Hispanic Scholarships in California
California is home to a much larger percentage of Hispanic residents than many other states. Sadly, this number is not represented by the percentage of Hispanic students attending California colleges and universities.
Hispanic students, much like African American students, face unique challenges in college which are not necessarily faced by their white and Asian Pacific Island peers. While the reasons for these challenges range from the increased likelihood that an African American or Hispanic student will live in poverty, attend a poorly performing high school, or lack access to other resources that make the transition to college through graduation easier to accomplish.
For students whose first language isn’t English, the challenges are even more complex. While our ESL students nationwide are doing well in math, many don’t have the skills (in English, students likely have these skills in their first language) to accomplish the increased reading and writing workload that frequently meets incoming freshmen.
Since California has such a large, vibrant and active Hispanic community, there are several options for Hispanic students who want to get scholarships to help overcome the financial obligations of a college education. Below are a few resources to begin your search, keep in mind it is not comprehensive.
The Hispanic Scholarship Fund is the largest US not-for-profit which supports active and potential Hispanic college students.
Fastweb has accumulated a list of scholarship links for Hispanic/Latino students. Note: This article is several years old, and therefore may not be 100% timely or up-to-date, proceed with caution. 
US News and World Report has aggregated this list of twelve scholarships for Hispanic students who want to pursue work in the STEM fields.
The Smart Cookie Scholarship fund was created to help Latina women who are first or second generation immigrants attend college.
The Dream Resource Center, part of UCLA, offers the Fulfilling Our Dream Scholarship to Salvatorian and other Latino students.
The Hispanic Education Endowment Fund is another resource, with several scholarship opportunities and other resources for current and future college students.
Other resources include high school guidance counselors, admissions counselors at the college or university you are looking to attend, or speaking with Hispanic students who’ve graduated from or currently attend college.
Browse Hispanic Scholarships in California:
Listing 1 to 28 of 28
| Name | Amount |
|---|---|
| 2023/2024 College Scholarship | $1,000 |
| Sponsored: There is no GPA requirement and no essay to write! | |
| California Community Service-Learning Program (CCSLP) | $5000 |
| Awards for underrepresented minority students attending medical school in California. Training and research will be completed during 3rd or 4th year of medical studies. www.nmfonline.org. ... | |
| Alice Newell Joslyn Fund | $1000-$2000 |
| Established to provide community-based guidance to Latino students pursuing a college education. Contingent on student’s financial need, scholastic abilities, and community contributions. ... | |
| BECA Foundation General Scholarships | $500-$1000 |
| BECA Foundation’s purpose is to provide scholarships and community-based guidance to Latino students who are pursuing a college education. Requires an applicant to be a North San Diego ... | |
| California Association of Realtors Scholarship | $1,000-$2,000 |
| The applicant must be a Real Estate Major, with a minimum 2.6 GPA; have completed twelve (12) units prior to submitting application; be enrolled in 6 units; 3 of which must be a Real Estate ... | |
| California State University Stanislaus-Hispanic Scholarships | $1000 |
| At least one natural parent of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Caribbean, Central or South American orign qualifies for scholarship. Must be a graduate from a California high school. 3.0 GPA in ... | |
| CANfit Program Scholarships - Graduate | Varies |
| Undergraduate and graduate scholarships are available for California African-American, American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian American, Pacific Islander or Latino/Hispanic students expressing ... | |
| CANFit Program Scholarships - Graduate | $1,000 |
| The California Adolescent Nutrition and Fitness Program (CANFit) is offering undergraduate and graduate scholarships for African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian/Pacific ... | |
| Chicana Latina Foundation Scholarship Competition | $1500 |
| This scholarship competition is offered to outstanding female Latina students through the Chicana Latina Foundation. Demonstrate academic achievement, community involvement and leadership ... | |
| Chino Mexican-American Freshman Scholarship | Varies |
| Awarded to a Chaffey College Mexican-American student who is a resident of the Chino, California area and plans to return to Chaffey for the fall quarter. | |
| CLA Award in Memory of Edna Yelland | $2500 |
| Scholarship is awarded through the California Library Association, to encourage and support ethnic minority students in attaining a graduate degree in library or information science. Minority ... | |
| ScholarshipPoints $10,000 Scholarship | $10,000 |
| Sponsored: Thousands available in scholarships this year. | |
| Congressional Hispanic Fellowship Program | $2061 |
| This scholarship is open to recent graduates or students currently enrolled in graduate program who are of Hispanic background and who have a 3.0 GPA and are U.S. citizens, permanent ... | |
| Daniel Gutierrez Memorial General Scholarship Fund | $500-$1000 |
| Established for the purpose of providing scholarships and community-based guidance to Latino students who are pursuing a college education. This is a one-time award. Open to San Diego County, ... | |
| Hector G. Godinez Scholarship | $500 |
| The applicant must be an Education or Law majors, be a resident of the city of Santa Ana, be of Mexican American descent, and enroll in a minimum of 9 units in the fall and spring. The ... | |
| Jane Frances Valtierra Memorial - High School | $500 |
| The award is for a graduating high school senior from Edison, having Mexican American descent. The applicant must show financial need, maintain full-time status, and be a Stockton resident. | |
| Jane Frances Valtierra Memorial - Nursing | $500 |
| The award is for a graduating high school senior from Edison, having Mexican American descent. The recipient must be entering the Nursing field, show financial need, maintain a full-time ... | |
| $2,000 "No Essay" Scholarship - Niche | $2,000 |
| Sponsored: Open to all students and those planning on enrolling in either 2023 or 2024. | |
| Joel Garcia Memorial Scholarship | $500-$1000 |
| Aid for Latino students who will attend college in California or who are California residents. Must demonstrate commitment to the field of journalism. More info: www.ccnma.org. Based on ... | |
| KNTV Minority Scholarship | $1000 |
| KNTV Minority Scholarships are provided by KNTV Channel 11 in California. Residents of Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Monterey or San Benito counties attending a California institute full-time. ... | |
| Latin American Professional Women’s Association Scholarship | $500 |
| This schoolarship is offered to a Female Hispanic student through the Latin American Professional Womens Association. Must be a female Hispanic non-traditional student, over age 23, and who ... | |
| Los Angeles Hispanic Managers Association Education Foundation Scholarship | $500 |
| This scholarship is awarded to a Hispanic/Latino descent, who must be a resident of Los Angeles County, is currently enrolled in at least twelve (12) units, and has a 2.5 GPA. | |
| Manuel R. Caldera John Carroll Scholarships | Varies |
| The Manuel R. Caldera John Carroll Scholarships are awarded with a preference in selection for Mexican-American students from the Los Angeles area who demonstrate financial need. | |
| CaptainU Student-Athlete Scholarship | $2,000 |
| Sponsored: This opportunity is offered to current high school athletes for 2023-2024. Only athletes that want to play in college should apply! | |
| Mayor Joe Serna, Jr. Scholarships | $1000-$2500 |
| Financial assistance offered through Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. For graduating high school seniors from Sacramento, California and the surrounding area. Must plan to pursue ... | |
| Mexican American Golf Association of Bakersfield Scholarship | $200 |
| Mexican American, Kern County High School, California, graduates majoring in any course at Bakersfield College. Demonstate financial need. Second scholarship awarded to students who are ... | |
| Modesto Bee Scholarship Program | $500 |
| Financial assistance offered through the Modesto Bee for high school seniors enrolling in college for the following fall. For a deserving Native American Indian, Hispanic American, Asian ... | |
| Montoya Scholarship | Varies |
| This scholarship encourages Hispanic students to puruse careers in engineering. The scholarship is restricted to needy upperdivision Hispanic students in the College of Engineering who are ... | |
| Ramona’s Mexican Food Products Scholarship Foundation | Tuition+ |
| Scholarships available to students through the Ramona's Mexican Food Products Scholarship Foundation. Must be Hispanic student from Garfield, Roosevelt or Lincoln High Schools in East Los ... | |
| Monthly University Scholarships | $1,000 |
| Sponsored: Just register and you could win $1,000! And because we don't want to take a lot of time away from your college search, entry takes just a few minutes. | |
| San Jose GI Forum Scholarship Foundation | $500-$1000 |
| Financial aid for outstanding graduating high school seniors who plan to enroll in college. Available to graduating high school seniors who are residents of the County of Santa Clara, ... | |
| TELACU Scholarship | Varies |
| Freshmen Hispanic/Latino students enrolled at Loyola Marymount University. Graduates from specified east Los Angeles, California, area high schools, or continuing and transfering students ... | |
| Telacu Undergraduate Scholarship | $1000 |
| Must be a full-time student or graduate student of Hispanic background with a minimum GPA of 2.5, demonstrate financial need, and be a permanent resident of the city of Los Angeles, ... | |