Are you an undocumented student looking for scholarships to apply for? If you are, then you are in the right place. This blog will outline the best scholarships for undocumented students. In the meantime, there are hundreds and thousands of scholarships and grants available to students every year. Most of these scholarships require applicants to be U.S. citizens, making it hard for undocumented students to apply.
Nevertheless, you can still apply for an undocumented student scholarship despite the requirements involved. As an applicant, you need to know that these scholarships are awarded annually, and if, for any reason, you missed the deadline for the scholarship application, you will have to try again next year. However, the scholarship application process for undocumented students is similar to other scholarship applications.
You might be required to come along with proof of DACA or legal immigration status. It is worth noting that undocumented students are not eligible for federal student aid from the United States. However, there are other forms of financial assistance available. Most of these scholarship awards are provided by organizations, colleges, and companies to help pay for the tuition and fees of undocumented students.
What is an Undocumented Student Scholarship?
Undocumented student scholarships are financial assistance given to students who are undocumented or have Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status. If you are in this category of students and you want to go to college or university, you would need an undocumented scholarship.
Most of the time, these students do not have the financial means to further their education. But with the help of this scholarship, they can further their education even as an undocumented student.
Can Undocumented Students Apply For Scholarships?
Yes. Undocumented students can apply for scholarships. Even though undocumented students are not citizens of the U.S., that doesn’t mean they can’t apply for scholarships. According to research, roughly 100,000 undocumented students graduate from high school across the country.
Best Scholarships For Undocumented Students
There are so many lists of scholarships available for undocumented students. Most organizations and colleges are offering scholarships to undocumented students who are financially handicapped. Here is the list of scholarships that undocumented students can apply for.
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program
The first on this list is the JKCF college scholarship program. The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation is a prestigious foundation. It is known for offering scholarships to support high-achieving high schoolers who are not financially buoyant.
It also has a mission to help undocumented students gain admission into the nation’s prestigious universities. Undocumented students who want to apply for this scholarship should take note of the eligibility requirements. You must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5, you must be a high school senior, and you must have shown some financial need. The scholarship award is $55,000 per year.
The Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund
The David-Putter Scholarship Fund was established in 1961, and ever since it has been active in providing support to students who are active in progressive movements for liberation, self-determination, and social and economic justice for their communities.
The scholarship award of $15,000 is given to recipients who are fighting for causes like civil rights and peace in Vietnam. The application requirements for this scholarship are a personal statement, a student aid report, two letters of recommendation, and a transcript.
The Dream: US National Scholarship
Coming third on this list is the Dream.US National Scholarship. This scholarship provides a tuition award for students. The Dream.US National Scholarship is more general than the Opportunity Scholarship. This is because students can choose from a larger list of partner schools. The scholarship award is $16,500 for an associate’s degree and $33,000 for a bachelor’s degree at participating colleges.
The Dream: A US Opportunity Scholarship for Locked-Out Dreamers
If you are an undocumented student with no access to college, then you should apply for this scholarship. Even if the state you are currently in will not admit you to its university or you are having a hard time paying out-of-state tuition, just apply for this scholarship and get the financial assistance that you need.
The scholarship award is $80,000, and it can cover tuition at any selected university or college of your choice. The scholarship committee will offer scholarships based on the applicant’s GPAs and test scores. Aside from that, they will also select candidates based on their community service.
QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship
Being one of the most prestigious scholarship programs in the U.S., it is known for scholarships that are up to the cost of full tuition at any university. However, there are no academic or financial limits to applying for this scholarship.
Most of the scholarship applicants are very talented students who come from low-income families and also find it hard to cover their educational expenses. The scholarship award that will be given to the recipient is up to the cost of full tuition at any university.
The Esperanza Education Fund Scholarship Program
The essence of this scholarship program is to support the children of immigrants. The scholarship helps these children plan their futures in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. The organization has been known since 2009 for providing over one million dollars in funding for students. Aside from that, it has also supported 125 immigrant scholars since its inception.
Interestingly, over 70% of immigrants are now first-generation college students. They offer scholarship awards of $3,000–$20,000. Before you apply for this scholarship, you must plan on enrolling in an accredited college full-time. You must also be born outside of the U.S. or have two parents who were born outside the U.S.
Education First Scholarship
Education First Scholarship was founded in 1996, and ever since, it has had a tremendous impact. They do not only offer scholarships; they also mentor young adults to groom them properly for the future.
So far, it has awarded over one million dollars to students and has also hosted events to raise awareness. The reason for this awareness is to make students understand the importance of education and the benefits of being educated. The scholarship award is in the range of $2,000 to $5,000.
California Strawberry Commission Scholarship Program
The California Strawberry Commission Scholarship was founded in 1994, and ever since its inception, it has offered scholarship awards to students whose parents are into strawberry growing in California.
Every day, this organization has over 235 scholarship winners. The scholarship award ranges from $300 to $5,000, and over $150,000 is awarded to eligible students annually. To be eligible for this scholarship, you must have graduated from high school or be planning on attending college as a full-time student.
CORE’s Que Llueva Café Scholarship Program
Chicano Organizing in Research and Education (CORE) has awarded over $95,000 in scholarships over the last twelve years. The vision of the organization is to improve the lives of children and teenagers in the Latino/Chicano community through education.
Scholarship applicants will be evaluated in three different areas. They will be evaluated for their extracurricular activities, their academic promise, and their personal story as well. The scholarship amount is $1,000.
California Dream Act Scholarship
Coming last on this list is the California Dream Act Scholarship. This is a scholarship that allows undocumented students to pay in-state tuition at a university of their choice in California.
The scholarship amount depends on the needs of the students. However, with this scholarship, students can pay in-state tuition at selected universities in California. The application requirements for this scholarship are as follows: a signed AB 540 affidavit, a GPA, and an online student aid application.