Top Scholarships for Immigrant Students

The experiences and viewpoints immigrants bring to campuses across the nation help broaden how others see the world, encouraging fresh approaches to complex challenges. The unique perspectives and experiences they bring with them enrich and expand the classroom experience.

Yet, for many immigrants, accessing these educational opportunities can be challenging. Financial limitations often make it challenging for immigrant families to support college tuition, and navigating the financial aid system can be difficult, especially for those unfamiliar with U.S. resources and application processes. Helping address these challenges is scholarships. They help open the door to opportunities and, often, are the key to showing people that those doors are even there.

If you’re genuinely looking for ways to fund your education, we encourage you to explore scholarships that support immigrant students. Scholarships for immigrants make it possible for immigrant students to pursue the American dream.

We reviewed many scholarships available to immigrant students and found that Bold.org stands out as one of the best resources. Bold.org offers a selection of scholarships tailored to immigrant students’ unique needs and goals. The platform is easy to navigate, making it simple to search by specific criteria, such as background, intended major, or career path. Let’s explore these scholarship opportunities together. You’ll also find helpful tips on application strategies and valuable information on additional scholarship resources.

At Scholarship Institute, you’ll find tailored options, application tips, and resources to help fund your education. View all our scholarship recommendations today.

How to Qualify for Scholarships for Immigrants

Many immigrant students can’t get federal student aid through the FAFSA program and may not qualify for in-state tuition rates, depending on which state they live in. 

Securing scholarships as an immigrant to the United States involves understanding specific eligibility criteria and actively seeking opportunities specific to you. Here’s how to navigate this process:

1. Identify Scholarships for Immigrants: Many organizations offer scholarships specifically for immigrants or first-generation college students. For instance, the Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans provide up to $90,000 for graduate studies to immigrants and children of immigrants. Similarly, TheDream.US National Scholarship supports undocumented students pursuing higher education.
2. Understand Eligibility Requirements: Scholarships may have specific criteria, including:
   • Country or Region of Origin: Some scholarships target students from particular countries or regions.
   • Financial Need: Many scholarships assess your family’s financial situation to determine need-based aid.
   • Academic Performance: A minimum GPA or standardized test score may be required. If you need to improve your grades, consider seeking tutoring or test preparation services.
   • Residency Duration: Certain scholarships are available to students whose families have lived in the U.S. for a specific period, often less than ten years.
   • Immigration Status: While some scholarships require proof of citizenship or permanent residency, others are open to undocumented students, including those with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status. For example, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund accepts U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and DACA recipients.
3. Prepare Application Materials: Some scholarships require essays or personal statements. Use this opportunity to share your family’s immigration journey, your educational aspirations, and how you plan to contribute to your community.
4. Explore Additional Opportunities: Beyond immigrant-specific scholarships, consider scholarships based on your intended field of study, extracurricular activities, or other personal attributes. Resources like Immigrants Rising offer comprehensive lists of scholarships and fellowships that don’t require proof of U.S. citizenship.
5. Seek Guidance: Utilize resources such as high school counselors, college financial aid offices, and community organizations to find scholarships and receive assistance with applications.

How to Apply for Scholarships for Immigrants

The application process for scholarships for immigrants can be nuanced, so here’s a step-by-step guide to keep you on track:

1. Gather Important Documents: Many scholarships for immigrants will require documentation, such as proof of residency, transcripts, and financial information. Some may also request evidence of your immigration status or DACA status. Having these ready beforehand will simplify your application process.
2. Use Scholarship Search Tools and Local Resources: Utilize online scholarship databases like Bold.org. Additionally, check with your school’s financial aid office, local immigrant support groups, and community centers for scholarship listings.
3. Write a Compelling Personal Statement: This is often the heart of your application. Share your background, highlighting life as an immigrant in the U.S., the challenges you’ve faced, and how these experiences have shaped your resilience and determination. Be genuine and heartfelt, and ensure your essay reflects the values that the scholarship provider upholds.
4. Secure Strong Recommendations: Scholarships often require letters from people who know you well. Reach out to someone from your community, like a teacher, employer, or community leader from your country, who understands your journey. Let them know how this opportunity could impact your future, and ask if they’d be willing to share your story. 
5. Track Deadlines Carefully: Keep a dedicated calendar or checklist for each scholarship’s deadline, especially if you’re balancing work, school, or family responsibilities. Submitting applications on time shows your commitment and respect for the process, which can be particularly important when scholarships are competitive. Set reminders a few days before each deadline to allow for any last-minute adjustments or document gathering.

You don’t need to already be enrolled in college to apply for most scholarships. Most are open to graduating high school seniors, and some are open to juniors. And, of course, you should continue applying for scholarships each year while you are attending college, too, and if you go on to pursue grad school. That includes applying for a scholarship you’ve already won, scholarships you applied for but didn’t get, and any additional scholarships you find.

Where to Look for Scholarships

Here’s a quick guide to simplify your scholarship search:

1. College Counselors: Start by meeting with your high school counselor, who can provide tailored information about scholarships for your specific situation. They’re familiar with scholarships for various academic, athletic, and community achievements and may have access to scholarships not widely advertised.
2. College Financial Aid Offices: Reach out to financial aid offices at the colleges or universities you’re interested in, including community colleges and trade schools. They can guide you on available scholarships and grants specific to their institution and often have lists of scholarships for local students or specific fields of study.
3. Online Scholarship Platforms: Websites like Bold.org offer searchable databases of scholarships based on criteria like field of study, background, or demographic.
4. Local Community Organizations and Employers: Many local businesses, community organizations, and even employers offer scholarships to students in their community. Check with local banks, civic clubs (like Rotary or Lions Club), and even your parents’ employers to see if they offer scholarships.

Are you an undergraduate student? Browse our undergraduate scholarships to find funding for your college education.

Top Scholarship Resources for Immigrant Students

TheDream.US

TheDream.US offers two main scholarships specifically for undocumented students and DREAMers, including the National Scholarship and Opportunity Scholarship.

Immigrants Rising

Immigrants Rising provides a list of scholarships that do not require proof of citizenship or legal status. They also offer resources for financial planning and navigating college as an immigrant.

Golden Door Scholars

Golden Door Scholars offers scholarships for high-performing undocumented students and provides mentorship and career assistance.

My Undocumented Life

This platform offers information on scholarships, fellowships, and resources for undocumented students. They also publish articles on the immigrant experience in higher education, including how to navigate financial aid and career planning.

Scholarship Application Strategy

With numerous scholarships available for immigrant students and a busy life to juggle, a well-planned strategy for finding and applying for scholarships can save you time and increase your chances of success. Here’s a step-by-step approach:

1. Start with Research

Begin your scholarship search online, focusing on programs that support immigrant students. Look for scholarships from organizations dedicated to assisting recent immigrants, as well as those aimed at students from specific national, ethnic, or regional backgrounds, like Hispanic students (including DACA students), Asian-American and Pacific Islanders, and even undocumented students.

Besides immigrant-focused scholarships, consider applying for awards that recognize academic achievement, athletic or musical talent, unique skills, and volunteer or community activities. Casting a wide net can reveal unexpected opportunities, so include any scholarships that align with your strengths and interests.

International students, undergraduate students, and community college students –all students– can find valuable resources by visiting their school’s financial aid office for support and guidance.

2. Don’t Overlook Small Scholarships

While full-tuition scholarships are ideal, they are often competitive and limited. Small awards, however, can add up quickly and cover various educational expenses. Apply for as many scholarships as possible that fit your qualifications.

3. Organize and Track Deadlines

Once you have a list of scholarships, organize them by deadline and create a calendar or timeline to keep track.  Submitting applications early can boost your chances, as some scholarship programs review applications on a rolling basis, which means funds may be awarded to early applicants before the deadline.

4. Create Strong Applications

For each scholarship, take the time to complete every required section thoroughly. Tailor your application essays to highlight how your immigrant background, unique skills, and experiences align with the scholarship’s mission. Strong, early applications stand out and are more likely to succeed.

5. Keep Applying

Remember that scholarship programs only have a limited amount of funds available each year. Once that pool is exhausted, they won’t offer additional awards until the following application cycle. Therefore, don’t put off applications until the last minute—apply as soon as possible for each scholarship and keep an eye out for new opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions About Scholarships for Immigrant Students 

1. What Is a First-Generation & Second-Generation American?

The United States Census Bureau defines “second generation” as people born in the United States with at least one foreign-born (first-generation) parent. This means that “first-generation Americans” typically refer to individuals born in another country who have attained U.S. citizenship or permanent residency. According to census definitions, first-generation Americans are foreign-born, while second-generation Americans are U.S.-born children of first-generation parents.

2. Can Immigrants Go to School for Free?

Not every student will qualify for a full-ride scholarship that covers all the expenses of a college education, but some immigrant high school graduates or those who earn a GED may qualify to pay in-state tuition at a public college, technical college, or university. That includes undocumented immigrants in many states.

Check out our high school senior scholarships for high school students to begin your scholarship search.

3. Do Immigrant Students Have Legal Permanent Residency?

Legal permanent residents are also known as green card holders. They’re non-citizens who are lawfully authorized to live permanently within the United States. If they’d like to, students can complete the application process to one day become lawful permanent residents or U.S. citizens.

4. Can Immigrant Students Apply for a Graduate Program?

Yes, immigrant students can apply for graduate school, and upon completion, they will earn a graduate degree. 

Browse our graduate scholarships for graduate students today!

5. Can Immigrant Students Apply to Any College?

There is no federal or state law that prohibits the admission of immigrant students to U.S. colleges, whether they’re public accredited universities or private, so immigrant students may apply to any accredited public university. Immigrant students can also apply to programs that will allow them to earn an associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, or graduate degree.

6. How Do I Make My Application Stand Out?

When you apply for some of the many no-essay scholarships that are available, the sponsors are going to be looking at the basic information about you. They’ll check that you fit the criteria, that you come from an immigrant family, for example. They will also look at how you compare to other applicants in terms of your grades, test scores, and, maybe, extracurricular activities and special talents. The best thing you can do for those is to make sure you apply as early as possible. For applications that ask for a personal essay, think about why your story matters to the sponsors. What is their mission? Why did they create this award? What do they hope the money will allow winners to learn and eventually give back to their communities? When you write your personal story, make it personal and very real, but make sure you talk about how you see yourself contributing to their mission.

Browse our blog to learn more about academic scholarships, financial aid opportunities, tutoring support, and more.