Did you know there are a handful of scholarships for immigrants in California that few people apply for, especially when compared to other general scholarships which you can still apply, by the way? We’ll be listing these scholarships shortly.
Meanwhile, I read a beautiful statement from Immigrants Rising “Scholarships are free money to pay for school! If a scholarship is worth $1,000 and you spend 10 hours writing an essay and submitting your scholarship application, it can result in $100 per hour invested!”
In essence, the time you invested applying for any scholarship even if the amount is as low as $1,000, it’s still worth it.
To further streamline your financial aid search, you can precisely apply for some scholarships meant for first-gen immigrants if you’re the first to attend a 2 or 4-year college/university, or even apply for scholarships solely for Hispanic descent enrolling in STEM-related programs. We believe you are likely among the minority group, and if you’re a woman in this group, then these funds should interest you.
One of the things you should know about applying for scholarships outside your search is that they might be the ones to give you exactly what you need. These scholarships for immigrants in California might not necessarily provide all you need, so apply for fully funded scholarships if you’re eligible, or even apply for government scholarships.
Anyway, let’s list this financial assistance straight away.
Table of Contents
Scholarships for Immigrants in California
It’s worth noting that these scholarships are not very competitive when compared with other general scholarships. However, a handful of people still apply for them, so having a good grade and some extracurricular activities would be a big advantage.
1. Chicana Latina Foundation Scholarships
- Worth: $1,500
Annually the Chicana Latina Foundation provides both leadership and California Latino scholarship programs to 40-45 eligible students. The scholarship is worth $1,500 for each recipient, and they will also be able to attend all Leadership Institute sessions within the period.
Immigrants are welcome to apply but must self-identify as a Chicana and/or Latina, be enrolled in one of their partner universities or colleges, and have lived at least 2 years in one of the Northern California counties, plus other requirements.
2. Latinos in Technology Scholarship
- Worth: $30,000
This is one of the scholarships for immigrants in California exclusively for Hispanic/Latino students who have a declared major in a science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM)-related field. Not only does the scholarship financially support scholars with $30,000 ($10,000 per year renewable for three years) but it also provides professional development and access to their internship.
Besides being of Latino or Hispanic descent to apply, you also need to be entering your junior or senior year at a 4-year undergraduate college or current college students entering their junior or senior year at a 4-year undergraduate college or university.
3. Vipin Agrawal Memorial Scholarship
- Worth: $2000 a year for all four years
This scholarship is awarded to students from low-income and immigrant backgrounds. Applicants can either be high school seniors or current college students.
Also, it’s necessary to attend a California state university, either CSU or UC school systems, and go to a California high school. Preference is given to students pursuing an undergraduate degree in computer science, science, technology, engineering, or medicine, and have an annual household income of less than $75,000.
4. Jeff Sein Kwan Yang Scholarship
- Worth: $1,000
This is among the scholarships for immigrants in California awarded to graduating high school seniors residing in or attending school in the San Gabriel Valley area. Applicants also need to either be an immigrant or the child of an immigrant committed to serving the immigrant community in some aspect.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re Hispanic, Asian, Black, or any other ethnic background.
5. Denes I. Bardos Award
- Worth: $1,000
If you have done some reputable work in your community and science or engineering, then you might be eligible for this award. Priority is given to immigrants currently residing in the United States and students with financial needs.
Applicants also need to be in their final year of high school or students enrolled in an undergraduate degree program within the past 6 months.
One of the exciting things is that the foundation doesn’t choose winners based on color, race, religion, gender, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its grant decisions or operations.
6. Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships Award
This scholarship is a merit-based graduate school program for immigrants and children of immigrants. Out of approximately 2,000 applicants, only 30 are selected, making it one of the very competitive scholarships for immigrants in California.
The good part is that each of these recipients will be awarded up to $90,000 in funding to support any graduate studies of their choice at institutions. Recipients will also be privileged to join a distinguished community of past recipients.
7. The Western Union Foundation Global Scholarships
The Western Union Foundation has a very strong mission of creating economic opportunities for youths and people who migrate by empowering them with the education and resources needed to succeed in today’s global economy. And, this has made them provide several scholarships to more than 500 students since 2017.
Candidates need to be enrolled in the final (senior) or penultimate (junior) year of a full-time undergraduate degree program at an accredited higher education institution and must demonstrate financial need.
8. Law Office of Jae Lee – Immigrant Student Scholarship
- Worth: 1,000
Just like most of the scholarships for immigrants in California we have listed, this scholarship also requires applicants to demonstrate financial need. Even though preference might be given to students pursuing a career in Law, you can apply from any field of study.
Applicants need to be either a first or second-generation immigrant living in the United States, and the student’s family must be considered to be low-income, with an annual household income of less than $50,000
9. 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
10. UC Davis Multicultural Scholarships
- Worth: Varies
The University of California, Davis Campus are partnering with different organizations to provide scholarships and financial aid exclusively to students of different ethnicities Their California Latino scholarships include;
- Knowbe4 Scholarship for Black Americans in Cybersecurity
- Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria Scholarship
- HACU – United Talent Agency Entertainment Scholarship
- Café Bustelo Scholarship
- Armenian Education Foundation – Richard R. Tufenkian Scholarship
- Generation Google Scholarship
and many more.
11. CHISPA Scholarships
- Worth; $1,000
CHISPA, a housing provider that provides equal opportunity regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, etc., provides scholarships for students whose families live in CHISPA homes or apartments. These students must be entering or attending Hartnell College, California State University at Monterey Bay (CSUMB).
Conclusion
These scholarships for immigrants residing in California might not ultimately pay for your education expenses and tuition, but they will go a long way to help reduce the burden. And, it also helps to cut competitions seen in general scholarships – which, by the way, you’re advised to apply to.
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