Even though Hispanic/Latinos are the second most populated race in the United States with 19.1% according to the United States Census Bureau, also making them the largest minority group in the country, they are sadly reported to have the lowest college graduation rate. The major reason for this is the financial factor, in fact, research made by National Journal Poll noticed that most Hispanics who got a job or entered the military directly after high school cited the need to help support their family as a reason for not enrolling in college.
Fortunately, there are a handful of Hispanic STEM scholarships that students interested in pursuing a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, or even fields related to these. Also, if you’re a first-gen student (which is usually the case with most Hispanics) i.e. you’re the first to enroll in a 2 or 4-year college/university, we would advise you to also check out some of these scholarships.
Moreover, it is advisable that you don’t restrict your scholarship search or application to just funds made available to Latinos in STEM, and explore other financial aid opportunities like funds for women in STEM or some scholarships for first-gen immigrants.
There are still so many other scholarships you can access, you might be surprised the ones that will give you what you need has nothing to do with race or field of study.
Anyway, let’s list some of the Latino STEM scholarships
Table of Contents
Hispanic Stem Scholarships
1. 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, with a minimum CGPA of 3.0, plus other requirements.
ScholarSHPE
SHPE (Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers) provides more than $1.8 million worth of Hispanic stem scholarships to up to 350 STEM students annually to ensure that finance doesn’t become a hindrance for them to complete their bachelor’s degree. Applicants need to be active SHPE members (so you need to join ASAP), have a minimum Cumulative GPA of 2.5, intend to pursue a STEM degree, and plan to enroll at an accredited two-year or four-year college/university in the US.
3. Great Minds in STEM
For more than 3 decades, GMiS (Great Minds in Stem) has recognized the achievements of America’s top engineers and scientists from the Hispanic community through the HENAAC (Hispanic Engineer National Achievement Awards Corporation).
For you to be eligible, you need to have good academic results and have participated in campus/community leadership. Of course, you need to be pursuing a degree in STEM and have an overall minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale for merit-based scholarships. Applicants may have a minimum 2.5 GPA for non-merit-based donor scholarships.
The merit-based scholarship is worth between $500 to $5,000 while the need-based scholarship ranges from $500 – $1,000
4. 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).
5. 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.
6. President Obama/HSF STEM Teacher Scholarship Program
This Hispanic STEM scholarship is provided to outstanding Latino students planning to become teachers. The scholarship is worth $2,500 for two years for a total of $5,000, and candidates don’t only need to be of Hispanic heritage but also be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents.
7. Association of Latino Professionals For America Scholarship Opportunity
ALPFA was the first national Latino professional association in the United States, established in Los Angeles in 1972, and has been empowering Latinos as leaders of character for the nation, in every sector of the global economy.
Their scholarship is awarded to a degree-seeking student enrolled full-time at a two-year college, four-year university, or graduate program in the United States or Puerto Rico. Applicants might need to submit the FAFSA or state-based financial aid forms.
8. The Hispanic Health Professional Student Scholarship
This list of Hispanic STEM scholarships won’t be complete without mentioning the NHHF Scholarship because they currently award up to $2 million to 346 scholarship recipients. Scholars will receive $5,000 annually for up to four years, as well as individual scholarship awards of $2,000 each.
It is worth noting that applicants don’t need to be Hispanic, but it’s necessary to have an affinity for the health of Hispanic communities and an interest in participating in NHHF Scholars Alumni activities.
9. UTPB Hispanic Student Financial Support
The University of Texas Permian Basin provides a scholarship to cover tuition and mandatory fees for Hispanic undergraduates majoring in a STEM field. Being a US citizen is a requirement, also you need to be admitted to one of the UTPB STEM-related programs to be eligible.
10. AMS Scholarship for Underserved Communities
This $6,000 worth of scholarship is awarded to students who have been traditionally underrepresented in the sciences, especially Hispanic, Native American, and Black/African American students. Thanks to the annual generous donation made to the American Meteorological Society, this scholarship has been made possible.
Just like most Latino STEM scholarships we have listed, applicants need to be U.S. citizens or hold permanent resident status.
11. The Alliance/Merck Ciencia (Science) Hispanic Scholars Program
University of Pennsylvania through their La Casa Latina – the Center of Hispanic Excellence provides two types of scholarships: the College STEM Majors $2,000 one-time scholarship, and the High School Seniors $42,000 scholar package.
Conclusion
You can see there are a handful of Hispanic STEM scholarships, however, as we said earlier, don’t limit yourself to scholarships exclusively to Hispanic students in STEM-related fields. There are still several scholarship opportunities that didn’t mention Hispanic or Latino that you should still be eligible for.
You might be shocked that those ones are what will completely waive your fees and still reward you with monthly or annual stipends.
Author’s Recommendations
- Scholarships For Hispanic Females In California
. - Scholarships For Hispanic Females In Texas
. - Scholarships For Hispanic Students In High School
. - Law School Scholarships For Hispanic Students
. - First Generation Scholarships In Florida