Scholarships for Undocumented Students
State, National, and Local
A variety of scholarships are available at the state, national and local level for students to take advantage of. We are here to help, so please reach out to us if you have any questions on filling out the applications!
Scholarships for Undocumented Students
Receiving Financial Aid
AB 540 eligible undocumented students in California can receive various types of financial aid. To learn about Tips for Receiving Financial Aid, check out this video from Immigrants Rising.
If you are planning to transfer, check out this helpful Budget Worksheet video from Immigrants Rising to break down cost of attendance and how much aid you will need to cover the costs.
Scholarship List
Immigrants Rising 2021 Scholarship lists for undergraduate, graduate and fellowships that don't require a social security number.
Partner School-Specific Scholarships
TheDream.US is offering two scholarships (Open Nov. 1st)
Visit www.thedream.us for more information and to apply!
The National Scholarship Program is for high school or community college graduates DACA, TPS, or who (1) have DACA, TPS, or would have met the DACA eligibility criteria; and (2) qualify for in-state tuition at one of our 75+ Partner Colleges. The Scholarship is for up to $14,500 for an associate's degree and $29,000 for a bachelor's degree.
The Opportunity Scholarship is for high school graduates who (1) have DACA, TPS, or would have met the DACA eligibility criteria; and (2) live in targeted, locked-out states that do not offer in-state tuition to DREAMers. The Scholarship is for up to $80,000 to cover tuition, fees, and on-campus housing and meals for a bachelor’s degree.
Merit Scholarships (Academics, GPA-based)
Immigrants Rising Scholarship Fund
Must reside and attend a school in a bay area county and have a 3.0 GPA.
SOLAR ACTION ALLIANCE Scholarship
Must have a 3.2 GPA and submit an essay and verification of enrollment. Deadline is
July 1st for a $1,000 scholarship. Deadline: July 1st
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Transfer Scholarship
This $40,000 per year scholarship is awarded to a transferring student. Students must
have a 3.5 GPA and exemplify leadership and community involvement. (Deadline Late
October)
Addiction Resource Scholarship
Eligibility: Every year, we select three winners in the essay contest. The winners
will receive awards toward their tuition at their respective colleges and universities. The
winning applicants for first, second and third place receive scholarships in the amounts
of $2,000,$700 and $300, respectively.
The scholarship awards may only be used to pay for college tuition and/or education-related expenses. There are no costs associated with submitting an application for this scholarship. The AddictionResource.com Scholarship essay contest is open to undergraduate and graduate students who are 18 years old or older.
Applicants must be accepted to, or currently enrolled in a college or university located within the United States or in the District of Columbia. Only one (1) submission per student is allowed.
Deadline: Late May
La Unidad Latina Foundation- La Unidad Latina Foundation Scholarships
This scholarship is for Hispanic students who are currently enrolled in an eligible
bachelor’s or master’s degree program at an accredited four-year college or university.
Eligible degrees include all bachelor’s degrees, Master of Arts, Master of Science, Master of Public Administration/Policy, Master of Social Work, Master of Education, and Master of Divinity.
Undergraduate students must have completed at least one full-time year of study and have a cumulative GPA between 2.8 and 3.6, and graduate students must have completed at least one full-time semester.
Need-based Scholarships (low-income status)
Latinos in Technology Scholarship
The Silicon Valley Community Foundation will present up to 100 Latinx students with
up to $30,000 in scholarship aid. Must be an upcoming junior or senior majoring in
STEM programs. Recipients will also be placed into Silicon Valley internships.
Becas Univision Scholarship (HSF)
Eligibility:
- Plan to enroll full-time in an accredited university in the fall of the desired scholarship year
- Complete FAFSA or state based financial aid (if applicable)
- Ethnicity: Must be of Hispanic heritage
- High School graduating seniors – Cumulative GPA of 3.00 GPA, based on a 4.00 scale (or equivalent) earned from 9th through the first semester/term of the 12th grade
- Undergraduate college students (including community college Transfers) – Cumulative GPA of 2.5, based on a 4.00 scale (or equivalent) earned is required for a minimum of 12 units/credits earned.
- Graduate college students- Cumulative GPA of 2.5, based on a 4.00 scale (or equivalent) earned is required for a minimum of 9 units/credits earned.
Deadline: Late March
HSF General College Scholarships
Eligibility:
- Must be of Hispanic Heritage
- Minimum of 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) for High School Students
- Minimum of 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) for College and Graduate Students
- Plan to enroll Full-Time in an accredited, not-for-profit, 4-year university, or graduate school, during the FALL of a scholarship cycle (year)
- U.S. Citizen, Permanent Legal Resident, DACA or Eligible Non-Citizen (as defined by FAFSA)
- Complete FAFSA or state based financial aid application (if applicable)
Other:
- All majors and graduate fields accepted
- Emphasis on STEM majors
Deadline: late March
The Davis-Putter Scholarship
Eligibility: The Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund aids people active in movements for
social and economic justice. These need-based scholarships are awarded to students
who are able to do academic work at the college or university level or are enrolled
in a trade or technical program and who are active in the progressive movement.
Recent grantees have been active in the struggle against racism, sexism, homophobia and other forms of oppression; building the movement for economic justice; and creating peace through international anti-imperialist solidarity. Applicants must have participated in activities in the US, and there is a strong preference for applicants who plan on working in this country.
The maximum grant available from the Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund is $10,000 per year (from July 1 through June 30). Grants are disbursed to cover each separate semester, quarter or term during which the grantee is attending school. Grants must be used in the year they are awarded and cannot be deferred or carried over. Recipients must reapply each year support is sought.
Applications must be postmarked no later than April 1. Applicants will be informed of decisions in July.
- Provides the primary financial support for yourself and your dependents. Dependents can include children, spouse, partner, siblings and/or parents.
- Has financial need.
- Is enrolled in or has been accepted to a vocational/skills training program or an undergraduate degree program.
- Is motivated to achieve your education and career goals.
- Resides in one of Soroptimist International of the Americas’ member countries/territories (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia,
Ecuador, Guam, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Northern Mariana Islands, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Taiwan, United States of America, Venezuela).
- Has not previously been the recipient of a Soroptimist Women’s Opportunity or Live Your Dream Award.
- Does not have a graduate degree.
- Is not a Soroptimist member, an employee of Soroptimist International of the Americas or immediate family of either.
- Has a Social Security number or Tax ID number. (This is required for tax purposes and is only necessary if you are a resident of the United States. You will not be asked to share this information unless you have been given an award.)
Deadline: November
Postmarked Deadline: March
Hit the Books Scholarship (Deadline September)
With 25 years as a business leader in Philadelphia, we at CoffeeForLess.com know that
tough times do not just hit the banks. They hit us all, but we must never lose sight
of our biggest investment in the future: the next generation of scholars and entrepreneurs.
We at CoffeeForLess.com are introducing the semi-annual “Hit The Books Scholarship”
as our way of helping the future leaders of the business world meet their educational
goals.
Mesothelioma Help Organization – Jan Egerton & Don Smitley Scholarship (Deadline October)
The scholarship is available to students in colleges and universities throughout the
United States. Our goal is to help the educational efforts of students while raising
awareness of mesothelioma, provide information about its prognosis and the dangers
of being exposed to asbestos. Mesothelioma is a disease that affects men and women
– both young and old.
CANFIT – Scholarships (Deadline March)
Undergraduate and graduate scholarships are available for California African-American,
American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian American, Pacific Islander or Latino/Hispanic
students expressing financial need to study nutrition, physical education or culinary
arts in the state of California. Checks will be mailed to the educational institution
and are to be used toward tuition and fees.
QuestBridge – National College Match (Deadline September)
The QuestBridge National College Match is a college and scholarship application process
that helps outstanding low-income high school seniors gain admission and full four-year
scholarships to the nation’s most selective colleges.
Connecticut Students for a Dream – C4D Scholarship (Deadline October)
Connecticut Students for a Dream (C4D) was founded in 2010 by a group of undocumented
students and allies from across Connecticut. Initially coming together to advocate
for the Federal DREAM Act, to this day we continue our work for educational equity.
This scholarship was created to help undocumented immigrant students that are pursuing higher education but have limited financial help due to their immigration status.
Princeton University –The Princeton Prize in Race Relations (Deadline January)
There is perhaps no greater challenge facing our country than increasing understanding
and cooperation among people of different racial backgrounds.
It is a challenge that every new generation encounters. We therefore believe that young people have a particularly important role to play, and hope, through the Princeton Prize, to recognize and encourage young people who have made or are making efforts to improve racial harmony.
Undergraduate and Vocational/Skills Training Programs
Soroptimist – Live Your Dream Awards (Deadline November)
The Soroptimist Live Your Dream Awards (formerly the Women’s Opportunity Awards) assists women who provide the primary source of financial support for their families by giving them the resources they need to improve their education, skills and employment prospects.
Project-based Scholarships
The Soros Justice Fellowships
The Soros Justice Fellowships fund outstanding individuals to undertake projects that
advance reform, spur debate, and catalyze change on a range of issues facing the U.S.
criminal justice system.
Undergraduate and Vocational/Skills Training Programs
Soroptimist – Live Your Dream Awards (Deadline November)
The Soroptimist Live Your Dream Awards (formerly the Women’s Opportunity Awards) assists
women who provide the primary source of financial support for their families by giving
them the resources they need to improve their education, skills and employment prospects.
Santa Clara County Office of Immigrant Relations
Refugee resources, education resources, immigrant resources, DACA, Know your Rights and more! They also have a Resources search tool for the entire county.
ITINS, EINS & Tax Rights
Immigrants Rising Guide for Undocumented people who have an ITIN or EIN.
Human Rights
California Drivers License (AB 60)
As of January 2015, California residents who cannot establish legal presence in the
United States may apply for a driver's license if they can show eligible proof of
identification and residency in the state.
Covered California Eligibility
Covered California (Obamacare) provides health care coverage for eligible individuals
based on immigration status.
Learn more about Covered CA & Medi Cal.
Legal Resources
Asian Law Alliance
(408)287-9710
Services: Adjustment of status, DACA. Employment authorization, family-based petitions,
naturalization/citizenship, T Visas, U Visas, VAWA petitions.
Centro de Ayuda Legal Para Inmigrantes (CALI)
(650)938-4041
Services: Adjustment of status, asylum applications, consular processing, DACA, DAPA, Employment authorization, employment-based immigrant and non-immigrant petitions, family-based petitions, habeas corpus, NACARA, naturalization/citizenship, removal defense, special immigrant juvenile status, T Visas, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), U Visas, VAWA petitions.
International Rescue Committee (San Jose Office)
(408)277-0255
Services: Adjustment of status, asylum applications, consular processing, DACA, DAPA,
Employment authorization, family-based petitions, naturalization/citizenship.
What: Free immigration information session
When: Every Thursday at 4pm PST
Where: Online – link provided after registration
How to Sign-up:https://immigration.as.me/information
Santa Clara University Community Law Center (408)288-7030
Services: Adjustment of status, asylum applications, DACA, family-based petitions, T Visas, U Visas, VAWA petitions.
Services, Immigrant Rights & Education Network (SIREN)(408)453-3003 ext 107
Services: Adjustment of status, consular processing, DACA, DAPA, Employment authorization, employment-based immigrant and non-immigrant petitions, family-based petitions, naturalization/citizenship.
Stanford Law School - Immigrants’ Rights Clinic
(650)724-9068
Services: Adjustment of status, asylum applications, DACA, DAPA, habeas corpus, NACARA, removal defense, T Visas, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), U Visas, VAWA petitions.
Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS): Learn more about this opportunity for youth under 18 who may be eligible for a pathway to citizenship if abused or neglected by a parent.
Health Resources
Santa Clara County Health Department - Park Alameda
976 Lenzen Ave, Ste. 1100, San Jose, CA, 95126.
Indian Health Center of Santa Clara Valley
1333 Meridian Ave., San Jose, CA , 95125
(408)445-3400
Medical Department - Family Health Center at O'Connor Hospital
455 O'Connor Drive, Ste. 200, San Jose, CA, 95128
(408)283-7676
RotaCare Bay Area, Inc.
San Jose Free Clinic every Wednesday from 5-9 pm
100 Oak Street, San Jose, CA 95110
(408)715-3088
Educational, Career and Other Services
Immigrants Rising (formerly E4FC)
(415-=)787‐3432
Services: Adjustment of status, asylum applications, consular processing, DACA, DAPA,
Employment authorization, employment-based immigrant and non-immigrant petitions,
family-based petitions, habeas corpus, NACARA, naturalization/citizenship, removal
defense, special immigrant juvenile status, T Visas, Temporary Protected Status (TPS),
U Visas, VAWA petitions, Education/Scholarships, Educator Resources.
My (Un)Documented Life
Up to date information and resources for undocumented immigrants (scholarships, DACA,
education, networking, educator/counselor resources, health, internships, articles,
news.)
Consulate General of Mexico, San Jose, CA
(408)294-3415
Pre-Health Dreamers (PHD)
Resources, networks, and a community for students interested in health and medical
fields.
Graduate Programs Only
Colorado Boettcher Teachers Program – Boettcher Teacher Residency (Deadline Late October)
Having a great teacher is the single most important school-based factor to close the
achievement gap. Boettcher Teacher Residency prepares people to have exceptional teaching
careers through a hands-on Master’s degree program.
We believe the classroom is the best place for teachers to develop the skills they need, so we place them in teaching positions alongside master teachers right from the start. Every day, our resident teachers pour themselves into teaching students, all the while fulfilling their own coursework requirements for a master’s degree.
The Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans – Scholarship The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans program honors the contribution of immigrants to the United States. Every year, we invest in the graduate education of 30 New Americans – immigrants and children of immigrants – who are poised to make significant contributions to US society, culture, or their academic fields.
Masters in Business Administration (MBA)
Forte Foundation – Forte Fellows Program (No Deadline) If you would like to be considered for a fellowship, you must first submit an MBA application to a participating school. All schools grant awards for full-time students. Part-time and executive awards are available at select schools. If you are interested in learning more about the Forté Fellowship program at any of our sponsor schools, please contact an admissions representative.