Prepared by Alina Karathu of the YE4C Editorial Board. 

League Foundation Academic Scholarship Fund

This scholarship is for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning (LGBTQ+) identifying high school seniors looking to pursue higher education at a university or college. The League currently has 5 types of scholarship awards, where every application is considered for each.

Application Dates: Jan 1 – Apr 15

To be eligible, you must:

• Self-identify as LGBTQ+.
• Be a graduating high school senior the year you apply.
• Be a U.S. citizen or legal immigrant.
• Plan to attend an accredited U.S. or Canadian accredited college, university, or vocational school. Proof of acceptance is required.
• Provide your official high school transcript showing a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better, using a 4.0 scale or equivalent.
• Complete two personal essays as outlined on the application form.
• Have at least 2 letters of recommendation from non-family members.
• Prepare a detailed list of community involvement (Note: Heavier weight is given to those activities and leadership roles relating directly to the LGBTQ+ communities).
• Sign an acknowledgment form agreeing to the outlined terms and conditions of the application.

How much is awarded?

• Up to $4,000 annually

How can the funds be used?

• Funds can be used to cover the basic cost of tuition in your first year of school at an institution of higher learning.

Link to website with information: https://www.leaguefoundation.org/index.php/our-awards/do-i-qualify

Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF)

The HSF awards more than $30 million in scholarships annually to students of a Hispanic background. Scholars who are selected for the scholarship, will have access to a full range of invaluable Scholar Support Services, including career services, mentorship, leadership development, knowledge building, and wellness training.

Application Dates: Jan 1 – Feb 15

To be eligible, you must:

• Be of Hispanic heritage.
• Be a U.S. citizen, permanent legal resident, or DACA recipient
• Have a minimum of 3.0 out of 4.0 GPA for high schoolers.
• Plan to enroll in a 4-year accredited public or not-for-profit 4-year university or graduate school.
• Submit FAFSA or state-based financial aid (if applicable).

How much money is awarded?

• $500-$5,000, based on relative need.

How can the funds be used?

• Funds may be used toward tuition, fees, books, and other academic-related supplies, room/board, and transportation expenses related to school.

Link to website with information: https://www.hsf.net/scholarship

Foster Care 2 Success Scholarship

This program is funded by organizations, individuals, and families across the country, giving them the opportunity to help fund foster youths’ postsecondary (after high school) education so they can achieve brighter futures. The scholarship is only for undergraduate studies. $2,500 helps a community college student attend classes for one year $5,000 helps a university student attend classes for one year.

Application Dates: January 1- March 31

To be eligible, you must:

• Have been in public or private foster care for the 12 consecutive months leading up to and including your 18th birthday, OR have been adopted or placed into legal guardianship after your 16th birthday, OR have been orphaned for at least one year at the time of your 18th birthday and not subsequently adopted.
• Be under the age of 25 on March 31 of the year you apply if you have not previously received scholarship funding from Foster Care to Success
• Have been in foster care or orphaned while living in the United States (U.S. citizenship is not required)
• Have been accepted into or expect to be accepted into an accredited, Pell-eligible college or other postsecondary school.

How much is awarded?

• $2,500-$5,000 based on merit and need

How can the funds be used?

• Funds can be used for tuition or approved living expenses for students at community colleges, public and private universities, and career programs nationwide.

Link to website with information: https://www.fc2success.org/our-programs/information-for-students/

Stephen Feinberg Multi-Year Scholarship Program

The Stephen Feinberg Scholarship Program awards academically talented and highly motivated African-American or Black students pursuing an undergraduate degree in all discipline areas. This scholarship is renewed on a yearly basis up to 4 years, upon meeting the renewal requirements.

Application Dates (estimated): December 12 – April 14

To be eligible, you must:

• Be African-American or Black
• Be a U.S. citizen/legal permanent resident
• Currently pursuing or planning to pursue an undergraduate degree full-time at an accredited college or university
• Have a minimum 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale
• Exhibit leadership and be active in the community

How much is awarded?

• $40,000

How can the funds be used?

• Funds will be used to cover the cost of tuition.

Link to website with information: https://www.cbcfinc.org/programs/scholarships/

Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI) Scholarship

The AANAPISI Scholarship is for Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islanders who are enrolled as full-time undergraduate students at one of the AANAPI-serving institutes for the upcoming fall semester. The scholarship provides a special focus on those who are considered the first in their families to attend college; are considered low socioeconomic status; and are representative of the APIA community’s diversity, geographically and ethnically.

Application Dates: September 13 – January 9 (Optional Recommendation letter deadline December 6)

To be eligible, you must:

• Be able to describe your ethnicity, heritage, or ancestry in relation to the countries, territories, or lands in Asia or the Pacific Islands.
• Be a citizen, national, or legal permanent resident of the U.S. (citizens of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau are also eligible to apply).
• Be enrolled as a full-time student in an undergraduate degree-seeking program at one of APIA Scholars Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs) during the 2024 Fall Semester. Part time students are now eligible to apply.
• Have applied for federal financial aid using the FAFSA for the 2024-2025 academic year by April 2024. Applicants do not necessarily need to have received federal financial aid to be eligible for a scholarship from APIA Scholars.

How much is awarded?

• Range from one-time $2,500 awards to multi-year $10,000 awards

How can the funds be used?

• Funds can be used to cover the scholar’s educational expenses (i.e., cost of tuition, fees, housing, local transportation, books, and allowable living expenses) for the academic year, as billed by the university or college.

Link to website information: https://apiascholars.org/scholarship/aanapisi-scholarship/

+Information about scholarship eligibility, funded amounts, and how funds can be used may change. Check scholarship websites for the most up-to-date information.

*Underrepresentation in colleges and universities can vary by region and institution. Generally, underrepresented groups face barriers to accessing and doing well in college due to various factors, including socioeconomic, racial, or gender-related disparities.

Note – this information was compiled in the Fall of 2023. Please check scholarship websites for updated information.