Scholarships for undocumented students

The scholarships and scholarship databases listed below do not have a citizenship/permanent residency requirement. This is NOT a comprehensive list. We encourage you to do your own research to find scholarships.

Any time you see a scholarship listed on a database or list such as the one below, make sure to check the scholarship’s website for the latest deadline to apply. If you can’t find the deadline to apply this year, try to email the organization giving out the scholarship to ask.

Use a scholarship organizer such as this one to keep track of all the scholarship you’d like to apply for, as well as the requirements and deadlines.

Find tips and strategies for applying for scholarships on this page: Applying for scholarships

Andres y Maria Cardenas Family Foundation Scholarship (for students in the San Fernando Valley) ▾

Website
Amount:
Eligibility:
- Must be a current high school senior attending: Arleta HS, Kennedy HS, Monroe HS, North Hollywood HS, Polytechnic HS, San Fernando HS, Sylmar HS, Van Nuys HS, Cesar Chavez Learning Academies or Panorama HS;
  OR
- Full-time student at Los Angeles Mission College.

SALEF Fulfilling our Dreams Fund (for students in/around LA) ▾

Website
Award: $500-$2,500
Eligibility:
- Be of Salvadoran or of other Latinx ethnicity.
- Demonstrate proven financial need.
- Possess a minimum 2.5 GPA.
- Demonstrate a commitment to community involvement.
- Demonstrate status as a full-time student:
  - Graduating high school seniors
  - Continuing community college, undergraduate, or graduate students.
  - Transferring community college students.
  - Vocational/trade school students.
  - 1st year graduate students.
Applicants must be
- pursuing any associate degree
- pursuing any bachelor's degree
- pursuing a master's, J.D. or Ph.D.
Applicants must live or went to high school in the city of Los Angeles. Note that there is a strong preference for applicants who live in Los Angeles council districts 1, 9 and 13
- Check your Council District and that of your high school at this following link: neighborhoodinfo.lacity.org

The Victoriano Macias Luevano Scholarship ▾

Website
Award: $1,000
Requirements:
- Must be an undocumented student
- Must be a high school senior, an undergrad, or a graduate student
- Planning to enroll at a higher education institution this calendar year
- No GPA/involvement required

Black is Brilliant Scholarship ▾

Website
Award: $1,000
Requirements:
- Identify as an African/Afro/Black undocumented student
- Must be a high school senior, undergrad, or graduate student
- Planning to enroll at a higher education institution this calendar year

Mariposas Sin Fronteras Scholarship ▾

Website
Award: $1,000
Requirements:
- Identify as a LGBTQIA+
- Must be an undocumented student
- Planning to enroll at a higher education institution this calendar year

Dream.US National Scholarship (for students attending specific universities in CA) ▾

Website
Amount: Covers your tuition and fees up to a maximum of $14,500 for an associate degree and $29,000 for a bachelor’s degree, at one of their Partner Colleges.
- Please note, some Scholars may be eligible for an additional stipend of up to $4,000 (or $1,000 per year) for books, supplies, and transportation.
Partner colleges in California:
- CSU Long Beach
- CSU San Bernardino
- San Jose State University
- San Francisco State University
- CSU East Bay
- Sonoma State University
- Mt. San Antonio Community College
- Partner colleges also available in Nevada, Arizona, Texas, Florida, and more. See the full list of colleges here.
Eligibility: See full list of eligibility criteria here.

Los Hermanos de Stanford (for Latinx students attending ANY college) ▾

Website
Award:
Eligibility:
- Must be of Latinx descent (open to DOCUMENTED or UNDOCUMENTED applicants)
- Must demonstrate commitment to academic excellence, community service, and cultural awareness
- Must be planning to attend or currently attending any community college or four year college/university
- Applicants DO NOT have to apply nor gain admission to Stanford
- Must demonstrate financial need

Que Llueva Café Scholarship ▾

Website
Award: $500
Requirements:
- Must be an undocumented student or DACA recipient
- Must be or will be a high school/GED graduate planning to enroll for the FIRST TIME in an accredited college or university in the U.S. or Puerto Rico.