Mcdonald’s HACER National Scholarship Program

McDonald's HACER 2026: Application Outlook

The McDonald's HACER (Hispanic American Commitment to Educational Resources) National Scholarship Program is one of the largest scholarship programs specifically for Hispanic/Latino high school seniors in the United States. In 2026, McDonald's awards approximately 30 National HACER Scholarships of $100,000 over 4 years ($25,000/year) — making it among the most generous brand scholarships for Latino students. Additional regional HACER scholarships of $5,000-$10,000 are awarded to ~200+ recipients annually.

2026 Application Strategy

Applications open October 2026 and close February 6, 2027. Eligibility requires (1) U.S. high school senior, (2) Hispanic/Latino heritage (one parent of Hispanic descent), (3) U.S. resident or DACA, (4) 3.0+ GPA, (5) plan to enroll full-time at an accredited 2- or 4-year college. The application has 4 parts: academic record, essay (300 words on cultural identity + leadership), 2 recommendation letters, financial profile. Successful applicants demonstrate concrete leadership tied to Latino community engagement — founded a Latino student association, led voter registration in Spanish-speaking communities, organized cultural celebrations at school.

Why McDonald's HACER Matters in 2026

The $100,000 over 4 years for National Scholars is among the most generous corporate scholarships for any demographic in the U.S. Beyond direct funding, McDonald's HACER alumni receive priority for Hispanic Heritage Foundation programs, internship opportunities at McDonald's corporate, and a national awards ceremony. The HACER program has distributed over $30 million since 1985. For high-achieving Latino seniors, this is one of the top 3 scholarships to pursue alongside HSF (Hispanic Scholarship Fund) and the Gates Scholarship.