15 Scholarships for Undocumented Students in 2023
What’s Covered:
As an undocumented student, you may wonder whether you’re eligible for college grants or scholarships. Fortunately, there are several opportunities that can provide a significant amount of money to help you with college expenses.
Below, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best scholarships for undocumented students. Some of these scholarships require that you attend certain universities, and others simply provide funding for any college of your choice.
15 Scholarships for Undocumented Students
1. California Dream Act
Amount: Varies depending on need and allows eligible students to pay in-state tuition at select universities within California
Deadline: March 2
Eligibility:
- Undocumented students
- Three or more years of high school coursework or a combination of elementary/middle/high school in California
- Graduated from a California high school, passed the GED, or obtained an associate’s degree from a California community college
Application Requirements:
- GPA
- Online student aid application
- Signed AB 540 affidavit
- Parents must electronically sign using a PIN number
The California Dream Act allows undocumented students to pay in-state tuition at select universities within California. It also provides funding for the Cal Grant, which is a scholarship program based on financial need.
2. CORE’s Que Llueva Café Scholarship Program
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: February 25
Eligibility:
- Graduating from high school or passed the GED
- Undocumented student (DACA students qualify)
Application Requirements:
- Transcript
- Letter of recommendation
- Essay
Over the last twelve years, the Que Llueva Café Scholarship Program has awarded over $95,000 in scholarships to eligible students. CORE (Chicano Organizing in Research and Education) is focused on improving the lives of children and teenagers in the Latino/Chicano community through education. Applicants are evaluated in three areas—their personal story, their extracurricular activities, and their academic promise.
3. California Strawberry Commission Scholarship Program
Amount: $300-$5,000
Deadline: February 15
Eligibility:
- California strawberry farmworkers or children of California strawberry farmworkers
- Graduating from high school
- Planning on attending college as a full-time student
Application Requirements:
- Completed online application
- Transcript
- Parent employment verification
- Two letters of recommendation
- Essay
Founded in 1994, the California Strawberry Commission Scholarship Program has provided ample scholarship money to students whose parents are strawberry growers in California. There are over 235 scholarship winners every year. Over $150,000 is awarded annually to eligible students.
4. Education First Scholarship
Amount: $2,000-$5,000
Deadline: March 17
Eligibility:
- Current high school senior
-
Attend one of the specific high schools in select cities across the U.S.
- Austin
- Boston
- Denver
- Los Angeles
- Portland
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- Seattle
Application Requirements:
- Transcript
- Essay
The Education First scholarship, founded in 1996, has awarded over one million dollars to students. The organization not only provides scholarships but also mentors young adults to better prepare them for the future.
Education First routinely hosts events to raise awareness of the importance of education, especially for first-generation college students. Scholarship recipients aren’t always A students; rather, they’re people who can overcome obstacles and be successful college students.
5. The Esperanza Education Fund Scholarship Program
Amount: $3,000-$20,000
Deadline: April 1
Eligibility:
- Graduating from a high school in Washington, D.C., Maryland, or Virginia; or holding a GED in one of these areas
- Born outside of the U.S. or have two parents who were born outside the U.S.
- Planning on enrolling in an accredited college full-time
- Family income of less than $100,000
Application Requirements:
- Transcript or GED score
- Household financial information
- List of extracurricular activities
- Two essays
- Two letters of recommendation
- SAT/ACT scores (optional)
The Esperanza Education fund is specifically geared toward helping children of immigrants plan for their futures in the DMV Metropolitan Area (District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia). The organization offers mentoring and scholarships, and has provided over one million dollars in funding for students since its inception in 2009. The program has supported 125 immigrant scholars—more than 70% of whom are first-generation college students.
6. QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship
Amount: Up to the cost of full tuition at any university
Deadline: September 27
Eligibility:
- High school senior
-
Demonstrate financial need
- Typical candidates come from households with earnings of $65,000 or less
-
Top scores and grades are preferred
- Top 5%-10% of high school class
- At least 1260 on the SAT or 27 on the ACT
- Excellent writing and reading ability
Application Requirements:
- Transcript
- Standardized test scores
- Two teacher recommendations
- School report from your high school counselor
- School profile (optional, but recommended)
The QuestBridge Match Scholarship is one of the most prestigious scholarship programs in the U.S. This extremely competitive scholarship matches QuestBridge finalists with top universities across the country, granting them early admission.
It must be noted that there are a few university matches that are not eligible for non-U.S. citizens, but the rest of them are available to undocumented students. Although there are no academic or financial limits, most recipients of this award are extremely talented students who come from low-income families.
7. TheDream.US Opportunity Scholarship for Locked-Out DREAMers
Amount: Tuition coverage at select universities (the equivalent of an $80,000 award)
Deadline: January 31
Eligibility:
- Undocumented or have DACA or TPS
- Came to the U.S. before the age of 16
- Demonstrated financial need
- Intending to relocate to and enroll full-time in a bachelor’s degree program at an Opportunity Partner College
-
Live in and/or will graduate from a high school in
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- New Hampshire
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Vermont
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Application Requirements:
- Minimum 2.5 GPA
- Transcript
- Financial information
- Demographic information
This scholarship is for students who live in states where they have no access to college—either because they face paying out-of-state tuition or because their state will simply not admit them into its universities. TheDream.US Opportunity Scholarship provides a tuition scholarship to Christian Brothers University, Delaware State University, Dominican University, Eastern Connecticut State University, and Trinity Washington University (Women’s College).
While the scholarship committee evaluates applicants’ GPAs and test scores, they also select candidates based on their community service and extracurricular involvement, as well as their ability to overcome adversity.
8. TheDream.US National Scholarship
Amount: Up to $16,500 for an associate’s degree and $33,000 for a bachelor’s degree at participating colleges
Deadline: February 28
Eligibility:
- Undocumented or have DACA or TPS
- Came to the U.S. before the age of 16
- High school senior or have/about to have a GED
- Demonstrated financial need
- Eligible for in-state tuition at a participating college
- Never enrolled in college before
Application Requirements:
- Minimum 2.5 GPA
- Transcript or GED
- Immigration information
- Financial information
TheDream.US National Scholarship provides a tuition award for students at a list of partner colleges. This program is more general than the Opportunity Scholarship, as students can choose from a larger list of partner schools.
As with the Opportunity Scholarship, applicants are assessed based on their academic performance and their commitment to community service. The scholarship committee also looks at how applicants have overcome barriers due to their undocumented status.
9. The Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund
Amount: Up to $15,000
Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Undergraduates involved in movements for progressive social change
Application Requirements:
- Transcript
- Personal statement
- Two letters of recommendation
- Student Aid Report (SAR)
The Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund is a need-based fund that provides support to students who are active in progressive movements for liberation, self-determination, and social and economic justice in their communities.
Established in 961, the fund awarded support to recipients who were fighting for causes like civil rights and peace in Vietnam. More recent recipients have taken up causes like battling racism and ending gender-based violence. U.S. citizenship isn’t required to be selected for this award, but preference is given to students building progressive movements within the U.S.
10. The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program
Amount: Up to $55,000 per year
Deadline: N/A
Eligibility:
- High school senior
- Cumulative, unweighted GPA of 3.5
- Demonstrated unmet financial need—applicants with a family annual gross income up to $95,000 are considered
Application Requirements:
- JKCF uses the Common App (include JKCF as one of your “schools”)
- Common App asks for a recommendation from your school counselor and two teachers
- Several short essays
- Household financial information
This prestigious scholarship provides support to high-achieving high schoolers from low-income families. Its mission is to help promising students gain admission to the nation’s top universities.
In addition to receiving a financial award, recipients also are provided with college advice—topics include choosing a school, transitioning to college, and maximizing student experiences. U.S. citizenship is not required to win this generous award, but recipients are required to reside and attend high school in the U.S.
11. The Peninsula College Fund Scholarship Program
Amount: $12,000 ($3,000 per year)
Deadline: February 17
Eligibility:
- California students attending partner a high school in San Mateo County or Santa Clara County
- Planning to enroll in a four-year college or university
- Will be a first-generation college student
- Demonstrated financial need
Application Requirements:
- GPA between 2.8 and 3.8
- Transcript
- Two references
- Student Aid Report (SAR)
This scholarship seeks to support and empower first-generation college students from low-income families living in San Mateo County and Santa Clara County, California. In addition to a scholarship, recipients also receive one-on-one mentorship, college and career training, and internship support. U.S. citizenship isn’t a requirement of the award—undocumented and AB 540 students are invited to apply.
12. The Harrington Family Foundation Oregon Community Leadership Scholarship
Amount: $20,000 ($5,000 per year)
Deadline: March 10
Eligibility:
- Oregon high school students
- Planning to enroll in an in-state university, college, or trade school full-time
- Demonstrated financial need
Application Requirements:
- Two letters of recommendation
- Essay
- List of extracurricular activities
- FAFSA
This scholarship was established by former University of Oregon and NFL quarterback Joey Harrington to support emerging leaders in the state of Oregon. In addition to a financial award, recipients receive access to a board of mentors that will help guide them to a successful future and open doors that might otherwise be closed to them. U.S. citizenship isn’t a requirement for this award and undocumented students are welcome to apply.
13. Tenge Law Firm — Your Time to Climb Scholarship
Amount: $2,000
Deadline: December 1
Eligibility:
- High school senior or two-year college student
- Planning on enrolling in a four-year college or university
- U.S. citizen, permanent legal resident, or DACA recipient
Application Requirements:
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Proof of enrollment
- Essay
This award, which is open to DACA recipients, encourages students to unleash their potential to reach their goals. Applicants are tasked with composing an essay about a time they pushed themselves to get something they desired and what they learned from the experience.
14. Hispanic Scholarship Fund Scholar Program
Amount: $500-$5,000
Deadline: February 15
Eligibility:
- Have Hispanic heritage
- Planning on enrolling in a four-year college or university or graduate school
- U.S. citizen, permanent legal resident, or DACA recipient
Application Requirements:
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- FAFSA
The Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) selects 10,000 scholars annually to receive awards ranging from $500 to $5,000. More than merely providing financial support, HSF offers recipients services such as leadership development, career training, and mentorship. Recipients are also provided with internship and job opportunities with the fund’s corporate partners. DACA students are eligible to become HSF Scholars.
15. California Latino Legislative Caucus Foundation Scholarship Program
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: June 1
Eligibility:
- Graduating high school seniors planning on enrolling in a four-year college or university, and current full-time undergraduate or graduate students
- California resident
Application Requirements:
- Transcript
- Resume
- Two letters of recommendation
The California Latino Legislative Caucus Foundation (CLLCF) offers this scholarship to provide financial support to deserving students. The scholarship helps recipients meet their education and career goals while easing the burden of debt that many of them face. Applicants must be California residents, but students of all immigration statuses are welcome to apply.
Tips on Applying for Scholarships
1. Tell Your Story in Your Own Voice
If you have to write a scholarship essay and describe your personal experiences, stay true to yourself and write about what you know. Often, the best essays are able to show that the writer has a clear connection to the story. Scholarship committees want to get to know you as much as possible, so writing what you know about your life experience helps the committee gain insight into your personal life.
2. Show Impact
Many of these scholarships—including the Que Llueva Café Scholarship and the Esperanza Education Fund—look for candidates that can demonstrate that they’ve made an impact in their community, whether that impact is at school, at home, or elsewhere. Several of these scholarships are also sponsored by organizations that prioritize social justice initiatives and mentorship, so showing your involvement in those kinds of activities could benefit you.
3. Look Beyond Test Scores and GPA
Many of these scholarships look at your personal characteristics, not just your test scores. Don’t worry if you don’t have the highest test scores or if you feel like you’re not the perfect student. Most of these scholarships take a holistic look at their applicants to find well-rounded individuals. They will generally consider all your personal attributes when they make their decisions.
4. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help!
Every year, school counselors help students apply for college or find jobs, and applying for scholarships is not that different. If you feel like you need help with your application, don’t be afraid to ask for it! Your counselor has likely helped many students apply for scholarships, and may be able to answer questions you have about the process. Similarly, teachers or family members may be able to help proofread your essays.
Curious about your chances of acceptance at a particular college? Our free admissions calculator factors in your GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, and other data to predict your odds of acceptance at hundreds of colleges across the U.S. We’ll also let you know how you compare to other applicants and how you can improve your personal profile. Sign up for your free CollegeVine account today to get started!
