20132014

LIST OF SCHOLARSHIPS THAT DON'T

REQUIRE PROOF OF U.S. CITIZENSHIP OR
LEGAL PERMANENT RESIDENCY
INCLUDES BAY AREA, CALIFORNIA, AND NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS

TABLE OF CONTENTS
4 BAY AREA/ CALIFORNIA SCHOLARSHIPS
19 NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS
30 COLLEGE-SPECIFIC SCHOLARSHIPS
36 COLLEGES WITH SCHOLARSHIPS FOR
STUDENTS WITHOUT SSNS
40 ADDITIONAL LISTS OF SCHOLARSHIPS
THAT DON'T REQUIRE SSNS
41 APPLYING TO SCHOLARSHIPS
42

General Advice on Scholarships

43

How to Be a Competitive Scholarship Applicant

43

How to Find Scholarships

43

How to Inquire about Scholarship Requirements

43

Advice for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Recipients

45

Writing Your Personal Statement: Telling Your Story

45

How and Whether to Talk about Your Immigration Status

46

Different Ways to Talk about Your Immigration Status

47

How to Get a Winning Letter of Recommendation

47 Different Ways for Recommenders to Talk about Your Immigration Status

48

Before Mailing: Do a Final Check!

48

Scholarship Interviews

49

If you are awarded a scholarship

CAUTION: Scholarship requirements and deadlines often change from year to year. Please
double-check all information listed below with the scholarship directly. If you find any errors,
please email us at [email protected] so we can update the list!
3

BAY AREA/ CALIFORNIA

SCHOLARSHIPS

BAY AREA/ CALIFORNIA

SCHOLARSHIPS

recipients) of volunteer. AB 540 students strongly

encouraged to apply.
Region: Must reside or attend school in the following
counties only: Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside,
Inland Empire, and Ventura County.

Scholarships in this section are specifically for students

who reside in California with a focus on the San Francisco Bay Area. If there is a specific region requirement within California, it is noted within the scholarship
description. Scholarships are listed alphabetically by the
month that they are due. Check with EACH scholarship
individually to find out the exact DUE DATE.

Sequoia Awards Scholarship Program

http://www.sequoiaawards.org/forms.asp
Year: High School Senior
Due: Late October
Award: Unknown
Eligibility: Have performed voluntary community
service, be present at all required interviews, attend
awards banquet in March

OCTOBER
The Mexican American Dream Scholarship

Region: Must reside at a Redwood City mailing

address

http://cofem.org/programs/scholarships.html
Year: Applicants must be enrolled in an
undergraduate program at a 4-year accredited
University or a 2-year program at a Community
College

NOVEMBER
Adsum Education Foundation Scholarship
http://www.sbscholarship.org/wp-content/
uploads/2013/08/2014-2015Online-AdsumApp-FormFINAL.pdf

Due: Late October

Award: $500 to Community College students,
$1,000 to undergraduate students at a four-year
College/University

Year: Full-time college student

Due: November 15

Eligibility: Be an AB-540 Student. If not an AB540 student, must be a member or related to a

member of a COFEM affiliated Federation or Club.
Must be considered a full-time student or enrolled
in at least 12 units at a 4 year institution or 2-year
community college. Have a minimum GPA of
2.8. Demonstrate a need for financial assistance.
Demonstrate involvement in the community and/or
work experience. Be able to participate in the 2013
Annual Scholarship Reception on November 22,
2013 and COFEMs 2014 Annual Conference and
Expo on August 16 and 17, 2014. Other volunteer
opportunities will be available throughout the year
(i.e. Immigration marches, DACA clinics, Citizenship
Fairs). Any student who becomes a scholarship
recipient must complete a total of 25 hours
(Community College recipients) or 50 hours (4 year
College/University) of volunteer service to COFEM.

Award: $1,000$5,000
Eligibility: AB 540 students who have completed
at least four years in a Santa Barbara County
school between grades 7-12 and who will graduate
from a County school by June 2014 may apply.
Scholarships are for use at any California Community
College, California State University, or University of
California campus. Recipients must enroll as full-time
students.
Good Tidings Community Service Scholarships
http://www.goodtidings.org/index.php?id=23
Year: High school senior
Due: November 12
Award: 20 awards of $5,000 each
Eligibility: High school seniors who recognize the
benefits of serving their community. No citizenship
requirements but must show proof of acceptance
into a university in order to receive the scholarship
money.

Notes: Any student who becomes a scholarship

recipient must complete a total of 25 hours
(Community College recipients) or 50 hours (Four
year College/University and Graduate Student
5

 Notes: Winners will be notified with a phone call

between November 22-28, 2013. All winners of
the Good Tidings Foundation Community Service
Scholarship will be recognized at our Annual Awards
Luncheon on Sunday, December 8th.

If Given a Chance

Contact: (800) 824-7366 or [email protected]

Award: $1,000

Region: San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Cruz,

Monterey, San Benito, Merced, Stanislaus, Alameda,
San Joaquin, Contra Costa, Solano, Yolo, Napa,
Sonoma or Marin

Eligibility: The nominee must have graduated from a

Napa High School (or be a resident of Napa County
and graduated from an out of area high school) or
completed an equivalent (GED, CHSPE).

http://www.ifgivenachance.org/programs.html
Year: High school senior or in college
Due: January

Notes: The nominee must have faced adversity

and overcome challenging life circumstances. The
nominee must have turned his/her life around or
must have maintained high standards in the face
of adversity.

DECEMBER
No scholarships due this month.

JANUARY

Contact: Isadora Asch at 707 260-5656 or

707-815-4114 or [email protected]

California Association of Collectors

Region: Napa County

http://cacesf.org/

Meritus College Fund

Year: High school senior

http://meritus.org/scholars/how-to-apply/

Due: January 15, 2014

Year: High school senior

Award: First Award: $2,500, Second: $2,000,

Third: $1,500

Due: January 24, 2014

Award: $14,000 over 4 years

Eligibility: No SSN required.

Region: California

Eligibility: SFUSD student with 3.0-3.7 GPA. Must

attend a four-year college.

CASA 2 Scholarship

Region: San Francisco

http://ltacasa2.webs.com/scholarships.htm

The Peninsula College Fund

Year: High School Senior or continuing

undergraduate student

http://www.peninsulacollegefund.org/
Year: High school senior

Due: January

Due: January 13, 2014

Award: (3) $500 scholarships

Award: $12,000 (over 4 years)

Eligibility: Be an Undocumented Student in the

United States. Reside in California. Will be attending
a higher education institution in Fall 2014 (e.g. Trade
School, Two-year College, Four-Year Universities,
etc.). Must be a high school senior or continuing
undergraduate student (will not have a Bachelor's by
Fall 2014).

Eligibility: Students from Palo Alto High School,

Gunn High School, Sequoia High School, East Palo
Alto Academy, Eastside College Preparatory School,
Menlo-Atherton High School, Summit Preparatory
Charter High School, and Woodside High School.
Cumulative GPA is between 3.2 and 3.8. Students
must document financial need, demonstrate ability
to overcome obstacles to achieve academic and
personal goals, demonstrated quality involvement
with others via work, school, family or in the
community, be an underrepresented minority and/or
first-generation college student.

Region: California
Contact: [email protected]

 Contact: Sushini Chand at (650) 779-5002 or info@

peninsulacollegefund.org

Eligibility: Students at Balboa, Marshall, and Mission

High Schools (note, these are the schools in the
SF area, other participating high schools located in
Austin, Denver, Portland, Los Angeles, and Seattle,
must check website to see if your high school
qualifies)

Region: Peninsula
Princeton Prize in Race Relations
http://www.princeton.edu/pprize/

Notes: Applications available online or from school

counselors.

Year: High school students grades 9-12

Due: January 31

Region: San Francisco, among other cities outside

of CA (check website)

Award: $1,000
Eligibility: Students whose efforts have had a
significant, positive effect on race relations in their
schools or communities.

PG&E Scholarship Opportunities

Contact: Princeton Prize Office at

[email protected]. You may also call
800-742-1036

Year: High school senior or current college student

http://www.pge.com/en/about/community/education/
ergscholarships/index.page
Due: Early February

Region: San Francisco, among other cities outside

of CA (check website)

Award: $1,000$5,000
Eligibility: Family must be PG&E customer. No
ethnicity or citizenship requirements. Proof of
residency may be established by providing a copy of
a PG&E or phone bill within the past six months for
your home address, a drivers license, etc.

FEBRUARY
East Bay College Fund Scholarship
http://www.eastbaycollegefund.org/our-programs/
scholarships/

Notes: PG&E offers several scholarship

opportunities from various employee groups within
PG&E. This includes the Black Employee Resource
Group, InspirAsian-Asian Employee, NuEnergyNew Employees Resource Group, the Pride
Network Employee Resource Group, the Latino
Employee Resource Group, the PG&E Access
Group, the Samahan-Filipino Employee Resource
Group and the PG&E Womens Network Employee
Group. Check website for individual scholarship
requirements.

Year: High school senior

Due: February
Award: $4,000 per year (up to $16,000 for
undergraduate degree)
Eligibility: Targets students with GPAs between
3-3.7; prioritizes scholarships for Latino/AfricanAmerican males. Students are ineligible if they
are awarded either one of the following: Berkeley
Incentive Award, UC Berkeley Cal Opps/Cal Works,
Students Rising Above, Gates Millenium, IDEAL, or
any other scholarship over $3,500

Region: Must be PG&E customer.

Pursuit of Excellence

Notes: Must be available to attend in-person

interview, orientation, award ceremony, and
Scholars/Mentor retreat (see site for dates)

http://poescholarships.org/POE/Home.html
Year: High school senior
Due: February 21, 2014

Region: Oakland

Award: Amount varies ($500 to $5,000)

Education First

Due: February

Eligibility: High school seniors enrolled at Eastside

College Preparatory, Summit Prep, East Palo Alto
Academy, Phoenix Academy, or high schools in
the Sequoia Union District, Palo Alto District, or
Mountain View/Los Altos District.

Award: $5,000 or $3,000 honorable mention

Notes: Awards renewable throughout recipients

http://educationfirst.org/
Year: High school senior

college career (with interview); repeat award

amounts vary.

Eligibility: Be of African-American, Latino, Native

American, or of Pacific Islander descent, i.e. a
minority group underrepresented at four-year
colleges and universities in California. Be eligible
(have sufficient and proper units) to transfer to
a four-year institution with junior standing for the
next fall term (or at the latest the next spring term)
following the award. Provide evidence of financial
need. Must attend the Saturday morning Selection
Committee interviews in the spring.

Contact: Carol Mullin [email protected]

Region: Peninsula (San Mateo County and Santa
Clara County)
eQuality Scholarship Collaborative
http://www.equalityscholarship.org
Year: High school senior, community college transfer
student, nursing student or medical student

Notes: Application available in November. Be

enrolled for the fall semester prior to the award (or
have completed your course work within the past
year) at Diablo Valley, Contra Costa, or Los Medanos
Colleges. Applicants may not be currently enrolled
nor intend to enroll before next June in a four-year
college or university.

Due: February 16
Award: $6,000
Eligibility: Northern or Central California resident
who has promoted understanding of and equality for
LGBTQ community. No citizenship requirements.
Region: Northern California

Region: Contra Costa County

Kaiser Permanente Asian Association

Scholarship Program

Mountain View Los Altos Community Roundtable

https://kpaaonline.atlassian.net/wiki/x/EgAJ

http://www.mvlacommunityscholars.org/

Year: High school senior

Year: High School Senior

Due: February 9, 2014

Due: February

Award: 4 awards of $3000 each

Award: $1,000 to $6,000

Eligibility: Must have brought demonstrable,

tangible benefit to an Asian community and have the
potential to be future leaders. Students may have
demonstrated this potential through their activities
in school, in the community, or in the face of unusual
circumstances., must have a minimum 2.5 GPA, live
in Kaiser Permanente Northern California service
area (check zip eligible zip codes in the online
Service Area Directory: http://www.KPAAonline.
org), plan to attend an accredited two- or four-year
university, college, trade, or technical school.

Eligibility: Applicants are chosen based on financial

circumstances, individual characteristics, and college
readiness.

Region: Northern California Kaiser Permanente

service area (see Eligibility)

Hispanic Community Affairs Council Scholarship

Fund

Kennedy-King Memorial College Scholarship

http://hcac-ac.org/scholarship/

http://www.kennedyking.org/

Year: High school graduates, GED recipients,

community college students, students attending
a four-year college or university, and students
accepted into a postgraduate education or
credential program.

Notes: Applications are available mid-December.

Documentation required: Form 1040 or FAFSA.
There are 6 scholarship award types with varying
ranges.
Contact info: [email protected]
Region: Mountain View-Los Altos High School
District

Year: Students transferring from community college

and graduate students
Due: February 3
Award: Two-year scholarships of $4,000 per year for
transfer students, one-year graduate scholarships of
$4,000.

Due: February
Award: $750 for community college students,
$1,500 for others
8

school and/or reside in San Mateo County or Santa

Clara County, demonstrate financial need, plan to
attend an accredited two- or four-year college or
university (Eustace-Kwan and Ruppert recipients can
attend a vocational/career/ trade school that focuses
on providing formal preparation for skilled, technical
or professional occupations such as dental hygienist,
x-ray technician, court reporting, emergency medical
technicians, etc.), be current full-time students
and plan to attend college on a full-time basis, and
be United States citizens or eligible non-citizens
(eligible non-citizens include United States legal
residents and AB 540* students). To be considered
AB 540, students must have completed three years
of high school in California, graduated with a high
school diploma or attained equivalent and filed an
AB 540 affidavit at the college or university where
they are enrolled. Please see individual scholarships
for exact eligibility requirements.

Eligibility: Hispanic heritage, applicant will be

evaluated based on financial need, scholastic work,
essay and interview.
Notes: Must provide 1040 tax form(s) or W2 if you
did not file a tax return
Region: Alameda County resident
Contact: http://hcac-ac.org/contact-us/
The Association of Chinese Teachers Scholarship
(TACT)
http://www.tactsf.org
Year: High school seniors
Due: February
Award: Up to $2,000/scholarship
Eligibility: Student of Chinese descent; volunteer
service including, but not necessarily exclusive to,
the Chinese American community; a career goal in
education, human services, arts, or communication;
min 2.5 GPA; participation in school and
extracurricular activities; demonstrated leadership in
school and/or community.

Notes: It is strongly recommend that you start

gathering your required documents and begin the
application process at least three to four weeks
before the application deadline. You will be able to
save and return to your application at any time prior
to hitting Submit. Once you submit your online
application, you will not be able to make changes to
your application or upload additional documents.

Notes: Some of the criteria for selection include

potential careers in education, human services, the
arts or communication, demonstrated community
service, leadership qualities, and above-average
scholarship. Four scholarship types are offered on
behalf of Robert Louie, Lawrence C. Lowe, Henry
Shue Tom, and Alice Fong Yu.

Region: San Mateo County and Santa Clara County

MARCH

Contact: [email protected]
Region: San Francisco

826 Valencia Scholarships

Silicon Valley Community Foundation-High School

Senior and Undergraduate Programs

Year: High school graduating senior

http://www.siliconvalleycf.org/content/communityfoundation-managed-scholarship-funds#calderilla

Award: $15,000/award

http://826valencia.org/our-programs/scholarships/
Due: March
Eligibility: Demonstrate financial need, go to school
in the Bay Area, demonstrate intent to enroll in a
vocational school, college, or university.

Year: High school senior or planning to enroll or

currently enrolled in a two- or four- year college or
University

Notes: Preference given to students who attend

public high schools in San Francisco. Applicants
should also have an extracurricular interest in the
written word.

Award: Various scholarships ranging from $1,000

$10,000
Due: February
Eligibility: Scholarships for graduating H.S. seniors
and college undergrads use the same common
application and most have the following eligibility
requirements: Graduate from a public or private high

Contact: Ral J. Alcantar 415.642.5905 x 209,

[email protected]
Region: Bay Area

are applying.

10,000 Degrees Undergraduate Scholarship

Region: San Francisco County (Balboa, Burton,

Galileo, Marshall, Mission, and Washington High
Schools) or San Mateo County (Jefferson High
School)

http://www.10000degrees.org/students/scholarships
Year: College Student
Due: March
Award: $500-$5,000

Banatao Family Filipino American Education Fund

College Scholarship

Eligibility: Criteria will vary. Once you fill out the

general undergraduate scholarship application, you
will be able to provide supplemental information
indicating what specific scholarships you want to
apply for.

http://www.asianpacificfund.org/information-for-studentapplicants#banatao
Year: Incoming freshman enrolled full-time at an
accredited four year-college or university in 2014-15

Notes: The two scholarships available to

undocumented students administered by 10,000
Degrees are The New Leader Scholarship and The
Undergraduate Scholarship. The Undergraduate
Scholarship Application will be available online
January 1st 2014.

Due: March
Award: $5,000 renewable ($20,000 total)
Eligibility: Financially needy student of at least 50
percent Filipino heritage majoring in engineering,
mathematics, computer science, environmental or
physical science and living in specified counties.
Minimum 3.0 GPA.

Contact: (415) 451-4002, [email protected]

Region: Marin County Residency

Notes: Applications available late December/early

January

AACE TS/AACE UB/SFCAC Scholarship Fund

http://www.jcycedhub.org/scholarship

Contact: [email protected]

Year: Enrolled in AACE UB or a high school senior

served by the AACE TS or SFCAC program

Region: Northern California: Alameda, Contra

Costa, Marin, Merced, Monterey, Napa, Sacramento,
San Benito, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San
Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma,
Stanislaus; Southern California: Los Angeles,
Orange, San Diego

Due: March
Award: $500$3,000
Eligibility: Demonstrate financial need or be a first
generation college students, regardless of gender,
ethnicity, religion, and sexual orientation. Have
a minimum GPA of 2.0 (9th-12th grades, NOT
including PE/ROTC, Health Ed, or Driver Ed). Been
enrolled full-time at a 2 or 4 year college or university
for the academic year 2014-2015. Students will
be considered for the AACE TS/ AACE UB/
SFCAC scholarship regardless of citizenship status.
Students enrolled in our Upward Bound program at
ISA & John O Connell are also eligible to apply.

Blackhawk Women Scholarship Fund

http://www.bwscholarshipfund.com/scholarships.htm
Year: A graduating High School senior, or Junior
College student ready to transfer, who will be
attending a 4-year college/university in the fall
Due: March 1
Award: $5,000
Eligibility: Female, residing in Contra Costa County.
Have at least a 3.5 unweighted GPA. Be active in
community service. Be in need of financial aid. (W2
form or last years tax return, etc).

Notes: If you are eligible as a new applicant you

must contact your current schools AACE UB,
AACE TS or SFCAC advisor for more information.
Renewal recipients must have received a scholarship
continuously beginning in the 2007-08, 2008-09,
2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13, or 20132014 school year, currently meet minimum college
GPA of 2.0, demonstrate financial need, and will
be enrolled full time at a 2- or 4-year college or
university during the academic year for which they

Notes: Award recipients must maintain at least a 3.0

GPA during the period in which they are receiving
the scholarship money. Recipients are required to
complete the school term for which the award is paid
out. Failure to do so will require re-payment of the
amount awarded.
10

CLF awardees may not re-apply until four years after

receiving our scholarship

Region: Contra Costa

CANFIT Scholarship

Region: Northern California counties: Alameda,

Sacramento, Solano, Contra Costa, San Francisco,
Sonoma, Marin, San Mateo, Yolo, Monterey, Santa
Clara, Napa, Santa Cruz

http://canfit.org/scholarships/
Year: Enrolled in approved bachelor level program
in nutrition or physical education at an accredited
WASC university in California or enrollment in
culinary arts college in California.

College OPTIONS Scholarships

http://www.collegeoptions.org/#!college-optionsscholarships/c1qow

Due: March 31st every year

Award: $500$1,500

Year: High school senior

Eligibility: Undergraduate Requirement: Enrollment

in an approved bachelor level program in Nutrition
or Physical Education at an accredited (WASC)
university in California. Have 50 semester units
(or equivalent) of college credits completed with
an official copy of college transcript and a 2.5 or
better GPA (cumulative). Ethnic student affiliation of
African-American, American Indian, Alaska Native,
Asian-American, Pacific Islander or Latino/Hispanic
descent. Culinary Arts Requirement: Enrollment in
a culinary arts college in California. Ethnic student
affiliation of African-American, American Indian,
Alaska Native, Asian-American, Pacific Islander or
Latino/Hispanic descent. Prior completed units (or
equivalent) of college credits not necessary to apply.

Award: $500$1,000 for community college

students, $500$4,000 for four-year college
students
Due: March
Eligibility: High school seniors from Shasta,
Siskiyou, Tehama and Trinity County schools who
will earn a high school diploma or GED in the year
2013-14 and who will start college in Fall 2014 as
a full-time student. Must be first-generation, have an
estimated family contribution (EFC) as determined
by the 2014-2015 FAFSA that is $4,995 or less,
have a 2.75 GPA or higher, have completed A-G
requirements with a C or better, and enroll full-time
as a full-time freshman fall 2014 in Shasta College,
College of the Siskiyous or qualified four-year
college or university to earn a Bachelors degree.
Examples of qualified institutions include but are not
limited to all CSU and UC campuses; all U.S. state
public institutions (such as University of Oregon); St.
Mary's College, BYU, or Simpson University.

Region: California
Chicana/Latina Foundation Scholarship
http://www.chicanalatina.org/scholarship.html
Year: Enrolled in an accredited college, university, or
community college

Region: Northern California (Shasta, Siskiyou,

Tehama and Trinity counties)

Due: March of every year

Award: $1,500

Educators for Fair Consideration (E4FC)

New American Scholars Program

Eligibility: Chicana/Latina women who have resided

for at least two years in one of the listed Northern
California counties. Undergraduate Chicana/Latina
students must be enrolled as a full-time college
student (as defined by your institution) when
applying and for the following academic year, have
completed a minimum of 12 college units after high
school graduation, and have a cumulative GPA of
2.5 college coursework.

http://e4fc.org/scholarsprogram.html
Year: High school seniors and current college
students
Due: March
Award: Varies up to $5,000
Eligibility: For foreign-born, low-income immigrant
college and graduate students living in the San
Francisco Bay Area. Do not have permanent
residency (green card) or citizenship in the U.S.
Current or intended enrollment in an accredited
undergraduate or graduate program for 2014-

Notes: You must commit to attending the CLF

Leadership Institute (one weekend in August after
being selected and one weekend the following year
in February) and to volunteering ten (10) hours for
CLF before March the year after being selected. Past
11

2015. Demonstrated academic preparation and

community/extracurricular involvement. Minimum
cumulative GPA: 3.0 for college students and
3.3 for high school students. You must have lived
in California for two or more years of your high
school career and you must fulfill at least one of the
following: 1) previous or intended graduation from a
San Francisco Bay Area high school, or 2) current
or expected enrollment in a San Francisco Bay Area
college or university.

Marcus Foster Education Fund

(Various Scholarships)
http://www.marcusfoster.org
Year: High school senior
Due: March
Award: $500$5,000
Eligibility: High school senior presently enrolled
in Oakland Unified School District and some
scholarships available to Pleasanton Public High
School seniors. For OUSD applicants- must have
attended an OUSD public or charter school at least
two years. Have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.00.
Plan to attend a two or four-year institution in the
fall following your graduation from high school. Be
an educationally motivated youth that embodies
Dr. Fosters vision that education requires the
involvement of the whole community. No social
security number needed.

Notes: Applicants are assessed based on academic

performance, financial need, and personal character.
Scholars are expected to participate in E4FC
programming, events, and activities; and maintain
ongoing communication with the program.
Region: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San
Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz,
Solano, Sonoma, and Yolo Counties
Koshland Young Leader Awards

Notes: Applicant can select which scholarships he/

she would like to be considered for when submitting
application. Every year the scholarship application
becomes available and is linked to website from
January through the end of March. Applicants are
notified of their award status by mid-May and all
recipients are required to attend an orientation and
scholarship awards ceremony.

http://www.sff.org/programs/awards-programs/
koshland-young-leader-awards
Year: High school junior
Due: Must be nominated in winter of junior year
Award: Up to 8 awards of $7,000 each (awarded
over two years)
Eligibility: San Francisco public high school
students from economically disadvantaged
backgrounds who are strongly motivated to achieve,
but whose daily responsibilities to their families as
wage earner, caretaker, or household manager
place an undue burden upon them.

Contact: (510) 777-1600, [email protected]

Notes: Must be nominated by high school teacher

or counselor. Part 1: Teacher/Counselor submits
online nomination form, Part 2: Teacher/Counselor
submits complete official student high school
transcript (all pages, front and back), Part 3: Student
submits online self-nomination form; Part 4: Selected
students interview; after the Awards Committee
reviews nominations, certain students will be invited
to interview. You may nominate more than one
student.

Year: High school senior

Region: Oakland and Pleasanton

Maisin Scholars
http://www.maisinscholars.org/
Due: 1st Friday in March each year
Award: Up to $2,000 annually up to 4 years
Eligibility: High School Seniors within the SFUSD
who are on track to graduate in the current school
year. Attending an accredited educational institution,
or vocational training program by the fall semester of
the award year.
Notes: Looking for financial need and commitment
to educational and career goals.

Region: San Francisco

Region: San Francisco Unified School District

Contact info: [email protected], Joshua Jones

(415) 733-8587

12

McConnell Foundation Scholars Program

Region: Napa County

http://www.mcconnellfoundation.org/programs/scholars
Year: First-time freshman or transfer students

The New Leader Scholarship of the Marin

Community Foundation

Award: Up to $7,500 per year with a maximum of

$30,000 total

http://www.newleaderscholarship.org/apply.php
Year: Upper division college students;
undergraduate recipients may apply as graduates

Due: March 2nd every year

Eligibility: Must be a resident of The McConnell
Foundation Scholarship programs service area,
which includes Modoc, Shasta, Siskiyou, Tehama,
and Trinity counties, and high school districts in
contiguous counties which serve counties in the
service area, will be entering a qualified college
or university in the fall term following the current
application period, be a first-time freshman or
transfer junior from Shasta College or College of the
Siskiyous, have completed a high school diploma
or GED with a grade point average of 3.0 or better
or completed a transfer AA degree from College of
the Siskiyous or Shasta College with a grade point
average of 2.0 or better, have financial need, have
not already completed a bachelors degree, have
not been convicted of a felony, or have satisfied the
terms of any conviction prior to applying, and are
not, or are not a family member of, any McConnell
Foundation board member, Program Services staff
member, exempt employee, or current Scholarship
Review and Selection Committee Member.

Due: March
Award: Up to $8,000 annually (may be renewed)
Eligibility: You may qualify if you: 1) Are enrolled
at one of the following universities: California State
University, East Bay; San Francisco State University;
San Jose State University; Sonoma State University
or University of California, Berkeley; 2) Are an upper
division student who has attended the school for
one academic year or more, with 60 units or more,
24 of which need to have been attained at your
present university; 3) A minimum 3.5 GPA either
at the current school or at a combination of the
current school plus all schools previously attended.
Consideration will be given to students with a GPA
of 3.2 to 3.49 under special circumstances; 4)
studying the social sciences, human services, public
interest law, health-related fields or public service;
5) Have demonstrated financial need; 6) OR, if you
are a previous New Leader Scholarship recipient and
plan to attend graduate school at a public university
in California. Must be enrolled in a minimum of 12
units each in the Fall 2014 and Spring 2015

Region: Northern California (Modoc, Shasta,

Siskiyou, Tehama and Trinity counties)

Notes: Awardees may receive additional support

for graduate school application costs. Application
available mid-January

Napa County Hispanic Network

http://www.napacountyhispanicnetwork.com
Year: College-bound high school seniors or Napa
Valley College students transferring to a four year
college or students currently attending a four-year
university or Trade or Vocational School students

Region: Bay Area (see eligible colleges). Applicants

do NOT need to be Marin County residents to apply.

Due: March

http://www.peninsulaworks.org/Youth_Scholarships.
html

Peninsula Works

Award: $1,000; some students may be eligible for

awards up to $2,500

Year: Ages 14 to 21 years old

Due: March

Eligibility: Residents of Napa County and Students

of Latino parentage and Students with a minimum
overall GPA of 3.0

Award: Not Specified

Eligibility: Must be current or past Jobs for Youth
participant

Notes: Students who are otherwise qualified but

have below a 3.0 GPA may still be eligible for a
"Si Se Puede" scholarship if they have overcome
hardship.

Contact: (650) 301-8444, [email protected]

Region: San Mateo County

13

The ED Fund College Scholarship

Matt Fong Asian Americans in Public Finance

Scholarship

http://edfundwest.org/program/ed-fund-scholarships/

http://www.asianpacificfund.org/information-for-studentapplicants#human

Year: High school senior

Due: March

Year: College Undergraduate

Award: $1,000$2,500

Award: $1,500

Eligibility: Scholarships are for high school seniors

attending any public or charter high school in West
Contra Costa County. Have a minimum of 2.5 GPA
in core curriculum subjects throughout 4 years of
high school. Students must pass the high school exit
exam. Students must demonstrate financial need.
Demonstrate active participation in extra-curricular
activities, especially community service activities.
Have a family income of less than $85,000.

Due: March
Eligibility: Must be enrolled in California college or
university, majoring in political science, public policy,
business administration or related fields, be of Asian
ethnic heritage (at least 50%), have a minimum 3.0
GPA, and have financial need. Preference is given to
those with record of community service or volunteer
work.

Notes: Scholarship applications available

January 2014

Region: California

Contact: (510) 233-1464

Bertha Wolf - Rosenthal Foundation Fund for

Community Service Stipend

Region: West Contra Costa County

http://www.libertyhill.org/Page.aspx?pid=301

California Strawberry Scholarships applications

Year: Ages 18 to 25

www.californiastrawberries.com/scholarships

Due: March

Year: High School seniors and college students who

will be enrolled full-time in a trade school, community
college, four-year university, or graduate/professional
program during the period for which scholarship is
requested.

Award: Multiple awards of $5,000

Eligibility: Work at a non-profit organization during
the entire calendar year.
Notes: Help cover basic living costs (e.g., rent,
food, utilities, transportation and childcare). New
application and guidelines released February 2014.
Contact: [email protected]

Due: March 1st

Award: $400$5,000; All scholarships are one-year
allocations

Region: California

Eligibility: The scholarship amount is based on

merit. First-time applicants must have a parent that
is currently employed as a California strawberry
fieldworker (Applicants may also qualify if they are
employed as a California strawberry fieldworker).
Must maintain a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0
or greater.

Silicon Valley Association of Realtors Scholarship

http://www.silvar.org/index.cfm/scholarships.htm
Year: High school senior
Due: The Charitable Foundation Trustees meet
quarterly (March, June, September, and December)
to evaluate applications. Applications must be
received by February 15, May 15, August 15, and
November 15 in order to be considered at the
quarterly meeting.

Contact: Dyann Meschi, Scholarship Coordinator

at [email protected] or by calling
831.724.1301.
Region: California

Award: $1,000
Eligibility: The principals and faculty at each school
nominate three graduating seniors with exemplary
records. Superior academic achievement is
necessary, but not the only parameter. Scholarship
candidates must be well-rounded, students/citizens
14

who are involved in the broader community.

Region: California and Arizona

Region: Eligible Silicon Valley High Schools

(Cupertino High School, Fremont High School,
Homestead High School, Leigh High School, Los
Altos High School, Los Gatos High School, Lynbrook
High School, Gunn High School, Menlo Atherton
High School, Monta Vista High School, Mountain
View High School, Palo Alto High School, Prospect
High School, Santa Clara High School, Saratoga
High School, Westmont High School, Wilcox High
School, Woodside High School)

Bay Area Gardeners Foundation

http://www.bagf.org/
Year: High school senior or current college students
Due: April 1
Award: $1,500
Eligibility: Minimum 2.5 GPA, Financial Need
Notes: Must be willing to do 20 or more hours of
community service.
Region: Bay Area (9 Counties)

APRIL

Contact: [email protected],
(650) 655-2002

Asian American Journalists Association

http://www.aajasf.org/scholarship/
Year: High school senior and current college student

CCNMA: Latino Journalists of California Scholarship

Due: April

http://www.ccnma.org/

Award: Up to 8,000; awards typically range from

$1,0003,500

Year: High school senior or college student

Eligibility: Asian-American students who live in or

attend school in the Bay Area who are interested in
journalism. Applicants must be currently taking or
planning to take journalism courses and/or pursuing
journalism as a career. Applicant does not need to
be Asian American but would like applicants to have
interest in and develop stories about Asian American
issues.

Award: $500-$1,000

Region: Bay Area

Notes: Three scholarship types are awarded on

behalf of Joel Garcia Memorial, Frank del Olmo
Memorial, and the George Ramos Memorial
Scholarship.

Due: First Friday in April

Eligibility: Latino students who are pursuing
broadcast (television/radio), print, photo and/or
online journalism. Students may major in any field,
but must be committed to the field of journalism,
scholastic achievement, community awareness
and prove financial need. Finalists must be able to
participate in an oral interview.

Contact info: Melissa Moy at [email protected]

and Ling Woo Liu at [email protected]
A.W. Bodine Sunkist Memorial Scholarship

Region: Students must be enrolled full-time and

either attend a California college or university, or, for
those attending a school outside of the state, must
be a California resident.

http://www.sunkist.com/about/bodine_scholarship.aspx
Year: High School senior, or current college student
Award: $2,000 (renewable)
Due: April 30

Los Hermanos de Stanford

Eligibility: A background in California or Arizona

agriculture the student or someone in the students
immediate family must have derived the majority of
his or her income from agriculture; Financial need;
and GPA and extracurricular activities indicative of
potential for success.

http://www.stanford.edu/group/hermanos/

Notes: Scholarship recipients must maintain good

academic and disciplinary standings, carry at least
12 graded units per term and earn a minimum 2.7
grade point average.

Eligibility: Open to female and male Latino students

who are committed to academic excellence,
community service, and cultural awareness. Financial
need it taken into account.

Year: High school seniors with plans to attend any

2-year or 4-year institution of higher learning
Due: April
Award: 2 awards of $1,000 each

15

higher, demonstrate commitment to community

service in community and demonstrate financial
need.

Notes: Do not have to apply to or gain admission to

Stanford to be eligible.
Contact: [email protected]
Region: California

Region: San Joaquin County

Markowski-Leach Scholarship Fund

Palo Alto Medical Foundation

http://www.mlscholarships.org

http://www.pamf.org/premedscholar/form.cfm

Year: Undergrad and Grad Students

Year: High School senior

Due: April

Due: April

Award: up to $1,500

Award: $5,000 per year for five years ($25,000 per

recipient)

Eligibility: LGBTQ graduate and undergraduate

students who plan to attend University of California
Berkeley, San Francisco State University, or Stanford
University. Minimum 2.5GPA. Applicants do not
need be enrolled at the time of the application.
All undergraduate recipients must have earned a
minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 in all
prior college level coursework. (High school students
applying for admission will be considered eligible
upon admission to an affiliated University.)

Eligibility: Anticipate careers as doctors. Plan to

take undergraduate pre-medical courses to help
prepare for medical school. Be in the top 20 percent
of his or her high school graduating class (as verified
by high school transcript). Demonstrate a need for
financial assistance to attend college.
Notes: All students who meet the criteria and
are interested are welcome to apply, regardless
of citizenship status. The FAFSA requirement is
intended for the committee to be able to assess
the estimated family contribution to the student's
educational needs. If an applicant is able to
provide the same or similar information from the
FAFSA without SSN if they' don't have it, they can
submit that or similar type of information with the
application. If they can't provide that information
either, the committee will just make their best
judgment with the information they have about
student need. So basically, you can submit the same
info as the FAFSA that you have available without
having submitted a FAFSA to the government.

Region: UC Berkeley, SFSU, and Stanford

Sun & May Gee Scholarships of the United
Administrators of San Francisco (UASF)
Year: High school senior
Due: April
Award: two (2) of $2000 for seniors going on to
community college, $5000 for seniors going to
4-year colleges
Eligibility: API (Asian Pacific Islander) immigrant or
child of API immigrant

Region: Alameda, San Mateo, Santa Clara and

Santa Cruz counties

Notes: Ask your school counselor for information

and an application.
Region: San Francisco Unified School District

Queen of the Festival Scholarship Program

http://www.northfairoaksfestival.org./queen-festival

San Joaquin Human Resource Association

Scholarship Fund

Year: High school senior women who will be

attending university

http://www.sjhra.org/default.
asp?PageID=10008660Year: High school senior

Due: April
Award: The Queen will receive a $10,000
scholarship. One princess will receive a $6,000
scholarship. One princess will receive a $4,000
scholarship. One princess will receive a $2,000
scholarship.

Due: April 18
Award: $500
Eligibility: Applicants must major in Human
Resources, Business Administration, Management,
Psychology or Education; reside in San Joaquin
County; have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.3 or

Eligibility: Applicants must be university-bound

16

females with excellent academic, community

service credentials and must submit a community
involvement essay.

SALEF Fulfilling Our Dreams Scholarship Fund

http://www.salef.org/programs#!__programs

Contact: 650.368.2497, carol@northfairoaksfestival.

org

Year: High School seniors, current undergraduate,

graduate and professional students, or community
college students (must be AB540)

Region: Applicants must live in or attend school in

San Mateo County

Due: May

East Bay Consortium of Educational Institutions /

Cal-SOAP Scholarship

Eligibility: Applicants must be of Central American

or other Latino ethnicity, must demonstrate financial
need, minimum 2.5 GPA, history of community,
involvement. Must be low-income.

Award: Varies

http://www.eastbayconsortium.org/scholarship/267
Year: High school senior

Contact: (213) 480-1052, [email protected]

Due: April

Region: San Francisco/Bay Area (must be pursuing

a health related field); greater Los Angeles Area
(specifically Pico-Union, South Los Angeles, and
surrounding schools); San Fernando Valley (must be
pursuing a health related field).

Award: $500-$5,000 (approximately 35 awards),

recipients can apply for scholarship renewal
Eligibility: High School Seniors who have
participated in EBC programs (i.e. College and
Career Information Centers (CCIC), College
Information Day at UC Berkeley, tutoring, College
Crunch, Cash for College, EBC workshops, CCIC
etc.) and will graduate in June 2014 from: Oakland
Unified School District High Schools, Berkeley High
School, Richmond High School, St. Elizabeth High
School, OR Seniors who have participated in the
East Bay Consortiums Pre-Collegiate Academy
(PCA) at Merritt College regardless of high school
they attend. Have a cumulative minimum GPA of
2.8 if attending a 4-year institution or 2.0 GPA if
attending a community college, be active in their
school or community, and demonstrate financial
need.

Student Advocates for Higher Education

Scholarship
Year: High school, undergraduate, graduate
Due: May
Award: $300$500
Eligibility: Recipient must be enrolled or planning to
enroll next Fall quarter or semester at a Community
College (CC), California State University (CSU),
University of California (UC) or private University
in California, as a Undergrad or Graduate student.
Minimum of a 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
Notes: Must be present at the Scholarship
Ceremony to receive award in late July or early
August. (Recipients will be notified in advance)

Region: Oakland, Berkeley, and Richmond

MAY

Contact: [email protected]
Region: Bay Area, Including Santa Cruz

Amigos de El Salvador
http://www.amigosdeelsalvador.org/becas.html

The Women's Foundation of California, Smart

Cookie Scholarship

Year: Open to high school, community college,

university and tech schools.

http://www.womensfoundca.org/project/smart-cookiescholarship-fund

Due: May (but will extend deadline if not enough

applicants)

Year: a) eligible to enroll in community college or an

undergraduate program b) current undergraduate
college students c) current community college
students including students enrolling in a public
technical training program resulting in a certificate.

Award: 2 of $1,000, 2 of $1,500, and 1 of $2,000

Eligibility: Low-income students graduating from a
public high school with a min 2.5 GPA.
Region: California
17

 Due: May

Contact: (925) 756-7029

Award: Scholarship awards are determined on a

case-by-case basis depending on the financial need
of the student including the number of classes a
student is taking, the type of school they attend and
if they are AB540 status.

Region: Bay Area including Fresno

Silicon Valley Community Foundation-Re-entry and
Non-traditional Student Programs
http://www.siliconvalleycf.org/content/communityfoundation-managed-scholarship-funds#calderilla

Eligibility: Attend a California public university or

community college. Students enrolling in California
private colleges or out of state colleges will not be
considered. In addition to scholarships to finance
education, the program provides advising, personal
development and enrichment activities, networking
opportunities, and other scholarship events to ensure
students succeed at the university level and beyond.

Year: High school senior or community college

student
Award: Scholarships range from $2,000-$5,000
Due: June
Eligibility: Two scholarships administered for reentry and non-traditional students. To apply for the
Marie A. Calderilla Scholarship, must demonstrate
financial hardship, be a female student serious
about improving her life through education and
planning to attend community college in the San
Mateo County Community College District (Caada
College, San Mateo Community College, and
Skyline Community College). To apply to the Kumin
Scholars Scholarship, must graduate from a high
school in San Mateo County or Santa Clara County
or be a resident of San Mateo County or Santa
Clara County who completed a GED Program
and received a California High School Equivalency
Certificate, be currently enrolled (part-time or fulltime) in a community college, completed at least 20
graded semester or quarter unites before application
deadline, have a minimum 2.5 GPA, plan to transfer
to a four-year college or university in the following
fall or later, and demonstrate financial need. AB540
students can apply.

Notes: Application available in the Fall. First

generation: students who are the first in their family
to attend college, parents did not attend college.
First and second generation immigrants: we support
Latina/o students who are immigrants to this country
or whose parents are immigrants to this country.
Region: Fremont, Newark, Menlo Park, East Palo
Alto, Redwood City, Hayward, Union City, Santa
Clara or the unincorporated area of North Fair Oaks.

JUNE
Manos de Esperanza (Hands of Hope)
www.manosdeesperanza.org/
Year: Open to full time students enrolled in a
community college, four-year university or graduate/
professional program.
Due: June 30th of every year.

Region: San Mateo or Santa Clara County

Award: $500-$1,000
Eligibility: Show an average 2.8 GPA, demonstrate
financial need (refer to application), have been
accepted to a University or College full time or be
a full-time enrolled student attending an accredited
community college, four-year university of graduate/
professional program, must have history of
community service, must attend an interview with the
committee, and attend our annual benefit event held
in December.
Notes: Manos de Esperanza grants scholarships
to students who have a history of performing public
service activities in their communities and who plan
on contributing in the future.

18

NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS

NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS

current visa) for the full College Match scholarship:

Brown, Carleton, Grinnell, Pomona, Princeton,
Swarthmore, University of Chicago, Vanderbilt,
Washington & Lee, Williams, and Yale.

Scholarships in this section are either open to students

across the nation or have a broad geographic eligibility
criteria. If there are specific regional requirements,
they are noted within the scholarship description.
Scholarships are listed alphabetically by the month that
they are due. Check with EACH scholarship individually
to find out the exact DUE DATE.

Region: National

OCTOBER
La Unidad Latina Foundation Scholarship
http://www.lulfoundation.org

SEPTEMBER

Year: Current undergrad and grad students

Due: October and February

Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest

Award: $250-$1,000

http://essaycontest.aynrandnovels.com/AtlasShrugged.
aspx?theme=blue

Eligibility: Hispanic undergraduate applicants who

have a cumulative GPA of 2.80 out of a 4.0 GPA
scale. No GPA mentioned for graduate applicants.
Eligible degrees include: all Bachelor degrees,
Master of Arts, Master of Science, Master of Public
Administration/Policy, Master of Social Work, Master
of Education, and Master of Divinity.

Year: High school seniors, college undergraduates,

and graduate students
Due: September
Award: First prize: $10,000; (3) Second prizes:
$2,000; (5) Third prizes: $1,000; (25) Finalists:
$100; and (50)Semifinalists: $50

Notes: Must have completed at least one full-time

year of study for undergraduate applicants, and at
least one full-time semester of study for graduate
applicants.

Eligibility: No application is required. The contest is

open to students worldwide, except where void or
prohibited by law.

Region: National

Region: Global

NOVEMBER

QuestBridge National College Match Program

http://www.questbridge.org

Golden Door Scholars

Year: High school senior

http://www.goldendoorscholars.org

Due: September

Year: Applicants can be current high-school

students or recent graduates not enrolled in a fouryear undergraduate program. Community college
students are welcome to apply.

Award: Strong academic record, must take ACT or

SAT, family income less than $60,000. International
students, Permanent Residents, and U.S. citizens
attending high school in the United States are
eligible to apply.

Due: November
Award: Full tuition, room and board for a four-year
degree

Notes: Application open in August. The QuestBridge

National College Match is designed for high school
seniors who have shown outstanding academic
ability despite facing economic challenges. Most
College Match scholarship recipients come from
households earning less than $60,000 annually
(for a typical family of four) and have experienced
long-term economic hardship. The following partner
colleges will consider undocumented students
(students who live in the U.S. and do not have a

Eligibility: Applicants must be eligible for DACA

(Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals).
Region: National with a strong preference for
candidates from NC and SC

20

Dr. Juan Andrade, Jr. Scholarship for Young Hispanic

Leaders

Due: November 7
Award: Up to $30,000 per year to attend a four-year
accredited undergraduate school

http://www.ushli.org/student/scholarship.php
Year: High School Senior or current College student

Eligibility: Applicant must plan to graduate from

a US high school in spring 2014, intend to enroll
in an accredited four-year college beginning in fall
2014, earn a cumulative un-weighted GPA of 3.5 or
above, receive standardized test scores in the top
15%: SAT combined critical reading and math score
of 1200 or above (must test by October 5, 2013)
and/or ACT composite score of 26 or above (must
test by September 21, 2013), and demonstrate
significant unmet financial need. Will consider
applicants with family income up to $95,000.

Due: November
Award: $500 (community college student) -$1,000
(four-year college student)
Eligibility: Applicant must be enrolled or accepted
for enrollment as a full-time student, in a four-year or
two-year institution in the U.S. or U.S. territories, and
demonstrate a verifiable need for financial support.
At least one parent must be of Hispanic ancestry.
Recipients must also be available to attend the
National USHLI Conference.

Notes: Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College

Scholars are selected based on exceptional
academic ability and achievement, financial need,
persistence, a desire to help others, and leadership.
A rigorous application review includes analysis of
grades, standardized test scores, participation in
available advanced courses, student essays, letters
of recommendation, and family finances. Each year
30-40 students will be selected into the program.

Notes: Must provide SSN or ITIN

Contact: Contact the United States Hispanic
Leadership Institute at (312) 427-8683.
Region: National
The National AIDS Memorial Grove (in San
Francisco Golden Gate Park)
http://www.aidsmemorial.org/namg-news/youngleaders-scholarship-program

Region: National

Year: Current high school seniors and college

undergraduates

Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer

Scholarship

Due: November

http://www.jkcf.org/scholarships/undergraduatetransfer-scholarships/selection-eligibility/

Award: $1,000 to $2,500

Due: November 7

Eligibility: Must demonstrate an active commitment

to fighting AIDS (for example: providing peer-based
prevention and education; advocacy or activism;
public awareness; and/or practical, emotional or
treatment support to people living with HIV/AIDS).
Must describe their leadership experience and its
significance to the future of the epidemic in an essay
of up to 1,000 words. Applicants will be asked to
provide a recommending letter. Applications will be
judged by a panel of community leaders.

Award: up to $30,000 per year

Eligibility: Be a current student at an accredited
US community college or two-year institution with
sophomore status by December 31, 2013, or a
recent graduate (since spring 2009). Applicant must
plan to enroll full time in a baccalaureate program at
an accredited college or university in fall 2014, have
a cumulative undergraduate grade point average of
3.5 or better on a scale of 4.0 (or the equivalent),
demonstrate unmet financial need and have not
previously been nominated for the Jack Kent Cooke
Foundation.

Notes: Award presentations are on World AIDS Day

Contact: Steve Sagaser 415-765-0497
Region: National

Notes: While the Foundation considers academic

excellence first in evaluating candidates, competitive
applicants must also demonstrate unmet financial
need, which has two components: education costs
that are appreciably greater than the total amount of

Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship

http://www.jkcf.org/scholarships/college-scholarshipprogram/
Year: Current high school seniors
21

other scholarships or grant awards and insufficient

student and family income to meet educational costs.

2014 at any accredited American college, university

or trade school.

Region: National

Due: December 15
Award: $1,000

Univision's Es El Momento Scholarship

Eligibility: Applicants must submit one exceptional

essay of 1,000 words minimum on the following
topic: Why buy custom furniture? Winner(s) will be
confirmed ONLY after providing proof of enrollment
in the form of a copy of a tuition bill OR letter of
proof from the accredited United States college or
university at which the winner(s) is enrolled. Upon
confirmation of enrollment, winners will be publicly
announced on CustomMade.com, and CustomMade
will mail the winner(s) their check.

https://www.scholarshipaid.net/app/univision/
Year: High school senior, community college student,
or undergraduate student enrolled in a 4-year
university
Due: November 18
Award: $5,000
Eligibility: Be a Latino/a student, have a minimum
grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 on a scale of
4.00, and have a history of extracurricular activities.

Contact: [email protected]

Region: National

Region: National

Contact: [email protected]

Scholarship America

DECEMBER

http://scholarshipamerica.org/dream_award.php

Comcast Scholarship

Year: Be a sophomore year level or higher during the

2014-2015 academic year

http://corporate.comcast.com/our-values/communityinvestment/youth-education-leadership#accordion-2

Due: December 19, 2013

Award: Between $5,000 and $15,000 annually,
growing by $1,000 each year until graduation.

Year: High school senior

Due: December 5, 2013

Eligibility: Be U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent

residents (holders of a Permanent Resident Card),
or individuals granted deferred action status under
the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program
(DACA), have received a high school diploma or the
equivalent from a U.S. school, by September, 2013,
have completed or expect to successfully complete
a minimum of one full year of postsecondary
education by June 2014, plan to enroll in full time
undergraduate study at the sophomore year level
or higher at an accredited two or four year college,
university or vocational-technical school in the United
States for the entire 2014-15 academic year, have
a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0
on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent), and demonstrate
financial need.

Award: $1,000
Eligibility: All nominations for the Leaders and
Achievers Scholarship Program must be made
exclusively by the Schools Principal or Guidance
Counselor. A student nominated by a Principal or
Guidance Counselor must demonstrate a strong
commitment to community service and display
leadership abilities in school activities or through
work experience, and have a grade point average of
2.8 or higher.
Notes: Applications are sent to eligible high schools
Students should check with their counselor and
principal. They can also contact Comcast@applyists.
com to find out if their high school is eligible.
Region: National

Notes: Dream Award scholarships for 2014-15 will

include general scholarships; STEM scholarships
(for study in science, technology, engineering
and math-related majors); and scholarships for
Chinese-American students. Financial need will be
considered in determining award amounts

CustomMade Scholarship
http://www.custommade.com/scholarships/consumeradvantages-of-buying-custom-furniture-scholarship/
Year: Any student enrolled in an undergraduate or
graduate degree program in Fall 2013 or Spring

Region: National
22

Elie Wiesel Prize in Ethics Foundation Essay

Contest

JANUARY

http://center.uoregon.edu/EWF/FORMS/CFP/cfp_
login.php?formid=2496802

Point Foundation: College Scholarships for LGBT

Students

Year: College juniors or seniors

http://www.pointfoundation.org/apply.html

Due: December 2, 2013

Year: High school senior and current college,

including graduate and post-graduate work, excludes
current community college students

Award: Awards: First Prize - $ 5,000, Second Prize

- $ 2,500, Third Prize - $1,500, and Two Honorable
Mentions - $ 500 Each

Due: January

Eligibility: The contest is open to registered

undergraduate full-time Juniors or Seniors at
accredited four-year colleges or universities in the
United States during the Fall 2013 Semester. The
essay must be the original, unpublished work of one
student. Only one essay per student per year may be
submitted.

Eligibility: No citizenship requirements. History of

leadership and/or allyship in issues that affect the
LGBT/Queer community. Must plan to continue
this leadership/allyship in the future. No specific
GPA but seeking candidates with high academic
performance.
Notes: Application available in November. Consists
of a 2-part scholarship application.

Region: National

Region: National

Hispanic Scholarship Fund

http://hsf.net/en/scholarships/programs/

Microsoft Minority Scholarship

Year: High school seniors, community college

students, and college undergrads

http://www.microsoft.com/university/scholarships
Year: Currently attending 4-year college

Due: From October 2013- February 2014 (most due

in December and January)

Due: January 31
Award: Full or partial tuition

Award: Various awards ranging from $1,000$20,000

Eligibility: Attend a 4-year university in United

States, Canada, or Mexico. Be completing an
undergraduate degree in computer science,
computer engineering, or a related technical
discipline such as electrical engineering, math, or
physics and demonstrate an interest in computer
science. Because the scholarship is merit based, you
must maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average
out of a possible 4.0, or a 4.0 cumulative grade point
average out of a possible 5.0.

Eligibility: Specific eligibility varies by scholarship.

Have plans to enroll full-time at a two- or four-year
U.S. accredited institution.
Notes: Hispanic Scholarship Fund is in the midst of
finalizing [a] policy for young people who have had
their deportations temporarily suspended through
an executive order of the President. Read more
here: http://nbclatino.com/2013/10/25/hispanicscholarship-fund-to-aid-immigrants-with-suspendeddeportations/. Please visit their website frequently
to determine updated eligibility requirements for
undocumented applicants. Most scholarships
administered by HSF are due December and January
2013.

Notes: Can apply regardless of citizenship status.

All recipients of the scholarship will be required
to apply for, and complete if offered, a salaried
summer internship of 12 weeks or more at Microsoft
Corporation in Redmond, Washington. Online
Application to the Microsoft Internship Program Apply online at http://www.microsoft.com/university
for a summer internship. Only students who have
applied online for an internship will be considered for
a Microsoft Scholarship.

Region: National

Contact: [email protected]
Region: North America
23

FEBRUARY

need; and awareness of the Latino community.

Region: National

La Unidad Latina Foundation Scholarship

Que Llueva Cafe Scholarship Chicano

Organizing& Research in Education

http://www.lulfoundation.org
Year: Current undergrad and grad students

http://www.ca-core.org/que_llueva_cafe

Due: February (also due in October)

Year: High school senior

Award: $250-$1,000

Due: February

Eligibility: Hispanic undergraduate applicants who

have a cumulative GPA of 2.80 out of a 4.0 GPA
scale. No GPA mentioned for graduate applicants.
Eligible degrees include: all Bachelor degrees,
Master of Arts, Master of Science, Master of Public
Administration/Policy, Master of Social Work, Master
of Education, and Master of Divinity.

Award: $500 $1,000

Eligibility: College-bound, undocumented, Latino
student
Notes: Applications available in December
Contact: [email protected]
Region: National, Including Puerto Rico

Notes: Must have completed at least one full-time

year of study for undergraduate applicants, and at
least one full-time semester of study for graduate
applicants.

MARCH
Chin: Shui Kuen and Allen Chin Scholarship

Region: National

www.asianpacificfund.org
Frank Kazmierczak Memorial Migrant Scholarship

Year: Incoming freshman or current undergraduate

http://www.migrant.net/migrant/scholarships/
kazmierczak.htm

Due: March
Award: $1,000

Year: Current college student

Eligibility: Be an incoming freshman or current,

full-time undergraduate at a four-year college or
university in 2013-14, have parent or self currently
or formerly employed at an Asian-owned or Asian
cuisine restaurant, demonstrate community advocacy
and social justice work on behalf of Asian American,
immigrant, gay and lesbian and/or other progressive
causes, have a minimum 3.0 GPA and have financial
need. No citizenship status requirement.

Due: February 1
Award: $1,000
Eligibility: Must have recent history of migration for
agricultural employment, have teaching as a career
goal, demonstrate scholastic achievement, and have
financial need.
Notes: Each applicant must include in application
his/her current or most recent Migrant Education
Certificate of Eligibility (COE).

Region: National

Region: National

Humane Education Network: A Voice for Animals

High School Essay Contest

National Association of Hispanic Journalists

http://www.hennet.org/contest.php

http://www.nahj12.com/scholarships/

Year: High school students (or home schooled)

Year: Undergraduate or Graduate Students

Due: March of every year

Due: February

Award: $300-$600 ($6,500 total)

Award: $1,000-$5,000

Eligibility: Must be currently attending high school or

be home schooled; Ages 14 to 19

Eligibility: Each of the following criteria is weighed

equally when NAHJ considers which students to
select as scholarship recipients: commitment to the
field of journalism; academic achievement; financial

Notes: The rules and requirements for each contest

may vary from year to year.
Contact: [email protected]
24

$2,500 for students attending a 4-year academic

institution

Power Through Knowledge Scholarship

http://osl.sa.ucsb.edu/org/ptk/news

Eligibility: Applicants must demonstrate financial

need, have consistent, active participation in public
and/or community service activities, have strong
writing skills, and must be U.S. citizens, lawful
permanent residents, asylees, or individuals who
are lawfully authorized to work full-time without
restriction for any U.S. employer and who, at the
time of application, possess lawful evidence of
employment authorization. There is no GPA or
academic major requirement. Students with excellent
leadership potential are encouraged to apply.

Year: Graduating high school seniors

Due: March
Award: Multiple award of $500 and $1,000
Eligibility: Scholarship recipients will be selected
based on the following criteria: scholastic
achievement, extracurricular activities, and financial
need. *NO proof of citizenship status required.
Notes: Failure to attend ceremony will disqualify your
award.
Region: National

Notes: Individuals who are seeking consideration

under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
(DACA) policy must possess an Employment
Authorization Document at the time of application.
In an effort to ensure the progress of scholarship
recipients and encourage completion of the
postsecondary program, each associate and
undergraduate level scholarship award is divided
over the number of years required for graduation (i.e.
a $2,500 scholarship for a college freshman will be
distributed in four equal installments of $625 a year).

QuestBridge College Prep Scholarship

http://www.questbridge.org/for-students/students-starthere
Year: High school junior
Due: March
Award: Scholarship for summer programs,
workshops, and/or admissions counseling and
mentoring, all-expense-paid visits to college
campuses, and opportunities to win a Quest for
Excellence Award

Region: National

Eligibility: Strong academic record, family income

less than $60,000. Open to all: U.S. Citizens and
Permanent Residents and students, regardless of
citizenship, currently attending a high school in the
United States.

Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund

Notes: The College Prep Scholarship online

application is completely free and opens in midFebruary.

Due: April 1 of each year

http://dpsf.davisputter.org/
Year: Undergraduate and Graduate
Award: Up to $10,000
Eligibility: Must be living in the U. S. and planning
to enroll in an accredited school. Grantees must
receive college credits for the time period covered
by their grant.

Region: National

APRIL

Notes: Applications available January through

March 31. US Citizenship is not required for this
scholarship but applicants must attend a college
within the U.S. Applicants who are not eligible for
US federal financial aid should completely fill out a
FAFSA and attach it to the application. Applications
which do not include a copy of the SAR, or a
completed FAFSA if not eligible for US federal aid,
will not be considered. Early recipients worked for
civil rights, against McCarthyism and for peace in
Vietnam. Recent grantees have been active in the
struggle against racism, sexism, homophobia and
other forms of oppression; building the movement

Congressional Hispanic Caucus

http://www.chci.org/scholarships/page/chcischolarship-program
Year: Full-time enrollment in a United States
Department of Education accredited community
college or four-year university during the period for
which scholarship is requested
Due: April 16
Award: $1,000 for community college students and
25

for economic justice; and creating peace through

international anti-imperialist solidarity.

participate in and promote organizations and

activities in the Hispanic community.

Region: National

Notes: Recipients must attend the HENAAC

Conference to receive the scholarship. Scholarships
will be presented at the conference alongside the
sponsor.

Gloria and Joseph Mattera National Scholarship

Fund for Migrant Children
http://www.migrant.net/migrant/scholarships/mattera.
htm

Contact: Dr. Gary Cruz [email protected]

Region: National

Year: Entering or enrolled in college or other types of

post-secondary programs, high school dropouts or
potential dropouts

SHPE Foundation Scholarship Program

Due: April 15

Year: High school senior or current college student

Award: 100 awards of $150-$500

Award: $1,000-$5,000

Eligibility: Migrant youth who have the potential

and the desire to further their education to achieve
their personal and career goals. Recent history of
movement for agricultural employment - priority
will be given to currently interstate migrant youth.
Have scholastic potential, financial need, enrolled
in or accepted at an accredited public or private
college, technical or vocational school, or a dropout
or a potential dropout from high school who shows
promise of ability to continue schooling.

Due: April

http://www.shpefoundation.org/scholarships/

Eligibility: Latino/a students who demonstrate both

significant motivation and aptitude for a career in
science, technology, engineering or mathematics.
Minimum GPA: 3.00 on a 4.0 for high school
seniors and undergraduates; 3.25 on a 4.0 scale for
graduate students; must be a full-time student.

Notes: Applicants must submit a copy of the their

current or most recent Migrant Education Program
Certificate of Eligibility (COE). Students may reapply
annually but are limited to one award per 12 month
period.

Notes: Scholarship opens in January. All Latino

students that meet such requirements are eligible
to apply, regardless of citizenship, but residency
requirements can vary depending on scholarship
sponsor. Be pursuing your first bachelors, masters
or doctoral degree. (Students pursuing a second
bachelors, etc. are not eligible).

Contact: (585) 658-7960

Region: National

Region: National

MAY

Great Minds in Stem Heenaac Awards

Center for Student Opportunity (CSO) Scholarship

http://www.greatmindsinstem.org/college/henaacscholarship-application-guidelines

www.imfirst.org/scholarship
Year: High School Senior, or current college student
at CSO partner schools. College partner list can be
found at http://csopportunity.org/college_partners/
coll_partners.aspx

Year: Current college students

Due: April 30
Award: $500 to $10,000
Eligibility: Applicants must demonstrate leadership
through academic achievements and campus/
community activities, be Science, Technology,
Engineering or Math related majors, must have an
overall grade point average of 3.0 or higher, be
enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program
for the preceding fall semester, at an accredited 2-yr
or 4-yr college/university in the U.S. or its territories,
and be of Hispanic origin and/or must significantly

Due: May
Award: $2000, renewable for 4 years
Eligibility: First-generation college, limited financial
resources. Ideal candidates will display the following
qualities: seeking financial aid and scholarship
support for college, strong writing skills and
unique perspective, strong capacity for reflection
for blogging, experience with or commitment
26

to community service, leadership experience,

and commitment to helping expand educational
opportunities for other first-generation students.
Scholarship winners are not selected based on
academic qualifications such as GPA, SAT/ACT
scores, or intended majors. Undocumented students
are eligible to apply.

Nordstrom Scholarship Program

http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/nordstrom-caresscholarship
Year: High school junior
Due: May
Award: $10,000 to over 80 students over four years
paid directly to the college

Region: National

Eligibility: Live and attend school in a state with a

Nordstrom or Nordstrom Rack store. (Not sure if
there's a store in your state? See store locations at
http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/stores.) Have at least
a 2.7 GPA. Volunteer or participate in community
service or extracurricular activities. Plan on attending
an accredited college or university during all four
years over which the scholarship is distributed.
(The scholarship is paid out in equal installments of
$2,500.) Plan on applying for financial assistance in
order to attend college.

Health Careers Scholarship Program

https://www.gallagherkoster.com/scholarship/
Year: Entering their Junior or Senior year of their
undergraduate study in the Fall of 2014.
Due: May
Award: Unspecified
Eligibility: The Scholarship Program is open to all
full-time undergraduate students who are entering
their Junior or Senior Year of their undergraduate
study in the Fall of 2014. If the student is in a
program that is not a 4-year program, they are
eligible if they will be entering either their final year of
undergraduate study or their second-to-last year of
undergraduate study in the Fall of 2014. Additionally,
students must be enrolled in an accredited
institution in a program of study that prepares them
for a career in health care. Examples of qualifying
degree programs include, but are not limited to premedicine, nursing, public/community health, physical
therapy, occupational therapy, pharmacy, biology,
chemistry, psychology, social work, dentistry, and
optometry. Students eligible to be considered for the
award must demonstrate financial need. Financial
need will be determined using information provided
by the school's Financial Aid office on the form
provided in the scholarship application materials.
Students must also meet the Satisfactory Academic
Progress standards set by their institution and have
a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale).

Notes: Application available at Nordstrom early in

the year.
Region: National
Triple-Impact Competitor Scholarship
Positive Coaching Alliance
http://www.positivecoach.org/our-programs/tripleimpact-competitor-scholarships/
Year: High school junior
Due: May
Award: $1,000-$2,000
Eligibility: Any student-athlete who is currently a
junior (class of 2014) with a grade point average
of 2.5 or above in eligible geographic regions (see
below).
Notes: Application opens in January. A completed
application comprises: a Triple-Impact Competitor
Scholarship application, one testimonial from a
school administrator (athletic director, teacher,
counselor, etc.), one testimonial from a coach, and at
least one testimonial (and up to three) by individuals
who are familiar with the student-athlete and able
to speak to his/her embodiment of the TripleImpact Competitor principles (for example fellow
teammates, competitors, referees etc.).

Notes: A student is eligible for receiving an award

for no more than two academic years.
Region: National

Contact: 831-475-4522, [email protected]

Region: Boston/Eastern Massachusetts, Chicago
Area, Colorado, Greater New York Metropolitan
27

education institutions and nonprofit training/

educational providers. Western Union employees,
Western Union Agents and dependents are not
eligible to apply for these scholarships.

Area, Houston Area, North Texas, San Francisco Bay

Area/Sacramento Area, Washington, DC Area (see
website for specific counties in each area).

JUNE

Region: National

Tylenol Future Care Scholarship

JULY

http://www.tylenol.com/news/subptyschol
Year: Must have completed at least one year of
graduate or undergraduate by the Spring of 2013 at
an accredited two or four year college, university or
vocational-technical school.

MALDEFs DREAM Act Student Activist Scholarship

Due: June

Due: July

Award: 10 applicants will receive $10,000 and 30

applicants will receive $5,000.

Award: Up to $5,000

http://www.maldef.org/leadership/scholarships/index.
html
Year: Current college student

Eligibility: Applicants are evaluated for their

academic achievements, for their background
and financial need, and, most importantly, for their
demonstrated commitment to advancing the DREAM
Act and the civil rights of DREAM Act students.

Eligibility: Student must be pursuing a healthcarerelated degree. Scholarships are awarded based
on leadership qualities, academic excellence
and community involvement. Students can apply
electronically.

Notes: MALDEF now offers a scholarship to support

the nations college and graduate student leaders
who have been outstanding advocates for the
DREAM Act and all immigrant rights.

Region: National
Western Union Foundation Family Scholarship
http://foundation.westernunion.com/education_
programs.html

Contact: [email protected]
Region: National

Year: Age 18 or older

Due: June

Migrant Farmworker Baccalaureate Scholarship

Award: $1,000-$5,000 per family (2 awards given

per family)

http://www.migrant.net/migrant/scholarships/mfb.htm

Eligibility: The Family Scholarship Program is

intended to help two members of the same family
move up the economic development ladder through
education. Applicants must be two members of the
same family. All applicants must be age 18 or older.
Country of origin for at least one of the applicants
must be outside the United States. Application
must include educational providers for primary and
secondary award recipients (must be 2 family

Due: July 1st

Notes: Scholarships may be used for tuition for

college/university education language acquisition
classes, technical/skill training, and/or financial
literacy. For example, one family member may request
assistance to attend college and the other family
member may request assistance to attend English
as a Second Language (ESL) course. Scholarships
will only be made to nonprofit accredited higher

Notes: Must include in application a copy of current

or most recent Migrant Education Certificate of
Eligibility (COE).

Year: At least completed one year of college

Award: Up to $2,000 per year, maximum of three
years
Eligibility: Recent history of movement for
agricultural employment. Demonstrate scholastic
achievement, financial need, and successful
completion of at least one year at an accredited
post-secondary institution.

Contact: (585) 658-7960

Region: National

28

Stan Beck Fellowship

http://www.entsoc.org/awards/student/beck
Year: Undergraduate students in entomology or
related disciplines
Award: $300; based on earnings from Foundations
investments
Due: July 1
Eligibility: Applicants must be studying entomology
or related discipline. Nominees/candidates will
be judged using the following criteria for a total
of 60 points: An undergraduate student majoring
in entomology or related discipline at a college or
university in the United States, Canada or Mexico
(10), have need based on physical limitation,
economic, minority or environmental condition (10),
recommendation of professors, advisors, etc. (10),
enthusiasm, interest and achievement in entomology
or related disciplines (10), notable academic plans
(10), and impact of need (10).
Notes: Application/nomination packages must be
received by the awards administrator by July 1. This
deadline refers to receipt of a complete package in a
readable format. Therefore, early submission is highly
recommended. The awards administrator will confirm
receipt of nomination packages within two business
days, and also notify nominators of any problems
with nomination package files within that time.
Region: United States, Mexico or Canada

COLLEGE-SPECIFIC
SCHOLARSHIPS
Look out for AB 130: Passed in 2011 by the California State Legislature and signed into law by Governor Jerry
Brown, AB 130 allows eligible AB 540* students to apply for and receive scholarships derived from non-state
funds at all California public colleges and universities. These include scholarships funded through private donors,
alumni contributions and individual departmental efforts. Students must apply and compete for available awards as
determined by their respective college or university. This bill went into effect January 1, 2012.
*In order to be eligible for AB 540, students must have: 1) Attended a California high school for 3 or more years; 2)
Graduated from a California high school with a high school diploma or attained the equivalent (GED); and 3) Filed
an affidavit with their intended college or university stating their eligibility under AB 540 and intention of applying
for a lawful immigration status as soon as they are eligible.

COLLEGE-SPECIFIC
SCHOLARSHIPS

and after all of the funds from the programs listed

above have been applied. Hampshire grants are
credited directly to the student's account.
Notes: If a student has already received an award
package from Hampshire and later receives an
endowed scholarship, the Hampshire grant will be
reduced by the amount of the endowed scholarship.

Scholarships listed below are grouped by specific

colleges or universities and listed alphabetically. Check
with EACH scholarship individually to find out the exact
DUE DATE.

Region: Attending Hampshire College

LOS MEDANOS COLLEGE

CSU MONTEREY BAY

Los Medanos College Foundation Scholarships

Frank McDowell Scholarship (CSU Monterey Bay)

http://www.losmedanos.edu/scholarships/list.asp

http://financialaid.csumb.edu/scholarships
Due: February

Year: Varies; must attend Los Medanos College for

fall 2014 and spring 2015 or transfer to a four-year
college/University fall 2014

Award: $5,000

Due: February 13

Eligibility: Must be an undergraduate at CSUMB.

Must demonstrate financial need and otherwise not
qualify for federal or state aid due to legal status.

Award: Multiple scholarships offered, awards range

from $200-$1,000

Year: New or continuing CSU Monterey Bay Student

Eligibility: Must be a Los Medanos College student,

have a minimum GPA of 2.0 (a higher GPA may
be required depending on the scholarship), submit
supporting documents i.e. essay, two letters of
recommendation and a copy of your unofficial
transcript, and meet all of the eligibility requirements
of scholarship(s) for which you are applying. All
LMC Foundation scholarships have no citizenship
requirements with the exception of the American
Association of University Women (AAUW) Contra
Costa Delta Branch Scholarship.

Note: Find the application at the Financial Aid

Website. There is one application. Check off that you
are applying to the Frank McDowell Scholarship.
Region: CSU Monterey Bay students only

HAMPSHIRE COLLEGE
Undocumented Student Scholarship (Hampshire
College)
http://www.hampshire.edu/admissions/1043.htm

Notes: Through one convenient application, Los

Medanos College students can apply to a variety of
scholarships.

Year: undergraduate
Due: See financial aid office.

Region: Los Medanos College students, some

scholarships have additional residency requirements

Award: Upwards of $25,000

Eligibility: Must have undocumented immigrant
citizenship status and be accepted into Hampshire.
There is no separate application for these funds.
The financial aid office determines the recipients
according to the donors criteria, and those students
receive endowed scholarships as part of their regular
Hampshire grant awards. Hampshire College grants
are funded out of Hampshire's general revenue and
by private gifts designated for financial aid. The
PROFILE and Noncustodial PROFILE (if applicable)
serve as the application for this program. These
grants are provided after self-help (loan and work)

PERALTA COMMUNITY COLLEGES

(LANEY COLLEGE, MERRITT COLLEGE,
COLLEGE OF ALAMEDA, OR BERKELEY
CITY COLLEGE)
Peralta Colleges Foundation Scholarships
http://www.laney.edu/wp/studentservices/scholarships/
Year: Varies; attending a Peralta Community College
31

record (minimum academic GPA of 3.7) while taking

a challenging academic program, have actively
participated in the community through activities that
demonstrate community service, leadership and/or
talent (e.g., visual or performing arts, math, science,
writing, etc.), embody the four core values of Pitzer
College (Social Responsibility, Interdisciplinary
Learning, Student Autonomy, and Intercultural
Understanding). Scholarship is renewable for three
additional years provided that the recipient earns a
minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 at Pitzer College.

Award: Multiple scholarships offered, ranges from

$250-$5,000
Due: Scholarships for fall 2013 due October 1,
scholarships to be offered spring 2014 due March
10
Eligibility: Scholarship criteria vary; however,
most scholarships are for individuals with financial
need. Scholarships are available for both full-time
and part-time students. International students
are welcome to apply. Some scholarships are for
specific areas of study or for individuals with specific
backgrounds or needs. Please see scholarship
listing for details, located in the left hand navigation
bar under Available Scholarships. Applicants will
be considered for all scholarships for which they
are applying assuming all pertinent and required
materials are included and all eligibility requirements
are met.

Notes: Submit completed application Common

Application and the Pitzer College Supplement to
The Common Application
Region: Attending Pitzer College

SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY

Notes: There are many scholarships available

within the Peralta Community College District. Most
scholarships require a separate application even
if they use the Foundations Master Scholarship
Application, so be sure to use the appropriate form
for the scholarship(s) you are seeking. All applicants
are required to complete a financial aid application
regardless of their eligibility for financial aid. An
application for a Peralta Colleges Foundation
scholarship does not take the place of a Peralta
College Financial Aid application. For information
about financial aid, speak with your Colleges
Financial Aid Office.

Associated Students Incorporated of San Francisco

State University Scholarships
http://asi.sfsu.edu/asi/stud_resources/index.html
Year: High school senior or undergraduate college
student
Award: Up to $1,000, various scholarships awarded
Due: February
Eligibility: See list of ASI scholarships for specific
eligibility requirements. Minimum enrollment of parttime status attending SFSU or enrolled in at least
half time at another college or a high school senior
for the 2013-2014 academic year and planning to
attend SFSU at least part-time in the Fall of 2014
and Spring 2015. Applicants must have a minimum
cumulative 2.5 GPA.

Region: Attending a Peralta Community College

(Laney College, Merritt College, College of Alameda,
or Berkeley City College)

Year: High school senior

Notes: Once qualifications have been verified,

the ASI Scholarship is disbursed in two equal
installments of $500 per semester, through the
University Financial Aid Office. Applicants awarded
the ASI Scholarship will be notified during the
First Week of April by email with the expectation of
attending the Awards Ceremony on April 23, 2014,
from 5 7 pm, in Jack Adams Hall.

Due: December (nomination), January (application)

Region: SF State University

PITZER COLLEGE
Pitzer College Scholarship
http://www.pitzer.edu/admission/applying/forms_
applications.asp

Award: Based on financial need

Elmira Sanderson Freshmen Scholarship

Application (SFSU)

Eligibility: Must not be a permanent resident or

citizen of the USA, be born in a Latin American
country, have attended a California high school for
all four years, have achieved a superior academic

http://www.sfsu.edu/~alumni/scholarship.htm

32

to access alumni benefits, a new laptop with

wireless access and MS Office, 10% discount at
the Cal Student Store, and discount on Kaplan test
preparation courses. The scholarship is renewable,
provided recipients meet the following program
requirements: full-time enrollment at UC Berkeley,
evening scholar meetings and events throughout the
academic year, 10 hours of community service and
outreach per semester, and Satisfactory Academic
Progress as defined by the Office of Financial Aid
and the scholars college.

Year: High School Senior

Due: April
Award: $1,500
Eligibility: Students who come from an educationally
or environmentally disadvantaged background,
currently attending a San Francisco Public High
School, has a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 for
the junior and senior high school years, must enroll at
San Francisco State University as a full-time student
with at least 12 units for incoming Fall semester.
Region: SFUSD high school students only

Region: Attending UC Berkeley

SF State Alumni Association Senior Scholarship

(SFSU Seniors)

Berkeley Student Foundation (UC Berkeley)

http://www.sfsu.edu/~alumni/scholarship.htm

Year: Incoming college freshman or junior transfer to

UCB

http://berkeleystudentfoundation.org/apply/

Year: SFSU Seniors

Due: April

Due: May 1st of each year for the fall semester

awards and postmarked by November 30th of each
year for a Spring semester award

Award: $1,500
Eligibility: Applicant must be a senior and enrolled
full-time (12 units or more) fall 2014 and have a
minimum cumulative 3.25 GPA. Scholarships are
merit and need based.

Award: $1,000 for each year of attendance at the

University, applied $500 to the Fall semester and
$500 to the Spring semester. BSF awards up to 13
scholarships per year.

Region: Attending SFSU

Eligibility: Must belong to an under-represented

minority group, including one of these categories:
African American, Native American, Chicano/Latino,
Asian/Pacific Islander/Filipino, (Asian includes the
following countries: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia,
Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea,
Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and
Vietnam), Middle-Eastern/North African, Multi-ethnic
(at least one parent must be a member of one of the
aforementioned groups), or disabled (registered with
the Disabled Students Program at the University
of California, Berkeley). Candidates must submit
a timely complete application providing all of the
information and materials requested.

UC BERKELEY
Achievement Award Program (UC Berkeley)
http://alumni.berkeley.edu/Students/Scholarships_and_
Awards/TAAP/main.asp
Year: Incoming college freshman or junior transfer
Due: February
Award: Up to $6,000 renewable and a laptop
Eligibility: Gross family income of $86,000 or
less. California resident as defined by the AB 540
guidelines. Submit a UC Berkeley application for Fall
2014/Spring 2015 enrollment. Submit a Statement
of Intent to Register (SIR) to UC Berkeley by May 1,
2014 for incoming freshman and by June 1, 2014 for
incoming Junior transfer.

Notes: BSF considers the following criteria in

assessing applications from eligible candidates:
10% academic achievement, 30% financial need,
30% community service and 30% personal story;
see website for more details.

Notes: Scholar benefits include: personal advising,

support and guidance, an extensive peer network of
scholars, past and present, networking events with
UC Berkeley faculty and alumni, leadership training,
workshops that aid in personal, academic, social
and professional growth, CAA student membership

Region: Attending UC Berkeley

33

and minimum 3.0 GPA. Preference given to students

with record of community service.

Berkeley Undergraduate Dream Act Scholarship

(UC Berkeley)

Region: Attending UC Berkeley

http://students.berkeley.edu/finaid/undergraduates/
types_dream.htm?mid=50

The Equity Scholarship (UC Berkeley)

Due: Complete California Student Aid Commission

California Dream Act application by March 2nd

http://alumni.berkeley.edu/services/scholarships/equityscholarship

Award: Up to $8,000 depending on financial need

Year: Incoming freshman

Eligibility: You must have a 3.0 grade point average

(GPA) to be eligible. You must qualify for the AB 540
nonresident tuition exemption. You must be ineligible
for federal financial aid.

Due: January
Award: $20,000; $5,000/year

Notes: You can apply for this aid by completing the

California Student Aid Commission California Dream
Act application at www.caldreamact.org. The priority
deadline for submitting your application is March
2. Apply now! For information about how to apply,
please watch the California Dream Act video. If you
have any questions, please email dream@berkeley.
edu.

Eligibility: Be African-American, Chicano/Latino, or

Native American decent. Be a California resident,
including those defined by the AB 540 guidelines.
Submit a UC Berkeley application for Fall 2014/
Spring 2015 enrollment. Must be admitted to UC
Berkeley for enrollment in the fall 2014 semester.
Must submit a Statement of Intent to Register (SIR)
to UC Berkeley by May 1, 2014 for enrollment in the
fall 2014 semester.

Region: Attending UC Berkeley

Region: Incoming UCB Freshman

Contact: [email protected]

IDEAL Scholars (through Level Playing Field

Institute) (UC Berkeley)

Chicano Latino Alumni Association Scholarship

(UC Berkeley)

http://www.lpfi.org/education/ideal.html

http://berkeleyclaa.org/scholarship-program/

Year: Incoming college freshman or junior transfer

Year: Enrollment at UC Berkeley

Due: May

Due: Spring 2014

Award: Averages $8,500 a year

Award: Varies

Eligibility: Accepted to UC Berkeley for fall 2014/

spring 2015, must be Black/ African-American,
Chicano/Latino or Native American, must reside
in one of the following seven Bay Area counties:
Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San
Mateo, Santa Clara or Solano, must be able to
demonstrate student financial need.

Eligibility: Latino student, undergraduate enrollment

at UC Berkeley, demonstrated financial need for
tuition, books, equipment, and living expenses.
Region: Attending UC Berkeley
Chu: Jack and Jeanette Chu Scholarship

Region: Bay Area (7 counties)

http://www.asianpacificfund.org/information-for-studentapplicant

Leadership Award (UC Berkeley)

Due: September

http://alumni.berkeley.edu/services/scholarships/
leadership-award

Award: $2,500-$5,000, renewable for additional

year

Year: UC Berkeley student

Eligibility: Incoming junior or junior transfer at

UC Berkeley in 2013-14. Major in Business
Administration at Haas School of Business and
have a career interest in Business. Be Asian (at
least 50%), preference given to students of Chinese
heritage, $100,000 maximum household income,

Due: Incoming Freshman (submit UCB Fall

Application) due February, incoming transfer
students, and current Cal students applications due
June 30
Award: $2,000
34

 Eligibility: Demonstrate innovative, motivational

leadership impacting academic, work, or community
environments. Incoming Freshman: Submit a UC
Berkeley application for Fall 2014/Spring 2015
enrollment, interview in-person in the United States,
London, or Hong Kong in May 2014, and submit a
Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) to UC Berkeley
by May 1, 2014. Incoming Junior Transfer: Submit
a UC Berkeley application for Fall 2014/Spring
2015 enrollment, interview in-person on campus in
September 2014, and submit a Statement of Intent
to Register (SIR) to UC Berkeley by June 1, 2014.
For current students: registration and enrollment as
UC Berkeley undergraduate student in at least the
minimum number of units approved by major college
or school for Fall 2014 and/or Spring 2015, and
interview in-person on campus in September 2014
(Study-abroad students interview by telephone).

Due: November
Award: There will be four $500 scholarships and
three $1000 scholarships given away.
Eligibility: All continuing undergraduate students
enrolled and in good academic standing at the
University of California, Davis are eligible for an
ASUCD Scholarship. Students must be enrolled
after Spring quarter of 2013 to receive the
scholarship. Note that applicants with current
disciplinary sanctions in effect are ineligible to apply.
Region: Attending UC Davis
Undergraduate UC Davis Scholarships
http://financialaid.ucdavis.edu/scholarships/Apply.html
Year: Prospective freshman, transfer students or
current undergraduate students
Due: January 8, 2014

Region: UC Berkeley

Award: Various awards

SLAS/EOP Lifetime Achievement Award

Eligibility: Continuing undergraduates, prospective

freshman, and transfer students at UC Davis can
apply. For prospective freshman and transfer
students, the UC Application also serves as the
scholarship application, so you apply for scholarships
when you complete the application for admission
between November 1 and 30. A 3.25 GPA is
required, but no additional documentation should be
submitted. A letter of recommendation is suggested
but not required

http://eop.berkeley.edu/eop-achievement-awards-1/
Year: Junior or Senior standing by the beginning of
the Spring 2014 semester. Transfer Students Only:
Must have completed a minimum of 30 units at UCB
by the beginning of the Spring 2014 semester.
Due: March
Award: $300-$500
Eligibility: Must be an EOP student, meeting ANY
of the 3 criteria below: Low income (Pell Grant
or Dream Act Scholarship eligible as verified by
Financial Aid), first generation college student, or
historically underrepresented student. Must have
demonstrated leadership and service on campus
and/or the community-at-large, have a minimum
UCB cumulative grade point average of 3.0, and
be registered as a full-time undergraduate student
(extenuating circumstances will be considered).

Region: UC Davis
Xuy Leyba Inspiring Dreamers Scholarship
Year: Must have completed at least one quarter at
UC Davis
Due: December 2013; also due various time
throughout the year, check with Scholars Promoting
Education, Rights, and Awareness (SPEAK) student
organization for exact due date

Contact: Email [email protected] for an

application and instructions on how to apply.

Award: $500
Eligibility: Must be an undocumented student (must
meet at least one of the following criteria): be an AB540 student, who is ineligible for Financial Aid and
must not be a permanent U.S resident or green card
recipient. Must be a current UC Davis undergraduate
(open to ALL majors). Preferred minimum G.P.A of
2.0 (student must be in good academic standing).

Region: UC Berkeley

UC DAVIS
ASUCD Scholarship (Davis)
http://asucd.ucdavis.edu/scholarship/

Notes: If you have questions send e-mail to

[email protected].

Year: Undergraduate student at UC Davis

35

COLLEGES WITH
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR
STUDENTS WITHOUT SSNS

COLLEGES WITH
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR
STUDENTS WITHOUT SSNS

Emory University (GA)

Fairfield University (CT)
Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (CA)
Franklin and Marshall College (PA)
Furman University (SC)
Grinnell College (IA)

These are colleges who have historically awarded

scholarships or provided financial aid to students
without a SSN, which includes both AB 540 and
international students. Please contact the admissions
and financial aid offices at these schools for information
about specific scholarships.

Hampshire College (MA)

Harvard University (MA)
Harvey Mudd College (CA)
Humphreys College (CA)
Illinois College

Amherst College (MA)

Illinois State University

Aquinas College (TN)

Illinois Wesleyan University

Arizona State (public)

Kalamazoo College (MI)

Augustana College (IL)

Kenyon College (OH)

Aurora University (IL)

Lake Forest College (IL)

Bard College (NY)

Lawrence University (WI)

Barnard College (NY)

Lewis University (IL)

Bates College (ME)

Lindenwood University (MO)

Belhaven University (MS)

Lipscomb University (TN)

Brown University (RI)

Loyola Marymount University (CA)

Bryn Mawr College (PA)

Marian University (WI)

California Lutheran University

Marquette University (WI)

Carson-Newman College (TN)

Marymount College (VA)

Chapman University (CA)

Maryville College (TN)

Christian Brothers University (TN)

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Claremont McKenna College (CA)

Middle Tennessee State University (public)

Clarke University (IA)

Middlebury College (VT)

College of the Holy Cross (MA)

Milligan College (TN)

Columbia University (NY)

Mills College (CA)

Cornell College (IA)

Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design (WI)

Cornell University (NY)

Mississippi College for Women

Dartmouth College (NH)

Mount Holyoke College (MA)

Defiance College (OH)

Mount St. Mary's College (CA)

DePaul University (OH)

National Hispanic University (CA)

Dominican University (IL)

North Central College (IL)

Dominican University of California

Northern Illinois University (public)

Elmhurst College (IL)

Northland College (WI)

37

 Oberlin College (OH)

University of Southern California

Occidental College (CA)

University of St. Francis (IL)

Pepperdine University (CA)

University of Texas Pan-American

Pitzer College (CA)

University of Wisconsin-Parkside

Pomona College (CA)

Vanderbilt University (TN)

Princeton University (NJ)

Vassar College (NY)

Reed College (OR)

Viterbo University (WI)

Regis College (MA)

Wesleyan University (CT)

Rhodes College (TN)

Western Illinois University (public)

Ripon College (WI)

Wheaton College (IL)

Rochester College (MI)

Whitman College (WA)

Rockford College (IL)

Whittier College (CA)

Roosevelt University (IL)

Williams College (MA)

Saint Xavier University (IL)

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (MA)

Santa Clara University (CA)

Xavier University (OH)

Seton Hall University (NJ)

Yale University (CT)

Sewanee University (TN)

Smith College (MA)
Southern Illinois University Carbondale (public)
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (public)
Southern Methodist University (TX)
St. Mary's College (CA)
St. Olaf College (MN)
Stanford University (CA)
Swarthmore College (PA)
Tennessee Wesleyan College
Texas College
Tougaloo College (MS)
Transylvania University (KY)
Trinity University (TX)
University of Chicago (IL)
University of Illinois at Chicago (public)
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
University of Illinois Springfield (public)
University of Kansas (public)
University of Pennsyvlania
University of Puget Sound (WA)
University of San Diego (CA)
38

ADDITIONAL LISTS OF
SCHOLARSHIPS THAT
DONT REQUIRE SSNS

ADDITIONAL LISTS OF SCHOLARSHIPS

THAT DONT REQUIRE SSNS
10,000 Degrees List of Scholarship for Undocumented Students
http://www.10000degrees.org/students/scholarships/undocumented-students/
Includes scholarships in the Northern California region as well as national and majorbased scholarships.
Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allards List (for US and Non-US citizens):
http://roybal-allard.house.gov/UploadedFiles/2008_Scholarship_Guide.pdf
Comprehensive, 50-page list includes scholarships available to both US and non-US
citizens. Scholarships are categorized by deadline, and indicate whether citizenship is a
requirement or not.
East Bay Consortium Scholarship Directory
http://eastbayconsortium.org/index.php?s=92
Excellent list of regional scholarships available to Bay Area students.
Harvard Universitys Act on a Dream Scholarship List
http://www.actonadream.org/resources/scholarships/
Excellent list of scholarships available to immigrant students nationwide
MALDEF Scholarship Resource Guide
http://www.maldef.org/leadership/scholarships/index.html
This is an extensive list of scholarships that may not inquire about immigration status
or require a valid social security number to redeem the award. Check with individual
scholarships for eligibility criteria.
Selected Funding Opportunities Open to
Non-US Citizens
www.iup.edu/WorkArea/linkit.aspx?LinkIdentifier=id&ItemID=56807
Unique list of scholarships for non-U.S. citizens of diverse ethnicities. Includes
scholarships that fund undergraduate and graduate work in the U.S. and abroad.
Searchable database of merit aid at each college:
http://www.meritaid.org (contact colleges individually to find out their policies about
awarding merit scholarships to non-resident immigrant students)

40

APPLYING TO SCHOLARSHIPS
42 GENERAL ADVICE ON SCHOLARSHIPS
43 HOW TO BE A COMPETITIVE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICANT
43 HOW TO FIND SCHOLARSHIPS
43 HOW TO INQUIRE ABOUT SCHOLARSHIP REQUIREMENTS
43 ADVICE FOR DEFERRED ACTION FOR CHILDHOOD ARRIVALS
(DACA) RECIPIENTS
45 WRITING YOUR PERSONAL STATEMENT: TELLING YOUR STORY
45 HOW AND WHETHER TO TALK ABOUT YOUR IMMIGRATION STATUS
46 DIFFERENT WAYS TO TALK ABOUT YOUR IMMIGRATION STATUS
47 HOW TO GET A WINNING LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION
47 DIFFERENT WAYS FOR RECOMMENDERS TO TALK ABOUT YOUR
IMMIGRATION STATUS
48 BEFORE MAILING: DO A FINAL CHECK!
48 SCHOLARSHIP INTERVIEWS
49 IF YOU ARE AWARDED A SCHOLARSHIP

APPLYING TO
SCHOLARSHIPS

committee in choosing you as the right candidate. Make

sure to use concrete examples when you write about
your strengths, but never write in an arrogant manner.
Dont act like you know whats best for the scholarship
organization.

Why are scholarships important? Scholarships are the

most common way that undocumented students pay
for college.

Be very explicit in talking about your story. The

personal statement is what will set you apart from
all other applicants. Dont hesitate to talk about your
immigration status. Tips for how to share your story
can be found in the Writing Your Personal Statement
section.

Please be aware that many scholarships are open only

to US Citizens and Legal Permanent Residents and
wont be available to you, but some will.

Answer questions clearly and directly. Type and

proofread essays. Spelling mistakes and bad grammar
turn readers off. Express yourself clearly and concisely.
Adhere to the word and page limits. Have at least two
people look over your personal statements. More than
three people will give you too many opinions to juggle.
If English is not your first language, ask for your English
teachers help.

GENERAL ADVICE ON SCHOLARSHIPS

Find as many scholarships as possible (especially
local ones) that do not require citizenship. Local
scholarships are less competitive because they limit the
pool of applicants.
Make sure to research and apply to scholarships
EARLY ideally starting in the spring of junior year in
high school. Many scholarships are exclusively available
to high school seniors and not for college students, so
make sure to start building a college fund with these
high school-specific scholarships. Note: If you have
good grades in high school, you should take advantage
of them and apply to scholarships that are focused on
academics. In general, when going on to college, even
stellar students GPAs drop dramatically, which affects
their level of competitiveness.

State your financial needs Dont be shy about

it. Even scholarships that are not need-based should
know your financial needs. If you are high-need and
high-merit, you have been able to persevere despite
numerous challenges and should highlight this in your
essay. Heres how you might talk about your situation:
Are you expecting family assistance to pay for college?
What would happen if you did not get this scholarship?
How would your financial limitations impact your
academics and/or your chance to finish your education?
Caution: there is a fine line between begging and
showing that you are worth funding. Do not cross the
begging line. It does not make you look good to the
scholarship committee; it makes you look like you are
a risk not worth taking and that you dont have a solid
plan for achieving your academic goals.

Apply to every single scholarship you can.

Scholarships are very competitive, especially ones that
award large amounts of money. Focus on throwing
your net wide and applying to as many scholarships as
you can. Plus, once you have created a solid personal
statement and gathered all the documents that
scholarship applications require, you will be able to use
the same materials over and over.

Its all about the package. As soon as youre about

to finish the scholarship application, read over all the
application materials to see if they reflect who you are
as a whole. Materials should complement one another.
Do a final checklist to ensure that you have enclosed
all necessary documents needed. Make sure your
scholarship application is signed.

Put A LOT of time and energy into scholarship

applications. Revise your personal statement multiple
times, get feedback about your essays from multiple
people, gather transcripts, income statements, etc.
The more effort you put in, the better your scholarship
packet will be and the higher the likelihood of winning
the award.
Research the particular organization offering the
scholarship to understand what they are looking for in
applicants. If you clearly articulate why youre a good
fit for a particular organization, you help the selection
42

HOW TO BE A COMPETITIVE
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICANT

HOW TO INQUIRE ABOUT

SCHOLARSHIP REQUIREMENTS

Private scholarships are very competitive. If

youre applying to them, its crucial that you do as much
as possible to stand out. You must be doing community
service EVERY year of high school. Do not wait until
junior or senior year to start. Your counselors could
also work with you starting in 9th grade to identify your
interests and passions and connect you with activities
that have to do with these interests. If there are no
opportunities, then start your own club at your school.

If you find scholarships that require a social security

number or have residency requirements, you
might want to ask them for more information about
their requirements. If you are a Deferred Action for
Childhood Arrivals recipient, see specific Advice for
DACA Recipients below.
Consider asking:
Are residency requirements fixed? or
Can students who do not meet the
residency requirement still apply? Note:
Students with pending family petitions usually have
a form called I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative).
Although it might take years for this petition to
become current, some scholarships have accepted
the I-130 as proof of residency.

Do community service or special programs such

as internships, youth boards, and community college
classes during the summer EVERY summer.
Maintain the highest GPA you can. To get the few
full scholarships colleges offer to AB540 students, you
must be the best of the best.
Take leadership roles. You dont have to be the
class president, but you could try to be captain or cocaptain of the sports team and/or take on a leadership
role in clubs.

Can students use an ITIN (Individual Tax

Identification Number) instead of a SSN
(Social Security Number)? Scholarship awards
can be processed with just the students name and
address. If a scholarship specifically requests a
SSN, ask if it is possible to submit an ITIN instead.

Start getting comfortable with interviews, since

many private scholarships require a face-to-face
interview. You should practice public speaking before
senior year. Practice questions that may be asked and
practice telling your story to others before senior year.
Ask your counselors to do workshops on interviewing
and sharing testimonials.

Find an advocate to help you. If youre

uncomfortable, ask your counselor or teacher to
inquire on your behalf. Make sure that whoever calls
is knowledgeable about your immigration status.
Dont lie about your status. If it turns out that the
scholarship has specific residency requirements,
just move on and look for another scholarship. If the
scholarship catches you lying, your award will likely
be revoked.

HOW TO FIND SCHOLARSHIPS

Start with E4FCs lists of scholarships: http://e4fc.
org/resources/scholarshiplists.html. There youll find
E4FCs own List of Scholarships that Dont Require
U.S. Citizenship or Legal Permanent Residency.

ADVICE FOR DEFERRED ACTION

FOR CHILDHOOD ARRIVALS (DACA)
RECIPIENTS

Find school-specific scholarships, which are generally

less competitive and more tailored to you. Look for
scholarships specific to your high school, school
district, community college, and/or the college youre
attending. Ask your high school counselor, the financial
aid office staff, the admissions office, and even teachers
and professors who are sympathetic to you if they know
of any resources.

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)

program, announced by President Obama on June
15, 2012, has widened the number of scholarships
available to undocumented students. DACA is a
renewable government program that, among other
benefits, gives eligible undocumented youth work
authorization, a social security number, and permission
43

to stay in the country for two years. For more

information about the program, check out E4FCs
Deferred Action Resources on our website: http://e4fc.
org/legalservices/deferredactionresources.html.

to be privately funded, we recommend you carefully

review the eligibility criteria for the scholarship. If the
scholarship criteria include a U.S. citizenship or legal
permanent residency requirement, we suggest you
send an email to the scholarship provider. Search
for a Contact us section on their website. You can
ask a question such as, I would like to apply for
your scholarship, but I am not a U.S. citizen or legal
permanent resident. Is there any possibility that I can
be considered for your scholarship? (Please see
How to Inquire about Scholarship Requirements for
additional tips).

Historically, many scholarships have excluded

undocumented students because they do not have
valid social security numbers, work authorization, and/
or lawful presence in the United States. DACA offers an
opportunity for scholarship providers to re-evaluate their
policies regarding undocumented students. Nationwide
we have already seen some scholarship providers
change their policies and allow DACA recipients to
apply. However, most scholarship providers do not
know about the program yet and/or have not reevaluated their policies. Because DACA is a new
program, it is important for DACA recipients to educate
scholarship providers about the DACA program and
the opportunities it affords to recipients. While some
scholarship providers may continue to restrict their
eligibility to U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents,
we hope that many will decide to allow DACA
recipients to apply.

Ask the scholarship provider why there is a U.S.

citizenship or permanent residency requirement.
If the scholarship provider responds that they do have
a residency requirement, carefully investigate why this
is the case. They might provide a response such as
scholarship recipients must be eligible to work after
graduation or we dont want international students
applying to our scholarship or students need a SSN
for tax purposes. If their response falls along these
lines, we strongly advise you to educate the provider
about the DACA program, the benefits to DACA
recipients, and your particular situation. You might try
writing something like, While I am not a U.S. citizen
or permanent resident, I am a recipient of the federal
governments Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
Program. This grants me lawful presence, a social
security number, and the ability to work legally in this
country. Furthermore, I have lived and attended school
here in _______ since I was _____ years old and fully
intend to remain here after I graduate from college. Is
there any possibility that I can be considered for your
scholarship?

To help DACA recipients determine whether a

scholarship might consider them for their award, we
have created the following guidelines:
Investigate whether the scholarship is
government-funded. Scholarships that are funded
by government dollars have very strict eligibility criteria
limiting their scholarships to legal U.S. residents. If
you find that a scholarship is government funded,
we recommend you save your time and energy and
not apply for the scholarship. Some examples of
government-funded organizations include the National
Institute of Health (NIH) and the National Science
Foundation (NSF). To investigate if a scholarship is
funded through the government, you can do a quick
web search of the scholarship by looking up the
organizations website, scanning their homepage
and looking for an About Us section. This section
should describe if the organization/scholarship is
privately or publicly (government) funded. Privately
funded non-profit organizations are often described
as 501(c)(3) organizations they include private or
family foundations, community foundations and civic
or charitable organizations. Some privately-owned
businesses and corporations also offer scholarships.

If, however, the scholarship provider responds with

something such as our donors have set the eligibility
requirements or we have a firm stance on this policy
or at this moment we do not support undocumented
applicants, then it is unlikely you will be able to apply
to their scholarship this year and we advise you to
look elsewhere. However, do not let these negative
responses discourage you! Simply by making inquiries
and sharing your story, you are making scholarship
organizations aware of the DACA program and DACA
recipients need for financial support. The more inquiries
from DACA recipients that scholarship providers
receive, the more likely they will be to re-evaluate
their policies. You are making a difference just by
courageously making the ask!

Ask the scholarship provider if there is a U.S.

citizenship or permanent residency requirement
for their scholarship. If the scholarship appears
44

WRITING YOUR PERSONAL

STATEMENT: TELLING YOUR STORY

subject guidelines. Please keep in mind that selection

committees will be reading multiple applications, and
you do not want to be penalized because you went over
the page limit. That being said, make sure to use all the
available space they give you.

The personal statement is the opportunity to make

yourself stand out from other applicants. Make sure
your essay tells readers something they would not have
otherwise found out in your application.

WRITING TIPS
Tell a story. Show or demonstrate an experience
through concrete examples. If your statement is
fresh, lively and different, the selection committee will
remember you and put you on the top of the pile.

Usually instructions are very general, such as Tell us a

little bit about yourself, or What is important for us to
know about you? The broadness of this topic can be
overwhelming. Here are some questions to help you
brainstorm some ideas:

The most memorable paragraph is the opening

one, so focus on that one. The opening paragraph is
where you can grab the readers attention. Or you can
make the reader yawn and say Whats this applicants
name again? Distinguish yourself from other applicants
right away.

What is special, unique, and/or impressive about

you or your life stories?
Have you ever had to overcome unusual
obstacles or hardships (economical, familial,
physical)? What have you learned from these
challenges?

Topic-Specific Essay Tips: Some scholarships

might ask you to write an essay, rather than a personal
statement. Make sure that your essay directly
addresses the topic and that you arent simply pasting
on a new topic sentence to an old essay. By all means,
use sections of your personal statement, but dont just
copy and paste it.

What details of your life will help the reader

better understand you and set you apart from
others? You might include personal challenges,
personal history, people or events that have
shaped and influenced you and your life goals.
How are you the best fit for the scholarship?
What have you done to prove that you are worth
this scholarships funding?

HOW AND WHETHER TO TALK ABOUT

YOUR IMMIGRATION STATUS

What are your personal, academic, and

professional goals? What has led you to pursue
these goals?

Think carefully about HOW you talk about your

status. You do not want to sound like a victim but
rather like someone who has overcome challenges and
succeeded.

How have you contributed to the community

(extracurricular activities, community
involvement, family responsibilities,
employment)? What have you learned from these
experiences?

Dont have it be the main topic (unless you

know that the scholarship specifically is looking for
undocumented students). You not want your status
to overshadow your academic accomplishments and
aspirations.

Are there any gaps or discrepancies in your

academic record that you should explain?
Why might you be a stronger candidate or more
successful in your chosen profession or field
than other applicants?
What are the most compelling reasons you
can give to the scholarship committee to be
interested in you?
How do you plan to give back to your community
once you finish your education?
Note: Follow the directions carefully and adhere to
word and page limits, formatting requirements and
45

PROS & CONS TO REVEALING YOUR STATUS

TO A SCHOLARSHIP
PROS

CONS

You want people to be aware of the challenges youve

faced and how youve overcome them

You dont want this to define you

You want people to be aware of your financial need

You dont want this to overshadow your

accomplishments

You want people to be aware of your motivations

You dont want to sound like a victim

You dont want to alienate someone who isnt familiar
with immigration issues

DIFFERENT WAYS TO TALK ABOUT

YOUR IMMIGRATION STATUS

but with out status and with no money it was a difficult

journey ahead.
In order for one to understand who I am, it is critical
that one knows my history. My name is Victor and I
was born in Santa Gertrudis, Oaxaca, Mexico: a poor
village where residents walk on sun-beaten, unpaved
streets, and walk in nights darkness due to the lack
of streetlights. My childhood is filled with memories of
dirt-streets, no potable water, and acres of corn and
alfalfa fields. Unfortunately, my family and I were forced
to leave Santa Gertrudis, Oaxaca due to a traumatized
event, and immigrate into the U.S. illegally.

Emphasize that youve grown up here, it wasnt your

decision to come to the United States, you want to
remain in the United States, you want to become a US
citizen, etc.

LEAST DIRECT
Even though I was not eligible for federal or state
financial aid because of my immigration status, I dont
want money to impede my future education goals. I
might
not have enough economical resources to pay for all
the expenses a university requires, but I do have the
hunger for learning and for getting the higher education
a university can offer.

VERY DIRECT
Ten years ago, I was dragged to the United States
from Fiji against my will as a consequence of a U.S.supported coup dtat. I adjusted to high school
here but in the post 9-11 crackdown on international
students, I was denied a student visa because my
parents had filed for adjustment of status and I could
not prove adequate ties to my home country. Life came
to a standstillI could not attend colleges or universities
of my choice without financial aid, and all the lawyers
we approached told us to wait.

MORE DIRECT
I was always aware of my status, even as a young
boy my parents had told me about it. They explained
their reasoning for coming here and what our goals
and aspirations as a family were. So I grew up always
knowing, however it was only until junior year in
high school that I really understood the gravity of
our situation. And with that understanding came a
downward spiral during which I practically gave up all
efforts in school; my reasoning was, why bother with all
this work if its not going to amount to anything.

Fast-forward six years and I am still waiting-in-line for

my authorization documents, now equipped with a
Masters degree that means little without a nine-digit
number and fighting the immigration battle in court. But
I have refused to play the waiting game all over again.

I managed to better my grades and keep my hopes

somewhat up during my last year in school, and even
flirted with the idea of applying to some universities,

46

HOW TO GET A WINNING LETTER

OF RECOMMENDATION

can advocate for you effectively. If you think your

recommender is not supportive of you because of your
immigration status, find a new one.

Identify and speak to potential recommenders

EARLY in the process. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE
LAST MINUTE.

Dont be afraid to ask recommenders to submit

recommendations for multiple scholarships.
Once theyve written on recommendation, its easy
for them to modify it. Update them on your progress
(whether or not youve been awarded scholarships).

Notes on Timing:

Ask recommenders if they will share a copy of

their recommendation with you. If so, ask them
for a generic recommendation (not addressed to any
particular scholarship fund) that you can have on file
and use if necessary.

Arrange talks with potential recommenders

Decide on best recommenders for you
Ask for a letter of recommendation (ideally 2
months before due date)

Im a college student. Is it okay for me to ask

my high school teacher to recommend me?
Ideally you should have a current instructor write you
a recommendation, but it is better to have a former
teacher who knows you well rather than someone who
doesnt know you very well. If you are going to ask a
former teacher, make sure to talk to that teacher about
your current activities and progress in school, so they
can update their old recommendation letter. Stay in
touch with your former mentors and teachers!

Give recommendation forms (at least 1 month

before)
Politely remind recommenders about the letter
(at least one week before due date)
Thank recommenders
Update them on the scholarship selection
process if you have been selected for an
interview, if you have been awarded the
scholarship, etc.

DIFFERENT WAYS FOR

RECOMMENDERS TO TALK ABOUT
YOUR IMMIGRATION STATUS

Teachers are very busy. Make their jobs as easy as

possible. Give them a copy of your personal statement
(even if its just a draft), a list of your accomplishments/
achievements/awards/extra-curriculars. Let them know
what youd like them to highlight/emphasize about you.
This is not being overbearing; this is being helpful.

LEAST DIRECT

Make information clear to recommenders.

Pull together all scholarship info (scholarship name,
your full name, due date, address to be mailed). Add
information about the scholarship and its requirements
and priorities.

Yoshi works harder than any student I have ever taught.

She is more determined than any student I have ever
taught. Her heart is filled with positive energy. Her mind
races to accumulate and assimilate new information.
And she faces heart-braking obstaclespoverty,
immigration status, financial independence since
was sixteen, an utter lack of local family support and
an almost untenable living situation with a generally
uninterested aunt. She works so hard for herself
because she feels she has no choice but to continually
learn and grow so that one day she may be of great
service to others. As difficult as her path has been and
will continue to be, it is her goal to ease the path for
those who come after her.

Make sure they are addressing

recommendations correctly. Dont use a
recommendation written for a different scholarship
without changing the name of the scholarship
throughout!
Make sure your recommender is knowledgeable
about you and can speak highly of your academic
accomplishments, strengths, interests, academic
and professional goals. Have an open talk with
recommenders about your need for money and your
immigration status. This is especially important if you
are not comfortable talking about your status, since
your recommenders can do so for you. It is important
for them to fully understand your situation so they

MORE DIRECT
Julio is a first generation college student. He is a
second year student majoring in Civil Engineering
at San Jose State UniversityJulio is considered a
47

minority at San Jose State University because of his

ethnic background and low-income status, yet he
has been able to compete and excel with students
who have no economic needs or better educational
resources than him before starting their college
career.Unlike most San Jose State University
students who do not need to worry about finances, Julio
has to. He faces financial struggles on an ongoing basis
due to his legal status which does not grant him any
source of government financial aid.

Have questions ready to ask interviewers (you

can ask them about one of the organizations
programs that you might be interested in or other
specific questions about the organization)
Think of three things you definitely want to tell
your interviewers (make sure you talk about
these three things)
Prepare your resume, bring it to the interview (in
case they want to look at it) and read through
it so you remember what your experiences/
responsibilities were

VERY DIRECT
Luis is a non-native English speaker and an
undocumented immigrant who will also be the first in
his family to graduate from high school and attend a
four-year college. And he will graduatethats the type
of person Luis is. Luis turned his back on the drugs
and violence in his community to face the challenges of
preparing for a post-secondary education. More aware
and introspective than most young adults, Luis has
realized that competing with more privileged students
at the college level requires him to compensate for the
inequities of life in East Palo Alto by preparing better
and working harder.

If you can, prepare a budget with your academic

and personal expenses, committed/pending
funds, and unmet need and bring copies of it to
the interview

DURING THE INTERVIEW

Be early (know the location ahead of time)
Shake hands with every person
Say thank you (at LEAST once)
Look them in the eyes
Be prepared to ASK questions if it is appropriate
and if you are invited to do so

BEFORE MAILING: DO A FINAL CHECK!

SAMPLE QUESTIONS THAT MIGHT BE ASKED DURING

THE INTERVIEW

1. Is your application filled out completely? Have

you signed your application?

Why did you apply to this scholarship?

2. Do you have all required documents, including

transcripts and proof of income?

What makes you stand out from all other

candidates?

3. Have you proofread and edited your essays?

Did you follow the essay guidelines?
4. Re-read the whole package

How will you be able to contribute to our

community?

5. Send it in before deadline - WAY BEFORE

THE DEADLINE

Tell us about one event or person in your life that

has shaped you.

SCHOLARSHIP INTERVIEWS

Talk about your academic achievements/

aspirations.
Talk about your community involvement.

Getting ready for the Interview

Make sure you know the interview time and
location, and how to get there

AFTER THE INTERVIEW

Send a thank-you note -- preferably by mail, but email is
better than no thank-you note at all.

Do a mock interview with a teacher, counselor, or

mentor
Dress nicely
Learn about the scholarship (background of
funders, key people involved, activities required
of recipients)
48

IF YOU ARE AWARDED A

SCHOLARSHIP
Send a thank-you note to all your recommenders
Follow-up regularly with donors

49

ABOUT THE EDITORS

DENISSE ROJAS (2013 Co-editor)
Denisse was born in Mexico City and immigrated to Fremont, California as an infant.
With the support of her family and community, Denisse graduated from UC Berkeley
in 2012 with majors in Sociology and Integrative Biology. While at Cal she was a
member of Rising Immigrant Scholars Through Education, the Biology Scholars
Program, the UndocuAlly Training Project and the Haas Scholars Program. Through the
Haas Scholars Program, she conducted a yearlong research project in UC Berkeleys
Department of Plant and Microbial Biology. Denisse then worked at UCSFs Pediatrics
Department participating in a childhood obesity project. After graduating from college,
Denisse worked at Laney College mentoring low-income and first-generation students
pursuing science careers. As co-founder of Pre-Health Dreamers (www.phdreamers.
org), an organization that supports undocumented students pursuing health and
science careers, she believes every student has the right to pursue their career
ambitions, regardless of their status. Denisse aspires to be an emergency physician that
provides care to underserved communities.
NADIA ROJAS (2013 Co-editor)
Nadia was born in Mexico D.F., Mexico and came to the United States with her
family when she was two years old. After graduating with honors from high school,
she attended UC Berkeley and was part of the Biology Scholars Program. With
the unwavering support of her parents and her two siblings, she graduated with a
B.A. in ethnic studies and integrative biology in 2009. Nadia also received an A.A.
degree in French at Chabot College in 2012. Nadia joined E4FC as part of the 20112012 Student Outreach Team where she conducted numerous presentations to
undocumented youth about attending and financing a college education. Currently, she
is doing similar work with Graduates Reaching a Dream Deferred Northern California
(GRADD) (facebook.com/graddnorcal), an organization whose aim is to advocate
and support for undocumented students pursuing graduate or professional school.
Nadia recently graduated with a Master of Public Health (MPH) from UC Davis. She
hopes to research health disparities within underrepresented groups and work towards
eliminating the disparities. Her ultimate goal is to promote health and social justice.
LAURA LOPEZ (2012 Editor)
Laura was born in Valle de Santiago, Guanajuato and has lived in Napa Valley, California
since she was one year old. With the support of her family, she graduated from
University of California, Santa Cruz in 2009, with a major in Latin American and Latino
Studies (LALS) and a minor in Legal Studies. Laura co-founded Students Informing
Now (S.I.N., pronounced sn), the first AB540 undocumented student support group
at UCSC. In 2010, she devoted herself to passage of the D.R.E.A.M. Act through
national and statewide efforts. Laura is currently a member of the Napa Valley Dream
Team. She also serves as E4FCs Scholarship Coordinator and an intern on the Legal
Services Team. She believes that all immigrants have the right to higher education,
regardless of status, and looks forward to helping students pursue their dreams through
administrative policies like Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals and permanent
legislative change.

50

ILIANA PEREZ (2011 Editor)

Iliana was born in Pachuca, Hidalgo, Mexico and immigrated to the US when she
was eight years old. With the support and encouragement from her parents, family
and friends, she graduated with academic and university honors from California
State University, Fresno with a degree in Mathematics and minors in Economics and
Business. While at Fresno State, Iliana participated in the Aztec Dance Club, Peace
and Dignity Journeys, MEChA, The Hispanic Business Student Association, the Salsa
Club and Associated Students Inc. Upon graduation, Iliana went on to pursue a
Masters Degree in Global Political Economy and Finance at the New School for Social
Research in New York City. She believes that every student deserves the right to an
education regardless of legal status. She hopes to return to Mexico one day to help
alleviate the many socio-economic problems that exist and, in turn, create better living
conditions so that people do not have to leave their home country.
BELEZA CHAN (2009 and 2010 Editor)
Beleza was a Graduate Advisor with Educators for Fair Consideration (E4FC). She
was born and raised in Brazil and lived in the Bay Area for almost eight years. As the
daughter of Chinese immigrants in Brazil and an immigrant herself in the United States,
she has witnessed the struggles and difficulties of newcomers. She has seen how
cultural and language barriers prevent even the most hardworking from successfully
adapting, and how broken immigration laws also prevent high-achieving students
from becoming active members in society. Beleza has worked towards social justice
as a teacher of at-risk youth in San Francisco, a writer with ethnic media such as
AsianWeek.com and New America Media, and a community organizer. She graduated
with Phi Beta Kappa and Highest Honors from UC Berkeley. Beleza left the United
States and returned to Brazil in 2010.

51

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The original version of this list was created in collaboration with Mission Graduates.
It would not have been possible without the tremendous dedication and hard work of
Maddy Russell-Shapiro and Calvin Ho.
Thank you also to Ins Barbosa (First Graduate), Joni Bissell (Summer Search), Alice
Kleeman (Menlo-Atherton High School), Jennifer Pence (Academic Springboard),
Jazmin Reyes, Jessica Samples (College Track), Anna Takahashi (Eastside College
Preparatory School), and Joshua Weintraub (Lighthouse Community Charter School).

ABOUT US
EDUCATORS FOR FAIR CONSIDERATION (E4FC)
Founded in 2006, Educators for Fair Consideration (E4FC) empowers undocumented
young people to pursue their dreams of college, career, and citizenship in the United
States. We address the holistic needs of undocumented young people through
direct support, leadership development, community outreach, and advocacy. Our
programming is designed by and for undocumented young people with support from
committed allies. We are a fiscally-sponsored project of Community Initiatives.
For more information, please visit us online at www.e4fc.org.

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