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Last updated: March 16, 2018
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: $500
Deadline: August 25, 2018
Students who are between the ages of 18 and 25 enrolled in an accredited university are eligible to apply. Winners will be selected based on a 500-word essay about the importance of education.
Amount: $2,500
Deadline: September 1, 2018
One student will be awarded with this scholarship based on their schools accreditation by the American Bar Association (ABA) or AALS. Applicants will be reviewed based on their interest in pro bono, public interest and/or public legal service work, financial need, leadership potential, and affiliation with the Asian Pacific American community.
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: September 30, 2018
Awards range from $1,000 to $10,000. Applicants must be minority students enrolled in one of the technical sciences or engineering disciplines and be working towards a bachelor's, master's or PhD program. Must have a B average or better.
Amount: $10,000
Deadline: September 30, 2018
Minority students who are full-time enrolled in a four-year institution are eligible to apply. Students must be on a track to a bachelor's, master's or PhD in an engineering discipline or technical science.
Amount: $40,000
Deadline: November 1, 2018
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: $5,000
Deadline: November 6, 2018
Latino students pursuing a career in the entertainment or media industry are eligible for this award.
Amount: Varies
Deadline: November 30, 2018
Applicant must be pursuing an undergraduate nursing degree and be a member of an underrepresented minority group.
Amount: Varies
Deadline: December 15, 2018
Awards are available for UCLA graduate students with undocumented AB540 status.Proof of financial need via copy of DREAM Act Application (for California AB540 students).
Amount: Varies
Deadline: December 31, 2018
All applicants must be enrolled in an accredited educational institution (K-12, high school and college) in the United States or Puerto Rico
Amount: $18,000
Deadline: January 31, 2019
Applicants can be new or continuing graduate students, but preference will be given to students entering doctoral programs or students enrolled in strong mental health programs. Fellows will be selected on their commitment to research in mental health.
Amount: Varies
Deadline: February 1, 2019
Students must be enrolled in a math or science program at an accredited U.S. university. Must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher for consideration. Preference for students of Italian descent.
Amount: $5,000
Deadline:
The Gerber Scholarship in Pediatrics Program awards underrepresented minority students interested in pediatrics and emphasis on nutrition with financial support. Must be a U.S. citizen to apply. Leadership and community service will be considered in application process.
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
The Alaska Chinese Association awards scholarships each year to students who demonstrate community and cultural involvement. Students who demonstrate academic excellence will be strongly considered.
Amount: $6,200
Deadline:
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:
Scholarships are awarded to children of immigrants or immigrant students who are graduating from an NYC high school. Eligible candidates are those who plan to attend a two or four year college institution.
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
Applicants must be members of the Japanese American Citizens League. Eligibility and award amount varies by year. See current website for listings.
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
Candidates must be attending a trade, vocational or undergraduate institution. Preference is given to students of Hawaiian ancestry.
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
Applicants must be of Native Hawaiian ancestry who are pursuing a degree in the health or medical field. A service obligation post-degree is required.
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
Students of Hawaiian descent and residents of the state of Hawaii are eligible to apply for scholarships. A range of scholarship opportunities are available each year. Current listings and eligibility are listed on the website.
Amount: $5,000
Deadline:
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: Varies
Deadline:
Students of Asian Pacific descent who are also legal American citizens are eligible to apply for public service internships in Washington, DC.
Amount: $5,000
Deadline:
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: $6,000
Deadline:
Scholarships support the increase of underrepresented minority groups in management of cultural and scientific organizations. Students must be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program in the field of business or public administration.
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
Minority students with an engineering or business major are eligible for this award. Students must be pursuing a bachelor's degree at a full-time status in order to be considered.
Amount: $5,000
Deadline:
Undergraduate or graduate level students of a minority group can apply. Students must be pursuing ordained ministry with at a minimum of a two year membership with United Methodist Church (UMC).
Amount: $250
Deadline:
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:
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:
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:
Chickasaw citizens who are pursuing higher education are eligible for numerous awards. Details for current scholarships and eligibility are listed on the website.
Amount: $6,000
Deadline:
Applicants must be formally or informally affiliated with a Native American tribe or community. Students must be enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student with an interest in learning more about career opportunities related to Native American resources.
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
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:
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:
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: Varies
Deadline:
Scholarships are granted through the Osage Minerals Council for the study of petroleum related subjects. Students must be of Osage Indian blood.
Amount: Varies
Deadline:
Candidates for this award are full-time undergraduate or graduate students who are pursuing a degree in medicine, engineering, physical science, natural resources, math or science.
Amount: $2,000
Deadline:
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:
The scholarship awards first-generation high school seniors who are underrepresented, need financial assistance and are passionate about furthering their education as a means to help out their family, community and themselves. The candidate must be graduating a high school, who will pursue a full-time undergraduate degree in the United States at any 4-year university by fall semester and plan to study in listed concentrations such as Transportation Management, STEM, Psychology, Spanish, Architecture Language/Literature, Environmental Design, Pre-Med.
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: $10,000
Deadline:
The scholarship aims to recognize and encourage outstanding graduate or upper level undergraduate minority students enrolled in a course of study preparing for a career in state or local government finance. The applicant must be willing to pursue fields with a specific focus on government or nonprofit management.
Amount: $4,000
Deadline:
The scholarship aims to support students from a minority race or ethnicity who intend to become architects. US residents who are entering, attending or transferring to a professional program in architecture that is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) are eligible to apply for the scholarship.