Scholarships for Students of Hispanic Descent

The Hispanic population is the largest minority in America, yet the high school drop out rate is 48% and only a little over 10% graduate from college. Therefore, many organizations and businesses have set aside funds to aid Hispanic students in obtaining an education.

Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF)

There is one organization that leads the nation in supporting Hispanic education - The Hispanic Scholarship Fund. Their web page offers links to scholarships such as:

• The HSF/Toyota Motors Scholarship Program ($5,000) - This program is open to Hispanic full time freshmen students who have maintained at least a 3.0 GPA. Student must attend the University of Southern California, University of Texas at Austin, Cal Poly Pomona, Texas A&M University, University of Texas at San Antonio, or University of California-Los Angeles and be pursing a degree in Business Administration, Computer Science, Industrial Engineering, International Relations, Marketing, or Mechanical Engineering.

• The College Scholarship Program ($1,000 to $5,000) - This scholarship is offered to Hispanic undergraduate students attending a community college, four-year college, and even graduate students. Students must be attending full time, have at least 12 undergraduate units, and a GPA of 3.0 or greater.

• HSF/Camino al Exito Scholarship Program ($2,500 to $5,000) - This scholarship assists Hispanic students living in certain metropolitan areas (Los Angeles, San Jose, Chicago, New York, Miami, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Phoenix, and Denver). High school seniors or students currently enrolled in college may apply.

• The HSF/General Motors Scholarship Program ($2,500) - This scholarship is open to students attending a four-year college full time majoring in Engineering or Business.

• The HSF/Wells Fargo Scholarship Program ($2,500) - Hispanic students interested in a career in finance or banking can take advantage of this scholarship.

• The HSF/Nissan Community College Transfer Scholarship Program ($2,500) - This scholarship is for Hispanic students who are attending a community college, but planning to transfer to a four-year college in Dallas or Los Angeles.

Microsoft and the Hispanic Heritage Awards Foundation is offering scholarships to gifted high school students headed to college. Scholarships are awarded to students who live in Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Antonio, and San Diego. In addition to the scholarship, each student will also receive a computer (including a gift certificate for software) and a trip to the Microsoft campus. Winners are chosen for their accomplishments in literature, academic excellence, and science and technology.

There are also other organizations that offer scholarships for Hispanic students including:

American Association of Hispanic Certified Public Accountants (AAHCPA)

The State Farm Hispanic Scholarship Program (for students pursing a career in teaching)

Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting (ALPFA) (available for both undergraduates wishing to obtain a degree in degree in an accounting, finance, IT or related field and those pursing a MBA)

Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) (offering both national and regional scholarships)

Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement (HACE)