen, or qualify under the DACA

Application requirements: Answer five 250-word maximum essay questions 

Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards honors Latino high school seniors who excel in the classroom and community. It also awards students for excellence in areas such as: 

  • Business and Finance
  • Engineering
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Healthcare & Science
  • Media and Entertainment
  • Social Justice

Selected applicants become part of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation’s network of 200,000 professionals and serve as leaders, helping meet priorities in the classroom and workforce. 

5. Dr. Juan Andrade Jr. Scholarship for Young Hispanic Leaders

Amount: $1,000 for a 4-year institution; $500 for a 2-year institution

Deadline: November 30, 2021

  • Enrolled (or accepted for enrollment) as a full-time undergraduate student at an accredited four-year or two-year institution in the U.S. 
  • Demonstrate financial need 
  • At least one parent of Hispanic ancestry  
  • DACA and Undocumented students are eligible
  • Transcript 
  • 500 word essay including a bio, family history, influential life/work experiences, obstacles overcome, and most significant achievement 
  • 500  to 750 word leadership essay detailing the future of Latinx (Hispanics) in the U.S., the leadership needed, the role you can play, and how the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute (USHLI) can help you achieve your goals
  • Two letters of recommendation  

Named after Dr. Juan Andrade, Jr., one of only four Latinos honored by both the U.S. Government and Mexican Government, was awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal (the second-highest civilian award in the U.S.) and the National Ohtli Award (the highest honor presented by the government of Mexico). Winners of the award are chosen for their commitment to leadership, a characteristic shared by the scholarship’s namesake. 

6. AICPA Scholarship for Minority Accounting Students

Amount: Up to $5,000

Deadline: March 1, 2022

  • An ethnic minority in the accounting profession, including, but not limited to: Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, Pacific Islander, Asian American
  • Pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in an accounting-related major
  • Planning to pursue a CPA licensure 
  • Attending a public or private, not-for-profit, four-year college or university in the U.S. 
  • Completed a minimum of 30 semester hours (or equivalent) of college coursework, at least 6 semester hours of which in accounting
  • Enrolled full-time —12 semester hours for undergraduates; 9 semester hours for graduate students
  • Enrolled in an accredited business/accounting program that meets the educational requirements for CPA licensure  
  • Minimum overall and major GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale 
  • AICPA Student Affiliate member
  • U.S. citizen or permanent resident 
  • Some financial need 
  • Willingness to remain engaged with the AICPA

Since 1969, the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) has awarded the AICPA Scholarship for Minority Accounting Students to increase diversity among CPAs. Over that time, the association has provided over $14 million to more than 8,000 students. The scholarship is renewable, although renewals are not automatic or guaranteed. 

hispanic heritage essay scholarship

Discover your chances at hundreds of schools

Our free chancing engine takes into account your history, background, test scores, and extracurricular activities to show you your real chances of admission—and how to improve them.

7. Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA) Scholarship  

Amount: Varies 

Deadline: May 15, 2021

  • Premium member of the organization 
  • Full-time, degree-seeking student at a two-year college, four-year college/university, or graduate program in the U.S. or Puerto Rico 
  • 3.0 GPA or higher on a 4.0 scale 

The Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting (ALPFA) awards this scholarship to assist students in meeting the financial obligations of higher education. Despite the organization’s name, the scholarship is open to all majors. 

8. The Hispanic Health Professional Student Scholarship

Amount: Varies

Deadline: September 24, 2021

  • 3.0 GPA or higher 
  • Exceptional academic performance, documented leadership activities, and a commitment to a career providing healthcare to the Hispanic community in the U.S.
  • Full-time student in a qualifying accredited program: medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, public health, health policy, physician assistant
  • U.S. citizen, lawful resident, or DACA recipient
  • National Hispanic Medical Association membership
  • Maximum two-page (double-spaced) personal statement or essay that includes career goals 
  • Current curriculum vitae including education, employment, extracurricular activities, and awards
  • Letter of recommendation 
  • Proof of U.S. citizenship, residency, or DACA status
  • Unofficial copy of school transcripts

Established in 2004 to support students with outstanding academic records and possessing great leadership who wish to pursue careers in healthcare fields serving Hispanic communities in the U.S. The award is not explicitly for Hispanic students, but a passion for improving the health of Hispanic communities and an interest in participating in NHHF Scholars Alumni activities is required.

9. Great Minds in STEM (GMiS) Scholarship 

Amount: $500 to $10,000

Deadline: May 30, 2021 

Eligibility:

  • Pursuing a STEM (science, technology, engineering, or math) degree
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale 
  • Of Hispanic descent and/or demonstrate leadership and service in an underserved community 
  • Enrolled full-time in a STEM undergraduate or graduate program for the upcoming semester at an accredited two or four year college or university in the U.S. or its territories
  • 750 to 850 word personal statement 
  • Resume (one-page limit)
  • Peer letter of recommendation from a friend, classmate, lab partner, roommate, teammate, or fellow member of a campus or community organization
  • Letter of recommendation from a faculty member, teacher, mentor, advisor, counselor, principal, dean, or MEP Director
  • Headshot (for publication purposes)

GMiS is an organization committed to promoting STEM careers to those in underserved communities and to inspire through the achievements of Hispanics and other role models in STEM fields. The GMiS Scholarship supports the organization’s mission by assisting talented Hispanic academics and leaders in their pursuit of STEM degrees. 

5 Tips for Winning Scholarships 

The price of college continues to rise ; consequently, so has the competition for scholarships. Luckily, there are some steps students can take to get an edge over other applicants. 

1. Start Early 

Don’t wait until junior year to begin the scholarship process. Start researching what scholarships you’re eligible for and which you have the best chance of winning. There are even some scholarships available to freshmen and sophomores . Remember, the more scholarships you apply for, the more likely you are to win an award. 

2. Make a Scholarship Schedule

Treat researching, preparing, and applying for scholarships like a job—after all, it can pay off. Setting aside a few hours every week over the course of your high school career can add up. 

3. Leverage Your Network 

Reach out to your family, employer, friends, and community members and let them know you’re looking for scholarship opportunities. There are tons of great award opportunities that are local, generally less competitive, and typically not well advertised through organizations like church groups, local organizations, and small businesses—you just need to find them. 

 4. Ask Your Advisor 

High school advisors often have years of experience with the college admissions and scholarship processes, and can add insight into what awards will be a good fit for you in particular. They are also an excellent resource and can show you how to improve everything from your application to your essay. 

5. Contact Colleges

Know what school you’re going to attend or dream of attending? Search their website or call their financial aid office to learn what type of scholarships are available at the school. Most colleges have scholarships specifically for their students, many of which involve an application separate from the admissions process.

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

hispanic heritage essay scholarship

University of the People Logo

Getting Into College , Paying for School

5 Easy Steps to Win a Hispanic Scholarship Fund Award

hispanic heritage essay scholarship

Updated: June 19, 2024

Published: April 3, 2019

Win-A-Hispanic-Scholarship-landscape-c384faac79be528f25b3ab7556e4c3ec-n5mwvo4a7kez

The Hispanic Scholarship Fund supports Hispanic students in earning their higher education. Find out how you can apply and be awarded in a few quick steps.

From 2000-2015, the number of Hispanic undergraduate enrollment nearly doubled to 3 million. As the largest minority group on most college campuses, university scholarships and organizations like the Hispanic Scholarship Fund exist to help pay for school for Hispanic students.

Depending on the scholarship you apply for, the requirements and eligibility will vary, but the Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) exists to help students of Hispanic heritage afford an education. In addition, if HSF isn’t the right fit for you, there are plenty of additional scholarships geared toward Latino and Hispanic prospective students.

First, we’ll share what HSF is and how you can be awarded. Then, we’ll look at some alternative options for scholarships if you are of Hispanic descent.

                Source: Unsplash

What is the hispanic scholarship fund.

The Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) was founded in 1975 and exists to empower Latinos and help support their higher educational journey, including scholarships and resources.

HSF is the nation’s largest organization that helps to assist Hispanics to afford education, and since its founding, HSF has awarded over $500 million in scholarship money.

Along with helping Hispanic students fund their college education, HSF provides resources to first prepare students for college and then also assist with tools upon graduation. For example, HSF has various Scholar Conferences that cover multiple subjects like Entrepreneurship, Finance, Media and Entertainment, and National Leadership. These opportunities allow students from all over to come together with a like-minded purpose and share ideas, network, and create bonds that have the potential to change the future!

Who is Eligible?

Since it serves as a scholarship fund, there are eligibility requirements to apply. If you do not fulfill the requirements, then it is advised to refrain from applying because these must be met to be considered. While all college majors are accepted, the awards are preferential to those in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) fields. Applicants must also be:

  • Of Hispanic heritage
  • Enrolled full-time in a 4-year institution
  • Hold at least a 3.0 GPA in high school, a 2.5 GPA in college
  • Be a US citizen, legal resident, DACA, or eligible non-citizen

Who is Qualified?

Since the fund is geared towards helping students achieve their higher education, they must be in a position to be pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree.

You can apply for HSF if you are one of the following:

  • High school senior
  • Early graduate/GED Recipient
  • Undergraduate and graduate students — primary or secondary degrees

What’s the Award Amount?

The award amount is merit-based according to academic excellence. The awards range from $500 to $5,000 and are decided by assessing an applicant’s overall GPA, test scores, and well-roundedness along with their goals.

When to Apply?

The scholarship application opens on January 1 with a deadline of February 15. Finalists are chosen between March and April, with the selection made in May. Awards are distributed from October to December.

Tips to Win

As with all scholarships , there are ways to set yourself ahead of the curve and well-position an applicant to win the award amount. Here’s a look at some useful tips.

1. Be Proactive:

Sign up ASAP and fill out an application even if it’s not open yet.

2. Challenging Coursework:

Take honors and AP courses to show the challenging academic environment and focus on getting good grades.

3. Be a Leader:

Choose extracurricular activities, join groups, and lead in aspects that relate to your intended major.

4. Recommendations:

Build a close relationship with a teacher, professor, or employer, and have them write a strong letter of recommendation that really highlights your differentiating skills.

5. Detail-Oriented:

Be sure to double-check your application, have someone else you trust look over it, and also be honest in everything you write.

               Source: Unsplash

Checklist to apply.

When applying for the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, be sure to have the following items prepared. It’s useful to prepare these well in advance of any deadlines so that missing an item cannot disqualify you from being awarded. Items include:

  • Complete FAFSA
  • A copy of the SAR report
  • Verified enrollment
  • High school and college transcripts
  • Letter of recommendation
  • Financial aid letter from the financial aid office at your school

Other Hispanic Scholarship Options

HSF is not the only option for students of Hispanic descent. There are many scholarships available that are dedicated to Hispanic women, men, and veterans.

Here’s a look at a few of them:

1. Botari Women’s Scholarship Fund

For Brazilian women who are pursuing an associate degree at the University of the People, the Botari Women’s Scholarship Fund covers up to 10 course assessment fees. At UoPeople, it is tuition-free, so the only costs associated with earning one’s degree come from a one-time $60 application fee plus ($100 for undergrad or $200 for graduate) per course assessment fees. However, for women who are awarded this scholarship, 10-course assessment fees will be fully covered.

2. Chicana/Latina Foundation Scholarship

Awarded to Latina students, this foundation offers 30-40 students merit-based scholarships for up to $1,500 to help pay for their college. The winners are selected based on the following criteria:

  • They’ve shown their dedication to establishing equality for Chicana and Latina women
  • They have demonstrated leadership experience
  • They showcase their goals clearly and have overcome personal challenges
  • They boast strong academic achievement
  • They can participate in the annual Leadership Institute

3. AMS Minority Scholarship

The AMS Minority Scholarship is awarded to students who have been underrepresented in sciences. This includes Hispanic, Black/African American, and Native American students. The $6,000 award is distributed equally in two years during one’s Freshman and Sophomore years of school. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. They must also be pursuing degrees in atmospheric or related oceanic and hydrologic sciences.

Like the University of the People, these scholarship funders believe that one’s education should never be halted because of financial ability. Although scholarships are competitive by nature, the fact that students are eligible because of their heritage shows that diversity in education is important and a main focus of many. If you’re unsure of any scholarship, your college of choice will be happy to answer any questions or concerns as they are well-prepared with financial aid departments.

At UoPeople, our blog writers are thinkers, researchers, and experts dedicated to curating articles relevant to our mission: making higher education accessible to everyone.

Related Articles

  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Scholarships in Ink logo

Scholarships in Ink

How To Write a Scholarship Essay as a Hispanic Student

9:47 am By ScholarshipEssays

Student taking a break from writing

W hen you’re writing a scholarship essay, there are many factors to pay attention to ensure your essay stands out to scholarship committees. If you are writing a scholarship essay as a Hispanic student, there are a few extra things you should keep in mind to set yourself up for success and increase your chances of receiving a scholarship.

Many factors, such as GPA, extra-curricular activities and test scores help determine who receives a scholarship, but the essay can be a major determining factor in many cases.

An important thing to pay attention to when you are applying for scholarships is that there are many scholarship applications that are specifically for Hispanic students. Knowing and understanding these scholarships and their application processes is crucial to boosting your chances of receiving a scholarship.

Research Hispanic scholarships as you write your essay.

The Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) is an incredible resource that allows you to apply for a large number of scholarships for Hispanic students with one simple application. When you apply, you’ll be considered for scholarships which range from $500 to $5,000.

To apply, you must be of Hispanic heritage, enrolled in school and maintain a 3.0 GPA if you are in high school or a 2.5 GPA if you are in college. For the HSF, being of Hispanic heritage is defined as being at least 25% Hispanic, but this may vary for other applications, so be sure to read all requirements carefully. The scholarships that fall under this application are all merit based merit based , meaning they don’t take financial need into consideration.

You can also apply to many scholarships for Hispanic students specifically, so doing your research and making sure you are aware of these opportunities is a great first step. Some scholarships are open specifically to Hispanic women, Hispanic men, veterans or first-generation college students. There are also many scholarships that are geared towards students going into various fields, such as healthcare, STEM or the arts. Be sure to give yourself enough time to research the various opportunities that are available, and make sure you are able to craft individual essays for each application.

Most scholarship applications, including the application for the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, include an essay requirement. Writing the scholarship essay is an essential part of the application process. It’s a chance for you to let the scholarship committee see your writing skills, your attention to detail, and most importantly, who you are as both a person and a student.

Tips for writing your scholarship essay.

As you begin to craft your scholarship essay, be sure to leave yourself plenty of time to write your essay since it’s one of the most important parts of your college application.

Choosing the topic of your essay is one the most challenging aspects of the process, and you should use it as a chance to pick something that you truly care about and which speaks to who you are as an individual. Some essays provide prompts, but many are relatively open ended, giving you a chance to describe your goals, strengths, character and experience.

If your Hispanic heritage is something you’d like to highlight, the essay is a great opportunity to describe how you connect and relate to your Hispanic identity. If there is something you do that gives back to the Hispanic community or if there is a writer, scholar or scientist of Hispanic heritage whom you admire, feel free to emphasize it in your essay. Just remember that the essay needs to be real and authentic, and you shouldn’t write about something just because you think the committee wants you to. Remember to stay true to yourself and your values!

The HSF, for example, evaluates essays on four basic sets of criteria, and these guidelines can be taken into consideration for any scholarship essay you write. The criteria are: length, content, use of examples and spelling/grammar/punctuation. As you write your essay, you can refer back to this set of criteria to ensure you are writing your best possible essay.

To do so, make sure you are abiding by the word count or essay length specified in the directions. You don’t want to make a bad impression on the committee, and in some cases, essays that don’t adhere to guidelines might not even be read. Next, make sure the content is relevant to the prompts and provides good evidence that gives concrete examples that will help further the claim you are making. Finally, the spelling/punctuation/grammar requirement can be met easily with proper time, attention and editing.

When you are finished writing, proofread the essay thoroughly and consider having someone else edit the essay before you submit.

A key component in submitting a successful scholarship essay is making sure you turn in all the required materials on time. Pay attention to deadlines and remember that different scholarships have different submission dates, and you don’t want to miss out on any opportunity to showcase why you deserve to receive a scholarship .

When applying to scholarships as a Hispanic student, you can increase your chances by doing your research on the best scholarships to apply for and adhering to guidelines and deadlines.

Most importantly, you can boost your chances by writing an effective essay that will make you stand out from your competition. The essay is your chance to show off how you are great as a student, leader and community member!

Related posts:

Quick links.

Getting Started Applying for Scholarships Scholarship Essay Tips Sample Scholarship Essays with Feedback

Scholarship FAQs Scholarship Essay Outline Scholarship Planning Worksheets Glossary of Scholarship Terms

Contact Us Our Services Affiliate & Privacy Disclosures

Login or sign up to be automatically entered into our next $10,000 scholarship giveaway

Get Started

  • College Search
  • College Search Map
  • Graduate Programs
  • Featured Colleges
  • Scholarship Search
  • Lists & Rankings
  • User Resources

Articles & Advice

  • All Categories
  • Ask the Experts
  • Campus Visits
  • Catholic Colleges and Universities
  • Christian Colleges and Universities
  • College Admission
  • College Athletics
  • College Diversity
  • Counselors and Consultants
  • Education and Teaching
  • Financial Aid
  • Graduate School
  • Health and Medicine
  • International Students
  • Internships and Careers
  • Majors and Academics
  • Performing and Visual Arts
  • Public Colleges and Universities
  • Science and Engineering
  • Student Life
  • Transfer Students
  • Why CollegeXpress
  • $10,000 Scholarship
  • CollegeXpress Store
  • Corporate Website
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • CA and EU Privacy Policy

Articles & Advice > Financial Aid > Articles

Woman's hand dropping coin into piggy bank atop books with festive background

Great Scholarship Opportunities in Honor of Hispanic Heritage Month

There are scholarships for Hispanic and Latino/a students of all levels, plus those with an affinity for the community. Here are some you need to check out!

by CollegeXpress

Last Updated: Aug 23, 2023

Originally Posted: Oct 4, 2022

CollegeXpress strives to be a valuable resource for everyone, including Hispanic and Latino/a students searching for the right colleges and scholarships to help them thrive academically, personally, and professionally. In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, we’ve gathered a variety of scholarship opportunities for high school, college, and graduate students with Hispanic or Latino/a heritage, or an interest in the Hispanic community. Please note that some application deadlines have passed, but you can keep these opportunities in mind for the future!

HACU Scholarship Program

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) represents more than 500 colleges and universities in the United States, Latin America, and Spain. HACU partners with several different brands to offer scholarships to current college students enrolled at member schools, including many emerging and existing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). A variety of scholarships are offered in partnership with Miller Lite, Coca-Cola, Café Bustelo, MGM Resorts, and more, each with differing requirements, amounts, and deadlines; for example, there are 35 $2,500–$5,000 scholarships in partnership with Miller Lite available for the 2023 fall semester (deadline: August 30) and six $5,000 scholarships in partnership with Palo Alto Networks (deadline: November 1). Please note that all scholarships require applicants to demonstrate financial need and attend an HACU member college in the US or Puerto Rico. Awards : Up to $5,000;  Deadlines : Vary

Hispanic Health Professional Student Scholarship Program

The National Hispanic Health Foundation offers multiple scholarships to students with outstanding academic and leadership records as well as a commitment to serving Hispanics. Students must be enrolled full-time in a US-based accredited graduate program in Medicine (Allopathic or Osteopathic), Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing (including BSN), Master of Public Health or Health Policy, or Physician Associate. Applicants aren’t required to be Hispanic but must have an interest in the health of Hispanic communities and NHHF Scholars Alumni activities. Around 15–20 recipients are chosen every year. Awards : Up to $5,000 annually for up to four years, plus individual $2,000 scholarships; Deadline : September 15

The Youth Awards

Sponsored by the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, The Youth Awards competition is open to Latino/a high school seniors who excel in the classroom and community. Gold, silver, and bronze awards are granted in several different categories, including Business & Entrepreneurship, Community Service, Education, Engineering, Green Sustainability, and more. Applicants must be of Hispanic heritage and plan to enroll at an accredited institution of higher education next fall. Awards : One-time grant of up to $4,000 to fund a college education or community service effort that tackles a social issue; Deadline : November 13

Dr. Juan Andrade Jr. Scholarship for Young Hispanic Leaders

Sponsored by the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute (USHLI), the Dr. Juan Andrade Jr. Scholarship recognizes Hispanic students with a commitment to leadership. Applicants must be enrolled or accepted as a full-time undergraduate at an accredited two- or four-year institution in the US and have at least one parent of Hispanic ancestry. DACA and undocumented students are also eligible to apply. Applicants are required to submit essays on their background and the future of Latinx leadership as well as two letters of recommendation.  Awards : $1,000 for four-year schools, $500 for two-year schools, plus a scholarship to attend the USHLI National Conference; Deadline : November 30

Rumba Meats Scholarship

This year, USHLI has also partnered with the Cargill family of brands to celebrate the Hispanic community through food with the Rumba Meats Scholarship . To be eligible, members of the high school Class of 2023 must have demonstrated financial need, an active history of consistent community service, and at least one parent of Hispanic ancestry. DACA and undocumented students are eligible to apply, and essays about an applicant’s family history and heritage are also required. Once awarded, the 25 recipients must provide a two-minute video explaining how their Hispanic heritage has influenced their life as well as their plans to preserve it. Awards : $1,000; Deadline : November 30

CollegeXpress Scholarship for Students of Color

Hispanic and Latino/a students are eligible to apply for the quarterly Scholarship for Students of Color sponsored by CollegeXpress. Just complete a free CX profile and answer the following question in just one sentence: What is your dream career to pursue after high school? Winners of this random drawing will receive a $1,500 scholarship that can be used at any CollegeXpress featured college or university, plus $500 will be donated to the charity of your choice. If you miss one deadline, you have three more chances throughout the year to enter. Award : $2,000; Deadline : December 31 (as well as March 31, June 30, and September 30)

HSF Scholars

The Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) has awarded over $500 million in scholarships to high school, college, and graduate students since 1975, with around 10,000 recipients selected each year. Applicants must be of Hispanic heritage as well as US citizens, permanent legal residents, or DACA students. Recipients are chosen based on merit, with award amounts based on relative need. HSF Scholars are also eligible to apply for all Scholar Conferences. Awards : $500–$5,000; Deadline : February 15

Hispanic Heritage Scholarships

The Hispanic Heritage Scholarship Fund has invested almost $2 million in Central Florida’s Hispanic youth since 2000. Applicants must be of Hispanic heritage as well as a US citizen, legal permanent resident, DACA, or eligible citizen according to the FAFSA. These scholarships may only be used at the University of Central Florida , Valencia College , Seminole State College , Lake-Sumter State College , Rollins College , or AdventHealth University . Awards : $3,500–$5,000; Deadline : February 25

HOLA Scholarship

Sponsored by Microsoft, the HOLA Scholarship supports the growth of Hispanic communities while encouraging the pursuit of tech careers. Applicants can be US citizens, permanent legal residents, or DACA but must be high school seniors of Hispanic and Latino/a descent (e.g., Mexican American, Cuban American, Brazilian, etc.) living in the US and attending (or planning to attend) a two- or four-year college or university to pursue an associate or bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Business Management, or Marketing. A GPA of 3.0 or higher, an essay, and demonstrated leadership at your school or in your community are also required. Two $20,000 scholarships are distributed over four years ($5,000 per year and renewable) as well as three $5,000 one-time scholarships.  Awards:  Up to $20,000;  Deadline:  March 15

ScholarSHPE

The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) offers a wide variety of scholarship opportunities to graduating seniors, undergrads, graduate students, and professionals pursuing degrees, certificates, and careers in STEM. Applicants must be active SHPE members with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 and enrolled (or planning to enroll) in a STEM program at an accredited two- or four-year US college or university. One application allows you to easily apply to multiple scholarship opportunities at once.  Awards: Up to $25,000; Deadline:  April 9

Hispanic Scholarship Consortium Scholars Program

The Hispanic Scholarship Consortium (HSC) offers a variety of renewable college scholarships and leadership training opportunities for students of Hispanic and Latino/a heritage residing in Texas. Applicants must plan to enroll at an accredited two- or four-year college or university in the United States on a full- or part-time basis. The program is open to graduating high school seniors, undergraduates, and graduate students, and US citizenship is not required. Awards : Amounts vary; Deadline : April 30

Find even more college funding opportunities with our Scholarship Search tool , and learn about great Hispanic-Serving Institutions that support diverse student bodies.

Like what you’re reading?

Join the CollegeXpress community! Create a free account and we’ll notify you about new articles, scholarship deadlines, and more.

Tags: financial aid Hispanic Hispanic Heritage Month Hispanic students money for college scholarship opportunities scholarships

Join our community of over 5 million students!

CollegeXpress has everything you need to simplify your college search, get connected to schools, and find your perfect fit.

Anthony Vidal

Anthony Vidal

High School Class of 2023

CollegeXpress has helped me in a series of different ways when it comes to finding scholarships and learning information about different universities. I actually found my dream university through CollegeXpress and am working on getting there.

High School Class of 2021

CollegeXpress helped me organize the schools I wanted to choose from in one place, which I could then easily compare and find the school that was right for me!

Priscilla Yeboah

Priscilla Yeboah

High School Student

I was afraid and timid throughout my search for colleges, but I finally found the college that was fit for me and luckily I got accepted. One of the most influential things that helped me was the articles and advice on CollegeXpress. They've helped me a lot and benefited me as a senior to make the right choices in life. Thank you!

Maria Fernanda

CollegeXpress is always telling you with time to spare when to apply for certain scholarships, what they require, and if you’re eligible or not. They also provide helpful tips for both incoming college students and current college students, such as what to absolutely have in your dorm.

Courtney Smith

Courtney Smith

High School Class of 2022

CollegeXpress has been a huge help! The website is very organized with finding the right scholarship for anyone and anything. With CollegeXpress, I've been able to find many scholarship opportunities to apply for. Not only that, I'm also able to search for the colleges I have interest in and see what’s required and what scholarships they offer. I've learned a lot from CollegeXpress. They've helped me in many ways to achieve my goals!

  •   Over 55 May Scholarship Opportunities to Apply For
  •   How to Minimize the Impact Student Loans Have on Your Future
  •   Over 60 April Scholarship Opportunities to Apply For
  •   Over 50 March Scholarship Opportunities to Apply For
  •   Over 45 February Scholarship Opportunities to Apply For

Colleges You May Be Interested In

Wayne State University

Detroit, MI

Sacred Heart University

Fairfield, CT

Molloy University

Rockville Centre, NY

Drake University

Des Moines, IA

University of Montana

Missoula, MT

Personalize your experience on CollegeXpress.

With this information, we'll display content relevant to your interests. By subscribing, you agree to receive CollegeXpress emails and to make your information available to colleges, scholarship programs, and other companies that have relevant/related offers.

Already have an account?

Log in to be directly connected to

Not a CollegeXpress user?

Don't want to register.

Provide your information below to connect with

hispanic heritage essay scholarship

HSC Logo.png

Scholars hip Essay Workshops

Join the Hispanic Scholarship Consortium for a virtual essay workshop designed to help you craft winning essays that earn you scholarships for college! During the workshop, you will hear from Dr. Ricardo Ortegón of GPS College Guidance on what makes an essay stand out. He will break down HSC's essay prompts and help you understand how to write about your personal values & goals in your essays. His tips are great for students at any level and can easily be applied to other scholarship applications. Upcoming workshops: Tuesday, March 12th @ 1PM CST

Wednesday, march 27th @ 4:30pm cst, wednesday, april 10th @ 4:30 cst, monday, april 22nd @ 4:30 pm cst.

Hispanic Heritage History Month Essay Contest

About the scholarship.

The Hispanic Heritage History Month Essay Contest is offered to current 4th-12th grade students in Florida. Students with an interest in Hispanic heritage, family, and culture are highly encouraged to apply.

  • Essay Required : Yes
  • Need-Based : No
  • Merit-Based : No
  • Resident of Florida
  • Current 4th12th grade student
  • Seeking a professional certification or associate degree
  • Planning to attend a 2year college in Florida
  • Interest in Hispanic heritage, family, and culture
  • Country : US

Get the Reddit app

Looking for scholarships? This subreddit lists opportunities for **U.S. students** who are seeking free money for college. Come back often, as we frequently add new scholarships to our growing list of available awards.

2024 Hispanic Scholarship Fund HSF Essay Prompts

hey guys i was accepted as a finalist for phase 2 of the hsf scholarship and i’m having technical difficulties w the fafsa section since i haven’t gotten my fafsa back yet… but does anyone know what the essay prompts are? i wanna try to get those done as soon as possible

  • Stanley G. Tate
  • Board Members
  • Testimonials
  • Path to Prosperity
  • Project STARS
  • Academic A+
  • First Generation
  • In-Demand Careers
  • Black History Month
  • Hispanic Heritage Month
  • Student Resources
  • Become a Donor
  • We Love Our Donors!
  • Plans & Pricing
  • Publications

hispanic heritage essay scholarship

The Foundation sponsored the Governor’s Annual Hispanic Heritage Month Essay Contest for 4th through 12th grade students throughout Florida. The essay contest celebrates Hispanic heritage, family and culture. The theme for the 2023 essay and art contests was “Celebrating Florida’s Hispanic Heroes and their Contributions to Freedom”.

Congratulations to the 2023 Hispanic Heritage Month Essay Contest winners! Each winning student received a 2-Year Florida College Plan Scholarship from the Florida Prepaid College Foundation.

Essay Contest winners:

  • Elementary School Category: Norah Hall and Angelica Urena
  • Middle School Category: Joseph Norman and Camila Romero
  • High School Category: Jasmyn Cabral and Bella Jiron

Are you a Hispanic Heritage Month Florida Prepaid Scholarship student?

Your scholarship is designed to be easy to use and flexible. If you have any questions, please call our Customer Service team at 1-800-552-4723, Monday – Friday, 8 am – 6 pm ET.

Important information for you to know:

Easy to use – When you are ready for college you should let your donor know where you will attend classes. Florida Prepaid will pay your college or university directly, making the process easy for you!

Plan accepted at any qualified educational institution – Your scholarship is designed to be flexible and allows students (beneficiaries) to attend the post-secondary institution of their choice regardless of the type of plan, unless otherwise indicated by the donor at the time the beneficiary is assigned to their scholarship. The Florida Prepaid College Plan may be used at any eligible educational institution as defined in s. 529 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Helpful Links

  • General FAQs

As the 501(c)(3), direct support organization for the Florida Prepaid College Board, the Foundation helps support our shared goal of making college more affordable and accessible for more Floridians.

Your donation will be used in furtherance of the tax-exempt charitable purposes of Florida Prepaid College Foundation, Inc. (the “Foundation”). All donations are received and considered unrestricted unless explicitly stated otherwise by the donor. If funds received exceed the specific need or goal of a Foundation program, then, at the discretion of the Foundation, any funds donated may be used for similar scholarship programs operated by the Foundation.

View the Master Contract and Program Description and Participation Agreement for more information.

Featured Donors & Partners

hispanic heritage essay scholarship

Connect With Us

  • Privacy Policy

LinkedIn Logo

Are you seeking one-on-one college counseling and/or essay support? Limited spots are now available. Click here to learn more.

100 Great College Scholarships for High School Seniors – 2024

June 25, 2024

Our list of the 100 best college scholarships for high school seniors is intended to guide you toward a wide range of opportunities in the world of private scholarships. These include no essay scholarships as well as offerings for those pursuing specific majors like nursing or education as well as members of minority groups.

At the same time, we want to remind all prospective college students not to spend an excessive amount of time in pursuit of private scholarships, particularly at the expense of more fruitful avenues. In one recent year roughly $234 billion in total student aid was awarded to undergraduate students. The overwhelming majority of student aid comes from the federal government and institutional aid from colleges and universities is the second largest source, accounting for $71 billion; state governments give just $12 billion of total aid. Only 7% of the total aid handed out comes in the form of employer and private scholarships, a number that doesn’t quite support all of the hype

Focus on Merit Aid Directly from Colleges

In an effort to boost attendance and meet enrollment targets, many colleges have devoted an increasing share of their budgets to attracting desirable students via the offering of merit-based (i.e., non-need-based) financial aid. Using merit scholarships to lure high-achieving or high-scoring students can improve a college’s ranking and eventually its desirability, ultimately fueling enrollment. And because “high-achieving” and “desirable” are relative terms, students don’t have to be academic superstars to earn merit money. A number of reputable schools now offer sizable merit awards to “B” students.

Don’t Forget to Fill Out a FAFSA/CSS Profile

For those with significant financial need, the federal government continues to be the largest source of student aid. Each year, roughly 40 billion dollars, money that comes in the form of Pell Grants, work-study programs, and educational tax breaks is awarded to families. Additionally, the feds loan out close to 85 billion with a far more favorable terms than private lenders. That’s over 125 billion dollars handed out each year for higher education, a sum greater than the Gross National Product of all but 58 countries in the world. The bottom line is that there is a substantial amount of federal money available, so filling out a FAFSA is certainly worth your time.

100 Best College Scholarships for High School Seniors – 2024

No essay scholarships.

Looking for scholarships that you can apply for in less time than it takes to brush your teeth? Here are some legitimate entities that offer regular no essay scholarships that allow real students to take home cash for college.

1) Niche No Essay Scholarship

Niche is giving one student $2,000 to put toward tuition, housing, books or other college expenses — no essay required.

  • Value: $2,000

2) Scholarships 360 No Essay Scholarship

The Scholarships 360 $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship is open to all students who want some extra help paying for their education.

  • Value: $10,000

3) Sallie Mae Scholarship

Takes less than 2 minutes to enter. New winners drawn monthly.

College Scholarships for High School Seniors (Continued)

4) collegexpress no essay scholarship.

Those with an account on this site are automatically entered to win.

5) Be Bold No Essay Scholarship

The scholarship will be awarded to the student whose profile is most bold, according to these characteristics. Earnest, Determined, and Moving.

  • Value: $25,000

6) Scholarship Owl No Essay Scholarship

50 winners per year. You’ll need to sign up for an account. 1/140,000 chance of winning.

  • Value: $1,000

7) CollegeVine No Essay Scholarship

All students enrolled in high school or looking to attend college next year who apply by the deadline will qualify for the scholarship. The winner of the scholarship will be chosen based on a lottery system and notified via email.

8) US Bank Scholarship

Complete free, in-app lessons about personal finance topics. The more modules you finish, the more scholarship money you could win.

  • Value: $20,000

9) Unigo No Essay Scholarship

This $10,000 Unigo Scholarship is open to any applicant who is 14 years of age or older and is a legal resident of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia.

10) College Board No Essay Scholarship

The $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship is available to students who are seeking a postsecondary education, including returning adult learners. U.S. citizens and permanent residents are welcome to apply.

Merit-Based Scholarships – College Scholarships for High School Seniors

11) coca-cola scholarship .

The Coca-Cola Scholars Program scholarship is an achievement-based scholarship awarded to students in their final year of high school. Students are recognized for their capacity to lead and serve, as well as their commitment to making a significant impact on their schools and communities. Visit our blog on How to Win a Coca-Cola Scholarship for more details. 150 Students are selected for a $20,000 award per year.

12) Equitable Excellence Scholarship

Equitable will provide 100 $5,000 annual scholarships that will be renewed to award recipients each academic year for four years, for a total of $20,000 per recipient.

13) Davidson Fellows Scholarship

We award $50,000, $25,000 and $10,000 scholarships to gifted and high-achieving students, 18 years old or under, who have completed a significant piece of work.

  • Value: $10,000-$25,000

14) National Honor Society Scholarship

Each year, scholarship recipients are selected based on their demonstration of the four pillars of NHS: Scholarship, Service, Leadership, and Character.

  • Value: $3,200-$25,000

15) The Elks Foundation – Most Valuable Student 

The Elks National Foundation will award 500 four-year scholarships to the highest-rated applicants in the 2025 competition.

  • Value: $1,000-$7,000

16) The Gates Scholarship 

This prestigious scholarship program is based on evidence that by eliminating the financial barriers to college, a last-dollar scholarship can enable high-potential, low-income minority students to excel in their coursework, graduate college, and continue to be leaders throughout their lives.

  • Value: Full Cost of Attendance

17) Burger King Scholars Program

Offers a track for the general public as well as employees.

  • Value: $1,000-$50,000

18) QuestBridge Match Scholarship 

Dream  big  and apply for full four-year scholarships to over 50 top colleges through QuestBridge.

  • Value: Over $325,000

19) Cameron Impact Scholarship 

The Cameron Impact Scholarship is a four-year, full-tuition, impact-driven undergraduate scholarship awarded annually to 10-15 exceptional high school students who have demonstrated excellence in leadership, community service, extracurricular activities, and academics.

20) Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship Program

Open to students who intend to pursue research careers in the natural sciences, mathematics and engineering.

  • Value: Up to $55,000

Scholarships for African American Students – College Scholarships for High School Seniors

21) hbcu sustainable communities initiative scholarship.

Scholarship applications are open to students from eligible HBCUs majoring in STEM, business, and sustainability-related disciplines.

  • Value: $5,000 (renewable)

22) APA Foundation Diversity Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded annually to students intending to pursue careers as practicing planners who will diversify the profession and who can demonstrate a genuine financial need.

  • Value: $5,000

23) Lee Aca Thompson Performing Arts Scholarship

Any BIPOC undergraduate or graduate student who is pursuing the performing arts may apply for this scholarship.

24) HM Family Scholarship

This scholarship seeks to support ambitious BIPOC students who are exploring educational and professional STEM opportunities.

25) Endeavor Design Scholarship

The Endeavor Design Scholarship is offered in support of creating racial equity in the fields of Sportswear/Active Apparel Design, Fashion Apparel/Accessories Design & Footwear Design.

  • Value: $1,865

26) Jerzee Foundation Scholarship

Any African American high school senior or undergraduate student with a minimum 2.5 GPA who is attending or will attend an HBCU may apply for this scholarship.

27) PlayStation Career Pathways Scholarship

PlayStation Career Pathways is a multi-year career readiness program that elevates the next generation of business, creative and technical talent, bridges the opportunity gap, and removes financial barriers to higher education. Pathways Scholars get access to scholarships, mentorships and insider gaming industry expertise.

  • Value: Up to $30,000

28) CATALYSTS Scholarship

Black/African American undergraduate students are eligible to apply if they have a GPA of 2.8 or higher and have internship or work experience regarding social impact.

29) Anderson Engineering Scholarship

Any BIPOC undergraduate student who is pursuing engineering may apply for this scholarship opportunity, but applicants who are enrolled in co-op engineering programs are preferred.

  • Value: $7,000

30) ESOF Scholarship

This scholarship seeks to support minority students who need monetary support to pursue higher education at a Historically Black College or University (HBCU).

  • Value: $1,500

Scholarships for Hispanic Students – College Scholarships for High School Seniors

31) overcoming adversity carino scholarship.

Any Latinx high school senior student from the state of Washington who has a history of overcoming adversity may apply.

32) Futbol is Life Scholarship 

This scholarship seeks to celebrate and reward exceptional Hispanic students who exhibit outstanding academic performance and actively participate in a competitive soccer team.

  • Value: $4,000

33) The Alliance/Merck Ciencia (Science) Hispanic Scholars Program

Open to students of Hispanic heritage who are seniors attending a high school in Brownsville, TX; Elizabeth, NJ; or Los Angeles, CA.

  • Value: $2,000-$42,000

34) Se Vale Sonar Scholarship

This scholarship is to help and encourage first-generation, Latino/a, low-income high school students with academic success in pursuing a higher education.

35) Barreir Opportunity Scholarship 

Any high school senior or undergraduate student of Hispanic heritage who is from a single-parent, low-income household and displays academic potential and commitment to community service may apply for this scholarship opportunity.

36) Cybersecurity & The Latinx Community Scholarship

This scholarship aims to support Latinx students who are pursuing higher education in cybersecurity.

37) Hispanic Climb to Success Scholarship 

This scholarship is specifically designed to provide support to low-income Hispanic and Latinx students in New York,

38) El Café Del Futuro Scholarship

Each year, they offer multiple $5,000 scholarships to college students at institutions that are members of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU).

39) Prospanica Foundation Scholarships

Prospanica is proud to offer a select number of scholarships for qualified undergraduate and graduate business students committed to making a positive change through their contributions to society.

  • Value: Up to $5,000

40) Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards

Open to Latino high school seniors who excel in the classroom and community and for their excellence in various categories including: Business & Entrepreneurship, Community Service, Education, Healthcare & Science, Media & Entertainment, and Technology & Engineering.

  • Value: $3,500

Scholarships for First-Generation Students – College Scholarships for High School Seniors

41) ifsa first generation college student scholarship.

Designed to give first-generation college students a chance to benefit from the life-changing experience of studying abroad.

  • Value: $2,500

42) Dorrance Scholarship

The Dorrance Scholarship is a need-based award that aims to instill college-going traditions in future generations of Arizona families.

  • Value: $12,000

43) I’m First! Scholarship

Students must demonstrate financial need and also show a strong interest in their communities through volunteer work.

  • Value:$2,000

44) NFA First Generation in College Scholarship

The First Generation in College Scholarship is a merit-based, one-time monetary award granted to a flutist currently enrolled in or accepted to attend an accredited college, university or conservatory in the United States.

45) Golden Door Scholars Program 

Golden Door Scholars provides DACAmented & undocumented students with the financial aid and support needed to invest in their education and define their futures.

  • Value: $40,000

46) StudySoup First in Family Scholarship

The winning student will be able to clearly demonstrate leadership qualities, commitment to their education, and a capacity to triumph over challenges.

47) UNCF Coca-Cola First Generation Scholarship

The Coca-Cola First Generation Scholarship is available to students who are the first in their family to attend a 4-year college or university.

48) Florida FGMG

Be a Florida resident and a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen. A student’s residency and citizenship status are determined by the postsecondary institution.

  • Value: Varies

49) Sallie Mae and Hispanic College Fund First in My Family Scholarship

Applicants must be Hispanic and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the United States. They need to have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and be an undergraduate attending school full-time in the United States or Puerto Rico.

  • Value: $500-$5,000

50) Smith Scholarship Foundation

Applicants must be Alabama residents who are graduating high school seniors, have a minimum 2.3 GPA, and have taken or plan to take the SAT or ACT.

Scholarships for Women in Stem – College Scholarships for High School Seniors

51) engineering and technical science achievement scholarship.

Engineering and Technical Science Achievement Scholarship provides financial assistance to women who are working on an undergraduate degree in a field of engineering or technical science are eligible to apply.

  • Value: Awards Vary

52) Palantir Women in Technology Scholarship

They hope to encourage women to pursue computer science, engineering, and technical studies, and to become leaders in these fields.

53) Virginia Heinlein Memorial Scholarship

The “Virginia Heinlein Memorial Scholarship” is dedicated to a female candidate majoring in engineering, math, or biological or physical sciences.

54) BHW Women in STEM Scholarship

Women who are pursuing an undergraduate or master’s degree and are majoring in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.

  • Value: $3,000

55) Women at Microsoft Scholarship

The Women at Microsoft Scholarship is dedicated to supporting high school senior women and non-binary individuals who are targeting a career in STEAM fields.

56) Aysen Tunca Memorial Scholarship

Awarded to a female undergraduate student majoring in a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) field, excelling in her studies, and demonstrating significant potential.

57) UPS Scholarship for Female Students

58) michigan council of women in technology undergraduate scholarship.

Our scholarship program encourages talented female students (high school seniors and current college/university students) to continue their higher education and ultimately help Michigan become the No. 1 state for girls and women in technology.

  • Value: $1,000-$5,000

59) Learner Education Women in Mathematics Scholarship

To be eligible for this scholarship, applicants must be enrolled in an undergraduate mathematics or related fields degree program at a 4-year, 2-year, vocational, or technical institution in the United States OR a graduating high school senior who has plans to study mathematics or related fields.

60) SNC Women in STEM Scholarship

This scholarship program is designed to encourage women to pursue careers in currently underrepresented fields and industries.

  • Value: $7,500

Scholarships for Native American Students – College Scholarships for High School Seniors

61) cherokee nation higher education scholarships.

Cherokee Nation scholarships are available for eligible tribal citizens residing within the Cherokee Nation reservation and contiguous boundaries or citizens who are eligible for the Pell grant and live outside those areas. Eligible high school juniors and seniors may also qualify for concurrent college classes.

  • Value: Awards vary.

62) Minnesota Indian Scholarship Program

Minnesota Indian Scholarship Program provides postsecondary financial assistance to eligible Minnesota resident students who demonstrate financial need for an award.

63) Chickasaw Nation Scholarships

This program provides a wide variety of higher education grants, scholarships and incentives to Chickasaw college students each semester.

  • Value: Up to $4,500

64) Hopi Tribe Grants and Scholarships Program

Their goal is to provide quality services to the Hopi people by enhancing a full range of educational opportunities.

65) Catching the Dream Program

Catching the Dream has three separate scholarship programs, the MESBEC, NALE, and TBM program.

66) American Indian College Fund Scholarship

The American Indian College Fund has a close relationship with the  35 accredited Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCU) . Students attending TCUs are eligible for all the different merit-based scholarship programs we offer.

  • Value: $2,000-$3,000

67) Cobell Scholarship Program

Providing elevated opportunities for high achieving, community involved Native college students with leadership experience through empowering them with an impactful scholarship experience designed to support their success in higher education.

  • Value: Up to $6,000

68) Ke Ali’I Pauahi Foundation

Many awards may be determined based on merit, while some are restricted for students who demonstrate financial need or for students applying from specific geographic regions.

69) Association on American Indian Affairs Scholarships

Be enrolled with your respective Tribe, either federally recognized or non-federally recognized Native Nation, from the continental US or Alaska and possess a minimum GPA of 2.5.

70) American Indian Services Scholarships

The AIS Scholarship program is to help  undergraduate Native American students  with financial support to attend college, maintain enrollment, and graduate.

Scholarships for High School Seniors – Education Majors

70) teach grant.

The TEACH Grant Program provides grants of up to $4,000 a year to students who are completing or plan to complete coursework needed to begin a career in teaching.

71) Epsilon Sigma Alpha Scholarship

The ESA Foundation has awarded  more than $3 million  in scholarships and continues to award numerous scholarships annually. You  do not have to be an ESA member to apply for a scholarship, and our application process is 100% online.

72) James F. Reville Scholarship

The James F. Reville Scholarship is presented to an individual who intends to pursue a career related to the field of intellectual or other developmental disabilities such as behavioral sciences, social work, nursing, healthcare administration and management or psychology.

  • Value:$3,000

73) Early Childhood Educators Scholarship Program

The T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Pennsylvania Scholarship Program offers early learning professionals a debt-free higher education, supporting them while they work to become stronger teachers and earn thriving wages.

  • Value: Up to $4,500 per semester

74) Mrs. Prindables Future Educator Scholarship

Open to any incoming freshman or current student majoring in education.

75) Underwood-Smith Teacher Scholarship

The Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars Program is a competitive scholarship for recent high school graduates with a passion for teaching and a history of high academic achievement, community service, and active involvement in extracurricular activities while in high school.

  • Value: $10,000 (renewable)

76) Middle Class Scholarship

The Middle Class Scholarship is for undergraduates and students in California pursuing a teaching credential with family income and assets up to $217,000.

77) Barbara Lotze Scholarship for Future Physics Teachers

The AAPT Board of Directors offers scholarships for future high school physics teachers. Undergraduate students enrolled, or planning to enroll, in physics teacher preparation curricula and high school seniors entering such programs are eligible.

78) Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship

The Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship provides high-achieving high school and college students interested in pursuing a career in education the opportunity to earn a renewable scholarship of up to $10,000 each year for four academic years. In exchange, students agree to teach for five years at an eligible Indiana school or repay the corresponding, prorated amount of the scholarship.

  • Value: $10,000 (renewable each year)

79) Teacher Education Scholarships

Every year, the American Montessori Society awards teacher education scholarships to aspiring Montessori teachers in support of their professional growth.

80) Charles Butt Scholarship for Aspiring Teachers

The Charles Butt Scholarship for Aspiring Teachers was designed to encourage and support Texas’ most promising students to pursue a career in teaching through one of the state’s best university-based teacher preparation programs.

  • Value: $8,000-$10,000 per year

Scholarships for High School Seniors – Nursing Students

81) emergency nurses association foundation scholarships.

To further advance emergency nursing, the ENA Foundation proudly offers educational scholarships annually. Offerings include academic scholarships, available to members and nonmembers seeking to further their education with degrees ranging from associates to doctoral degrees.

82) National CPR Association

The National CPR Association invite you to join our Healthcare Training Scholarship Plan to aid you in your endeavors to become a qualified professional in your chosen field.

83) GoodRx Nurses for Change Scholarship

Be a current, enrolled student pursuing a healthcare or allied healthcare career at an accredited program recognized by the student’s state. Have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent). Self-identify as a person from an underrepresented population in the healthcare field.

  • Value: $5,000 (renewable for four years)

84) Philippe Forton Scholarship

The Philippe Forton Scholarship aims to honor Philippe by supporting high school seniors pursuing nursing in post-secondary education.

85) Kansas Nursing Service Scholarship

The Kansas Nursing Service Scholarship is designed to encourage enrollment in LPN or RN nursing programs by Kansans committed to practicing in Kansas. Recipients sign an agreement/promissory note with the State of Kansas to practice nursing at a specific facility one year for each year of scholarship support.

  • Value: $4,500 (renewable each school year)

86) Nursing Foundation of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania nursing students at all levels of study are eligible to apply, provided they are matriculated in an accredited nursing school in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania by the upcoming Fall semester. This includes students in their final year of high school who plan to pursue a nursing degree.

87) Hurst Review Services AACN Nursing Scholarship

Hurst Review and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) are partnering to offer this scholarship program that recognizes and rewards entry-level nursing students for outstanding academic performance. All applicants must already be enrolled in an AACN member institution and maintain at least a 3.2 grade point average in their current program or last school attended.

88) Gender-Inclusion Scholarship

The applications will be evaluated on a weighted scale using the following categories, listed with the areas of highest emphasis first: Personal statement, financial need, volunteer/community service history, professional associations, reference letter, academic status, honors/awards, resume, certifications, and workload.

89) Jane Delano Student Nurse Scholarship

The Jane Delano Nursing Student Scholarship which promotes nursing as a career and encourages new nurses to get involved with the Red Cross. A limited number of scholarships are awarded each year.

90) Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium Board of Directors Scholarship

The Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) awards 10 competitive $5,000 scholarships to qualified Alaska Native and American Indian students. This scholarship is open statewide

Scholarships for High School Seniors – Psychology Majors

91) jake thomas williams memorial scholarship.

For a high school senior majoring in social work, therapy, or psychology and planning a career in mental health or suicide prevention.

  • Value: $2,750

92) David L. Burns Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship aims to provide assistance to students in Missouri who are dedicated to supporting individuals grappling with addiction. It is open to students entering professions aimed at aiding individuals during their most challenging moments. Eligible fields include nursing, counseling/mental health, social work, and related careers.

93) Psi Chi Undergraduate Scholarships

The Psi Chi Undergraduate Scholarships help defray the direct educational costs (e.g., tuition, institutional fees, required textbooks) of exceptional Psi Chi undergraduate students.

94) Sharon Stephens Brehm Undergraduate Psychology Scholarships

Each year, their Sharon Stephens Brehm Undergraduate Psychology Scholarships award $5,000 to seven outstanding undergraduate psychology students who demonstrate financial need.

95) Inez Beverly Prosser Scholarship for Women of Color

This scholarship serves as a mechanism to empower women of color to complete their educational journey and pursue an advanced degree in psychology, and take a step toward supporting representation and impact of women of color in psychology, this scholarship will help defray the direct educational costs.

96) National Institutes of Health (NIH) Undergraduate Scholarship

A college scholarship program for undergraduate students committed to careers in biomedical, behavioral, and social science research.

97) Workforce Shortage Student Assistance Grant Program

To be considered for the Workforce Shortage Student Assistance Grant you must be a Maryland resident. If you are a dependent student, your parent must also be a Maryland resident. You must also enroll at a two-year or four-year Maryland college or university each semester.

98) Aya Healthcare Future Travel Nurse Scholarship

Scholarships are available to students with a 3.0 and an interest in becoming a traveling nurse.

99) Bethesda Lutheran Communities Scholarship

Supports Lutheran students pursuing undergraduate degrees and seminarian and post-graduate students that will prepare them for ministry (such as pastor, pre-seminary and deaconess studies, deaconess, director of Christian education, or special-needs teacher),

100) Bilingual School Psychologist Scholarships

Applicants are evaluated on their leadership, work experiences, and passion to transform the bilingual speech-language pathology field.

  • Value: $7,000-$9,000

College Scholarships for High School Seniors – Additional Blogs of Interest

  • 26 Most Expensive Colleges in 2024
  • Automatic Scholarships Based on SAT/ACT Scores
  • Best Scholarships for California Scholarships 
  • Most Common Scholarship Interview Questions
  • How to Win Merit Scholarships 
  • National Merit Scholarship PSAT Score Cutoff by State
  • How to Write a Scholarship Essay
  • Costs & Financial Aid

Dave Bergman

Dave has over a decade of professional experience that includes work as a teacher, high school administrator, college professor, and independent educational consultant. He is a co-author of the books The Enlightened College Applicant (Rowman & Littlefield, 2016) and Colleges Worth Your Money (Rowman & Littlefield, 2020).

  • 2-Year Colleges
  • Application Strategies
  • Best Colleges by Major
  • Best Colleges by State
  • Big Picture
  • Career & Personality Assessment
  • College Essay
  • College Search/Knowledge
  • College Success
  • Data Visualizations
  • Dental School Admissions
  • Extracurricular Activities
  • Graduate School Admissions
  • High School Success
  • High Schools
  • Homeschool Resources
  • Law School Admissions
  • Medical School Admissions
  • Navigating the Admissions Process
  • Online Learning
  • Outdoor Adventure
  • Private High School Spotlight
  • Research Programs
  • Summer Program Spotlight
  • Summer Programs
  • Teacher Tools
  • Test Prep Provider Spotlight

“Innovative and invaluable…use this book as your college lifeline.”

— Lynn O'Shaughnessy

Nationally Recognized College Expert

College Planning in Your Inbox

Join our information-packed monthly newsletter.

IMAGES

  1. Tampa hispanic heritage essay contest in 2021

    hispanic heritage essay scholarship

  2. Optimum Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with Annual Student Essay

    hispanic heritage essay scholarship

  3. Fillable Online 2018 Hispanic Heritage Month Essay Contest Rules and

    hispanic heritage essay scholarship

  4. Hispanic Heritage Month Project: Essay, Map, and Timeline

    hispanic heritage essay scholarship

  5. Gaines 4th Grade Hispanic Heritage Essay Contest

    hispanic heritage essay scholarship

  6. Hispanic Heritage Month Essays

    hispanic heritage essay scholarship

COMMENTS

  1. Hispanic Scholarship Fund: Scholarship Main

    Exclusive access to the HSF Insider which shares invaluable information and career opportunities. Finally, and importantly, HSF awards more than $30 million in Scholarships annually and, depending upon available funds, HSF Scholars may also be eligible to receive a scholarship, which range from $500-$5,000 and are awarded directly to students.

  2. Apply

    Application. Starting February 2 and until March 1, you may submit a scholarship application, and the scholarship committee will receive your official transcripts and recommendations. Unofficial applications and transcripts or recommendations received after the deadline will result in an incomplete application. For more information, please read ...

  3. How to Win a Hispanic Scholarship Fund Award

    In order to receive an HSF award, you must meet all of the following eligibility requirements: Be of Hispanic heritage (defined as being at least 1/4 Hispanic or Latino) Have a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale (for high school students) Have a minimum 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale (for college and graduate students) Plan to enroll full-time at an ...

  4. Home

    Our work at the Hispanic Heritage Scholarship Fund is made possible with everyone's help. - The students are the engine that drives us to create more and better opportunities for them and their families. - The sponsors are the strength and the momentum that allows us to do better with each generation of scholarship students ...

  5. Hispanic Scholarship Fund: Home

    Donate to HSF. 95 cents of every dollar you give to HSF goes directly to Scholarships, Support Services, Career Services, and Programs that serve Parents, K-12 students, HSF Scholars and Alumni. Hispanic Scholarship Fund.

  6. College Scholarships

    To qualify for the Hispanic Heritage Scholarship, you must: 4. Be a U.S. Citizen, Permanent Legal Resident, DACA or Eligible Non-Citizen as defined by the scholarship fund. 5. Apply for Federal Financial Aid using the FAFSA. 6. Interview with the selection committee representative s. Degrees that represent economic priorities in the region ...

  7. The Hispanic Scholarship Fund: Everything You Need to Know

    The Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) helps Latino students gain the knowledge and resources they need to achieve a college degree. Since 1975, the organization has provided Hispanic Americans with almost $588 million in scholarship funding, with individual awards ranging from $500-$5,000, depending on a student's fiscal need.

  8. Hispanic Scholarship Fund Scholarship

    About the Scholarship. Opens: 1/1/2024. Closes: 3/15/2024. The Hispanic Scholarship Fund Scholarship supports the education efforts of students with Hispanic heritage. High school seniors, undergraduate, and graduate students are welcome to apply. Apply Now.

  9. PDF Youth Awards Essay Questions

    ©2023 - Hispanic Heritage Foundation Youth Awards Essay Questions. Media & Entertainment . 1. What influenced your interest in Media & Entertainment? Please provide specific examples of programs, classes, activities, or projects you have participated in or led, that demonstrate your commitment and dedication to Media & Entertainment.

  10. Hispanic Scholarship Fund: College Prep

    Use these essays as an opportunity to highlight your personal experiences for college and scholarship applications. Essays can range from short (200-500 words) to long (900+ words). In your writing, make sure you are answering the question posed. You should support your main ideas with the best example or anecdote.

  11. Hispanic Heritage Youth Scholarship

    About the Scholarship. Opens: 9/13/2023. Closes: 11/13/2023. Hispanic Heritage Youth Scholarship recognizes and rewards, with college scholarships or grants for community service projects, Hispanic high school juniors from selected metropolitan areas throughout the country who have excelled in various areas of activity. Apply Now.

  12. 9 Scholarships for Hispanic and Latino Students

    Selected applicants become part of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation's network of 200,000 professionals and serve as leaders, helping meet priorities in the classroom and workforce. 5. Dr. Juan Andrade Jr. Scholarship for Young Hispanic Leaders Amount: $1,000 for a 4-year institution; $500 for a 2-year institution. Deadline: November 30, 2021

  13. Florida Department of Education and Volunteer Florida Encourage

    About the Student Essay Contest. Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis' Hispanic Heritage Month Essay Contest is open to all fourth through twelfth-grade students in Florida. Each student will submit one essay no longer than 500 words based on this year's theme. Six winners will be selected: two elementary school students ...

  14. Hispanic Heritage Scholarship

    The Hispanic Heritage Scholarship is available to Hispanic students seeking a bachelor's degree at AdventHealth University, Lake-Sumter State College, Rollins College, Seminole State College, University of Central Florida, or Valencia College. Special consideration is given to students who can demonstrate financial need, are from the Central Florida region, and pursuing degrees in STEM ...

  15. 5 Easy Steps to Win a Hispanic Scholarship Fund Award

    The Hispanic Scholarship Fund supports Hispanic students in earning their higher education. Find out how you can apply and be awarded in a few quick steps. From 2000-2015, the number of Hispanic undergraduate enrollment nearly doubled to 3 million. As the largest minority group on most college campuses, university scholarships and organizations ...

  16. How To Write a Scholarship Essay as a Hispanic Student

    When you apply, you'll be considered for scholarships which range from $500 to $5,000. To apply, you must be of Hispanic heritage, enrolled in school and maintain a 3.0 GPA if you are in high school or a 2.5 GPA if you are in college. For the HSF, being of Hispanic heritage is defined as being at least 25% Hispanic, but this may vary for ...

  17. Scholarships for Hispanic Heritage Month

    The Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) has awarded over $500 million in scholarships to high school, college, and graduate students since 1975, with around 10,000 recipients selected each year. Applicants must be of Hispanic heritage as well as US citizens, permanent legal residents, or DACA students.

  18. Hispanic Scholar

    hip Essay Workshops. Join the Hispanic Scholarship Consortium for a virtual essay workshop designed to help you craft winning essays that earn you scholarships for college! During the workshop, you will hear from Dr. Ricardo Ortegón of GPS College Guidance on what makes an essay stand out. He will break down HSC's essay prompts and help you ...

  19. How am I supposed to answer this essay prompt? (HSF)

    How am I supposed to answer this essay prompt? (HSF) "Please describe your Hispanic heritage?". It is one of the essay prompts from the Hispanic Scholarship Fund. I am from a Hispanic country, and that's why I'm Hispanic. I don't see how it is deeper than that. Is there something that I'm missing? Thank you in advance for any help ...

  20. Hispanic Heritage History Month Essay Contest

    About the Scholarship. Opens: 7/1/2024. Closes: 9/16/2024. The Hispanic Heritage History Month Essay Contest is offered to current 4th-12th grade students in Florida. Students with an interest in Hispanic heritage, family, and culture are highly encouraged to apply. Apply Now.

  21. 2024 Hispanic Scholarship Fund HSF Essay Prompts : r/scholarships

    On my page, I was able to access all forms at the same time. These are the prompts I got, although I haven't submitted my FAFSA information (cause yk). Yes, I'll DM you the prompts. hey guys i was accepted as a finalist for phase 2 of the hsf scholarship and i'm having technical difficulties w the fafsa section since i haven't….

  22. Hispanic Heritage Month

    The theme for the 2023 essay and art contests was "Celebrating Florida's Hispanic Heroes and their Contributions to Freedom". Congratulations to the 2023 Hispanic Heritage Month Essay Contest winners! Each winning student received a 2-Year Florida College Plan Scholarship from the Florida Prepaid College Foundation. Essay Contest winners:

  23. 100 Great College Scholarships for High School Seniors

    1) Niche No Essay Scholarship. Niche is giving one student $2,000 to put toward tuition, housing, books or other college expenses — no essay required. Value: $2,000; 2) Scholarships 360 No Essay Scholarship. The Scholarships 360 $10,000 "No Essay" Scholarship is open to all students who want some extra help paying for their education ...

  24. Enter Optimum's Hispanic Heritage Essay Contest

    Albertson, NY. Isaac W. 8th Grade, Batesville Jr High School Charter. Batesville, AR. Davia K. 7th Grade, Rombout Middle School. Beacon, NY. Optimum and Univision invite middle and high school students to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Tell us what Hispanic culture means to you.

  25. Hispanic Heritage Scholarship Fund

    4 likes, 0 comments - hispanic_heritage_scholarships on June 27, 2024: "We hope to see you at 2024 HHSF Award Ceremony. Interested in buying a table and celebrating with us? Email us at [email protected].