Last updated: March 06, 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: $5,000
Deadline: March 15, 2020
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: $10,000
Deadline: March 15, 2020
The scholarship is intended for students entering or attending law school and demonstrate a commitment to developing a career in intellectual property law. The applicant must be US citizen and demonstrate merit and financial need before applying for the scholarship.
Amount: $3,000
Deadline: March 31, 2020
Graduating seniors and undergraduate students are eligible to apply for this award. Must have a GPA of 2.0 or higher and pursue a degree in health related fields. Preference to students of Serbian heritage.
Amount: $2,000
Deadline: April 1, 2020
Student must be enrolled in a full-time accredited university. Must have a record of excellence in academic achievement and commitment to community service.
Amount: $2,000
Deadline: April 30, 2019
Eligible applicants include high school seniors, high school graduates planning or already enrolled in a college or university program within the next, or current college or university students. High school applicants' families must be current JASC members. Preference given to applicants who show participation in JASC or other Japanese American community events, programs and projects.
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: $1,500
Deadline: April 15, 2020
The EMPOWER Scholarship, supports minority students who are pursuing a career in a medical or rehabilitation field.
Amount: $500-$10,000
Deadline: April 1, 2020
Applicants must be of Hispanic origin and/or must demonstrate leadership or service within the Hispanic community. Applicant must also be enrolled in an accredited 2 or 4-year undergraduate or graduate program and have at least a 3.0 GPA. Must be pursuing a STEM degree.
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: $1,000
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: $6,000
Deadline: April 24, 2019
Students must be pursuing an undergraduate degree in fine art, graphic design, illustration, interactive design, or photography. Preference will be given to minority students and students demonstrating financial need. Must maintain a 2.0 GPA for consideration.
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: up to $2,000
Deadline: March 31, 2020
This scholarship is awarded to college students who are AISES members of American Indian or Alaskan Native ethnicity, and are pursuing a degree in engineering, medicine, natural resources, math, and other sciences. Must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Native American and Alaska Natives are preferred.
Amount: Varies
Deadline: May 3, 2019
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America is offering this scholarship to undergraduate students who need financial aid to futher their education. The applicant must be able to produce a copy or transcript of your Baptismal or Chrismation Certificate along with other requirements.
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: May 6, 2019
This scholarship provides financial assistance and promotion of Asian American college students pursuing a major in the performing, visual arts, journalism and/or mass communications. Must be at least 50% Pacific Islander and/or Asian ethnicity, and enrolled full-time at an accredited U.S. institution. A GPA of 3.0 or higher is preferred.
Amount: $1,500
Deadline: May 6, 2019
Awards are given to Asian-American college seniors and graduate students who exhibit exemplary leadership, passion and vision within the Asian-American community.
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 31, 2019
Candidates must African American or black students who are enrolled or plan to enroll in the upcoming academic year as a full-time undergraduate or graduate student. A GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale is required.
Amount: Varies
Deadline: May 27, 2019
Scholarships are available through the Guam Society of America to students pursuing undergraduate degrees. Current scholarships and eligibility requirements are listed on the website.
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: $2,500
Deadline: June 21, 2019
This award is available to high school students who identify as atheist, agnostic, humanist and/or secular and are the first in their families to attend an accredited two or four-year colleges or university. Preference will be given to students of color, and students who have been in foster care, homeless, undocumented or LGBTQ. Applicants will be chosen based on the strength of their essay.
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: June 30, 2019
Must be a high school senior, undergraduate, or graduate student to apply. Applicants should have a strong history of activism and involvement in either the API and/or LGBTQ communities, but do not need to identify as either to apply.
Amount: Varies
Deadline: June 30, 2019
Scholarship is designated to students of Korean heritage who are studying in the U.S. at a full-time status. The college or university must be in the Southwestern region states (Arizona, Colorado, Alaska, California, Idaho, Hawaii, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, Oregon, Washington or Wyoming).
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: $2,000
Deadline: June 15, 2019
Applicant must be enrolled members of federally recognized Indian tribe. They must be accepted for admission by a North Dakota institution of higher learning or state vocational education program and be enrolled as full-time students.
Amount: $40,000
Deadline: January 9, 2020
African American students in their senior year of high school are eligible for this scholarship program. This scholarship will be awarded to students who demonstrate an interest in public service, community engagement, business entrepreneurship, and global citizenship
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: Varies
Deadline: January 1, 2020
The National Medical Fellowships awards financial support to underrepresented minority students demonstrating leadership and currently enrolled in a graduate level healthcare program in the US. Must be a U.S. citizen to apply. Community service will also be considered in application process.
Amount: $25,000
Deadline: January 1, 2020
The MBA Fellowship is designed to increase interest in financial services among black, hispanic and native american business school students.
Amount: $6,200
Deadline: May 26, 2019
First-generation college students are eligible to apply to this award. Preference is given to students who will be attending a HBCU.
Amount: Varies
Deadline: February 8, 2020
Candidates must be attending a trade, vocational or undergraduate institution. Preference is given to students of Hawaiian ancestry.
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: January 1, 2020
Applicants for the TELACU College Success Program must be first-generation college students from a low to moderate household income. A GPA of 2.5 or higher is required.
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: Varies
Deadline: October 30, 2019
Students of the Zuni Tribe are eligible for this award. Applicants must be accepted to or enrolled in a college institution.
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: Varies
Deadline: January 1, 2020
Native American students seeking a degree at a University Senate approved seminary are eligible to apply. Candidates must have a minimum of a 3 year membership in the UMC (United Methodist Church).
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.
Amount: $18,000
Deadline: January 31, 2020
This scholarship awards graduate students pursuing a degree in sociology demonstrating strong mental health research and/or interest. Students will be selected based on intent on research and development in mental health, academic achievement and financial need.
Amount: Varies
Deadline: February 1, 2020
Minorities of any group are eligible to apply for this award. Candidates are high school seniors and undergraduate or graduate students. Students must be pursuing a degree in manufacturing engineering at an ABET accredited school.