Scholarships

For many undocumented students, finding accurate and reliable scholarship information is exceptionally difficult. The vast majority of scholarship providers require applicants to have a social security number or proof of citizenship, limiting the number of scholarship opportunities available to undocumented Americans.

To try and help these hardworking students, we’ve combed our scholarship database to find awards for undocumented, international and immigrant students. In addition, we’ve listed many great scholarships that our partners and friends have created specifically for undocumented students. This list features these scholarships for undocumented students in alphabetical order, as well as a separate list of scholarships for undocumented students with specific areas of interest.

If a scholarship’s deadline has passed, please add a note to your calendar so you can apply when it reopens. Most scholarships open a few months before the deadline. We update this list of scholarships frequently.

If you know of any scholarships that are not on this list, please contact us.

Deadline: April 10

This contest is for high school students who have participated in projects that promote the humane treatment of animals. Students are eligible regardless of nationality, citizenship, or country of residence.

Deadline: February 2

Immigrant students who will graduate from a New York City high school are eligible for this scholarship.

Deadline: May 1

This essay contest is for 8th, 9th, and 10th graders worldwide; there are no citizenship requirements. To apply, applicants must submit an essay on the book, Anthem by Ayn Rand.

Deadline: May 15

This essay contest is for 12th graders, college undergraduates, and graduate students worldwide; there are no citizenship requirements. To apply, applicants must submit an essay on the book, Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand.

Deadline: May 15

This essay contest is for 11th and 12th graders worldwide; there are no citizenship requirements. To apply, applicants must submit an essay on the book, The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand.

Deadline: June 1 and November 1

Applicants must demonstrate an interest in pursuing further development of their talents in one of the following disciplines: visual-painting, sculpture, photography, performance art, dance, music, film, poetry, literature, folk art, furniture crafting, weaving, or pottery.

AB540 students enrolling in eligible California colleges are eligible for the California state grants (Cal Grants) but must submit a California Dream Act application instead of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Deadline: April 1

This scholarship is for rising college juniors and seniors who are studying television and film production. Non-US citizens are eligible as long as they are enrolled at a US college or university.

Deadline: November 30

All nominations for this scholarship must be made exclusively by the school’s principal or guidance counselor. A student must demonstrate a strong commitment to community service and display leadership abilities in school activities or through work experience, and have a GPA above 2.8.

CORE’s Que Llueva Café Scholarship

Deadline: February 25

College-bound undocumented students of Latino descent are eligible for this scholarship.

Deadline: April 1

This scholarship is for students who are active in movements for social and/or economic justice. US citizenship is not required.

Deadline: December 29

The U.S. Hispanic Leadership Institute (USHLI) has awarded more than $1 million in college scholarships since 1982. Applicants must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a full-time student, in a four-year or two-year institution in the U.S. or U.S. territories, and demonstrate a verifiable need for financial support. At least one parent must be of Hispanic ancestry.

Deadline: February 10

This essay contest is for full-time college juniors and seniors attending colleges or universities in the United States. Non-US citizens are eligible to apply.

Deadline: April 1

Applicants must be graduating high school seniors at a high school or obtaining a GED in D.C., Maryland, or Virginia. Applicants must plan on enrolling full-time at a public college or university. Applicants must either have been born outside the U.S. or have two parents who were born outside the U.S. Award amounts range from $5,000 to $20,000.

Deadline: March 3

The Ford Driving Dreams Scholarships are available to high school seniors who attend high schools in cities with participating Ford dealers, especially in Texas, California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Panama and Puerto Rico. Applicants who participate in community service and who will be pursuing an academic major in STEM fields are preferred.

Deadlines: March 31

This scholarship is for orphans and/or students who have been in foster care while living in the United States. Non-US citizens are eligible to apply.

Deadline: October 25

This scholarship is for DACA and TPS (Temporary Protected Status) the wish to attend one of their partner schools. The scholarship provides four-year tuition and room and board.

Deadline: October 26

The Good Tidings Foundation Community Service Scholarship is available to high school seniors and will be awarded to the student who best demonstrates the spirit of giving in their community.

Deadline: April 1

This scholarship is for high school seniors, high school graduates, and currently enrolled college freshmen of any ethnicity. Non-US citizens are eligible to apply.

Deadline: April 26

The Hispanic Scholarship Fund provides scholarships for students of Hispanic heritage. Applicants include high school seniors, current undergraduate and graduate students and community college students transferring to a 4-year college or university. A minimum 3.0 GPA is required for high school students and a minimum 2.5 GPA is required for college and graduate students. Students must be enrolled or plan on enrolling on a full-time basis. While the scholarships are open to all academic majors, there is an emphasis on STEM majors.

Deadline: Early to Mid-November

This scholarship rewards excellence by supporting high-achieving high school seniors with financial need who seek to attend the nation’s best four-year colleges and universities.

Deadline: Early April

This program offers the most personalized, generous scholarship and educational support to exceptionally promising students from across the nation who have financial need. Scholars receive comprehensive advising and financial support from the 8th grade through high school.

Deadline: Late October

This scholarship helps talented community college students with financial need to transfer to a top 4-year college or university and graduate with a bachelor’s degree. The scholarship provides up to $40,000 per year to cover a big share of the college costs, including tuition, textbooks and living expenses.

Deadline: February 28

This award is for CUNY undergraduate and graduate students who demonstrate academic achievement, financial need and a commitment to service in the Mexican community.

Deadline: June 15

This scholarship is for Hispanic students enrolled in an eligible bachelor’s or master’s degree program. Applicants must reside in the United States. Undocumented students and non-US citizens are eligible to apply.

Deadline: May 12

This scholarship is for graduating high school seniors of Latino/Latina descent who are attending any two- or four-year institution of higher learning. Non-US citizens are eligible to apply.

Deadline: October 1

Applicants must be considered full-time students or be enrolled in at least 12 unites at a four-year institution or 2-year community college. Students must be an AB-540 student or a member of the Council of Mexican Federations (COFEM).

Deadline: June 30

This scholarship is for students of Iranian descent. Scholarships are available regardless of citizenship or country of residency.

Deadline: March 15

This essay contest is for high school students in the United States and its territories. Students attending high school in the United States are eligible regardless of citizenship.

Deadline: May 1

This scholarship is for students of color who are graduates of Minnesota high schools and are enrolled full-time in a Minnesota college/university.

Deadline: July 31

This scholarship is for undergraduate students attending American colleges and universities. American citizenship is not required.

Deadline: January 30

This scholarship is for students who are involved in the LGBTQ community. Non-US citizens are eligible to apply.

Deadline: January 31

Applicants must demonstrate that their efforts have had a significant, positive effect on race relations in their schools or communities.

Deadline: Early April

Applicants must be high school seniors who are planning on majoring in education. Applicants must either be a member of Educators Rising or have a connection to Phi Delta Kappa (PDK) through a family member or teacher who is a member of PDK.

Deadline: September 27

This scholarship program is for high school seniors who have shown outstanding academic ability despite facing economic challenges. Most College Match scholarship recipients come from households earning less than $60,000 annually (for a typical family of four) and have experienced long-term economic hardship. Non-US citizens, undocumented, and international students are eligible. Recipients are granted admission to one of QuestBridge’s partner colleges with a full scholarship. All scholarships are full four-year scholarships with no loans.

Deadline: Varies

These scholarships are for students in grades 7-12. To qualify for these scholarships, applicants must be enrolled in a public, private, parochial, homeschool, or after-school program in the United States, Canada, or an American school abroad. To apply for these scholarships, applicants must submit original art or writing pieces.

Deadline: February 15

This scholarship is for undocumented students who are DACA eligible and have applied for or received DACA approval. Applicants must attend a partner college.

Scholarships for Specific Fields of Study

Deadline: February 1

This scholarship is for students pursuing a degree in nuclear science, nuclear engineering, or a nuclear-related field. Non-US citizens are eligible to apply.

Deadline: April 1

This scholarship is for rising college juniors and seniors who are studying television and film production. Non-US citizens are eligible to apply.

Deadline: June 1

This scholarship is for college graduates who are planning to attend an accredited US law school. Non-US citizens are eligible to apply.

Deadline: April 30

This scholarship is for Hispanic students who are majoring in science, technology, engineering, or math. Non-US citizens are encouraged to apply.

Deadline: May 30

This scholarship is for students studying sculpture art. Non-US citizens are eligible to apply.

Deadline: May 1

This scholarship is for Hispanic students who are majoring in science, technology, engineering, math, or a related field, and are members of SHPE. Non-US citizens are eligible to apply.

Deadline: June 21

This scholarship is for women of any citizenship or nationality who are interested in pursuing a career in the aerospace field.