How to Apply for a Latina Scholarship

Many scholarship programs are available that are specifically designed for Latinas in the United States. While these scholarships are offered to give Latinas fair representation on college campuses, there are quite a few that also offer assistance to Hispanic families to keep their children in school. By continually striving for excellence during your entire education, you will be able to apply and qualify for a Latina scholarship.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Determine your educational goals before applying for a Latina scholarship. Available scholarship programs will be based not only on the college or university you wish to attend, but also upon your chosen course of study, your family's economic status and your grades. Be realistic by pursuing the scholarship program that seems best suited for your particular situation.

2. Use resources at your current high school or vocational school, such as teachers and guidance counselors, to help you apply for a Latina scholarship. It is part of these educators' jobs to ensure your success when it comes to higher education, and they will be able to supply you a comprehensive list of all pertinent scholarship programs for Latinas.

3. Obtain written recommendations from teachers, guidance counselors, principals and even employers concerning your work ethic, grades and enthusiasm for academia. This should be considered a mandatory part of your application packet, even if the scholarship organization does not explicitly require letters of recommendation.

4. Contact the college or university you wish to attend, and ask about available scholarship programs for Latinas. You will be instructed on how to complete the application process once you are deemed to be eligible for scholarship funds. You may be asked to submit school transcripts, SAT scores, recommendations from teachers or employers and even a personal statement in order to qualify for the scholarship.

5. Apply for a Latina scholarship as early as possible, since many of these programs are offered to a limited number of students. Competition can be fierce, so spend some time preparing the application materials so that you will stand out from all of the others, even if your grades may not be the best. A memorable personal statement may be the best way to distinguish yourself from the crowd.

Tips & Warnings

• Some scholarships, such as Florida's Step Up for Students program, are available to help qualified Hispanic families absorb some of the costs incurred from the public school system, such as books, supplies and transportation.