HACU Scholarship Criteria
HACU Scholarship Criteria
To be eligible to apply for HACU Scholarships, applicants must meet the following HACU Scholarship Program criteria listed below.
Current College or University Students:
- Are currently enrolled at a HACU-member institution;
- Have graduated from a high school or have earned a high school equivalency diploma in the U.S., Puerto Rico, or outside of the U.S.;
- Have completed your first-semester of college at a HACU-member institution;
- Intend to enroll at a HACU-member institution in the fall 2025 semester/term of the 2025-2026 academic year.
- If you are transferring institutions, the institution must also be HACU-member to be eligible to apply; for the most up-to-date listing of HACU-member institutions, Please Click Here.
- Demonstrate financial need if required by the scholarship sponsor, typically determined by the FAFSA application or State/Institutional Aid application (non-citizen students who are not eligible to complete the FAFSA).
Current High School Seniors:
- Must be a graduating high school or will earned a high school equivalency diploma this 2024-2025 academic school year;
- Intend to enroll at a HACU-member institution in the fall 2025 semester/term of the 2025-2026 academic year. For the most up-to-date listing of HACU-member institutions, Please Click Here.
- Demonstrate financial need if required by the scholarship sponsor, typically determined by the FAFSA application or State/Institutional Aid application (non-citizen students who are not eligible to complete the FAFSA).
To stay up to date on application openings and deadlines, please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter - @HACUNews.
Download the HACU Scholarship Flyer (Click Here)
Promote the HACU Scholarship Program at your campus:
- Distribute them in high-traffic areas like dorms, libraries, student centers, bulletin boards, and department offices.
- Post information about the scholarship program on your college's financial aid website and social media channels.
- Reach out to student organizations and clubs relevant to the scholarship criteria.
- If possible, send targeted emails about the scholarship to your students who might be eligible.
Scholarships Available
Scholarships Available
Please carefully review each scholarship criteria to determine eligibility.
- Scholarship Application Guide: (Download Here) This guide helps new and returning applicants navigate our HACU Scholarship application system, hacu.awardspring.com.
- The online application will automatically match you to the scholarship(s) for which you are eligible after creating your student profile.
- If you were not matched to a scholarship, then you are not eligible for the current HACU scholarships.
- All Scholarship Deadlines are on Central Time (CT) zone on each scholarship deadline dates.
We encourage all students to apply for our scholarships, regardless of immigration status. This includes international students and undocumented students.
PLEASE NOTE: Additional scholarship opportunities may be added throughout the semester/term.
Fall Scholarships Application Cycle (CLOSED)
Chispa Scholarship
| Amount |
$2,000 |
| Term or Year |
Spring 2025 |
| Awards Available |
5 |
| Renewable |
No |
| Deadline |
CLOSED |
| Organization |
Chispa, The Latino Dating App |
Kia America Accelerate the Good Scholarship Program
| Amount |
$10,000-$15,000 |
| Term or Year |
2024-25 Academic Year |
| Awards Available |
Varies |
| Renewable |
No |
| Deadline |
CLOSED |
| Organization |
Kia America, Inc |
Ford Philanthropy Scholarship
| Amount |
$10,000 |
| Term or Year |
2024-25 Academic Year |
| Awards Available |
9 |
| Renewable |
No |
| Deadline |
CLOSED |
| Organization |
Ford Philanthropy |
MGM Resorts International Scholarship
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| Amount |
$1,000 |
| Term or Year |
Spring 2025 |
| Awards Available |
17 |
| Renewable |
No |
| Deadline |
CLOSED |
| Organization |
MGM Resorts International |
USTA Future Leaders in Sport Scholarship
| Amount |
$5,000 |
| Term or Year |
Spring 2025 |
| Awards Available |
4 |
| Renewable |
No |
| Deadline |
CLOSED |
| Organization |
United States Tennis Association Incorporated (USTA) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for scholarships using the AwardSpring platform?
Navigate to: https://hacu.awardspring.com/
Download the Scholarship Application Guide: (Download Here). This guide walks you through creating an application and applying for scholarships on AwardSpring.
I am in need of immediate financial aid (scholarships or emergency grants), where can I apply?
We understand your need for financial support. While we currently don't offer emergency funding, we recommend contacting your financial aid office to explore available scholarships, grants, and emergency assistance programs at your college/university. They can guide you through the specific options and assist you in finding the best solution for your situation.
What other recommendations do you have for Financial Aid support?
We welcome you to visit our "Financial Aid Tips for College Students - Find the Resources You Need at Your College Campus."
Where can I find information regarding the 2025-2026 FAFSA application?
Visit the FAFSA Information webpage for information and resources.
What other External Scholarship Resources are there?
Please visit our Other Scholarship Resources where you'll find external scholarships, internships, fellowships and other student programs tailored to your interests.
Can Undocumented Immigrant students (with or without DACA/TPS) create a scholarship profile to be matched for HACU Scholarships?
Yes, we welcome all college/university students to create an online scholarship application profile. While some scholarships may have specific citizenship requirements, our application system will match you with scholarships you are eligible for based on your profile.
What additional resources are available for Undocumented Immigrant students?
We invite you to visit our Resources Undocumented Immigrant students (CLICK HERE) to learn more about college funding sources, immigration legal resources, and best practices for identifying or building a supportive community at your campus.
Where can I print an enrollment verification form?
The enrollment verification will be issued to students selected as scholarship finalist. The form is required for students to receive scholarship funds through the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities’ (HACU). It must be signed by an authorized school official (i.e., Academic Advisor, Registrar’s Office, Financial Aid Office) and submitted to the HACU Scholarship Department. (2024-2025 Enrollment Verification Form)
May I submit an electronic unofficial transcript and enrollment verification if my school provides them?
Yes, scholarship finalist will have the opportunity to upload a copy of their supporting documents in their AwardSpring dashboard when requested.
What do I do with my financial aid release form?
You file this form with your financial aid office. You do not need to mail this document to HACU.
Are high school students eligible?
Eligibility criteria varyby scholarship. We invite current graduating high school seniors to review the list of scholarship criteria and our Other Scholarship Resources for additional financial aid opportunities.
Do I have to be Hispanic or Latina/o to apply for a HACU scholarship?
No, HACU scholarships are open to students of all ethnicities and backgrounds! We encourage everyone to apply.
It's important to note that some of our partnered scholarships may have specific eligibility criteria. However, creating a scholarship application profile allows us to match you with a variety of opportunities you might be eligible for.
If I do not attend a HACU member institution, am I eligible for a HACU scholarship?
No, HACU scholarships are currently limited to students enrolled at a HACU-member institution. However, we encourage you to explore other resources that might be a good fit for you!
Here are a few options:
Other Scholarship Resources: We have a page dedicated to other external scholarship opportunities.
How can my school become a member of HACU?
Please refer your school personnel to the HACU-Membership page on our website by clicking here. This page provides information on how your school can join and details about our membership categories, dues and benefits. You can personally deliver a membership information packet to your college or university president.
To request a HACU membership information packet, please email your name and mailing address to our Membership Department at memberinfo@hacu.net.
The scholarship I want to apply for is not on my scholarship selection page, why not?
If you were not matched to a scholarship, then you are not eligible for that award.
Based on the information you enter, the online application will automatically match you to the scholarship(s) for which you are eligible. Please review the specific scholarship criteria.
When will I be notified if I was selected for a HACU scholarship?
Student will receive an email notification to the email listed in the scholarship application and their scholarship status will be updated on their AwardSpring dashboard.
How are scholarship funds disbursed, and how can I use my scholarship funds?
If you are awarded a scholarship, we will mail a scholarship check directly to your financial aid office. These funds can be used for any educational expenses.
Will I receive my scholarship funds before the start of the semester?
No, scholarship funds will be disbursed after enrollment verification has been completed. Enrollment Verifications are completed after Census Date.
Disbursements occur in September/October for the fall semesters or February/March for the spring semesters.
How does a scholarship affect my other student aid?
A scholarship will affect your other student aid because all your student aid added together can’t be more than your cost of attendance at your college or university. So, you’ll need to let your school know if you’ve been awarded a scholarship so that the financial aid office can subtract that amount from your cost of attendance (and from certain other aid, such as loans, that you might have been offered). Then, any amount left can be covered by other financial aid for which you’re eligible. Ask your financial aid office if you have questions.
How does the scholarship award selection process work?
Once you complete your online application and the deadline has passed, your application is sent to the selected scholarship review committee who will review your application.
Once all applications have been reviewed, we will begin selecting finalists and notifying them to submit their supporting documents (unofficial transcripts, enrollment verification form, and/or letter of recommendations).
Once all documents are submitted and reviewed, recipients will be selected and notified.
For additional HACU Scholarship Program related questions, please reach out. We're here to help!
