Last updated: January 07, 2019
Colleges campuses across America are becoming more diverse every year. Underrepresented minority students are not only enrolling in college, but are making educational and professional impacts in all fields—from science to education to civil service—at an unstoppable rate.
College costs, however, are climbing. According to U.S. News & World Report, from 1995 to 2015, in-state tuition and fees at public universities rose a staggering 296 percent. Average costs continue to rise every year, well beyond the rate of inflation. With tuition bills and extra expenses like housing, meal plans, parking permits, books and fees, any financial assistance can make a sizeable difference.
To help offset college costs, you can obtain minority scholarships, grants and fellowships that are available to men and women of African American, Alaska Native, Asian American, Hispanic and Latino, Native American and Pacific Islander descent. Use this guide, including our interactive scholarship tool, to locate and apply for unique opportunities to help pay for college. After all, you can be the student who brings new ideas and perspectives to your own college campus.
How to Pay | Application Preparation | Scholarships for Minorities | All Scholarships
Talented and diverse young leaders have further opportunity to make an impact through a college education and scholarship opportunities. The first U.S. Congressional woman of color and first Asian American woman elected to the House of Representatives expresses the power of making contributions as a minority:
“We have to build things that we want to see accomplished, in life and in our country, based on our own personal experiences...to make sure that others...do not have to suffer the same discrimination.”
- Patsy Matsu Takemoto Mink
To start building your future, consider the many college scholarships available to minorities through corporations, charitable organizations, advocacy groups and professional associations.
There are hundreds of scholarships for minorities, which are awarded by local organizations, private companies, societies and more.
Grants don’t need to be paid back and are based on your financial circumstances. They are usually funded by the federal government, your state or college.
While scholarships usually fund tuition, fellowships typically cover graduate study, research projects and abroad experiences without needing to be paid back.
You can borrow money from the government or a bank, but it needs to be paid back with interest. The federal government offers many loan options—fill out the free application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see if you qualify for financial aid. If you need help, use our interactive guide to learn how to answer every question.
Provides part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to pay education expenses.
If you’re just beginning the process of finding suitable scholarships, make sure you’re prepared for the application process by starting a folder with the assets below.
No matter your background, where you’re from or if your family members attended college, you can find ways to pay for college through scholarships and fellowships. Check out the scholarships below to see the opportunities available.
Instructions: Click through the dropdowns below to sort by your ethnicity, field of study and award amount. Click the box for a larger view.
Amount: $1,950
Deadline: February 24, 2019
The scholarship awards students from Lee County in Florida with a physical disability to pursue higher education in a college, university or technical school. Applicant must be able to describe give proof of disability.
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: March 9, 2019
First generation college prospective students who are underrepresented, low income, and passionate about pursuing a career in health related fields. Students are not required to be U.S. citizens, but must have a 3.5 GPA to be considered.
Amount: Varies
Deadline: April 30, 2019
Students of the 26 member tribes of the United South and Eastern Tribes are eligible for undergraduate scholarships.
Amount: Varies
Deadline: April 30, 2019
The Mae & Mary Scholarship Fund supports the advancement of African Americans in health care and medical related fields. Eligible students are high school seniors planning to attend a university or technical school.
Amount: $2,000
Deadline: April 30, 2019
Eligible candidates are those either born in or have a parent born in the Republic of India. High school seniors should apply and be pursuing enrollment in a two or four year degree program.
Amount: $1,250
Deadline: February 28, 2019
This award will recognize one African American female that's pursuing a full time bachelor's degree and participating in golf at an accredited university. Students must demonstrate academic achievement and community service for consideration
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: April 30, 2019
The Moss Adams Foundation is available to minority women, or women returning to school to earn a bachelor's degree in accounting. Must demonstrate clear evidence persistence towards personal and professional goals.
Amount: $2,000
Deadline: February 15, 2019
Students will be considered for this award based on their commitment to a career in the hospitality industry. Must be a U.S. citizen enrolled as a full-time student to apply.
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: May 1, 2019
This scholarship is intended to help students who have been underrepresented in study abroad programs. Applicants must be attending a private college or university that is a Member or Associate Member of the IES Abroad Consortium. Home university must transfer a minimum of 75% of its institutional aid for study abroad.
Amount: $2,000
Deadline: May 15, 2019
The Presbyterian Church provides this yearly need-based opportunity for sophomores, juniors and seniors who are full time, first degree students attending accredited institutions in the U.S. Preference extends to racial ethnic students. Must be a member of the Presbyterian Church, and have completed their first year of study. Must have a 2.5 GPA or higher, and demonstrate financial need for consideration.
Amount: Varies
Deadline: May 30, 2019
Students must be demonstrated leaders planning to attend or currently enrolled at a HBCU.
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: January 1, 2020
Latino students in Arizona and California are qualified to apply. Scholarships are based solely on academic performance, leadership, extracurricular activities, commitment to volunteer service and financial need.
Amount: $3,000
Deadline: May 31, 2019
Awards are given to those enrolled in an accredited tribal college or university. Candidates must be members of a state or federally recognized tribe or a descendant of at least one parent or grandparent who is enrolled as a tribe member.
Amount: Varies
Deadline: May 31, 2019
Students attending non-tribal public or private universities in the U.S. are encouraged to apply for this need-based scholarship. Applicants must be a member of a recognized tribe or descendant of an enrolled tribal member and have a 2.0 GPA or higher.
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: June 1, 2019
To be eligible, candidates must be a CIRI original enrollee or direct lineal descendant. A high school diploma or GED is required with current enrollment in an undergraduate or graduate degree program. Part-time and full-time students are eligible.
Amount: $20,000
Deadline: July 1, 2019
Children of migrant workers who demonstrate pursuit of a career in agriculture are eligible to apply for this scholarship. Students must have completed one year of college to qualify.
Amount: Varies
Deadline: December 1, 2019
Applicant must be pursuing an undergraduate nursing degree and be a member of an underrepresented minority group.
Amount: Varies
Deadline: May 31, 2019
All applicants must be enrolled in an accredited educational institution (K-12, high school and college) in the United States or Puerto Rico
Amount: Varies
Deadline: January 1, 2020
Hawaii Community Foundation is providing a wealth of financial support to qualified students throughout Hawaii. With over 250 scholarships, Hawaii students can surely find a scholarship that applies to them.
Amount: $2,000
Deadline: March 15, 2019
The scholarship wants to encourage the study of physics among the groups that are underrepresented in science and engineering. U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are undergraduate student members of the SPS national organization are eligible to apply. The program awards students who are majoring in physics or a related science and intend for continued scholastic development in physics in future.
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: November 1, 2019
Candidates are U.S. permanent residents or citizens who have been accepted to or enrolled in a semester, summer or academic year IES abroad program. Scholarships are awarded to those attending Hispanic-Serving Institutions that belong to the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU).
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
LULAC strives to create lifelong learners and leaders within the hispanic community. Students must be pursuing a bachelor's degree at a full-time status in order to be considered.
Amount: $250
Deadline: December 1, 2019
Qualified candidates are CIRI original enrollees or direct lineal descendants. Students must have a GPA of 2.5 or higher with a desire to perform and transmit the literary, visual and performing arts of Alaska Natives.
Amount: Varies
Deadline: June 15, 2019
Candidates must demonstrate tribal citizenship in the Cherokee Nation. The scholarship is awarded to those who plan to attend or are attending an accredited U.S. institution.
Amount: Varies
Deadline: September 15, 2019
The scholarship assists Native American high school students with their college academic pursuits. All tribes and regions are welcome to apply. Preference is given to those who plan to study engineering, math, science, business, computers and education.
Amount: $1,500
Deadline: June 1, 2019
Candidates must be at least 1/4 American Indian and enrolled in a tribe, or able to prove direct tribal ancestry. Candidates must be enrolled an undergraduate or graduate nursing program are eligible.
Amount: $2,000
Deadline: April 30, 2019
This scholarship was established in memory of distinguished director of Sunkist Growers and agricultural leader, to provide funds for undergraduate students from Arizona or California agricultural backgrounds who are in need of financial assistance. GPA and extracurriculars must demonstrate potential for success.
Amount: Varies
Deadline: January 1, 2020
The Latinos in Technology Scholarship was established to support Hispanic community in Silicon Valley. This program will give up to 100 Latino student to graduate from college with an educational opportunity. The scholarship is need-based specifically for residents of specific Northern California counties.
Amount: $500
Deadline: January 1, 2020
All female NYC high school sophomores or juniors have the opportunity to receive a 6 year high school to college program, and join a network of young women mentors and college coaches. Each participant is awarded a free laptop, tours to colleges and universities, and mentor/coaching opportunities.