Grants for Latinas Going Back to School in 2026

If you are Latina and thinking about going back to school, there are scholarships and grants specifically for you. These are on top of federal and state aid. Stacking them is how women in this situation minimize debt and maximize what they can do.

Here is what is available in 2026.

Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF)

The Hispanic Scholarship Fund is the largest organization supporting Hispanic and Latino higher education in the United States. HSF awards over $100 million in scholarships annually to students who are of Hispanic heritage.

Scholarships range from $500 to $5,000 per year. Many are renewable. HSF also has partnerships with major companies including Google, Goldman Sachs, and Target, which sponsor additional scholarships through HSF's portal.

Apply at hsf.net. The application opens in the fall and the main deadline is typically in January. You create one profile and are considered for multiple scholarships simultaneously.

Hispanic Federation Scholarship Program

The Hispanic Federation provides scholarships for Latino students in the northeastern United States, primarily New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and nearby states. If you live in this region, this is worth applying to.

Awards range from $1,000 to $5,000. Priority goes to students who have demonstrated financial need and community involvement. Apply at hispanicfederation.org.

League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)

LULAC provides scholarships through a national network of local councils. Award amounts vary by council, typically ranging from $250 to $2,000. You apply through your local LULAC council rather than through a national application.

Find your local council at lulac.org and contact them directly to ask about scholarship availability and deadlines.

Latina Nonprofit Scholarship Foundations

Chicana/Latina Foundation (California): Awards scholarships to Latina women in California at all degree levels. Awards range from $500 to $2,500. Apply at chicanalatina.org. This is one of the few scholarships specifically for Latina women rather than all Hispanic students.

National Latina Business Women Association: For Latinas pursuing business degrees or entrepreneurship programs. Check nlbwa.org for current scholarship offerings.

Mujeres Activas en Letras y Cambio Social (MALCS): Offers dissertation and research support for Latina women in graduate programs focusing on Chicana and Latina studies or related fields. Apply at malcs.org.

Gates Millennium Scholars Program

The Gates Scholarship is for high-achieving students from underrepresented backgrounds, including Hispanic students, entering college directly from high school. It covers full cost of attendance through an undergraduate degree and provides funding for graduate school in select fields. This is for young women just starting college, not returning adults, but worth knowing if you have a daughter nearing high school graduation.

Federal and State Aid Still Applies

These scholarships are in addition to federal and state grants. File your FAFSA every year. The Pell Grant, SEOG, and your state's grants are all available regardless of your heritage and should be the foundation of your financial aid package.

For the full picture on federal and state options, read my complete guide to education grants for women.

Undocumented Students: What Is Available

DACA recipients and undocumented students are not eligible for federal student aid, but several states allow undocumented students to pay in-state tuition and access state aid programs. These states include California, Texas, New York, Illinois, Washington, and several others.

Private scholarships are generally open to all students regardless of immigration status. HSF scholarships, LULAC scholarships, and most private foundation awards do not require U.S. citizenship or a Social Security number.

TheDream.US is a scholarship specifically for DACA and TPS students. Awards go up to $16,750 for a two-year degree and up to $33,000 for a four-year degree. Apply at thedream.us.

Career-Specific Programs

Healthcare: The National Health Service Corps Scholarship pays for nursing and health professional training in exchange for service at underserved clinics. Latinas are a priority group for many NHSC-funded sites that serve Spanish-speaking communities.

Business: The Prospanica Scholarship (formerly National Society of Hispanic MBAs) supports Latino students in business and MBA programs. Apply at prospanica.org.

STEM: The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) offers scholarships for Latinos in engineering and STEM fields. Apply at shpe.org.

Last reviewed: July 2026. Scholarship amounts and deadlines change annually. Verify current details at each organization's website before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be a U.S. citizen to apply for these scholarships?

Many private scholarships, including HSF awards, are open to DACA recipients and permanent residents. Some are open to all students regardless of immigration status. Read each scholarship's eligibility requirements. Federal grants (Pell, SEOG) require U.S. citizenship or eligible non-citizen status.

Does it matter which country my family is from?

Most scholarships use broad definitions of Hispanic or Latino heritage that include anyone with ancestry from Latin America or Spain. HSF, for example, requires at least one grandparent of Latin American or Spanish heritage. Check each organization's specific definition.

Can I apply if I only speak English?

Yes. Language is not an eligibility requirement for any of the scholarships listed here.

Are there scholarships for Latinas in community college?

Yes. HSF awards scholarships for students at two-year and four-year institutions. LULAC councils often support community college students. The California College Promise Grant and Cal Grant B also support community college students in California.