Hispanic and Latino students remain under-represented at four-year colleges relative to their share of the U.S. college-age population. A substantial set of federal aid programs, non-profit scholarships, and Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) supports exist to help close those gaps in 2026.
This page covers both the federal aid every student should start with and the major private and corporate scholarship programs for Hispanic and Latino students.
Start with federal student aid
Most federal student aid is need-based and open to all eligible U.S. students regardless of ethnicity. File the FAFSA as early as possible after October 1 each year. Some scholarships also accept the Dream U.S. Application for undocumented and DACA students who cannot file the FAFSA.
Federal grants to start with:
- Pell Grant — up to $7,580 for 2026–27, need-based.
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) — additional need-based grant administered by your school.
- TEACH Grant — up to $4,000/year for prospective teachers in high-need fields.
- State grants — most states' need-based programs (see /state-grants).
Major scholarship programs for Hispanic students
Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF)
The largest private scholarship organization for Hispanic students. HSF awards scholarships ranging from $500 to $5,000 to thousands of Hispanic students annually, plus extensive career and mentorship support. Open to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, DACA recipients, and eligible non-citizens. Single application opens each fall.
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) Scholarships
CHCI provides scholarships to Latino students who have a demonstrated commitment to public service. Typical awards: up to $5,000 for graduate students, $2,500 for undergraduates, and $1,000 for community college students.
LULAC National Scholarship Fund
LULAC is the nation's largest and oldest Hispanic civil-rights organization. Its National Scholarship Fund awards $250–$2,000 per recipient annually through partnerships with LULAC Councils across the country.
Hispanic Heritage Foundation — Youth Awards
Hispanic Heritage Foundation awards scholarships and recognition to Latino high-school seniors with strong academic performance in eight categories (Business, Education, Engineering & Mathematics, Healthcare & Science, Media & Entertainment, Public Service & Social Justice, Technology, Visual & Performing Arts).
Gates Scholarship
The Gates Scholarship is a last-dollar full-cost scholarship for outstanding minority high-school seniors from low-income households — including high-achieving Hispanic/Latinx students. Covers any unmet financial need not covered by other aid.
Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship
The Jackie Robinson Foundation awards multi-year scholarships of up to $35,000 over four years to high-achieving minority students with leadership potential and financial need.
Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
SHPE administers scholarships for Hispanic students pursuing engineering, computing, and related STEM degrees.
Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU)
HACU administers scholarships for students at Hispanic-Serving Institutions and partner schools, plus the National Internship Program.
McDonald's HACER National Scholarship
McDonald's HACER awards $5,000–$100,000 scholarships annually to Hispanic high-school seniors, with renewable amounts and a competitive top-tier "National Scholar" award.
National Hispanic Health Foundation Scholarships
NHHF supports Hispanic students pursuing health-professions degrees.
CHCI / NHHF / SHPE — discipline-aligned
For students in policy and journalism (CHCI), health (NHHF), and engineering (SHPE), these discipline-specific organizations are often the highest-yield scholarship sources after HSF.
Programs for undocumented and DACA students
State-level Dream Act tuition policies allow many undocumented students to pay in-state tuition. State financial aid for undocumented students varies — see your state's higher-education agency.
National private programs that explicitly serve DACA recipients and undocumented students include:
- TheDream.US — National Scholarship up to $33,000 for community college and $80,000 for four-year, plus Opportunity Scholarship for students in states that bar in-state tuition.
- HSF — accepts DACA recipients and eligible non-citizens.
- Golden Door Scholars — for high-achieving DACA students.
Federal programs supporting Hispanic-Serving Institutions
These do not pay individual students directly but improve resources at HSIs:
- Title V — Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions Program — federal grants strengthening institutional capacity at colleges where Hispanic enrollment exceeds 25 %.
- Title V Part B — Promoting Postbaccalaureate Opportunities for Hispanic Americans — graduate-level institutional support.
If you attend an HSI, more institutional resources reach your campus because of these programs.
How to apply
- File the FAFSA first at studentaid.gov. For DACA/undocumented students, file your state's equivalent (e.g., California Dream Act Application).
- Apply to HSF — single annual application that maps to many partner-sponsored awards.
- Layer named programs (CHCI, LULAC, Hispanic Heritage Foundation, Gates, Jackie Robinson, SHPE, NHHF) by your field and timeline.
- Search at the institutional level — your school's financial aid office may know of local and regional scholarships.
- For DACA recipients, prioritize TheDream.US and Golden Door Scholars.
No legitimate scholarship charges an application fee.
Common questions
Are race- or ethnicity-conscious scholarships still allowed? Following the Supreme Court's 2023 Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard / UNC decisions, many institutions have reviewed and adjusted scholarship criteria. Most private foundation scholarships for Hispanic students remain available; some have shifted toward socioeconomic and other indicators in tandem with — or in place of — ethnicity. Check each program's current eligibility statement before applying.
Can undocumented students apply for federal Pell Grants? No — federal student aid requires U.S. citizenship, U.S. national status, eligible noncitizen status (lawful permanent resident, refugee, asylum, etc.). DACA recipients are not eligible for federal aid but are eligible for many state and private programs.
Are scholarship funds taxable? Scholarship funds used for qualified tuition, required fees, books, supplies, and required equipment are generally not taxable. Funds used for room and board, travel, and personal expenses are taxable. See IRS Tax Topic 421.
Where do I report a scholarship scam? reportfraud.ftc.gov. Any "scholarship" charging an application or processing fee is not legitimate.