Scholarships are a type of financial aid that you don’t need to pay back. Students may find scholarships that are need-based or merit-based, as well as scholarships for minorities that are historically underrepresented on college campuses.
College scholarships for minorities are available for both undergraduate and graduate students. We’ve outlined a list of scholarships for minority students below, plus some tips for applying and what to expect for eligibility requirements.
Eligibility Requirements
It’s important to check the eligibility requirements before applying for scholarships and grants. There are multiple types of scholarships that students could qualify for based on where they live, their chosen field of study, or being recruited as a student athlete.
Minority scholarships are often based on financial need, academic merit, or a combination of the two. Competitive merit scholarships can involve GPA minimums, community service experience, or proficiency in the arts or a specific academic discipline.
Need-based scholarships, which are based on a student’s financial need, can help make college more affordable for students from low-income backgrounds. Whether applying for federal grants or private scholarships, students need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
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How to Find Minority Scholarships
There are many scholarship options for students from underrepresented populations. Finding minority scholarships begins with completing the FAFSA to determine eligibility for need-based awards, such as Pell Grants.
Searching for scholarships online is a common approach. The Department of Labor maintains a scholarship database, known as CareerOneStop.
SoFi’s scholarship finder is another resource to find free money to help pay for college, graduate school, or trade school. Users can filter results by residency, field of study, ethnicity, and other criteria.
Scholarships for Minority Students
Below are some scholarships for minority students to begin their search.
• AICPA Scholarship for Minority Accounting Students: Financial assistance to minority students pursuing a degree as an accounting major.
• Diversity Advancement Scholarship: Awards for minority students planning to enroll in a NAAB-accredited architecture degree program.
• Government Finance Professional Development Scholarship: Multiple scholarships for minority students enrolled in a course of study preparing for a career in state or local government.
• Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program: Scholarships to support undergraduate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) majors become effective K-12 STEM teachers.
For a chance to win SoFi’s monthly $2,500 Scholarship Sweepstakes, simply let us know your name, email address, and school.
Types of Scholarships Available for Minorities
Scholarships for minorities can be specific to certain ethnicities and heritages, rather than open to all minority groups.
Minority students may also use grants for college expenses. Like scholarships, grants typically don’t need to be repaid. A couple distinctions to note: Grants are usually based on financial need versus academic merit, and funds are often from federal and state government instead of private and non-profit entities.
Here’s a look at college scholarship opportunities for several different minority groups.
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Scholarships for African American Students
Black and African American students can apply for specific minority scholarships and grants to help minimize college debt. Scholarship eligibility may be based on a student’s major, location, and the type of institution.
• CBC Spouses Education Scholarship: Scholarships for African American or Black students who demonstrate leadership through community service, pursuing an undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral degree.
• HBCU Sustainable Communities Initiative Scholarship: Awards for students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) and majoring in STEM, business, or sustainability-related disciplines.
• Historically Black Law School Scholarship Program: Awards a scholarship to one student at each historically black law school in the U.S.
• National Forum for Black Public Administrators Scholarships: Awards for African American students enrolled in a four-year degree program, preferably at an HBCU, who demonstrate leadership related to public service.
• NSBE Scholarship Program: Multiple scholarships for African-American undergraduate and graduate students majoring in engineering.
Scholarships for Hispanic/Latino Students
Hispanic and Latino students have unique funding opportunities to apply for among the list of scholarships and minority grants for college. Eligibility may depend on the institution type and location, as well as a student’s location and financial need.
• Café Bustelo® El Café Del Futuro Scholarship: Scholarships for college students with a passion for community involvement and enrolled at a Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities member institution.
• Dr. Juan Andrade Jr. Scholarship for Young Hispanic Leaders: Need-based awards for full-time students of Hispanic ancestry enrolled at a two- or four-year institution.
• Hispanic Heritage Foundation Youth Awards: Scholarships for students of Hispanic heritage enrolled at an accredited higher education institution.
• HSF Scholar Program: Merit-based awards for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, eligible non-citizens or DACA of Hispanic heritage enrolling in undergraduate or graduate school.
• Latinos in Technology Scholarship: Scholarships and summer internship opportunities for Latino and Hispanic students enrolled in a STEM program in their junior or senior year at a college in Northern California or a graduate of a high school in Northern California.
Scholarships for Native American Students
Some minority scholarships are available to Native American students exclusively. Tribal enrollment and field of study are two eligibility requirements to be mindful of.
• American Indian Education Fund Scholarships: Awards for Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees.
• Catching the Dream Scholarship: Awards for Native American and Alaska Native students to study business administration, economic development, and related subjects.
• Full Circle and Tribal College Scholarships: Awards for Native American and Alaska Native students seeking technical, undergraduate, and graduate degrees at tribal colleges or accredited non-profit schools.
• NativeVision Scholarship: Scholarships for Native American students to help fund their first year of college.
• Wells Fargo American Indian Scholarship: Awards for enrolled members of a U.S. federally recognized American Indian or Alaska Native tribe pursuing a degree in banking, management, or a related field.
Scholarships for Native Hawaiian Students
There are a variety of scholarships for Native Hawaiian students to help pay for the cost of college. Eligibility for scholarships may vary based on the field of study and a student’s residency.
• AIANTA Tourism & Hospitality Scholarship: Financial assistance for Native Hawaiian, Alaska Native, and Native American students toward a degree or certificate in hospitality, culinary arts, or related fields.
• AISES Scholarships: Scholarships for Native Hawaiian and Native American undergraduate and graduate students pursuing STEM degrees.
• CCAPW Scholarships: Assistance for American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander women from specific central California communities.
• Clem Judd Jr. Memorial Scholarship: Awards for Hawaiian residents of Hawaiian ancestry enrolled in hotel management degree programs.
• Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program: Scholarships for Native Hawaiians pursuing careers in primary and behavioral health disciplines.
Scholarships for Asian American Students
There are minority scholarships designated for Asian American students. Note that scholarship eligibility may be specific to certain ethnic groups and ancestry.
• ESASID Scholarship: Scholarship for students of South Asian Indian heritage attending medical school full time in Pennsylvania.
• Kimbo Foundation Scholarship: Multiple awards for Korean-American college students.
• NSRCF Scholarships: Multiple awards for high school seniors of Southeast Asian ancestry living in designated areas of the United States.
• Taiwanese American Scholarship Fund: Need-based scholarships for Taiwanese American college students of all majors.
• Upakar Foundation Scholarships: Merit- and need-based scholarships for Indian American college students.
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Tips for Applying
Applying for scholarships can be made easier with some prior planning. After identifying scholarship options, making note of application deadlines is a useful place to start.
If a scholarship requires an essay or personal statement, double check that you’re following the prompts and word limit requirements. Highlighting your personal experience, strengths, and achievements can help you stand out as an applicant.
Letters of recommendation are a common application requirement. Think about which teachers or employers would be best suited to write a recommendation — and give plenty of notice if asking them to do so.
Applying for scholarships isn’t a one-and-done scenario. Students can apply for scholarships every year of their education, and it may be necessary to reapply for a scholarship award if it doesn’t renew year-to-year.
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The Takeaway
Scholarships and grants are a great way for minority students to pay for college and reduce student debt. But many students require additional financing, such as federal and private student loans, to fund their education.
If you’ve exhausted all federal student aid options, no-fee private student loans from SoFi can help you pay for school. The online application process is easy, and you can see rates and terms in just minutes. Repayment plans are flexible, so you can find an option that works for your financial plan and budget.
FAQ
Are there scholarships for multi-racial students?
Yes, multi-racial students can access minority scholarships that relate to any part of their multicultural heritage or ancestry. Eligibility requirements for minority status or specific ethnic groups are typically outlined in the scholarship description.
Do minority scholarships consider financial need?
Entities offering minority scholarships may consider a student’s financial need, academic merit, or a combination of the two.
What documents are required for minority scholarships?
To apply for minority scholarships, students may need to submit their transcripts, letters of recommendation, standardized test scores, essays, and the FAFSA®.
Photo credit: iStock/Maca and Naca
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