Did you know there are several California Latino scholarships, and you can still take advantage of other general scholarships that might award you up to full tuition, plus stipends?
First of all, it’s worth noting that Californios (a term to refer to the Californian Hispanic community) are now more than Whites in California in terms of population according to the 2020 Census. With Hispanic or Latinos dominating at 40.3% and Whites coming behind with 34.7%.
And this has also positively affected their college or university pursuit, according to Edsource, the number of Latinos who identify as male are graduating within four years from the California State University system has doubled over the past five years from 9% to 18%, and the corresponding number of females from 15% to 29%.
However, most of them still find it difficult to graduate due to financial burden, that’s where scholarships or other financial aid comes in. Meanwhile, it’s advisable not to limit yourself to just scholarships for Hispanics/Latinos, apply for other funds like first-generation funds for high school seniors if you’re the first to pursue a 2 or 4-year college or university degree from your family or even one of the women in STEM scholarships.
The idea is for you to explore as many scholarships as available for you.
Anyway, let’s go straight ahead to list these scholarships.
Table of Contents
California Latino Scholarships
1. California Latino Legislative Caucus Foundation Scholarship Program
- Amount: $1,000
The CLLCF is a tax-exempt, charitable, non-profit corporation established to promote and support Latino culture and heritage in California. To be eligible for the CLLCF Scholarship Program, you either need to be;
- A full-time student (undergraduate or graduate) in good academic standing at an accredited college or university, OR
- A graduating high school senior with written proof of acceptance at an accredited institution of higher learning.
You also need to have a minimum GPA of 2.5
2. Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities Scholarship
The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) awards various California Latino scholarships to eligible students. Applicants need to enroll in one of their member institutions, have graduated from a high school (or have earned a high school equivalency diploma) to be eligible.
Also, candidates might need to demonstrate financial need through FAFSA or State-financial aid. Each month they provide separate kinds of scholarships, so it will be advisable to register so to get updated and notified on awards you met their requirements.
3. Hispanic Scholarship Council at UC San Diego
Hispanic Scholarship Council scholarships are a part of the UC San Diego Chancellor’s Scholars Program. The Chancellor’s Scholarship is awarded annually to outstanding entering freshmen that don’t only have good academic achievement but also have served in the community, participated in extracurricular activities, and have financial need.
Recipients will be awarded $20,000 worth of scholarships with their four-year studies ($5,000 each year).
This is a four-year award of $20,000, paid in the amount of $5,000 annually
4. Cal State – The Latin American Studies Program
Cal State provides several California Latino scholarships which include;
- David Miller Latino Studies Scholarship: eligible for students with a minimum GPA of 3.0
- Donald W. & Marjorie Woodford Bray and Timothy Harding Scholarship in Latin American Studies: eligible for students with a minimum GPA of 3.0
- Blanca Flanagan Rios Scholarship
- Emeriti Association-Mary Gormly Memorial Fellowship
- Morales Family Endowed Scholarship
and others
5. USC Latino Alumni Association
For 5 decades, USC Latino Alumni Association has been generously providing scholarship assistance to students who love and are committed to the Latino community. And, they have successfully awarded more than $22.4 million in scholarships to 9,400 USC students who are committed to the Latino/Hispanic community.
Their California Latino scholarships range from $2,000 to $5,000 for undergraduate students and $500 to $5,000 for graduate students.
6. CSUB – Hispanic Excellence Scholarship Fund
The California State University Bakersfield – Hispanic Excellence Scholarship Fund is awarding 20 scholarships worth $2,000 each to outstanding eligible candidates. Preference is given to Latino students but any other student regardless of ethnicity can still apply.
7. Dr. Manuela and Mr. Randy Sosa Scholarship Fund Endowment
This is another California Latino scholarship awarded to low-income, high-achieving Latino students from Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. Applicants must be incoming freshmen with a minimum High School GPA of 3.0 and need to be permanent residents of Riverside or San Bernardino County.
Preference is given to students that are fluent in Spanish.
8. Bracero Legacy Scholarship
This scholarship was founded by the Ramirez familia for the purpose of assisting and uplifting scholars who are farm workers or children of farmworkers, formerly or currently unhoused, undocumented, and Chicano/Latino students.
9. MEChA Alumni Scholarship
The MEChA Alumni Association awards five California Latino scholarships of $500 each to multiple types of students including high school and transfer students. Please email Estella Acuna for more information about some other requirements.
10. California Chicano News Media Association (CCNMA) Scholarships
CCNMA has given out more than $800,000 in scholarships to aspiring Latino journalists in California since 1976. Recipients have gone ahead to be network news producers, reporters, anchors, and reporters at the Los Angeles Times, New York Times, Time Magazine, BuzzFeed, and the Washington Post.
11. California State University Long Beach – Chicano and Latino Studies Scholarships
CSULB provides 3 different kinds of scholarships through their Chicano and Latino Studies, they include;
- The Chicano and Latino Studies Award: worth $500-$1000
- The Gloria Z. Pacho Memorial Scholarship: worth $500-$1000
- The Joseph and Ducelia Contreras Award: $1250-$2500
12. UC Davis Multicultural Scholarships
The University of California, Davis Campus are partnering with different organizations to provide scholarships and financial aid exclusively to students of different ethnicity including Hispanic/Latino. Their California Latino scholarships include;
- HACU – United Talent Agency Entertainment Scholarship
- Café Bustelo Scholarship
- Telacu General Scholarship
- MGM Resorts International Scholarship
13. Latinos in Technology Scholarship
The Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley created this scholarship worth up to $30,000 for Latino(a) students who have a declared major in a science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM)-related field. Not only will scholars receive funds for their academics, but they will also receive different career prep and professional skill-building workshops, and internship access.
Applicants need to be current college students entering their junior or senior year at a 4-year undergraduate college or university plus other requirements.
14. GMiS California Health Sciences Scholarships
This is among the Hispanic stem scholarships which provide financial assistance and support for underrepresented students in California, pursuing undergraduate degrees in health-related disciplines. The scholarship is worth $1,000, and applicants must have a minimum Cumulative GPA of 3.0 (On a 4.0 scale), and must be U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA).
15. GMiS California Medical Scholarships
This is another scholarship from Great Minds in STEM (GMiS) awarded to underrepresented students pursuing medical professions in California. The scholarship amount of $30,000 will be awarded to winners, however, it’s a one-time scholarship, and won’t be renewed.
Recipients will receive a $5,000 worth of scholarship. Up to ten (10) awards will be granted each year.
Besides the fact that you need to be of Hispanic/Latino descent or any other under-represented group, you also need to have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in the U.S. or Puerto Rico with at least a 3.0 Cumulative GPA. Preference will be given to students pursuing medical studies in the areas of mental health, rehabilitative, geriatric medical specialties, or individuals with disabilities.
Conclusion
I would always advise those seeking multicultural or minority scholarships to not restrict their search to just their ethnicity, you should do the same. Enroll in any general scholarship you’re eligible for, don’t be scared to submit your application when needed.
Author’s Recommendations
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