Each year, roughly 65,000 immigrants graduate from high school here in the U.S. Unfortunately, it’s estimated that only about 10% go on to pursue higher education; these students often mistakenly think they don’t qualify for needed financial aid. This incorrect assumption may cost them a lifetime of bigger paychecks that they could be earning if they were equipped with college degrees. In fact, a college graduate can earn 66 percent more during their career than a high school graduate—and more education correlates with higher rates of employment and annual earnings, higher home ownership rates, and lower rates of institutionalization and dependence on public programs.
How, then, can these students go to college? Under our current system, children brought into the U.S. without documentation are permitted to attend K-12 schools and enroll in college. But, they are not eligible for federal financial aid, making college seem unaffordable for many. However, many don’t know that there are other aid options and scholarships available for both documented and undocumented immigrants, opening doors to empowerment through higher education.
College Options for Immigrants
State-Based Aid
Eighteen states allow students without legal status to pay less expensive in-state tuition rates at public colleges and universities, provided they meet certain requirements. Students living in California, Texas, New Mexico, Minnesota and Washington are also eligible for state-based financial aid, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
The University of the People is a recently accredited online school that is completely free and offers degree programs in business administration and computer sciences. They are also currently developing a graduate program. This school is open to both documented and undocumented immigrants.
The Dream.US is a multimillion dollar scholarship fund for immigrants (DREAMers) who are in the country illegally. This program offers scholarships to 2,000 undocumented immigrant students over the next decade. The group has already raised more than $25 million to fund the program.
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship makes it possible for the nation’s top community college students to complete their bachelor’s degrees by transferring to a selective four-year college or university. The Foundation provides up to $40,000 per year to each of approximately 85 deserving students selected annually, making it the largest private scholarship for two-year and community college transfer students in the country.
Each award is intended to cover a significant share of the student’s educational expenses – including tuition, living expenses, books and required fees – for the final two to three years necessary to achieve a bachelor’s degree. Awards vary by individual, based on the cost of tuition as well as other grants or scholarships he or she may receive.
Contact:
website@jkcf.org
703-723-8000
Robert D. Haas Dreamers Resource Center
The Robert D. Haas Dreamers Resource Center helps undocumented immigrants with financial aid and resources they need to become successful college students. Located at the University of California, Berkeley, this center awards financial aid and offers information and support to undocumented immigrants.
Contact:
(510) 642-7224
undocu[at]berkeley.edu
Designed to assist students of Hispanic heritage in obtaining a college degree, Hispanic Scholarship Fund awards up to $5000 to graduating high school seniors who are U.S. citizens, legal permanent residents, DACA or eligible non-citizens (as defined by FAFSA).
Funded by a $1.6 billion grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, The Gates Millennium Scholarship provides greater access and opportunity to higher education for outstanding students from underrepresented backgrounds (1,000 selected each year; 20,000 in 20 year commitment). The program promotes academic excellence and encourages students to pursue and complete an undergraduate education in all discipline areas and graduate education for those students pursuing studies in computer science, mathematics, life/physical science, engineering, education, public health, library science and/or information science. Open to U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents or Foreign Nationals.
Western Union Family Foundation Scholarships
The Western Union Foundation Family Scholarship Program is helping immigrant/migrant fathers and sons, mothers and daughters and brothers and sisters move up the economic ladder through education and training. Scholarships may be used for college/university tuition, language acquisition classes, technical/skills training, and GED classes, with two family members receiving a scholarship to help achieve the type of education they need in order to create a brighter future for their entire family.
For questions related to this scholarship program, please contact the administering organization, Institute of International Education (IIE) by phone or e-mail.
Contact:
Institute of International Education
1400 K St. NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20005
Tel: (202)686-8652
Email: wufoundation@iie.org
Paul and Daisy Soros Scholarship
The Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans was established in December 1997 with a charitable trust of $50 million. Each fellowship supports up to two years of graduate study in the United States and each award is worth up to $25,000 in maintenance grants and up to $20,000 in tuition support for each year of graduate study supported (for a total of as much as $90,000). To be eligible for these awards, one must be a new American; not yet 31 years old, as of the application deadline; a college senior or holder of a bachelor’s degree; and, if already enrolled, not beyond the second year in the graduate degree program for which support is requested.
Ann Biggs/Thelma Salazar Scholarship for First-Generation Immigrants
At the University of Texas at San Antonio, the Ann Biggs/Thelma Salazar Scholarship for First-Generation Immigrants is awarded annually for up to $2,000 to first-generation Americans who have at least one parent who immigrated to the United States, with preference given to those from Mexico or Central America. Applicants must be enrolled full-time with good academic standing, show financial need, be pursuing a baccalaureate degree, and submit a copy of parent’s arrival-departure records.
Contact:
Ann Biggs/Thelma Salazar Scholarship for First-Generation Immigrants
One UTSA Circle
San Antonio, TX 78249
Banatao Family Filipino American Education Scholarship Fund
Through the Asian Pacific Fund, the Banatao Family Filipino American Education Scholarship Fund provides five annual awards for $5,000 to first-generation Americans of Filipino descent who will be enrolling full-time as a freshman undergraduate student at an accredited four-year institution of California. Eligible candidates must be majoring in engineering, mathematics, computer science, environmental science, or physical sciences with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Contact:
Banatao Family Filipino American Education Scholarship Fund
225 Bush St. Suite 590
San Francisco, CA 94104
scholarship@asianpacificfund.org
Chin Shui Kuen and Allen Chin Scholarship
For immigrants and first-generation U.S. citizens of Chinese descent, the Chin Shui Kuen and Allen Chin Scholarship is granted through the Asian Pacific Fund to provide $1,000 in financial support for pursuing a graduate degree in economics from an accredited American institution. Candidates should have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, be pursuing a career in academia, and be involved in research topics that benefit Asian Americans in economic need.
Contact:
Chin Shui Kuen and Allen Chin Scholarship
225 Bush St. Suite 590
San Francisco, CA 94104
scholarship@asianpacificfund.org
Douvas Memorial First Generation American Scholarship
Named in honor of a generous bequest from Peter George Douvas, who was an immigrant from Greece to the Wyoming Department of Education, the Douvas Memorial First Generation American Scholarship provides $500 to first-generation American citizens whose parents were not born in the United States. Applicants must be high school seniors between the ages of 18 and 22, reside in Wyoming, and be entering their first year of undergraduate study in the state.
Contact:
Douvas Memorial First Generation American Scholarship
2300 Capitol Avenue
Cheyenne, WY 82002
Educators for Fair Consideration New American Scholars Program
For those who intend to graduate from high school within the San Francisco Bay Area, the Educators for Fair Consideration New American Scholars Program offers up to $7,000 annually for foreign-born students with a minimum GPA of 3.3 or higher who will be enrolling full-time in an accredited undergraduate program. Candidates must submit a high school transcript, two personal essays, three recommendation letters, and evidence of being born in a country outside of the United States
Contact:
Educators for Fair Consideration New American Scholars Program
354 Pine St. Suite 700
San Francisco, CA 94104
Esperanza Education Foundation Scholarships
Ranging in value from $5,000 to $20,000 depending on financial need, the Esperanza Education Foundation Scholarships are granted annually to immigrant students in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia with two parents who were born outside of the United States. Regardless of immigrant status, applicants must be graduating high school seniors, plan to enroll full-time at an accredited public university, and submit an essay on their involvement in the immigrant community.
Contact:
Esperanza Education Foundation Scholarships
P.O. Box 27507
Washington, DC 20038
Foroutan Foundation Scholarship
Funded by the Foroutan Foundation, the Foroutan Foundation Scholarship is designed to give up to $10,000 annually to first-generation immigrants to the United States of Iranian descent who will be pursuing an undergraduate degree at an accredited university or college. Qualified applicants must be incoming freshmen or transfer students, have U.S. citizenship or legal residence in California, and possess a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher from a public high school.
Contact:
Foroutan Foundation Scholarship
18101 Von Karman Avenue Suite 700
Irvine, CA 92612
Jack G. Shaheen Mass Communications Scholarship
Sponsored by the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), the Jack G. Shaheen Mass Communications Scholarship presents $1,000 annually to an extraordinary first-generation American student of Arab heritage who is majoring in journalism, radio, television, and/or film with at least junior-level standing. Applicants must submit a one-page statement of career goals, two original signed letters of recommendation, and an official academic transcript.
Contact:
Jack G. Shaheen Mass Communications Scholarship
1990 M St. NW Suite 610
Washington, DC 20036
James Angelo Memorial Social Justice Scholarship
In honor of a refugee from South Sudan who was shot and killed in the fall of 2008 while working as a security officer in Portland at Mercy Hospital, the Maine-African Partnership for Social Justice has created the James Angelo Memorial Social Justice Scholarship to award $5,000 annually. Candidates must be first-generation African immigrants, be graduating high school seniors, and have an interest in pursuing a career in social work or criminal justice to affect social change in the local African immigrant community.
Contact:
James Angelo Memorial Social Justice Scholarship
P.O. Box 16
Peaks Island, ME 04108
Kereakos Family Memorial Scholarship
At Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC), the Kereakos Family Memorial Scholarship is presented annually for $1,000 to an incoming freshman who is in an immigrant, child of an immigrant, or a first-generation American citizen with financial need. Eligible candidates must exhibit good academic standing with a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher, be entering community service-oriented careers, and be planning to pursue a four-year degree.
Contact:
Kereakos Family Memorial Scholarship
851 30th Avenue SE
Rochester, MN 55904
Marcella Kochanska Sembrich Vocal Competition Scholarship
In memory of the great Polish soprano who made her Metropolitan Opera debut in 1883 and led an extravagantly successful career, the Marcella Kochanska Sembrich Vocal Competition Scholarship is hosted by the American Council for Polish Culture for up to $1,500. Eligible first-generation U.S. citizens of Polish descent must be pursuing higher education study in voice or music, be under the age of 35 years old, not be under professional management, and submit a recording of a 19th or 20th century operatic aria.
Contact:
Marcella Kochanska Sembrich Vocal Competition Scholarship
15 East 65th St.
New York, NY 10065
Mary Rosenblum Somit Scholarship Fund
Within the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Buffalo, the Mary Rosenblum Somit Scholarship Fund will award $3,000 annually to hard-working undergraduate students who are majoring in biochemistry, biomedical science, pharmacology, or toxicology with at least sophomore-level standing. Candidates must be immigrants or children of immigrants, show financial need, exhibit academic promise, and submit a personal essay.
Contact:
Mary Rosenblum Somit Scholarship Fund
127 Sherman Annex
Buffalo, NY 14214
Mexican American Dream Scholarship
For outstanding students who are immigrants or of immigrant descent, the Mexican American Dream Scholarship is offered through the Council of Mexican Federations (COFEM) for $1,000 to provide financial support in pursuing an undergraduate degree at a four-year university. Applicants must be AB-540 students, be enrolled full-time with at least 12 units, have a minimum GPA of 2.8 or greater, demonstrate financial need, reside in Southern California, and agree to complete at least 50 hours of volunteer service.
Contact:
Mexican American Dream Scholarship
125 Paseo de La Plaza Suite 500
Los Angeles, CA 90012
National Italian American Foundation Scholarships
Ranging in value from $2,000 to $12,000, the National Italian American Foundation offers annual scholarships for first-generation Americans of Italian descent to cover the cost of tuition for enrolling full-time in an undergraduate, graduate, post-graduate, medical, dental, or legal professional program. For consideration, applicants must demonstrate high academic achievement, outstanding potential, financial need, and dedication to community service.
Contact:
National Italian American Foundation Scholarships
1860 19th St. NW
Washington, DC 20009
New Immigrant Scholarship Program
Through the National Network of Presbyterian College Women, the New Immigrant Scholarship Program distributes $1,500 annual awards to female immigrants to the United States between the ages of 18 and 25 years old who have been living in the country for fewer than five years, regardless of immigration status. Applicants must be enrolling in an accredited post-secondary institution, demonstrate financial need, be involved within the Christian church, and submit two sealed letters of recommendation.
Contact:
New Immigrant Scholarship Program
100 Witherspoon St. Suite 3044
Louisville, KY 40202
SALEF Fulfilling Our Dreams Scholarship
Sponsored by the Salvadoran American Leadership and Educational Fund (SALEF), the Fulfilling Our Dreams Scholarship is available for $1,000 to immigrants and first-generation American students in the Los Angeles area who are enrolling at a community college, vocational/trade school, university, graduate school, or medical/dentistry school. Applicants must be pursuing a health-related degree, prove financial need, maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher, participate in community service, and be of Central American descent.
Contact:
SALEF Fulfilling Our Dreams Scholarship
1625 West Olympic Blvd. Suite 718
Los Angeles, CA 90015
Administered through the Women’s Foundation of California, the Smart Cookie Scholarship Fund is available for first or second-generation immigrants from Latin America who reside in Fremont, Newark, Menlo Park, Union City, Hayward, East Palo Alto, Redwood City, North Fair Oaks, or Santa Clara. Qualified applicants must be first-generation college students, be currently enrolled in an undergraduate program, showcase significant financial need, display leadership potential in the immigrant community, and foster a culture of respect.
Contact:
Smart Cookie Scholarship Fund
340 Pine St. Suite 302
San Francisco, CA 94104
If you have any questions about your rights as an immigrant or are ready to schedule a consultation, please contact our highly experienced team today.