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What is the FAFSA?

The FAFSA allows students to access federal and state grants in addition to student loans. Grants are important to mention because they are free money.   It also helps colleges, universities, and scholarship programs to determine the distribution of need-based institutional grants and scholarships.

FAFSA stands for “Free Application for Federal Student Aid.” Colleges and universities, as well as the federal government, use this application to make decisions about how to distribute financial aid to students. Most of the FAFSA questions ask about your tax history and financial information (and that of your parents if you are under 24 years old).

Why should I apply?

  1. The FAFSA is free to fill out.
  2. Most schools won’t offer you financial aid unless you’ve submitted the FAFSA.
  3. Many colleges and universities require the FAFSA for merit-based financial aid as well as need-based aid.

No doubt about it, filling out the FAFSA should be one of your first steps in the college application process.

Who can apply?

Any legal U.S. citizen or resident can apply for the FAFSA.

Not a legal resident? There is still hope! Visit our section on immigration status and financial aid for more information.

When Should I Apply?

The earliest you can apply is October 1st of your senior year of high school. You should apply as early as possible because federal financial aid is given on a first-come, first-served basis. Many colleges have March deadlines for priority financial aid. Seriously, get it done early.

Remember that you must renew your FAFSA every year! Fortunately, it’s much easier to update the FAFSA once you’ve filled it out the first time.

Request an IRS Tax Return Transcript!

Download a Request for IRS Tax Return Transcript form here.

Where do I apply?

FAFSA ID

FSA ID is the username and password needed to log-in and submit to FAFSA. Both students and at least one parents (if the student is dependent) will need to make one.

Dependency Status

What is a loan?

Loans for education are much the same as other kinds of loans. An organization such as a bank will agree to give you money on the condition that you pay them back that money, plus an additional amount (usually a small percentage of the loan).

Not your first choice

Scholarships and grants can lower your college costs, and unlike loans, they do not need to be paid back. It’s always best to pursue that kind of “free” funding first. Loans should be your last resort for financial aid.

However, taking out loans is not the end of the world. Competition for financial aid can be fierce, and not every student is able to secure enough to pay for all their college expenses. Loans let you continue your education, and that’s critically important. If you’ve read our page about how college pays you back, you know that college graduates tend to make far more in their future careers than individuals without a college degree.

If you need to take out a loan, make sure you do your homework beforehand. The terms of loans—the rules governing when you have to pay them back, and how much interest you must pay on them—can vary a great deal, and the difference between a smart loan decision and a poor loan decision can be dramatic.

Check out Student Loan Best Practices for more information.

Some key terms

Loan agreements are very detailed and use specialized language to describe the rules of the loan. Here are some basic definitions of four important terms that you are likely to see:

  • Interest : a fee that the company providing the loan charges for letting you borrow their money. Interest charges are based on the amount of the loan that remains unpaid, so the longer it takes you to repay the loan, the more interest you will end up paying.
  • Subsidized loans: a kind of loan offered by the federal government to students who demonstrate sufficient financial need when they fill out the FAFSA. With a subsidized loan, the government will pay your interest for you while you are in school. That’s a great deal! If you need to take out loans, always take out subsidized loans first if the option is open to you.
  • Unsubsidized loans: loans that continue to accrue interest while you are in school. With an unsubsidized loan, the amount you need to pay back will continue growing as you work toward your degree.
  • Tax Return Transcipts: In some situations, such as when you apply for a student loan, mortgage or visa, you may be asked to provide a copy of your most recent tax return. If you do not have a copy, you can get a tax return transcript for free from the IRS. 
Which loans are subsidized?
Subsidized Unsubsidized
Perkins Parent PLUS
Subsidized Stafford Unsubsidized Stafford
Private and State Loans

Government loans

There are four main types of loans that the U.S. federal government offers to students who qualify after filling out the FAFSA:

  • Stafford loans: These are offered based on financial need, and you do not need to pass a credit check to receive one. There are maximum borrowing limits for Stafford loans. Stafford loans may be subsidized or unsubsidized.
  • Perkins loans: Available to students from families with “extreme” financial need, Perkins loans have fairly generous repayment terms, including lower interest rates and longer grace periods following graduation than other federal loans.
  • Parent PLUS loans: These are unsubsidized loans with no maximum borrowing limit that undergraduates can use to bridge the gap between the amount of money they need to pay for school (including living expenses) and the amount available through Stafford loans, scholarships, grants and other financial aid sources. PLUS loans need to be cosigned for by an adult guardian, and a credit check is required.
  • Graduate PLUS loans: Very similar to Parent PLUS loans, Graduate PLUS loans do not require an adult to cosign. They are intended for graduate and professional students who are themselves adults.

Private loans

If you are not awarded sufficient financial aid (including government loans) after submitting the FAFSA, you may want to apply for a private loan. You can get college loans from banks, directly from colleges, and sometimes from other private organizations. SimpleTuition.com and eStudentLoan.com are two sites that let you search for loans from multiple lending agencies. The College Board has a very good information section about loans as well.

Be careful when applying for a private loan. Read the fine print. Remember that lending agencies exist to make money off of the interest they charge you! The federal government offers relatively low interest rates on its loans, but private lenders can and do charge much more. The difference between a loan at a good rate and a loan at a higher rate can be many thousands of dollars over the course of repayment. Experiment with this loan calculator to decide what kinds of loans you can really afford.

One final caution about loans. Missing payments on your loans once the period of repayment begins can really hurt your credit rating. Bad credit makes it much harder to get loans when you need them, for things like a car or house. Having bad credit will also drive up the amount of interest you have to pay on future loans, because lenders see you as a risky investment!

Arizona State University (ASU)

The President Barrack Obama Scholars Program

View the the Obama Scholars Program on the ASU website, or download a PDF fact sheet for the 2012 program.

Description: The President Barack Obama Scholars Program offers a combination of grants, scholarships and work-study awards to incoming freshmen from low-income families at Arizona State University. These awards, which do not require repayment, cover the difference between the student’s expected family contribution and the direct costs of attending the University, which include tuition, fees, and room, board and book allowances. The award lasts for eight consecutive, full-time semesters, as long as students continue to meet eligibility requirements.

Eligibility: In order to be eligible for this financial aid program, you have to meet several criteria. You must:

  1. Be an Arizona resident admitted to ASU as full-time freshman pursuing your first undergraduate degree (or a Native American students high school senior from out of state who is eligible for in-state tuition).
  2. Meet all course competencies and at least one aptitude requirement, as defined by the ASU Freshmen Admission Requirements
  3. Enroll in ASU in the fall semester immediately following your graduation from high school.
  4. Have a total annual family income below a certain amount, according to your FAFSA. For 2012, this amount is $42,400.
  5. Pursue a major that is on campus. Online degrees are not eligible.

There are additional requirements to continue receiving the award after being selected initially.

Number of Awards: Varies. The awards are given out on a first-come, first-served basis to students who demonstrate eligibility, but there is a limited amount of money available from the program each year. Apply as soon as you can!

Award Value: Varies, based on your expected family contribution as defined by the FAFSA. This award is worth a significant amount of money for students who receive it.

Award Type: Financial need-based.

Application Process: Integrated with the rest of the financial aid application process at ASU. More information is available at the program home page, or from the ASU Financial Aid Office at 1-855-278-5080.

Application Due Date(s): Your FAFSA must be submitted complete and error-free by March 1. Your ASU admissions application, complete with test scores, transcript and application fee, must also be on file by March 1. Any additional documents requested by ASU must be submitted by June 1. These are hard deadlines with no exceptions, and you want to get your materials in even earlier if you can.

Scholarships

Visit the ASU scholarship search engine, or view the list of scholarships available from each ASU college.

Description: ASU offers a variety of scholarships on the basis of merit and/or need. The ASU scholarship search tool lets you sort nearly 100 scholarships by grade level, grade-point average (GPA), campus, financial need and more. Not all ASU scholarships are listed in the search tool, however, so make sure to check the full list of awards available from the various ASU colleges as well. You can find answers to many specific questions, as well as contact information for the ASU scholarship office, at the University’s scholarship frequently asked questions page.

Eligibility: Every scholarship has different requirements, so check the ASU website for this information.

Number of Awards: Varies.

Award Value: Varies.

Award Type: Merit-based and financial need-based scholarships are both available.

Application Due Date: Most ASU scholarships require student action by a specified deadline. Deadlines vary, but most occur between December and March.

Application Process: Some scholarship applications are online, and others require paper applications. Many scholarships can be applied for using a single online “ASU General Scholarships Application,” but don’t ignore scholarships just because they require a little extra footwork!

Student Employment

View the student employment section of the ASU website.

Description:On- and off-campus employment opportunities are available to students who wish to work in order to meet education expenses, or believe the experience can be a valuable part of their education. Sometimes students will receive work-study awards as part of a financial aid package, but even if you are not eligible for work-study, many positions are available.

Contact: Call the ASU student employment office at (480) 965-5186, or email them at [email protected].

University of Arizona (U of A)

Arizona Assurance Scholars Program

View the Arizona Assurance Scholars page on the UA website

Description: The Arizona Assurance Scholars Program offers a combination of grants, scholarships and work-study awards to incoming freshmen from low-income families at the University of Arizona. These awards, which do not require repayment, cover the difference between the student’s expected family contribution (as determined by the FAFSA) and the direct costs of attending the University, which include tuition, fees, and room, board and book allowances. The award lasts for eight consecutive, full-time semesters, as long as students continue to meet eligibility requirements.

Eligibility: In order to be eligible for this financial aid program, you have to meet several criteria. You must:

  1. Be an Arizona resident admitted to the UA as full-time freshman pursuing your first undergraduate degree.
  2. Enroll in the UA in the fall semester immediately following your graduation from high school.
  3. Have a total annual family income below a certain amount, according to your FAFSA. For 2012, this amount is $42,400.
  4. Be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, also determined by your FAFSA.
  5. Have earned an unweighted, cumulative high school GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

There are additional requirements to continue receiving the award after being selected initially.

Number of Awards: Varies. Meeting the eligibility requirements makes you eligible for selection for an Arizona Assurance award, but does not guarantee it.

Award Value: Varies, based on your expected family contribution as defined by the FAFSA. This award is worth a significant amount of money for students who receive it.

Award Type: Financial need-based

Application Process: Integrated with the rest of the financial aid application process at the UA. More information is available at the program home page, from the UA Office of Admissions at (520) 621-3237, or from the UA Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid at (520) 621-1858.

Application Due Date(s): Your FAFSA must be submitted by March 1. Your UA admissions application, complete with test scores, transcript and application fee, must also be on file by March 1. Any additional documents requested by the UA must be submitted by May 1. If there were errors or missing information in your original FAFSA submission, these must also be corrected by May 1. These are hard deadlines with no exceptions, and you want to get your materials in even earlier if you can.

Scholarships

View the UA Scholarship Universe search engine, or visit the UA scholarships homepage.

Description: The UA offers a variety of scholarships on the basis of merit and/or need. UA Scholarship Universe helps you find scholarships that you are eligible for by asking you a series of questions. You should also look at the list of scholarships for freshmen and transfer students listed on the main UA scholarships page.

Eligibility: Every scholarship has different requirements. Eligibility criteria for a number of scholarships are listed on the UA Scholarship Terms and Conditions page. Scholarships that you find through the Scholarship Universe search engine will list their eligibility requirements there, or on their own websites.

Number of Awards: Varies.

Award Value: Varies.

Award Type: Merit-based and financial need-based scholarships are both available.

Application Due Date: Deadlines vary, but many UA scholarships require that you be admitted to the UA by March 1 or May 1. Apply early, and read the scholarship guidelines carefully!

Application Process: Several UA merit scholarships use the UA’s standard admissions application, so you only need to complete that one application process. Other scholarships require FAFSA paperwork and separate paper or online applications.

Student Employment

View the work-study page at the UA financial aid website, or visit the UA Career Services page on student employment.

Description:On- and off-campus employment opportunities are available to students who wish to work in order to meet education expenses, or believe the experience can be a valuable part of their education. Sometimes students will receive work-study awards as part of a financial aid package, but even if you are not eligible for work-study, many positions are available.

Contact: If you have questions about work-study at the UA, contact the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid at (520) 621-1858, or email them at [email protected]. If you have questions about student employment in general, contact UA Career Services at (520) 621-2588, or find them on Twitter @uacareersvcs or on Facebook at UACareerServices.

Pima Community College (PCC)

Pima Community College Foundation Scholarships

Visit the Pima Community College Foundation Scholarships page on the Pima website.

Description: The Pima Community Collge Foundation awards more than 50 different scholarships to Pima Community College students. Scholarships are awarded based on merit, financial need, disability status, career goals and course of study.

Eligibility: Each scholarship has different requirements, so you’ll need to read the descriptions carefully. Unfortunately, eligibility information for most Foundation scholarships is not available without registering on STARS, Pima’s scholarship search site. You can find details about a few scholarships that have separate, paper applications in the Foundation Scholarships section of Pima’s website.

Number of Awards: Varies.

Award Value: Varies.

Award Type: Merit-based and financial need-based scholarships are both available.

Application Due Date: Varies.

Application Process: Most Pima Foundation scholarships use a unified online application called STARS. If you’re thinking of applying to Pima, don’t forget to create an account there.

Chancellor’s Recognition Scholarship

Description: The Chancellor’s Recognition Scholarship provides an award covering one full year of full-time enrollment at Pima Community College. It is awarded to graduating Pima County high school students who meet certain academic and merit criteria, with a particular focus on on “overcoming obstacles… [an] ability to engage and motivate others, and/or strong commitment to community development.”

Eligibility: To be eligible for a Chancellor’s Recognition Scholarship, you must have:

  1. A minimum high school GPA of 2.75.
  2. A history of participation in school or community activities.
  3. A letter of recommendation from a high school counselor or teacher that addresses the student’s potential for college success and leadership.

Number of Awards: Varies.

Award Value: The award covers one year of full-time enrollment at Pima.

Award Type: Merit-based and service-based.

Application Due Date: Usually late April.

Application Process: Visit the scholarship homepage for details. If you have questions about the scholarship, contact Leticia Menchaca, Pima’s Assistant Vice Chancellor of Student Services, at (520) 206-4973.

Pima Book Scholarship

Description: Students who meet certain academic requirements are eligible to receive these $300 scholarships. The award lasts for two consecutive semesters, and is intended to be used to purchase textbooks.

Eligibility: To be eligible for a Pima Book Scholarship, you must:

  1. Be eligible for in-state tuition rates.
  2. Have a 3.0 cumulative GPA or a minimum score of 550 on the GED.
  3. Have an expected family contribution of between $4,301 and $6,700 on the FAFSA.
  4. Not be receiving financial aid from any other post-secondary institution.
  5. Not be eligible for Pima Community College staff or dependent tuition waivers.
  6. Be registered for a minimum of 6 credits.

Number of Awards: Varies. Scholarships are awarded until funds run out for the current year.

Award Value: $300, awarded once each in two consecutive semesters.

Award Type: Merit-based and financial need-based.

Application Due Date: Usually early June.

Application Process: There is an online application for this scholarship. Visit the scholarship homepage for details, or call (520) 206-4973 with questions.

Pima Student Grant Program

Description: Pima awards two different types of grants to qualifying students. The Aztec Activity Grant is awarded to students who meet academic requirements and demonstrate a commitment to community service, volunteer and/or student life activities. The Pima Opportunity Grant is awarded to students who meet academic requirements and demonstrate financial need.

Eligibility: Both grants have similar requirements. To begin with, you must:

  1. Be eligible for in-state tuition rates.
  2. Have a 2.5 cumulative GPA or a minimum score of 450 on the GED.
  3. Not be receiving financial aid from any other post-secondary institution.
  4. Not be eligible for Pima Community College staff or dependent tuition waivers.
  5. Be registered for a minimum of 6 credits.

Other requirements vary. The Pima Opportunity Grant requires that you have an expected family contribution of between $4,301 and $6,700 on the FAFSA. The Aztec Grant requires that you submit a completed application that covers your volunteer work.

Number of Awards: Varies. Scholarships are awarded until funds run out for the current year.

Award Value: Varies. Both grants provide “provide full or partial tuition & fees.”

Award Type: Merit-based and financial need-based.

Application Due Date: Students eligible for the Opportunity Grant will be notified. The Aztec Grant application has several components, each with a different due date.

Application Process: Both scholarships have online applications. However, there are also paper forms to complete as part of the Aztec Grant application. If you have questions about either Student Grant, call (520) 206-4973.

Adelante Program

Description: Adelante is a grant program at Pima Community College which provides significant financial awards to male Latino students who meet certain academic and financial requirements. Unfortunately, as of Fall, 2011, the program is on hold and not accepting new applicants, but it’s worth keeping an eye on in case it opens up again.

Eligibility: To be eligible for an Adelante grant, you must:

  1. Be a Latino male.
  2. Have an expected family contribution of less than $5,273 on your FAFSA.
  3. Have accumulated no more than 45 PCC credits prior to beginning the program.
  4. Be enrolled in at least six credits for the upcoming semester.

There are additional requirements to continue receiving the award after being selected initially.

Number of Awards: As of Fall, 2011, there are no awards currently available. Adelante grants are limited when available, so eligibility does not guarantee that you will receive one.

Award Value: Up to $4,500 over three semesters for full-time students. Part-time students can receive up to $2,100 over three semesters.

Award Type: Merit-based and financial need-based.

Application Due Date: Not applicable until the program reopens.

Application Process: Not applicable until the program reopens, but call the Adelante program at (520) 206-3021 with any questions.

Who is an undocumented student?

Students who were not born in the U.S. and are not legal residents of the United States are considered undocumented students. Undocumented students are not the same as students with Undocumented parents. A student who is born in the U.S. is a legal US citizen even if the students parents are undocumented.

What are college and university policies for students of undocumented status?

As of now, there is no federal or state law that prohibits the admission of undocumented students to U.S. colleges and/or universities. There is also no federal or state law that requires students to prove U.S. citizenship in order to enter U.S. Institutions of higher education. However, institutions have their own policies. You will want to check the policy on colleges and universities that you are interested in when you start your college planning process.

In terms of tuition policies, each school is different in whether they allow undocumented students in state tuition, out of state tuition, or international tuition. Under federal law, public colleges and universities are not allowed to provide in-state tuition rates to students who are not “lawfully present” in the U.S. Some states work around this requirement by automatically offering in-state tuition to any student who has attended and/or graduated from an in-state high school. As of 2011, Texas, California, New York, Utah, Illinois, Washington, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Kansas have passed such laws. The laws do come with conditions, so you will need to make sure you are eligible when you are planning how to pay for college. Your school counselor would be a good person to ask to start! The FinAid.com page on financial aid for undocumented students is another useful resource.

What are federal, state, and institutional financial aid policies?

Undocumented students are not eligible for federal financial aid. This includes the FAFSA which helps award students with loans, grants, scholarships, and work study programs. For the most part, undocumented students are also not eligible for any financial aid on the state level either. The undocumented students best bet for financial help in paying for college is apply for a private scholarship. Many scholarships require the applicant to be a legal U.S. Resident and verify this by asking for a social security number on the application. A list of scholarships that do not require a social security number is available at the bottom of this page.

An additional challenge

Many scholarships, grants and other sources of financial aid have specific residency requirements. Most often, these specify that applicants must be either U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents. Students on visas from overseas are often excluded, as are students whose immigration status is in question. You need a social security number to fill out the FAFSA, and not filing a FAFSA will exclude you from consideration for many scholarship opportunities. If you are an undocumented student, the truth is that you face an additional challenge in paying for your college education.

Opportunities exist

We said that “many” scholarships have residency and citizenship requirements—not all. There are a lot of scholarships that don’t require a FAFSA score, and which do not ask or care about your immigration status. Here are a few places to begin your search:

  • Latino College Dollars has a great search engine that lets you search for scholarships by residency requirements, along with other standard scholarship criteria.
  • The Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF) offers a law school scholarship. The organization also maintains a list of scholarships that “may not inquire about immigration status or require a valid social security number.” The 2010-2011 list is available here/.
  • Microsoft offers several generous scholarships without citizenship/residency requirements for students interested in technology- or science-related majors.
  • Arizona State University maintains a page with information about requirements for state scholarships, as well as a list of private scholarships available to undocumented students.
  • ScholarshipsAZ is an Arizona-based organization dedicated to making “higher education accessible to all regardless of immigration status.” They maintain a list of scholarships as well as other valuable information. Their blog is also a great resource for students as well as parents and educators looking to support an undocumented student.
  • The CollegeScholarships.org article on aid for Hispanic students also includes a section on aid for undocumented students.
  • The Geneseo Migrant Center offers several scholarships to students “with a recent or ongoing history of movement to obtain work in agriculture.”
  • DREAMActAZ.org is a website that promotes the DREAM Act, a Congressional bill which (if it passes) would give some undocumented students temporary legal rights in the U.S. as they pursue their education. The site has a page with resources for undocumented students.

 

Education funding and immigration

Interested in learning how higher education funding can impact undocumented students and their communities? Check out the recent report by the Latino Policy Institute at Roger Williams University, titled The Effects of In-State Tuition for Non-Citizens: A Systematic Review of the Evidence (2011) [PDF].

Addiction Resource Scholarship Essay Contest

https://www.addictionresource.net/scholarships/

The Gates Scholarship

Please spread the word to our youth https://www.thegatesscholarship.org/

Recovery Village Health Care Scholarship

A $1,000 award will be given to a student pursuing a health-related degree program. Areas of study that will be considered include, but are not limited to, counseling, social work, emergency medicine, pre-med, nursing, psychology (with a focus on addiction counseling...

Financial Aid Guide for Minority Students

Hospitals and healthcare providers are increasingly alert to health disparities prevalent in minority populations. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 2013 U.S. Health Disparities and Inequalities Report show 60% more preterm births in black...

Financial Aid Guide for Nurses

Students can finance their nursing school tuition in a number of ways. Because of a shortage of nurses, many states offer grants or loan forgiveness programs in order to draw more individuals into the profession. Students can also apply for a variety of scholarships,...

What is a scholarship?

Scholarships are grants of money awarded to students, usually based on academic merit or financial aid. There are also other types of scholarships, including athletic scholarships and scholarships based on membership in a specific group (such as a specific religion or ethnicity). Like other kinds of grants, scholarships do not need to be paid back.

Scholarships can be a very important part of your financial aid package if you are willing to find ones that you’re eligible for and apply for them. Some schools automatically consider you for scholarships when you apply to them, but you can get more money by finding and applying to scholarships yourself!

What is the difference between a scholarship and a grant?

In some cases, a scholarship requires the recipient to keep meeting some kind of standard in order to keep receiving funds, such as maintaining a high grade-point average or playing a college sport. Grants do not usually have these kind of after-the-fact requirements.

The truth is that there’s a lot of overlap between these two kinds of financial aid. Some scholarships are basically just grants, and some grants may have continuing eligibility requirements. Whether you’re applying for a grant, a scholarship or a loan, you should always read the details of any financial aid award very carefully.

What kinds of scholarships exist?

Merit scholarships: These are awards made to students with strong grades or some other extraordinary achievement, such as volunteer work or participation in extracurricular activities. Merit scholarship applications often require specific high school grade-point averages (GPA), personal essays and letters of recommendation from teachers or other adults. If you earn a merit scholarship, you may be required to maintain a minimum college GPA in order to keep receiving money.

Need-based scholarships: Need-based awards are almost always made based on the information you submit in your FAFSA. Colleges and universities sometimes offer these kinds of scholarships to cover part or all of your tuition if you would be unable to attend without aid. There are also need-based scholarships available from other organizations, so do some digging!

Athletic scholarships: If you’re likely to be eligible for a college athletic scholarship, you probably have some idea already. Schools with major athletic programs often recruit standout high school athletes to play football, basketball and other sports. If you earn an athletic scholarship, you will probably be required to play well enough to keep your spot on the team while also maintaining a minimum GPA.

Other scholarships: Many private organizations offer scholarships for students who meet specific criteria, such as being from a minority background or being the first student from your family to attend college. These kinds of scholarships are quite common, and you might be surprised at the kinds of things that make you eligible. There are scholarships available for cancer survivors, for being particularly tall or short, and even for being left-handed!

There are also scholarships available for students interested in specific subjects or careers. Degree programs for jobs that are in high demand in some places, like nurses and teachers, often offer more generous financial aid packages. If you’re willing to work in an underserved location for a set period of time, these degrees are sometimes paid for by your school, the government or a local company!

Links to scholarships

This is not a complete list of scholarship resources. Not even close. But it is a place to get started. If you don’t see information here about scholarships that you might qualify for, don’t give up. There are lots of resources out there! Here are a few further places to look for help:

  1. Try doing a Google search for the word “scholarship” together with a word that describes you or one of your interests. For example, search for “cooking scholarship,” “Jewish woman scholarship” or “skateboarding scholarship.”
  2. Ask your guidance counselor for help finding scholarships that you could apply for.
  3. You’re also welcome to call the Metropolitan Education Commission (that’s us) at 520-670-0055.

Finally, remember that just because you don’t qualify for a scholarship right now does not mean that you won’t next semester or next year. Many scholarships have minimum GPA requirements, or require that you be enrolled in college full-time, or that you be pursuing a specific major. That kind of stuff isn’t set in stone! It’s a good idea to take notes on scholarships even if you don’t plan to apply for them… yet.

Arizona-specific scholarships

The Arizona Community Foundation is a private organization that oversees dozens of scholarship and educational grant programs. There are so many that they created a separate website specifically to let you sort through them. Use the search tab to narrow things down based on your GPA, college major, or keywords that describe what you’re looking for.

The University of Arizona recently launched “Scholarship Universe,” a search engine that asks you questions and determines which UA scholarships you are eligible for. The UA also maintains a page linking to dozens of free scholarship search tools, including several that focus on scholarships for Arizona residents.

Arizona State University has a search engine of their own, focusing on scholarships for ASU students. Some ASU scholarships aren’t listed in this search tool, so make sure to also check the list of scholarships available from each ASU college.

ScholarshipsA-Z. Their goal is to make higher education accessible to all, regardless of immigration status.

Arizona Eligible Scholars Programs and Scholarships

AZ Assurance Scholars Program

Go to: www.assurance.arizona.edu

The Arizona Assurance Scholars Program at The University of Arizona (UA) is a financial aid program for low-income students in the state of Arizona. The program is designed to assist students by providing both financial aid and support services to successfully attain their bachelor’s degree. The Arizona Assurance Program partners with college and departments on campus to provide scholars with comprehensive programming from their freshmen year through their senior year so that they are able to have a smooth transition into and out of the university upon graduation. The mission of Arizona Assurance is achieved through first-year transition programming, mentoring, leadership, and career development, graduate/professional school preparation, and cultural enrichment.

Barack Obama Scholars

Go to: students.asu.edu/obama

President Barack Obama represents outstanding academic achievement, thoughtfulness, a long record of service to others, inspired leadership and a commitment to building strong communities across this country. He has set new standards for what is possible in America and encouraged people around the world to pursue their dreams. In Arizona, we have many motivated, high achieving students. For some of them, a lack of family resources has been a barrier to higher education. With the right support, these students can be successful, build better communities and create positive change. Arizona State University is committed to providing these opportunities.

Flinn Foundation Scholarship

Go to: www.flinnscholars.org

Flinn Scholars receive an unparalleled package for undergraduate study: free Tuition and room and board; funding for study abroad; mentorship from brilliant faculty and exposure to world leaders; and fellowship in an extraordinary community of current and alumni Scholars. The program, in partnership with Arizona’s three state universities, provides enriched educational offerings that expand Scholars’ life and career options and create the kind of stimulating, intellectually challenging environment that students might find at the nation’s most selective colleges.

Dorrance Foundation Scholarship

Go to: www.dorrancescholarship.org

The Dorrance Merit Scholarship was established by Bennett and Jacquie Dorrance at the Arizona Community Foundation in June of 1999. The original gift supported 10 Arizona public university students. Twelve years later, the Dorrance Family Foundation sustains four distinct scholarship programs. What is now known as the Dorrance Scholarship Programs supports as many as 150 recipients at Arizona’s three public universities and at South Mountain Community College. The generosity and foresight of the Dorrances have made the scholarship one of the most influential, privately-funded educational initiatives in the state. The Dorrances scholarship is a model for educational philanthropy and is a signature program at the Arizona Community Foundation. In 2012, scholarships will be offered to Big Island high school graduates who will attend the University of Hawaii-Hilo.

The Gates Scholarship

Go to: www.thegatesscholarship.org/scholarship

The Gates Scholarship needs your help in identifying America’s top minority students who may be eligible for an exciting, new scholarship.

  • The Gates Scholarship (TGS) is a highly selective, full scholarship for exceptional, Pell-eligible, minority, high school seniors. The scholarship will be awarded to 300 student leaders each year, with the intent of helping outstanding minority students who come from low-income backgrounds realize their maximum potential.
  • Scholars will receive funding for the full cost of attendance* that is not already covered by other financial aid and the expected family contribution, as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
  • TGS also provides Scholars with various online support services designed to help them excel in their degree programs, graduate, and make a successful transition to their chosen careers. These include mentoring, academic support, career and internship guidance, advice, and job opportunities.
  • Gates Scholars will also be connected to a network of accomplished peers that they can tap into for support and advice.

*Cost of attendance includes tuition, fees, room, board, books and transportation, and may include other personal costs.

College Success Arizona

Go to: www.collegesuccessarizona.org

College Success Arizona is building public will for college completion and providing a unique combination of scholarships and mentoring that increase college graduation rates among low-income and first-generation students across the state.

Pima Community College Scholarships

Go to: http://pima.edu/paying-for-school/scholarships-grants/index.html

In addition to other scholarships (found on the website), some of the scholarships provided for PCC students are:

The Chancellors’ Recognition Scholarship:

    The Chancellor’s Recognition Scholarship is awarded to well-rounded graduating high school students from Pima County. If you have shown academic competency and made contributions in several aspects of academic and civic life you may be eligible. The deadline for 2013-2014 applications is April 26, 2013.

The Adelante Program

    The Adelante Program is a performance-based award program that provides selected, eligible Latino male students with financial support and specialized student services.

All-Arizona Academic Team Scholarship

    All-Arizona Academic Team Scholarships are available to qualified students from each PCC campus. Applications are generally accepted October – November.

Scholarships and Resources

for Minority Students

For more information, check out these great articles from Fastweb and CollegeScholarships.org.

Scholarships for
African American or black students

For more information and resources, check out these great articles from Fastweb and CollegeScholarships.org.

Scholarships for students of
Hispanic or Latino background

For more information, check out these great articles from Fastweb and CollegeScholarships.org.

Scholarships for
Asian American students

For more resources, check out this article from CollegeScholarships.org.

Scholarships for
Native American students

Note: to apply for this aid you may need to prove that you are part of a federally recognized tribe by providing a Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood (CIDB) or a descendant of someone who is.
For more information, check out these great articles at Fastweb and CollegeScholarships.org.

Scholarships for
women students

For more information, check out this great article from CollegeScholarships.org.

Scholarships for
Teaching Degrees

For more information, check out this great article from CollegeScholarships.org.
For more information, check out this great article from CollegeScholarships.org.

Scholarships for
adult students

Adults returning to college should not be discouraged by the fact that some scholarships are available only to high school students! You also possess certain advantages in the financial aid application process:

  1. Apply as soon as you can for the FAFSA, which opens each January 1. High school students need their parents to help them fill out and submit the FAFSA. If you are over 24 years old, you can do the FAFSA on your own. Much of the aid from FAFSA is first-come, first-served, which is great for you.
  2. Many professional organizations, unions, and religious congregations offer scholarships. They’re not always well-publicized, so ask around.
  3. Many companies offer financial help for employees who wish to further their education. Ask your employer about tuition assistance. Even if there is no formal program in place, you may still be work something out. Make the case that your studies will benefit your colleagues and the bottom line.

You can find more tips and links to specific scholarships targeted at adult students on these sites:

  • AdultStudent.com: This site is peddling a book aimed at adult students, but it also offers some good information for free, including on scholarships and other financial aid sources.
  • Back2College.com: This page is a list of 10 financial aid tips for adult students. There are some great suggestions here.
  • College Scholarships.org has pages with general suggestions for returning students as well as adult students.
  • FinAid.com: Some hard numbers here explaining how much financial aid adult students receive compared to “traditional” students. There are also good suggestions for senior citizens (why not audit classes?), and links to a couple of scholarships for adult women.
  • ScholarshipWorkshop.com: This list links to several scholarships open to or specifically for adult students.

Scholarships for
students with disabilities

Colleges often offer extra support—financial and otherwise—for students with disabilities. Make sure to ask about this when you contact the admissions offices of colleges you are interested in applying to. The sites below have additional tips and links to scholarships for individuals with a variety of disabilities:

Scholarships for
Immigrant students

ScholarshipsA-Z began as a list of scholarships for immigrant students (DACA and/or Undocumented students). ALL students can go to college, regardless of immigration status. And yes, there are scholarships available too. Check out their monthly scholarship listings for more details.

Excelencia in Education maintains an extensive database of scholarships that do not require a social security number or U.S. citizenship. You can search through that list below.

Don’t forget to see our section about immigration status and financial aid in general!

Scholarship Database
Scholarship Name Address State/country Phone Maximum award Website Basic details (see link for full details)
826 Valencia Scholarships 826 Valencia
826 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
CA 415-642-5905 $10000 826valencia.org Must be a high school graduate or a graduating senior. Must demonstrate financial need, live in the Bay Area intend to enroll in a vocational school, college, or university. A total of 4 different scholarships are awarded.
A Voice for Animals High School Essay Contest Humane Education Network
PO Box 7434
Menlo Park, CA 94026
any 650-851-8735 $600 www.hennet.org Open to all high school students. Students must submit an essay that examines either the mistreatment of one animal species or one cause of animal suffering, and possible measures to reduce it.
Affinity Plus Foundation Sandy Olsen
Affinity Plus Foundation
Scholarship Program Administrator
175 W Lafayette Road
St. Paul, MN 55107
any 651-312-9430 $5000 www.affinityplus.org Each year, Affinity Plus awards four $5000 scholarships for freshman, upperclassmen, and non-traditional students. Applicant must be a primary member in good standing of Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union, or meet membership eligibility requirements and join the credit union prior to submitting a scholarship application.
AGA Student Research Fellowships AGA Foundation for Digestive Health and Nutrition
4930 Del Ray Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20814
any 301-222-4012 $2500 www.gastro.org Candidate must be a high school or undergraduate student attending an accredited North American institution. Must be conducting supervised research into digestive disease. If submitting an application as an underrepresented/ underprivileged minority, please explain your eligibility for this category.
Alice Newell Joslyn Medical Fund The BECA Foundation, Inc.
PO Box 936
Escondido, CA 92033
CA 760-741-8246 $2000 www.becafoundation.org Applicant must be entering the medical or health care field, or must be seeking a bachelor’s degree or higher in medicine or health care. Applicants must be living or attending school in San Diego County. Requires financial need, scholastic determination, and cultural awareness.
Alliance/Merck Ciencia (Science) Hispanic Scholars Program (HS Seniors) National Alliance for Hispanic Health
Attn: Alliance/Merck Ciencia Hispanic Scholars Program
1501 16th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
DC, NJ, TX 866-783-2645 $42500 alliancescholars.org A student of Hispanic heritage. A senior attending a high school in Brownsville, TX; Elizabeth, NJ; or Los Angeles, CA. Have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale (or the equivalent).Have applied or intend to apply for full-time study at an accredited college/university that grants a bachelor’s degree in a STEM field. Committed to major in a STEM field in college.
Alliance/Merck Ciencia (Science) Hispanic Scholars Program (Undergraduate) National Alliance for Hispanic Health
Attn: Alliance/Merck Ciencia Hispanic Scholars Program
1501 16th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
any 866-783-2645 $2000 alliancescholars.org A student of Hispanic heritage. In good academic standing and enrolled full-time in an accredited college/university. Have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale (or the equivalent). Are a declared major in a STEM discipline and pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field including Bachelor’s degrees offered in partnerships between community colleges and four-year institutions.
Association of Raza Educators (Los Angeles Area, 1st Year) Association of Raza Educators
Scholarship Fund Committee
PO Box 63053
Los Angeles, CA 90063
CA $1000 www.razaeducators.org Must not be eligible for any type of federal or state grants. Must be a graduating senior at a high school with the Los Angeles Unfied School District (including LAUSD charter schools). Must be able to attend our annual A.R.E. awards ceremony.
Association of Raza Educators (Los Angeles Area, 2nd Year) Association of Raza Educators
Scholarship Fund Committee
PO Box 63053
Los Angeles, CA 90063
any $1000 www.razaeducators.org Must be enrolled in an Accredited College or University with a full-time schedule for the 2011-2012 school year and maintain a GPA of 3.0 or above. Must submit official transcripts. Must not be eligible for any type of federal or state grants. Must become an ARE member, be involved in a committee, and attend most ARE events and/or meetings, and must be willing to present in: workshops, conferences, and/or meetings.
Association of Raza Educators (San Diego Area, 1st Year) Association of Raza Educators
Scholarship Fund Committee
PO Box 740337
San Diego, CA 92114
CA $1000 www.razaeducators.org Must not be eligible for any type of federal or state grants. Must be a graduating senior at a San Diego County school. Must be willing to become a member in good standing within one of the collectives in the Raza Rights Coalition. Must be able to attend our annual A.R.E Banquet.
Association of Raza Educators (San Diego Area, 2nd Year) Association of Raza Educators
Scholarship Fund Committee
PO Box 740337
San Diego, CA 92114
any $1000 www.razaeducators.org Demonstrate leadership in extra-curricular activities; commitment to improve the conditions of their community; financial need and most importantly your involvement in your community at the highest level. Must be enrolled in an Accredited College or University with a full-time schedule for the 2011-2012 school year and maintain a GPA of 2.5 or above. Must submit official transcripts. Must not be eligible for any type of federal or state grants. Must be willing to become a member in good standing within one of the collectives in the Raza Rights Coalition.
Barbara Wiedner and Dorothy Vandercook Peace Scholarship c/o Leal Portis, President
Wiedner/Vandercook Memorial Scholarship Fund
301 Redbud Way
Nevada City, CA 95959
any 530-265-3887 $500 www.peacescholarships.org You are a high school senior or college freshman at time of application, and you can provide evidence of leadership and/or personal initiative in activities or in an organization (including volunteer or paid work) relating to peace and social justice, nuclear disarmament, and/or conflict resolution. Must include an autobiography and two letters of recommendation.
Bay Area Gardener’s Foundation Scholarship Bay Area Gardener’s Scholarship Fund
PO Box 3446
Redwood City, CA 94064
CA 650-655-2002 $1500 www.bagf.org Must have an overall GPA of 2.5, demonstrate financial need, be willing to do 25 hours or more of community service, live within one of the 9 Bay Area counties, and be enrolled in an accredited community college or university.
BECA Foundation General Scholarship The BECA Foundation, Inc.
PO Box 936
Escondido, CA 92033
CA 760-741-8246 $1000 www.becafoundation.org Eligibility requires an applicant to be a San Diego County high school graduate who is entering college in the Fall. Eligible applicants may pursue their education anywhere in the United States and major in any academic area.
BECA- Stand Up Scholarship The BECA Foundation, Inc.
PO Box 936
Escondido, CA 92033
CA 760-741-8246 www.becafoundation.org Must be a high school senior graduating in the spring or a continuing full time college student. Must be resident of the San Diego County. Must be a full-time college student (12+ units) in the Fall. Have a minimum G.P.A. of 2.0. Demonstrate financial need. Citizenship is not a requirement.
Berrien Fragos Thorn Arts Scholarships for Migrant Farmworkers Arts Scholarship Committee
Geneseo Migrant Center, Inc.
PO Box 549
Geneseo, NY 14454
any 585-658-7960 $2500 www.migrant.net Minimum 16 years of age. Applicant need not be enrolled in school. Because there is no essay required, the Letter of Recommendation is very important and should address the quality of both the applicant and the intended project. A history of movement to obtain work in agriculture is REQUIRED. Applicant must demonstrate an interest in pursuing further development in one of the follow arts disciplines: visual, performing, media, literary, or crafts.
CA Dream Network Scholarship Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles
CA Dream Network Scholarship
Attn: Jacqueline Amparo
2533 W. 3rd Street, Suite 101
Los Angeles, CA 90057
any 213-353-1333 $500 www.chirla.org Must come from an immigrant family. Must demonstrate financial need. Must demonstrate participation and/or activism on immigrant rights issues and/or other progressive social justice causes (school or local community). Must be a college student enrolled in one of the following accredited institutions: California Community College, California State University, University of California, Private Four Year college or university, or a vocational school. Must have a minimum 2.0 G.P.A. Must commit 10 hours of community work with the CA Dream Network.
California Association of Collectors Educational Scholarship CAC Educational Scholarship Fund 1455 Response Road, Suite 240 Sacramento, CA 95815 CA 916-929-2125 $2500 www.cacesf.org All graduating California high school seniors are eligible to apply for this scholarship and is awarded seniors for their use as full time students at any accredited public or private college, university or trade school. An essay on a selected topic is required for this scholarship.
California Chicano News Media Association Scholarship CCNMA Scholarships
USC Annenberg School of Journalism 727 W, 27th Street, Room 201 Los Angeles, CA 90007
CA 213-821-0075 $1000 www.ccnma.org Scholarships are based on several criteria including: commitment to the field of journalism, scholastic achievement, awareness of Latino issues, and financial need. Students must be enrolled full-time for the upcoming academic year, and must be a California resident or attend an accredited college or university in California.
CANFit Program Scholarship CANFIT Scholarships
2140 Shattuck Avenue, Suite 610 Berkeley, CA 94704
CA 510-644-1535 www.canfit.org Undergraduate and graduate scholarships are available for California African-American, American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian American, Pacific Islander or Latino/Hispanic students. Must show financial need. Must study nutrition, physical education or culinary arts at an eligible institution in the state of California. Academic requirements apply.
Carole Simpson Scholarship RTNDF Scholarships
4121 Plank Road, #512
Fredericksburg, VA 22407
any 202-662-7158 $2000 www.rtnda.org Must be enrolled in college as a sophomore or above, with at least one full academic year remaining. Must intend to pursue a career in electronic journalism. Requires samples of work and letters of reference.
César E. Chávez Memorial Education Awards Program California Teachers Association
Human Rights Department
Attn: Janeya Collins
1705 Murchison Drive
Burlingame, CA 94010
CA 650-697-1400 $1000 www.cta.org One student, in conjunction with a CTA member who must be employed at the same school or campus where the student, is enrolled will submit either a written essay or visual art.
Chicana / Latina Foundation Scholarship Program Chicana Latina Foundation
Scholarship Committee
1419 Burlingame Ave. Suite N.
Burlingame, CA 94010
CA 650-373-1085 $1500 www.chicanalatina.org Applicant must be a woman of Chicana/Latina heritage. Be enrolled in an accredited college, university, or community college in a Northern California county. Have lived at least two years in one of the above Northern California counties at the time of application. Be enrolled as a full-time college student when applying and for the following academic year, and have completed 12 college units after high school graduation, and have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 of college course work.
Chicano / Latino Faculty and Staff Association Scholarship Chicano/Latino Faculty & Staff Scholarship Selection Committee
Chicano Resource Center, PLS 170A
California State University – Fullerton
PO Box 4150
Fullerton, CA 92834-6830
CA 657-278-3137 $500 www.fullerton.edu Applicant must be a current CSUF full-time undergraduate or a current CSUF full-time graduate student, demonstrated a commitment and made significant contributions to the Latino community, be an enrolled student during the current academic year, and show active involvement in community and/or campus organizations. Undergraduates must have a cumulative grade point average of a minimum of 2.5; 3.2 for graduate students. Applicant must also submit the university & award scholarship application form.
Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship Program International Scholarship and Tuition Services, Inc.
PO Box 23737
Nashville, TN 37202-3737
any $1000 www.comcast.com All nominations for the Leaders and Achievers Scholarship Program must be made exclusively by the Principal or Guidance Counselor. Nominees must be full-time high school seniors with a strong commitment to community service, leadership abilities, and a 2.8/4.0 GPA or above.
Community Service Scholarship Good Tidings Foundation
9 Pier Suite
San Francisco, CA 94111
CA 800-824-7366 $5000 www.goodtidings.org Requires an essay describing unique community service activities, as well as a letter of recommendation. Applicants must reside in the Greater Bay Area.
Datatel Scholars Foundation Scholarship Datatel Scholars Foundation
4375 Fair Lakes Court
Fairfax, VA 22033
any 800-486-4332 $2400 www.datatelscholars.org Applicants must have a 3.5/4.0 GPA or higher at a college or university that is a Datatel client. Full- and part-time students, undergraduate, graduate or Ph.D. level, are eligible, as well as international students.
David S. Barr Award David S. Barr Award
The Newspaper Guild—CWA
501 Third Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20001
any 202-434-7177 $1500 www.newsguild.org All entries must be of work published or broadcast between January 1 and December 31 that helped to right a wrong; corrected an injustice; or promoted justice and fairness. Open to all high school or college students.
Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund
PO Box 7307
New York, NY 10116
any $10000 www.davisputter.org Application will include a short personal statement, transcripts, letters of support from two people able to evaluate the applicant’s current political work, an official financial statement (i.e., FAFSA or SAR), and a passport-like photograph suitable for reproduction. Applicant must actively participation in struggles for civil rights, economic justice, international solidarity or other progressive issues.
Diversity Multicultural Scholarship Candice Bellittera
Chapter/District Relationship Manager Public Relations Society of America 33 Maiden Lane
11th Floor
New York, NY 10038
any 212-460-1453 $1500 www.prssa.org You must be registered as a full-time junior or senior with at least one term remaining at an accredited four-year college or university. Membership in the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) is preferred. A major or minor in public relations is also preferred. You must be of African-American/Black, Hispanic/Latino, Asian, Native American, Alaskan Native or Pacific Islander ancestry. Minimum 3.0/4.0 GPA.
Dr. Amanda Perez Scholarship Latino Medical Student Association Scholarship- Amaranta Craig
c/o UCSF School of Medicine Office of Student Affairs
513 Parnassus Ave, S-245
San Francisco, CA 94122
AZ, CA, OR, UT, WA 415-476-1216 west.lmsa.net Must be committed to pursuing a career in medicine and dedicated to serving the Latino and underserved communities. Applicants should demonstrate a desire to advance the state of healthcare and education in Latino and underserved communities through leadership in extracurricular activities and/or membership in civic organizations. Must be freshmen at 4-year university during the academic year. Students are eligible to receive the scholarship regardless of migratory status, provided the university attend will allow them to enroll and register for classes. Must be a resident within the LMSA Western region (Arizona, California, Oregon, Utah, Washington). Must be a dues-paying pre-med member of LMSA.
Dr. Seuss’s Oh, the Places You’ll Go College Scholarship Program Oh, the Places Scholarship Program
c/o Random House Children’s Book
1745 Broadway, Mail-Drop 10-3
New York, NY 10019
any 212-782-9000 $10000 www.seussville.com Applicants must be 12th-grade high school students graduating spring 2011, age 21 years or under. Must write a letter applying the themes of Oh, the Places You’ll Go!, to a person you know who needs inspiration in his or her life (200 words)
Dream Scholarship La Raza Pre-Law Student Association Student Programs and Activites Center University of California, Davis
One Shields Ave
Box 64
Davis, CA 95616
CA $500 lrplsa.webs.com Must be an undocumented student (must meet at least one of the following criteria): be an AB-540 student, who is ineligible for Financial Aid, or must not be a permanent U.S resident or green card recipient. Must not have a work permit. Must be a current UC Davis undergraduate (open to ALL majors). Preferred minimum G.P.A of 2.0 (cannot be in the process of academic dismissal). Must have completed at least one quarter at UC Davis.
East Bay College Fund Scholarship East Bay College Fund
2201 Broadway, Suite 208
Oakland, CA 94612
CA 510-594-4004 $16000 www.eastbaycollegefund.org Must be a senior attending an Oakland public high school. Must demonstrate academic preparation, resiliency, and be responsible, resourceful and involved with others. Must document financial need. Must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0-3.7.
Education First Scholarship Education First
4701 SW Admiral Way, #149
Seattle, WA 98116
CA, CO, TX, WA 509-356-1739 $6000 www.educationfirst.org Must attend a participating high school in Education First (Austin, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Seattle, Portland). Must write an essay which shows strength of character, commitment to learning and a vision for their future. Must show financial need and academic promise.
EMPOWER Scholarship Courage Center
Volunteer Services
3915 Golden Valley Road
Minneapolis, MN 55422
MN, WI 763-520-0214 www.couragecenter.org EMPOWER Scholarships are open to ethnically diverse students accepted to or enrolled in a higher learning institution. Applicants must be a Minnesota or western Wisconsin (i.e. St. Croix, Pierce, Polk, Burnett counties) resident. Volunteer involvement in the community is required. Applicants must have demonstrated interest in medical or rehabilitation field by having some volunteer involvement related to a healthcare field. A minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale is required.
eQuality Scholarship Collaborative Community Initiatives
PO Box 191311
San Francisco, CA 94119
CA $5000 www.equalityscholarship.org Applicant must be a resident of northern or central California but may study elsewhere. Applicant must have completed or expect to complete high school or equivalent, and plan to attend or began attending an accredited post-secondary institution (college, university, or vocational/trade school). Scholarships are awarded to honor and encourage California students for their service to the lesbian/gay/ bisexual/transgender community.
Esperanza Education Fund The Esperanza Education Fund, Inc.
PO Box 27507
Washington, D.C. 20038
DC, MD, VA $10000 www.esperanzafund.org Must be born outside the U.S. or have two parents born outside the U.S.
Must be a graduating senior at a high school in D.C., Maryland, or Virginia, or must have received a GED in the last two years. Must enroll full-time at an accredited public college or university in the 2011-2012 academic year.
Exito Escolar Scholarship (Bay Area) Univision 14 Exito Escolar
50 Fremont Street, 41st Floor
San Francisco, CA 94105
CA 415-538-8076 $1000 u.univision.com Applicants must be Senior High School students in one of the Bay Area counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma.
Exito Escolar Scholarship (Sacramento-Stockton-Modesto) Univision 19 Exito Escolar
Attn: Carolina Rojas-Gore
1710 Arden Way
Sacramento, CA 95815
CA 916-614-1918 $1000 u.univision.com Applicants must reside in one of the Area’s counties: Amador, Calaveras, Colusa, El Dorado (West), Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Sierra, East Solano, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tuolumne, Yolo, Yuba.
The student must be enrolled in the 12th grade or must be a 1st or 2nd year college student enrolled in an accredited community college or 4-year university.
Frank Kazmierczak Memorial Migrant Scholarship Frank Kazmierczak Memorial Migrant Scholarship
Geneseo Migrant Center
27 Lackawanna Avenue
Mount Morris, NY 14510
any 585-658-7960 $1000 www.migrant.net Applicant must show recent history of migration for agricultural employment. Must want teaching as a career goal. Must show scholastic achievement and financial need.
Fredrickson & Byron Minority Scholarship Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.
c/o Greta Larson
200 South Sixth Street, Suite 4000
Minneapolis, MN 55402
any 612-492-7000 $10000 www.fredlaw.com Applicant must be a minority and a first year law student. Applicant must submit an application. Submit two (2) written recommendations (one from a law school professor, one from an employer or other reference). One (1) writing sample from your first-year legal writing course. Your current law school transcript. Your undergraduate transcript from all undergraduate institutions attended.
Fulfilling Our Dreams Scholarship Fund Salvadoran American Leadership and Educational Fund (SALEF)
“Fulfilling Our Dreams” Scholarship Fund
Attn: Scholarship Fund Coordinator
1625 W. Olympic Blvd., Suite 718
Los Angeles, CA 90015
CA 213-480-1052 $5000 www.salef.org Applicants must be of Central American or other Latino ethnicity must demonstrate proven financial need, must possess a minimum 2.5 GPA, and must demonstrate a history of community involvement. Must either be a graduating High School senior, current undergraduate, graduate and professional students, a community college students (must be AB540), or attending a Vocational/Trade school (must be pursuing a health related field). Priority is given to low income students that reside and study in either one of the following areas: The Los Angeles Area San Fernando Valley, or San Francisco/Bay Area.
George Foreman Tribute to Lyndon B. Johnson Scholarship RTNDF Scholarships
4121 Plank Road, #512
Fredericksburg, VA 22407
TX 202-662-7158 $6000 www.rtdna.org Must be officially enrolled at the University of Texas at Austin and have at least one full academic year remaining. Must be a fully enrolled college sophomore or higher to receive a scholarship. Must be enrolled as a broadcast journalism major. Submit one to three examples showing your journalistic skills, totaling 15 minutes or less, of audio or video, accompanied by scripts. A letter of reference from your dean or faculty sponsor explaining why you are a good candidate for an award.
Geraldo Rivera Scholarship Program National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ)
1000 National Press Building
Washington, DC 20045
any 202-662-7145 $5000 www.nahj.org Applicant must be a college senior or a graduate student pursuing a career in English or Spanish-language TV broadcast journalism.
Ginger and Fred Deines Mexico Scholarship Transportation Clubs International Scholarships
Attn: Lynn Donovick
Martin Midstream Partners
Three Riverway, Suite 400
Houston, TX 77056
any $12000 transportationclubsinternational.com Applicant must be a student of Mexican nationality and enrolled in a school in Mexico or the U.S. Applicants must be graduating high school seniors or college undergraduate students accepted to or currently enrolled at accredited institutions of higher learning in degree programs in the fields of transportation logistics, supply-chain management, traffic management, transportation safety and/or related transportation industry operations and services with a minimum grade point average of 3.0.
Gloria and Joseph Mattera National Scholarship Fund for Migrant Children Gloria and Joseph Mattera National Scholarship Fund for Migrant Children
Geneseo Migrant Center
27 Lackawanna Avenue
Mount Morris, NY 14510
any 585-658-7960 $500 www.migrant.net Applicant must show recent history of movement for agricultural employment – priority will be given to currently interstate migrant youth. Must show scholastic potential and financial need. Must be enrolled in or accepted at an accredited public or private college, technical or vocational school, or a dropout or a potential dropout from high school who shows promise of ability to continue schooling.
HEEF General Scholarships Hispanic Education Endowment Fund
4041 MacArthur Blvd., Suite 510
Newport Beach, CA 92660
CA 949- 553-4202 www.heef.org Applicant must be a Latino/a who has lived in Orange County (OC), CA for the past 4 years; An OC public or private high school graduate who enrolls fulltime at a 2 or 4-year college; or an OC community college transfer who enrolls fulltime at a 4-year university; Eligible for need based financial aid.
HENAAC Scholars Program Great Minds in STEM
ATTN: HENAAC Scholars
3900 Whiteside Street
Los Angeles, CA 90063
any 323-262-0097 $8500 www.greatmindsinstem.org Applicants must demonstrate leadership through academic achievements and campus/community activities. Applicants must be Science, Technology, Engineering or Math related majors. Applicants must have an overall grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Recipients must be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program. Applicants must be of Hispanic origin and/or must significantly participate in and promote organizations and activities in the Hispanic community.
Hilda L. Solis Scholarship California State Polytechnic University, Pomana
Cesar E. Chavez Center for Higher Education
Hilda L. Solis Scholarship Committee 3801 West Temple Avenue
Pomona, CA 91768
CA 909-869-5035 $1000 dsa.csupomona.edu Applicant must be a current Cal Poly Pomona student or be a graduating high school senior or a community college transfer student admitted to attend Cal Poly Pomona. Have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA.
Hispanic Heritage Day Nursing Scholarship Community Foundation of Western Nevada
1885 S. Arlington Ave, Suite 103 Reno, NV 89509
NV 775-333-5499 $2500 www.nevadafund.org Applicant must be a high school senior currently attending a high school in Washoe County, Nevada. Financial need required. Minimum 2.5/4.0 GPA. Must have declared nursing as primary area of study. Applicant must be of Hispanic heritage.
Hispanic League Scholarship Hispanic League
PO Box 30651
Winston-Salem, NC 27130
NC 336-770-1228 $2000 www.hispanicleague.org Must be a high school senior, high school graduate, or undergraduate student college student in the United States. Must be a past or present ESL student in Forsyth County, NC, and a current resident of NC. Must be of Hispanic origin. Must plan to attend an accredited college in the fall. Academic achievement and financial need are considered. US citizenship not required.
Human Capital Scholarship Asian Pacific Fund
225 Bush Street, Suite 590
San Francisco, CA 94104
CA 415-433-6859 $1500 www.asianpacificfund.org Applicant must be an incoming freshman enrolled full-time with a minimum GPA of 2.7/4.0. Must be part of an underrepresented group in the University of California system, and must be the first generation in the family to attend college. Must show financial need.
Humane Studies Fellowship Institute for Humane Studies
Attn: Humane Studies Fellowships
3301 N. Fairfax Dr., Ste. 440
Arlington, VA 22201
any 703-993-4880 $15000 www.theihs.org Open to undergraduate juniors or seniors, graduate students in any field, law students, MBA students, and other professional students. Country of origin and country of study have no bearing on eligibility. Applicants must be full-time, enrolled students at accredited degree-granting institutions for the entire period of the award.
IDEAS Making the DREAM a Reality Scholarship IDEAS at UCLA
220 Westwood Boulevard
Community Programs Office
105 Student Activites Center, 106C
Los Angeles, CA 90095
CA 310-825-6937 $9500 ideasla.org Applicant must be without legal permanent residency, visa, or citizenship in the US. Applicant must be an undocumented student at the University of California Los Angeles. Applicants must demonstrate active involvement and participation in IDEAS at UCLA (or active involvement and participation in their communities for incoming students).
If Given a Chance Scholarship If Given a Chance Foundation c/o Jim King
PO Box 2607
Napa, CA 94558
CA 707-260-5656 www.ifgivenachance.org The nominee must have faced adversity and overcome challenging life circumstances. The nominee must have turned his/her life around or must have maintained high standards in the face of adversity. The nominee must be from Napa County, or else have graduated from, or received a GED from a Napa County high school.
Joe Francomano Scholarship Joe Francomano Scholarship
Junior Achievement Worldwide
One Education Way
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
any 888-452-2586 $5000 www.ja.org Must be a graduating high school senior qualified to enroll at an accredited four-year college or university. Must have completed JA Company Program or JA Economics. Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. Must exemplify academic achievement, leadership skills, and college and career potential. Must write a one-page essay. Must submit proof of family income.
Joel Garcia Memorial Scholarship CCNMA Scholarships
USC Annenberg School of Journalism
727 W, 27th Street, Room 201
Los Angeles, CA 90007
CA 213-821-0075 $2000 www.ccnma.org Open to Latino college students or graduating high school seniors attending a college or university in California. California residents may attend a college or university outside of California. Students must be enrolled full-time in good academic standing, and must have a sincere interest in pursuing a career in journalism.
Kennedy King Memorial College Scholarship Kennedy King Memorial College Scholarship, Ltd.
PO Box 727
Martinez, CA 94553
CA $8000 www.kennedyking.org Applicant must be a member of a minority group underrepresented at four-year colleges and universities in California. Financial need required. Must be enrolled at Diablo Valley, Contra Costa, or Los Medanos Colleges with eligibility to transfer to a four-year institution with junior standing
La Unidad Latino Foundation Scholarship La Unidad Latino Foundation
132 East 43rd Street, Suite 358
New York, NY 10017
any $1000 www.lulfoundation.org Applicant must be currently enrolled in an eligible bachelor’s or master’s program, and must have a minimum 2.8/4.0 GPA. Applicant must have completed at least one full-time year (undergraduate) or semester (graduate).
La Vera Garcia Internship/ Scholarship Rick Wayman
Nuclear Age Peace Foundation
1187 Coast Village Rd., Suite 1, PMB 121
Santa Barbara, CA 93108
CA 805-965-3443 $1600 www.wagingpeace.org Open to Latino students currently enrolled in a college or university. Interns will work in our Santa Barbara, CA office. Applicants must demonstrate successful academic achievement (minimum overall GPA of 3.0).
LAFS – Cal State University San Marcos (CSUSM) General Scholarship The BECA Foundation, Inc.
PO Box 936
Escondido, CA 92033
CA 760-741-8246 www.becafoundation.org Open to all CSUSM Latino students in good academic standing enrolled in at least 6 units. Graduate Students in an approved post-bachelors program are eligible as recipients
LAJCC Community/Junior College Scholarship Los Angeles Junior Chamber of Commerce
Attn: Community/Junior College Scholarship Program
201 S. Figueroa Street, Suite 300
Los Angeles, CA 90012
CA 213-989-2159 $1000 losangelesjuniorchamberofcommerce. shuttlepod.org Applicant must be a California resident who attended a California high school for at least two semesters. Applicant’s year of birth must 1984 or later. Applicant must be a current student at an eligible community or technical college.
LAJCC Scholarship Program Los Angeles Junior Chamber of Commerce
Attn: Scholarship Program
201 S. Figueroa Street, Suite 300
Los Angeles, CA 90012
CA 213-482-1311 $1000 losangelesjuniorchamberofcommerce. shuttlepod.org Applicant must be a graduating or recently-graduated senior who resides in or attends any high school that is located in Los Angeles or Orange County. Applicant must plan to enroll at least half-time in college, junior college, or trade school by Fall. The applicant’s year of birth must be 1989 or later. Academic and other criteria apply.
Lambda Theta Nu Sorority Latino Scholarship Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc.
1220 Rosecrans #543
San Diego, CA 92106
any www.lambdathetanu.org Applicant must be a female of Latino heritage or be able demonstrate dedication to community service and empowerment of the Latina/Latino community. Applicant must be a graduating high school senior planning to attend community college, university, or technical or vocational school.
Latino ERG Supplemental Scholarship Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Attention: Mario Valadez
Latino ERG Scholarship Committee
77 Beale Street, Mail Code B29J
San Francisco, CA 94105
CA 415-973-7667 $1000 www.pge.com Applicant must be enrolled in college or planning to attend college in the Fall. All eligible applicants must live within the PG&E service territory.
MALDEF Law School Scholarship MALDEF Law School Scholarship Program
634 S. Spring St., 11th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90014
any 213-629-2512 www.maldef.org Open to all law students who will be enrolled full-time in an American-accredited law school in the coming Fall. Scholarships are awarded based on commitment to serve the Latino community through law; past achievement and potential for achievement; and financial need.
Maria Elena Salinas Scholarship National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ)
1000 National Press Building Washington, DC 20045
any 202-662-7145 $5000 www.nahj.org Scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate a strong desire to pursue a career as a Spanish-language broadcast journalist. Applicants must submit an essay in Spanish (written in the 3rd person as a news story) that explains why you seek a career as a Spanish-language broadcast journalist.
Mary A. Gardner Scholarship AEJMC
c/o Janet R. Harley
234 Outlet Pointe Boulevard, Suite A Columbia, SC 29210
any 803-798-0271 $300 www.aejmc.org Applicant must be a full-time enrollment in a U. S. college undergraduate news-editorial program with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (4.0 = A), and demonstrable interest in pursuing a career in news reporting and/or editing.
Meritus Scholarship Meritus Scholarship Fund
PO Box 29024
San Francisco, CA 94129
CA 415-400-8650 $12000 www.meritusfund.org Applicants must be graduating seniors attending a San Francisco public high school with a GPA between 3.0/4.0 and 3.7/4.0. Applicant must be enrolled in an eligible college or university for the coming Fall. Applicant must demonstrate financial need, academic preparation to attend college, and quality involvement with others via work, school, family, or in the community.
MetroPCS Leaders and Scholars Program MetroPCS Leaders and Scholars Program
Scholarship Management Services
One Scholarship Way
Saint Peter, MN 56082
NJ, NY 507-931-1682 $2500 sms.scholarshipamerica.org Applicants must be high school students in grades 11-12 attending a participating high school. A minimum 2.75/4.0 GPA is required.
Microsoft Scholarship Program Microsoft Scholarship Program Microsoft Corporation
One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052
any 800-642-7676 careers.microsoft.com Applicant must be enrolled full-time at an eligible two- or four-year institution. Must be working toward an undergraduate degree in computer science, computer engineering, or a related technical discipline, and must demonstrate an interest in computer science. A minimum 3.0/4.0 or 4.0/5.0 GPA is required.
Migrant Farmworker Baccalaureate Scholarship Migrant Farmworker Baccalaureate Scholarship Committee
Geneseo Migrant Center
27 Lackawanna Avenue
Mount Morris, NY 14510
any 585-658-7960 $20000 www.migrant.net Applicant must show recent history of movement for agricultural employment. Must show scholastic achievement and financial need. Must have successfully completed at least one year at an accredited post-secondary institution.
Mike Corona Foundation Law Enforcement Scholarship Hispanic Education Endowment Fund
4041 MacArthur Blvd., Suite 510
Newport Beach, CA 92660
CA 949- 553-4202 $2000 www.heef.org Applicants must be Latinos/as from Orange County who are enrolled fulltime at a two- or four-year college majoring in Law Enforcement, or else must be Orange County community college transfers who enroll full-time at a four-year university. Applicants must be eligible for need-based financial aid.
MNCPA Scholarship Program Minnesota Society of CPAs
1650 West 82nd Street, Suite 600 Bloomington, MN 55431
MN 952-831-2707 $1000 www.mncpa.org Applicant must be a sophomore, junior or senior (going on to graduate school) with an Accounting major who intends to sit for the CPA exam. A minimum 3.0 GPA in accounting is required.
myUsearch.com Scholarship for International Students any 303-975-6857 $1000 www.myusearch.com This scholarship for international students is open to all non-US students attending or planning to attend an accredited U.S. college or university in the coming Fall. A written or video essay answering these questions is required: “How will the completion of a U.S. degree impact your life, your family and your home community?”
National Peace Essay Contest United States Institute of Peace
2301 Constitution Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20037
any 202-429-7178 $10000 www.usip.org Applicants must be students in grades 9-12. For the purpose of the National Peace Essay Contest, an essay is a three-part paper that lays out and develops a position in response to the essay contest question.
National Sculpture Society Scholarship National Sculpture Society
c/o ANS
75 Varick Street, Floor 11
New York, NY 10013
any 212-764-5645 $2000 www.nationalsculpture.org Applicant must submit a biography or resume that explains the student’s background in sculpture, as well as letters of recommendation and examples of sculptural work. Proof of financial need is required.
New American Scholars Program Educators for Fair Consideration
2130 Fillmore Street, #248
San Francisco, CA 94115
CA $10000 www.e4fc.org Applicant must be Foreign-born without legal permanent residency or citizenship in the US, and must demonstrate financial need. Applicant must be currently enrolled or accepted to a two- or four-year college or university, and must have a minimum GPA of 3.3 (high school) or 2.8 (college). Applicant must demonstrate academic preparation and community/extracurricular involvement.
Overseas Press Club Foundation Scholarship William J. Holstein
President
Overseas Press Club Foundation 40 West 45th Street
New York, NY 10036
any 201-493-9087 www.overseaspressclubfoundation.org Applicant must be American or must be studying at an eligible American institution, and must aspire to become a foreign correspondent. An essay on international issues is required, and may be in the form of a story, news analysis or traditional essay.
Point Scholarship Point Foundation
5757 Wilshire Blvd, Suite #370
Los Angeles, CA 90036
any 323-933-1234 www.pointfoundation.org Each person who applies for a Point Scholarship is evaluated on the totality of their situation. Marginalization, financial need, academic achievement, personal merit, leadership, involvement in the LGBTQ community, professional experiences, personal and future goals are all taken into consideration.
Prospective Educator Scholarship Phi Delta Kappa International
PO Box 7888
Bloomington, IN 47407
any 812-339-1156 $1000 www.pdkintl.org Applicant must must be a current college student or a graduating high school senior accepted to college. A connection to a Phi Delta Kappa member or program is required.
Puerto Rican Bar Association Scholarship Award PRBA Scholarship Fund
c/o PRBA
303 Park Avenue South, #1405 New York, NY 10010
NY 347-244-7132 $2000 www.prba.net Scholarship is open to all Latino students attending law school in New York. Applicant must be a first or second year student in a JD degree program at an American Bar Association-approved law school, or must be a graduating high school senior accepted to a school meeting these requirements.
Que Llueva Café Scholarship Chicano Organizing & Research in Education (CORE)
Attn: Que Llueva Café Scholarship Program
PO Box 160144
Sacramento, CA 95816
any $500 www.ca-core.org Applicant must be an undocumented high school student of Chicano/Latino descent. Applicants must plan to enroll for the first time in an accredited college or university in the US or Puerto Rico for the upcoming academic year. Applicants must demonstrate financial need as well as academic potential and promise.
Radio Television Digital News Association Scholarship RTNDF Scholarships
4121 Plank Road, #512
Fredericksburg, VA 22407
any 202-662-7158 www.rtdna.org Applicant must be a fully enrolled college sophomore or higher pursuing a broadcast journalism major, with at least one academic year remaining. Audio/video submissions, scripts, and a letter of reference are required.
Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship ACFE Foundation
Attn: Higher Education Coordinator The Gregor Building
716 West Avenue
Austin, TX 78701
any 512-478-9000 $10000 www.acfe.com Applicant must be a full-time undergraduate or graduate student at an accredited four-year college or university with a declared major or minor in accounting, business administration, finance or criminal justice.
Rosetta Stone Communicate and Connect Scholarship Rosetta Stone
135 W. Market Street
Harrisonburg, VA 22801
any 800-767-3882 $3000 www.rosettastone.com Applicants must be graduating English as a Second Language (ESL) high school seniors. Applicants must write an essay on “how learning English impacted your life.”
Ruben Salazar Scholarship Fund National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ)
1000 National Press Building Washington, DC 20045
any 202-662-7145 $2000 www.nahj.org Scholarships are awarded to college-bound high school seniors, college undergraduates and graduate students pursuing careers in English or Spanish-language print, photo, broadcast or online journalism.
SEG Foundation Scholarship Society of Exploration Geophysicists PO Box 702740
Tulsa, OK 74170
any 918-497-5544 $14000 www.seg.org Applicants must be graduating high school seniors planning to attend college, or else must be undergraduate or graduate students with above-average grades. Applicants’ studies must be related to a career in applied geophysics, geosciences, physics, geology, or earth and environmental sciences.
SHPE Foundation General Scholarships SHPE Foundation
c/o: Scholarship Program
University of Texas at Arlington
Box 19019
416 Yates Street, Room 609
Arlington, TX 76019
any 817-272-1116 www.shpefoundation.org Applicant must be of Hispanic descent. Applicant must be accepted into or attending an accredited two-year or four-year college or university in the United States or Puerto Rico as a full-time student majoring in science, technology, engineering, mathematics or a related field. Minimum GPA: 3.0/4.0 for high school seniors and undergraduates. US citizenship is not required.
Signet Classic Student Scholarship Essay Penguin Group USA (Inc.)
Academic Marketing Department
Attn: Signet Classics Student Scholarship Essay
375 Hudson Street
New York, NY 10014
any 212-366-2000 $1000 us.penguingroup.com Contest is open to 11th and 12th grade students attending high schools located in the fifty United States and the District of Columbia, or home-schooled students between the ages of 16-18 who are residents of the fifty United States and the District of Columbia. Applicants must write an essay on one of four selected topics on the book Emma.
Society of Women Engineers General Scholarships The Society of Women Engineers
203 N. La Salle Street, Suite 1675
Chicago, IL 60601
any 877-793-4636 $16000 societyofwomenengineers.swe.org The Society of Women Engineers Scholarship is only open to women enrolled in or accepted to a baccalaureate ABET-accredited engineering or computer science degree program. A minimum 3.5/4.0 GPA is required for incoming freshman applicants. Applicant must be a full time student. US citizenship is required for some but not all programs.
Stan Beck Fellowship Entomological Foundation
9332 Annapolis Road, #210
Lanham, MD 20706
any 301-731-4535 www.entsoc.org Applicants must be graduate or undergraduate students in entomology or related disciplines at colleges or universities in the United States, Mexico, or Canada. They should also have some sort of need, either based on physical limitations or economic, minority, or environmental conditions.
Stan Chamber Jounalism Award Stan Chamber Journalism Awards
Attn: Creative Services
KTLA-TV
5800 Sunset Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90028
CA $1000 ktla.upickem.net This contest is open only to high school seniors who are legal residents of California within the KTLA viewing area. The essay must be your own original composition and should be based on your experiences, your thoughts and your opinions about life.
TELACU General Scholarships TELACU Education Foundation
c/o Scholarship Program
5400 E. Olympic Blvd., Third Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90022
CA, IL, NY, TX 323-721-1655 $3000 telacu.com Applicant must be a first-generation college student from a low-income family. Applicant must have a minimum 2.5 GPA while attending an eligible institution full-time.
The Ayn Rand Institute Essay Contest The Ayn Rand Institute
PO Box 57044
Irvine, CA 92619
any 949-222-6550 ext. 247 $10000 aynrandnovels.com

There are four different essay contest throughout the year.

  1. 8th, 9th and 10th graders
  2. 12th graders, undergraduates, and graduate students
  3. 10th, 11th, and 12th graders
  4. 11th and 12th graders.

Essays are open to all students and are over a selected topic on an Ayn Rand novel.

The Ed. Fund Scholarship The Ed. Fund
217C W. Richmond Ave
Richmond, CA 94801
CA 510-233-1464 $2500 www.edfundwest.org Applicant must be a high school senior graduating from a West Contra Costa County public high school. Must be part of the first generation in your family to attend college. A minimum of 3.0 GPA is required in core curriculum subjects for all years of high school. Applicant must demonstrate financial need.
The Elie Wiesel Prize in Ethics Essay Contest The Elie Wiesel Prize in Ethics
The Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity
555 Madison Avenue, 20th Floor New York, NY 10022
any 212-490-7788 $5000 www.eliewieselfoundation.org Open to registered undergraduate full-time juniors or seniors at accredited four-year colleges or universities in the United States during the fall semester. Applicant must write a 3,000 to 4,000 word essay on a selected topic.
The Greater Kansas City Hispanic Scholarship Fund Greater Kansas City Hispanic Scholarship Fund
c/o GKCCF
1055 Broadway, Suite 130
Kansas City, MO 64105
MO 816-627-3426 www.hispanicdevelopmentfund.org The applicant must exhibit proven academic merit, financial need, and community involvement. The applicant is a permanent resident of the Greater Kansas City Metropolitan Area. The applicant has been accepted or is enrolled as a full-time student in an accredited college or university and is working toward an associate, bachelor, or graduate degree. Applicants must be Hispanic.
The Princeton Prize in Race Relations The Princeton Prize in Race Relations Alumni Association of Princeton University
PO Box 291
Princeton, NJ 08542
CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, IL, MA, MD, MI, MS, OH, NJ, NY, PA, TN, TX, WA 800-742-1036 $1000 www.princeton.edu Applicant can be any student currently enrolled in grades 9-12 in participating regions. Applicant must have been actively involved in a volunteer activity in the last 12 months that has had a significant, positive impact on race relations—broadly defined—in his or her school or community.
The Scholastic Arts & Writing Awards Alliance for Young Artists & Writers
557 Broadway
New York, NY 10012
any www.artandwriting.org Applicants must be in grades 7-12 in a public, private, parochial, home-school or after school program in the U.S., Canada, or in an American school abroad. Applicant must submit their best works of art and writing.
The Society of Plastics Engineers General Scholarships The SPE Foundation
13 Church Hill Road
Newtown, CT 06470
any 203-740-5447 $6000 www.4spe.org Applicants must be full-time undergraduate students in good academic standing at a four-year college or two-year technical program. Applicants must have a demonstrated or expressed interest in the plastics industry, and must be majoring in or taking courses relevant to a career in the plastics/polymer industry.
Transportation Clubs International Scholarships Transportation Clubs International Scholarships
Attn: Lynn Donovick
Martin Midstream Partners
Three Riverway, Suite 400
Houston, TX 77056
any transportationclubsinternational.com Transportation Clubs International awards scholarships to graduating high school seniors and college undergraduate students accepted to or currently enrolled at accredited institutions of higher learning in degree programs in the fields of transportation logistics, supply-chain management, traffic management, transportation safety and/or related transportation industry operations and services.
TRENZA Scholarship TRENZA Scholarship
c/o Amairani Juarez
2320 Hughes Avenue
Oakland, CA 94601
CA $500 www.trenza.org Applicants must be a Chicana/Latina attending a California high school. Must plan to attend a two year, four-year, or technical college in the Fall, and have a minimum 3.0 G.P.A.
Tylenol Future Care Scholarship Scholarship Coordinator
Tylenol Undergraduate Scholarship 1505 Riverview Road
PO Box 88
St. Peter, MN 56082
any $10000 www.scholarship.tylenol.com Must have completed at least one year of undergraduate or graduate course of study at an eligible institution. Must be able to provide proof of enrollment in a public health/health education program, medical school, nursing and/or pharmacy degree program. Must have one or more years of school remaining.
United Agribusiness League/ United Agricultural Benefit Trust Scholarship Program UAL/UABT Scholarship Program United Agribusiness League
54 Corporate Park
Irvine, CA 92606
any 800-223-4590 www.ual.org Applicants must be affiliated with UAL or UABT, either through a member or an employee of a member. This scholarship is open to any major of study. Applicant must be presently enrolled at an accredited college or university. A minimum 2.5 GPA is required.
Waiver for Students from Mexico Enrolled in Graduate Degree Programs in Public Health Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
1200 E. Anderson Lane
Austin, TX 78752
MX 512-427-6101 tuition waiver www.collegefortexans.com Applicants must be residents of Mexico; demonstrate financial need; and enroll in a graduate degree program in public health conducted by a public university or health-related institution in a county immediately adjacent to Mexico. Non-immigrant aliens living in Texas who are citizens of Mexico are eligible for this program.
Western Union Foundation’s Family Scholarship Program Western Union Family Scholarship Program
Institute of International Education 1400 K Street, NW, Suite 700 Washington, DC 20005
any 202-686-8652 $5000 foundation.westernunion.com All applicants must be age 18 or older. Applicants must have been in the United States for 7 years or less. Both applicants must have been born outside of the United States. Both applicants must be living in the United States currently. Scholarships may be used for tuition for college/university education language acquisition classes, technical/skill training, and/or financial literacy.
William Hernandez Memorial Scholarship California State University – Fullerton 800 N. State College Blvd.
University Hall 143
Fullerton, CA 92831
CA 657-278-2484 $1000 www.fullerton.edu Applicants must be current or former CSUF full-time EOP students. Undergraduate students must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5. Graduate students must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0. All applicants must show active involvement in community and/or student activities.
Wise Up! Scholarship Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles
Wise Up! Scholarship
Attn: Jacqueline Amparo
2533 W. 3rd Street, Suite 101
Los Angeles, CA 90057
CA 213-353-1333 $500 www.chirla.org Must be a high school senior in Los Angeles County. Must come from an immigrant family. Must demonstrate financial need. Must demonstrate participation and/or activism on immigrant rights issues and/or other progressive social justice causes. Must enroll in one of several approved colleges in California. Must have a minimum 2.0 G.P.A.
Wonders of Plastics Essay Contest Society of Plastics Engineers
13 Church Hill Rd
Newtown, CT 06470
any 203-775-0471 $1000 www.4spe.org Open to all junior high and high school students. The essay must be submitted to the local section, be sponsored by a teacher, and meet certain requirements.
Youth Opportunities Foundation Scholarship Youth Opportunities Foundation
PO Box 45762
Los Angeles, CA 90045
CA 310-670-7664 www.youthopportunityfoundation.org Applicant must be a graduating high school senior with an exceptional high school career. Applicants are required to have a minimum GPA of 2.0 and a SAT score of at least 1100. Applicants must be California residents planning to attend college.

Scholarships for
Veterans and their spouses and families

Scholarships for Professional Training

 

Find scholarships for Cosmetology School at the Beauty and Cosmetology Schools Directory.

Scholarship Name: Beauty & Wellness Professionals Scholarship
Awarded by: BeautySchoolsDirectory.com
Amount: $2,500
Deadline: September 1 and March 1
Who’s eligible: Any student, including DACA recipients, who is pursuing a career in the beauty industry
Apply here: https://www.beautyschoolsdirectory.com/cosmetology-school-scholarships

Please note that this scholarship will renew in 2023.

 

Scholarships for Single Parents

 

The Custody X Change Giving Fund

Award Amount: $1,000

The scholarship application window is open all year; each semester’s application window opens right after the previous semester’s deadline: Spring – 12/31, Summer – 4/30, Fall – 8/31

Eligibility:

  • Have primary physical custody of one or more minor children
  • Be enrolled full or part time as an undergraduate at an accredited college or university
  • Have a GPA of 3.0 or higher or be a first-semester student

Single Mom Scholar (SMS) Program

Deadline: September 30, 2022 for Spring 2023 semester
Who’s eligible:

  • Pima County Resident
  • Currently enrolled in a college/university and taking 9 credits per semester
  • At least one child living with the applicant under the age of 11
  • GPA 2.5 or higher
  • Single (divorced, legally separated, etc.)

Apply here: https://www.icstucson.org/what-we-do/self-sufficiency-programs/single-mom-scholars/

If you have applied to the SMS program before, you are always welcome to reapply. If you have applied to the SMS program before, type *ICS after your last name in order to submit another application.

For more information, contact [email protected].

 

Additional student specific scholarships

You can find a lot of information by searching for your specific minority category online, but here are a couple of places to find more information: