Minority Scholarships in 2025: 60+ Opportunities, Eligibility & Application Strategy

Looking for scholarships for minority students in 2025? Use this guide to target 60+ opportunities across Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, AANHPI, Native/Tribal, LGBTQ+, women in STEM, students with disabilities, first-gen/low-income, and field-specific awards. You’ll also get a quick application checklist, essay prompts that work, a month-by-month plan, and ways to stack scholarships with financial aid so you pay less out of pocket.

Who Qualifies for “Minority Scholarships” in 2025?

Common eligibility dimensions

• Race/ethnicity & tribal affiliation (documentation may be required for certain programs).
• Gender & LGBTQ+ identity (self-attestation or community involvement often accepted).
• Disability (medical documentation may be requested for some awards).
• First-generation, low-income, or DACA/immigrant status (check specific rules).
• Major/field (STEM, business, health, education) and academic level (HS senior, undergrad, grad, transfer).

Pro tip: Apply broadly. Many diversity scholarships accept multiple identities or focus on community impact rather than a single category.

Application Checklist (Win on Process, Not Just Potential)

What to prepare once and reuse

• 1-page resume with quantified results.
• Personal statement (500–650 words) + 3 short essays (150–300 words) you can adapt.
• Unofficial transcript (official only if asked). If you need GPA basics, see: What Is GPA?
• Two recommenders (teacher/professor + community/manager) with a brag sheet.
• Proof docs (FAFSA SAR, citizenship/eligibility as required, disability/tribal proof where applicable).

Essay prompts that convert

• Impact story: problem → action → measurable result → lesson.
• Field fit: why this major/community + how you’ll give back (specifics beat slogans).
• Resilience: obstacle → system you built → what changed for others.

60+ Scholarships for Minority Students (2025)

Black/African American (10)

• UNCF General & Program Scholarships
• Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) Scholarships
• Ron Brown Scholar Program
• Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship
• NACME (Engineering) Scholarships
• NSBE Scholarships
• National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) Scholarships
• Blacks at Microsoft (BAM) Scholarship
• Executive Leadership Council (ELC) Scholarship
• National Press Club Journalism Diversity Scholarships

Hispanic/Latino (10)

• Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF)
• CHCI (Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute) Scholarships
• SHPE (Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers) Scholarships
• HACU Scholarship Program
• McDonald’s HACER National Scholarship
• LNESC/NBCUniversal Scholarships
• La Unidad Latina Foundation Scholarships
• Prospanica Foundation Scholarships
• Hispanic Heritage Foundation Youth Awards
• AICPA Hispanic Accounting Scholarships

Asian American, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander (AANHPI) (10)

• APIA Scholars (General & AANAPISI)
• Asian Pacific Fund Scholarships (multiple)
• Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) Scholarships
• Korean American Scholarship Foundation (KASF)
• Taiwanese American Scholarship Fund
• OCA–Asian Pacific American Advocates Scholarships
• Hmong American Education Fund Scholarships
• Chinese American Physicians Society Scholarship
• Filipino American Physicians Scholarship (regional programs exist)
• Pacific Islander Scholarships (various community foundations)

Native American & Alaska Native (10)

• American Indian College Fund Scholarships
• Native Forward (AIGC) Scholarships
• Cobell Scholarship
• AISES (American Indian Science & Engineering Society) Scholarships
• Udall Undergraduate Scholarship (Tribal Public Policy/Native Health)
• Indian Health Service (IHS) Scholarship
• American Indian Nurse Scholarship
• Catching the Dream Scholarships
• Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) Grants
• Native American Journalists Association (NAJA) Scholarships

LGBTQ+ Students (8)

• Point Foundation Scholarships
• Pride Foundation Scholarships (regional)
• LEAGUE Foundation Scholarships
• PFLAG Chapter Scholarships (various)
• Out to Innovate (NOGLSTP) STEM Scholarships
• Stonewall Community Foundation Scholarships
• Gamma Mu Foundation Scholarships
• eQuality Scholarship Collaborative (regional)

Women in STEM & Related Fields (10)

• Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Scholarships
• Generation Google (Women in CS) Scholarship
• NCWIT Aspirations in Computing Awards
• Women in Aviation International Scholarships
• SWSIS (Women in Information Security) Scholarships
• P.E.O. STAR Scholarship
• Palantir Women in Technology Scholarship
• BHW Group Women in STEM Scholarship
• AAUW (select undergraduate/returning student funds; many grad fellowships)
• Society of Women Engineers—Affiliates (local sections)

Students with Disabilities (7)

• Google Lime Scholarship (with Lime Connect)
• Microsoft Disability Scholarship
• AAHD Frederick J. Krause Scholarship on Health & Disability
• National Federation of the Blind (NFB) Scholarships
• American Council of the Blind (ACB) Scholarships
• Autism Society (local/state scholarships vary)
• P. Buckley Moss Foundation Scholarships (learning differences)

First-Gen, Low-Income & Broad Diversity Awards (10)

• Dell Scholars Program
• Gates Scholarship (Pell-eligible; multiple identities eligible)
• Horatio Alger Association Scholarships
• Jack Kent Cooke Foundation (transfer/undergrad)
• Elks Most Valuable Student
• Coca-Cola Scholars
• Burger King Scholars
• UNCF & TMCF general funds (also above)
• Davis–Putter Scholarship Fund (social justice focus)
• State & local community foundation diversity scholarships (search your county)

Next step: Search hundreds more by major, location, identity, and deadline in our Scholarships directory.

Deadlines & Strategy (2025 Timeline)

Month-by-month rhythm

How to Stack Scholarships with Financial Aid

Lower your net price first

• File FAFSA/CSS on time; add outside awards monthly via our directory.
• Ask your school how outside scholarships interact with grants (some reduce loans/work first).
• If a gap remains, compare borrowing carefully and treat private student loans as a last step.

Quick Filters to Find “Hidden-Gem” Awards

Use these to boost win rates

• Local geography: county/city/community foundation awards.
• Employer/union (student, parent, or guardian employers).
• Associations by major: engineering, accounting, nursing, education.
• Chapter-based orgs (NSBE, SHPE, SWE, AISES) and alumni clubs.

FAQ: Minority Scholarships 2025

Can I apply to multiple identity-based scholarships?

Yes—if you genuinely meet each eligibility criterion. Many students qualify across categories (e.g., first-gen + Hispanic + STEM).

Do I need a certain GPA?

Ranges vary. Many awards consider impact, leadership, and need alongside GPA. For GPA context, see: What Is GPA?

Are DACA/undocumented students eligible?

Several national and local awards welcome DACA/undocumented students—always check each program’s policy.

How many should I apply to?

Batch 5–10 applications per month. Reuse your essay bank and tailor the first paragraph to the mission of each award.

Written by TCM Staff