Are you a student of Hispanic/Latino heritage looking for ways to fund your college education? Great: The Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) can provide invaluable financial aid and support to help you achieve your academic and professional goals.
Every year, the HSF supports ambitious students to ensure they have the resources to excel in their college coursework, graduate, reach their career goals, and more.
The organization’s most well-known offerings are generous college scholarships, ranging from $500 to $5,000. To date, the HSF has awarded over $730 million in scholarships.
So who’s eligible for an HSF scholarship?
How do you apply?
When is the application deadline?
Are there any similar scholarship opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds?
This guide will answer all of those questions! Let’s begin with a brief overview of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund’s history and mission.
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(click to skip ahead)What is the Hispanic Scholarship Fund?
Founded in 1975, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund aims to empower Hispanic students to pursue higher education and achieve their full potential. To achieve that goal, HSF provides financial assistance, mentorship, career development, and leadership training services.
One of the most renowned initiatives of the organization is the HSF Scholar Program.
The HSF Scholar Program offers financial aid and comprehensive support services to help students succeed academically and professionally. Every year, 10,000 students are selected to participate in the HSF Scholar Program.
HSF Scholars are eligible for annual scholarships, ranging from $500 to $5,000 per scholarship. The program determines the exact amount of the scholarship based on a student’s financial need.
The Hispanic Scholarship Fund eligibility requirements
If you want to apply to become part of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund network, it’s first essential to ensure you meet the eligibility requirements:
Must be of Hispanic heritage
U.S. citizen, permanent legal resident, or DACA recipient
Minimum of 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) for high school students; minimum of 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) for college and graduate students
Plan to enroll full-time in an accredited, public or not-for-profit, four-year university, or graduate school, in the US, for the upcoming academic year
Submit the FAFSA or state-based financial aid forms (if applicable)
How to apply for the Hispanic Scholarship Fund
To apply for the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, start by creating an account here.
Once you’ve verified your account email address, the next step is to complete your HSF profile. To do that, you’ll share information about your personal background (e.g., name, ethnicity, U.S. residency status, contact info), education level, work history, and more.
Based on that information, the HSF applicant portal will generate a list of recommended scholarships for your specific qualifications and needs.
The portal will also use the information you share to determine your eligibility to become one of the 10,000 students selected for the HSF Scholar Program.
If selected, you’ll need to complete an application requiring the following:
Your high school or college transcript—An official document that provides your academic record and GPA.
Your completed FAFSA—The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form determines your eligibility for federal financial aid. (For a guide to completing the FAFSA, head here.)
Your Student Aid Report (SAR)—A summary of the FAFSA that outlines your financial aid eligibility based on the information you provided.
Financial aid award letter—A letter from your college or university detailing the financial aid package you have been offered, including grants, loans, and scholarships. (Here’s a guide to reading/understanding award letters.)
A headshot—A recent photograph of yourself, typically used for identification purposes in the application process.
College enrollment verification—Proof from your college or university showing you are currently enrolled in a degree program.
A personal essay—A written statement that allows you to share your story, goals, and reasons for pursuing higher education and desire to be an HSF Scholar. (For more on writing scholarship essays, head here.)
A recommendation letter—A letter from a teacher, counselor, or employer supporting your application and highlighting your strengths. (Here’s a guide to recommendation letters.)
Employment Authorization Document (EAD)—If you’re a DACA recipient, this document confirms your legal authorization to work in the U.S.
The Hispanic Scholarship Fund Application Timeline
The application for the Hispanic Scholarship Fund Scholar program runs according to the following timeline:
January 1—The application becomes available to the public.
February 15—Application deadline.
March—The program selects finalists.
June—HSF makes the final selection of students to join the Scholar program.
June to November—Students must submit additional documents, including their financial aid award letters and enrollment verification forms.
December—Students receive an HSF scholarship, ranging from $500 to $5,000.
Other scholarships for Hispanic/Latine students
The Hispanic Scholarship Fund Scholar Program isn’t the only financial resource available for Hispanic and Latine students. There are also several other scholarship programs specifically designed to support your academic journey.
Hispanic Scholarship Consortium (HSC) Scholars Program
Like the HSF, the Hispanic Scholarship Consortium offers several scholarships and support services to Hispanic/Latine students to help them succeed in higher education and beyond.
McDonald’s HACER National Scholarship
McDonald’s offers the HACER National Scholarship to Hispanic high school seniors who show academic achievement, community involvement, and financial need. The scholarship awards range from $5,000 to $100,000.
Latinos in Technology Scholarship
This scholarship is for Latino students pursuing a degree in a STEM-related field. You must be enrolled at a four-year college in Silicon Valley or plan to transfer there. The scholarship offers up to $30,000.
Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards
The Hispanic Heritage Foundation offers these awards to high school seniors who excel in one of several categories, like business, healthcare, or education. Winners receive up to $3,500 and are recognized at a regional award ceremony.
For even more scholarships for Hispanic and Latine students, check out the following resources:
Scholarship application tips
Scholarship applications can be challenging to navigate, especially if it’s your first time applying or you're juggling multiple deadlines. Here are seven tips on how to make the process of applying for the HSF Scholars Program smoother and improve your chances of success.
1. Start early
When applying for the Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF), give yourself plenty of time. The application process requires you to gather various documents, like your transcript, FAFSA, and recommendation letter. Starting early will give you the time to thoughtfully complete each step without feeling rushed.
2. Follow instructions carefully
HSF has specific guidelines for the application, and missing a requirement could disqualify you. Make sure to read every instruction thoroughly and provide all requested documents. This includes ensuring that your FAFSA and Student Aid Report are up to date.
3. Craft a compelling personal essay
Your essay is one of the most important parts of your HSF application. It’s your opportunity to share your unique story, challenges, and goals. Be honest and specific about how receiving the scholarship will help you achieve your educational and career dreams. Aim to make your essay personal, engaging, and focused on what makes you stand out.
Here are some resources to help you write scholarship essays:
4. Get a strong recommendation letter
Choose someone who knows you well, such as a teacher, mentor, or supervisor, to write your recommendation letter. For HSF, it’s also important that your recommender can highlight your leadership potential, academic strengths, and commitment to your community.
We recommend reaching out to potential recommender as soon as you know you’re applying for the scholarship, ideally giving them at least 3-4 weeks to complete it.
Here’s a resource on how to best ask for a recommendation letter:
5. Proofread everything
Before submitting your HSF application, proofread all sections carefully. Double-check your personal information, essay, and any additional documents. Spelling, grammar, or formatting errors can make your application look less polished.
Consider asking a friend or family member to review your materials to catch any mistakes you might have missed. You can also use free online proofreading tools, like Grammarly and Hemingway, to spot errors and improve the clarity of your writing.
6. Submit your application on time
Deadlines for the HSF application are strict. Mark your calendar with the submission dates and set reminders to ensure everything is completed on time. We recommend submitting your application a few days early to give yourself peace of mind and allow for any last-minute adjustments.
7. Apply for other scholarships too
While the Hispanic Scholarship Fund is a great opportunity, don’t limit yourself to just one scholarship application. Estimates show that around $100 million in scholarship money goes unclaimed every year. So, look for additional scholarships!
You can start by checking out the other scholarships for Hispanic and Latine students shared earlier in this guide. Here are also a few other popular scholarships to consider:
And a final important note that we highly recommend exploring local scholarships—while the scholarship amounts are often lower, so is the competition, thus increasing the likelihood of your getting the scholarship.
Final thoughts
The Hispanic Scholarship Fund is an incredible opportunity for Hispanic/Latine students seeking financial support and resources to succeed in college.
So, if you’re eligible and ready to take the next step in your education, we encourage you to apply and take advantage of everything HSF has to offer.
But don’t limit your options to just one scholarship. Continue learning about other financial aid opportunities that can help you achieve your academic goals.
For example, our guide on how to pay for college in 4 steps can give you more strategies to fund your education and ease the financial burden.
Ameer Drane:
Ameer is a freelance writer who specializes in writing about college admissions and career development. Prior to freelancing, Ameer worked for three years as a college admissions consultant at a Hong Kong-based education center, helping local high school students prepare and apply for top colleges and universities in the US. He has a B.A. in Latin American Studies from the University of Chicago and an M.A. in Spanish Linguistics from UCLA. When he’s not working, Ameer loves traveling, weight lifting, writing, reading, and learning foreign languages. He currently lives in Bangkok, Thailand.
Top values: Growth / Diversity / Empathy
