Top Hispanic Scholarships

Key takeaways about Hispanic scholarships

• Hispanic scholarships offer free money for college that doesn’t need to be repaid.
• Awards are available for students of Hispanic or Latino background in high school, college, grad school, or adult learners.
• Many scholarships consider more than grades, including leadership, community involvement, and background.
• Applying to multiple scholarships can increase your chances—especially smaller ones, which often have less competition.
• Using scholarship search tools like Scholly Scholarships can help you find and apply for the right scholarships faster.

Paying for college can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to balance applications, deadlines, and everything else life throws at you. Hispanic scholarships can make higher education more affordable for students from Hispanic and Latino backgrounds. And there are more opportunities out there than you might think.

Whether you’re just starting your college journey or already enrolled, these scholarships can help reduce how much you need to borrow and bring your goals within reach.

What are Hispanic scholarships?

Hispanic scholarships are financial awards created to support students who identify as Hispanic or Latino, or who are part of Hispanic-serving communities. These scholarships are offered by nonprofits, schools, corporations, and community organizations that want to expand access to education and help students succeed.

Some scholarships are merit-based and focus on academics, leadership, or talents. Others are need-based and consider financial circumstances. Many fall somewhere in between—looking at your full story, not just your GPA.

The most important thing to know is this: there’s no single definition of a “perfect” applicant. If a scholarship sounds like it fits you, it’s worth applying.

Top scholarships for Hispanic students

There’s no one-size-fits-all list, but many of the top scholarships for Hispanic students share a few things in common: they reward persistence, community involvement, and future goals. These awards can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars—and smaller awards can still make a big difference.

If you're trying to find out what scholarships are available for Hispanic students, use scholarship search tool that matches you with opportunities based on your background, interests, and education level. Scholly Scholarships makes it easy to explore scholarships for Hispanic students all in one place.

Still looking for the right school or program? Scout College Search can help you search and filter schools by type, major, location, cost and more.

Pro tip: Don’t ignore scholarships with smaller award amounts. They often have fewer applicants, which means better odds for you.

How to apply for Hispanic scholarships

Applying for scholarships doesn’t have to be complicated if you break it into steps.

Start by gathering the basics. Most applications ask for similar information, like transcripts, proof of enrollment, and a short essay. Having these ready can save you time later.

Next, pay close attention to eligibility requirements. Some scholarships are open to all Hispanic students, while others focus on first-generation students, specific majors, or students in certain states.

If you're applying for a need-based scholarship, submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) will likely be required. For step-by-help filling out the form, check out our FAFSA® guide.

When it comes to essays, be honest and specific. Share your experiences, your goals, and why this scholarship matters to you. You don’t need a dramatic story—just your real one.

Keep track of deadlines. Missing a due date is one of the easiest ways to miss out on free money.

Kick start your scholarship search with one that's easy to apply for—like our $2,000 No Essay Scholarship. It takes 2 minutes or less, and you can keep entering every month.