Navigating the Path to Higher Education: Scholarships for Immigrant and Refugee Students
As an immigrant or refugee student, the journey to higher education can present unique challenges. However, there are numerous scholarship opportunities available to support your academic aspirations and help you achieve your goals. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore a wide range of scholarships specifically designed for immigrant and refugee students, providing you with the information and resources you need to access the funding you deserve.
Scholarships for Immigrant and Refugee Students
Pursuing higher education can be a transformative experience, opening doors to new opportunities and empowering you to make a positive impact on your community. Fortunately, there are a variety of scholarships available to help immigrant and refugee students overcome financial barriers and realize their academic dreams.
Nationwide Scholarships
ASA Minority Fellowship Program
The American Sociological Association (ASA) offers the ASA Minority Fellowship Program, which provides $18,000 per year for students from underrepresented groups, including Black/African American, Latinx, American Indian or Alaskan Native, and Asian or Pacific Islander students, who are pursuing a doctoral degree in sociology.
Dream.US Scholarship – National Scholarship
The Dream.US Scholarship is a renewable scholarship that covers tuition, fees, and provides a stipend for books and transportation for DREAMers (DACA and TPS recipients) planning to enroll full-time in an associate or bachelor’s degree program.
Hispanic Scholarship Fund
The Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) selects 10,000 students annually, providing them with access to support services, internships, and job opportunities with HSF corporate partners.
Native Forward Scholars Fund
The Native Forward Scholars Fund offers various scholarship opportunities for American Indians and Alaska Natives enrolled in U.S. federally recognized or state-recognized Tribes.
Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans
The Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans provides up to $90,000 over two years for graduate-level study for immigrants, refugees, and first-generation Americans.
State-Specific Scholarships
California
- Chicana Latina Foundation Scholarship: Offers $1,500 and leadership training to Chicana and Latina undergraduate and graduate students in selected California counties.
- Latinos in Technology Scholarship: Awards up to $30,000 to undergraduate Latino/Hispanic students, with preference given to juniors and seniors, in selected Northern California counties.
- Vipin Agrawal Memorial Scholarship: Provides $2,000 per year for students from low-income and immigrant backgrounds pursuing undergraduate degrees in science, computer science, technology, engineering, or medicine at a California state university.
Colorado
- Latin American Educational Foundation Scholarship: Offers scholarships to students of Hispanic/Latino heritage or those actively involved in the Hispanic/Latino community living in Colorado.
District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia
- Esperanza Education Fund: Provides scholarships ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 for students born outside the USA or with both parents born outside the USA, planning to enroll full-time at an accredited public college or university in the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia.
Florida
- José Martí Scholarship Challenge Grant Fund: Offers scholarships to students of Hispanic origin attending eligible Florida public or private institutions.
- Minority Teacher Education Scholarship: Provides scholarships to Florida residents who are African American/Black, Hispanic/Latino, Asian American/Pacific Islander, or American Indian/Alaskan Native and are juniors, seniors, or graduate students in state-approved teacher education programs.
Idaho
- One Refugee: Offers full scholarships and mentoring for full-time students with a refugee background (refugee, asylum, or SIV) pursuing an education at a public college or university in Idaho, with preference given to freshman students starting at a community college.
Illinois
- Minority Teachers of Illinois (MTI) Scholarship Program: Provides scholarships to Illinois residents who are minority students of African American/Black, Hispanic American, Asian American, or Native American origin, or qualified bilingual minority applicants, enrolled in Illinois institutions of higher education.
- The Renaissance Foundation: Offers renewable scholarships of up to $4,000 yearly towards tuition, fees, housing, books, and student supplies for first-generation college students in Illinois with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Undocumented students and students with DACA status are eligible and encouraged to apply.
Massachusetts
- Wheaton Refugee Scholarship: Provides a full scholarship for refugee students applying for a bachelor’s degree for the first time at Wheaton College.
Michigan
- Fred S. Findling Memorial Immigrant Scholarship: Offers a one-time award of $1,500 to any immigrant currently enrolled at a college or university in Michigan.
New York
- Ascend Educational Fund: Awards scholarships from $2,500 to $20,000 to immigrant students and children of immigrants who are graduating from a New York City high school to attend public or private colleges and universities.
- Columbia University Scholarship for Displaced Students: Offers full tuition, housing, living, mentoring, and support for displaced students, including refugees, asylees, asylum seekers, and students with TPS, IDP, SIV, and humanitarian parole, pursuing undergraduate and graduate programs at Columbia University.
North Carolina
- Achievement Scholarship for Refugees and Immigrants of Wake County: Provides up to $16,000 each year for up to 4 years to first-generation U.S. citizens, refugees, and immigrants graduating from Wake County high schools to pursue education at a public or private college or university in North Carolina.
Ohio
- Refugee Connect Student Scholarship: Offers scholarships for refugees pursuing higher education at college or university in the Greater Cincinnati tri-state area.
Oregon
- The Renaissance Foundation: Provides renewable scholarships of up to $4,000 yearly towards tuition, fees, housing, books, and student supplies for first-generation college students in Oregon with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Undocumented students and students with DACA status are eligible and encouraged to apply.
Texas
- Ann Biggs/Thelma Salazar Endowed Scholarship for First-Generation Immigrant Children: Offers scholarships to students attending the University of Texas at San Antonio who have at least one parent who immigrated to the United States, with preference given to children of immigrants from Mexico or Central America and students pursuing a bachelor’s degree.
Utah
- One Refugee: Provides full scholarships and mentoring for refugee, asylum, or SIV students pursuing an education at a public college or university in Utah and Idaho, with preference given to freshman students starting at a community college.
Virginia
- Virginia Space Grant Consortium (VSGC) Undergraduate STEM Research Scholarship: Awarded to juniors or seniors attending one of the VSGC member institutions (Virginia Tech, University of Virginia, Old Dominion University, William & Mary, Hampton University) who are studying in a STEM program with an interest in supporting NASA’s mission.
Wyoming
- Douvas Memorial Scholarship: Provides $500 to a first-generation American high school senior or student between 18-22 attending one of the 7 community colleges or the University of Wyoming.
Scholarships for Underrepresented Minority Students
In addition to scholarships specifically targeted at immigrant and refugee students, there are also numerous scholarships available for underrepresented minority students, which can be valuable resources for many immigrant and refugee learners.
Actuarial Diversity Scholarship
Scholarships are awarded to students who plan to have a career in the actuarial profession and have at least one birth parent who is Black/African American, Latinx, Native North American, or Pacific Islander.
AICPA Fellowship for Minority Doctoral Students
Fellowships are available for Ph.D. students of Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Native American or Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander ethnicity attending an approved full-time doctoral program in accounting.
American Chemical Society (ACS) Scholars Program
The ACS awards scholarships to undergraduate students from historically underrepresented groups in the chemical sciences, including Hispanic, African American, and Native American students.
American Meteorological Society (AMS) Scholarship for Underserved Communities
The AMS offers scholarships to students traditionally underrepresented in the sciences, especially Hispanic, Native American, and Black/African American students, who plan to pursue careers in the atmospheric or related oceanic and hydrologic sciences.
Hispanic Health Professional Student Scholarship
Scholarships are open to full-time graduate students (or BSN students) of any ethnicity studying medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, public health, health policy, or physician associate programs, with a focus on the health of Hispanic communities.
National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) Scholarships
NAHJ offers a variety of scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students who plan to work in either English-language or Spanish-language journalism.
Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) Scholarships
Scholarships are available for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing STEM degrees in the US or Puerto Rico, who are active SHPE members with a GPA of 2.75 or higher.
Scholarships for Undocumented Students
Undocumented students often face unique challenges when seeking financial aid for their education. However, there are still opportunities for undocumented students to access scholarships and other forms of financial support.
Achievement Scholarship for Refugees and Immigrants of Wake County
This scholarship provides up to $16,000 each year for up to 4 years to first-generation U.S. citizens, refugees, and immigrants graduating from Wake County, North Carolina high schools to pursue education at a public or private college or university in North Carolina.
Dr. Juan Andrade Jr. Scholarship for Young Hispanic Leaders
The US Hispanic Leadership Institute awards $1,000 scholarships for students enrolled or accepted for enrollment as full-time undergraduate students at an accredited 4-year or 2-year institution, including non-US citizens, DACA recipients, and undocumented students.
Immigrants Rising
Immigrants Rising maintains an updated list of national scholarships and fellowships that do not require proof of citizenship or legal permanent residency.
Golden Door Scholars
Golden Door Scholars offers scholarships for high school and undergraduate students who are approved for DACA or TPS and are planning to pursue an undergraduate degree at a 4-year college.
Que Llueva Cafe Scholarship
CORE offers scholarships every year for undocumented students across the U.S. who are high school or GED graduates planning to enroll in college or university for the first time.
Additional Resources and Support
Beyond scholarships, there are various other resources and support systems available to help immigrant and refugee students navigate the path to higher education.
The Stanley Park High School website offers a wealth of information and guidance on topics such as:
– Transferring foreign transcripts
– What is the GED® and HiSET® exams?
– Adult education programs and opportunities
Organizations like USAHello also provide comprehensive resources and assistance for immigrant and refugee students, covering everything from education rights to financial aid options.
Remember, you are not alone in this journey. Reach out to your school’s financial aid office, community organizations, and support networks to explore all the possibilities and unlock the funding you need to achieve your academic and career goals.
