Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, also known as DACA, is an immigration policy that was established in 2012. It allows individuals, who were brought to the United States as children, renewable deferred action from deportation. DACA students can become eligible to work in the United States, but are not eligible for federal student aid. Although some state or college aid may be available to assist DACA students, the cost of college can still be a burden for families. Private scholarships from companies, organizations and foundations are available for DACA students and can reduce the cost of pursuing higher education.
When searching for scholarships as a DACA students, use search terms or phrases:
-DACA Scholarship
-International Scholarship
-Worldwide Scholarship
The following is a list of 10 scholarships open to DACA students.
Becca’s Closet Scholarships. This scholarship is a need-based community service scholarship for high school seniors. US citizens, legal residents and DACA students are eligible. Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.0. The award amount varies, Deadline is May 8th. For more information visit beccascloset.org/scholarships.
Hispanic Scholarship Fund. This scholarship is open to high school seniors, community college, undergraduate and graduate students of Hispanic heritage. High school students must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and college students must have a minimum 2.5 GPA. DACA students are eligible. All majors and career fields being pursued are accepted, however there is an added emphasis on STEM majors. Deadline is February 15th and awards are up to $5000. For more information visit hsf.net/scholarship.
Elena Bathrick Scholarship. This scholarship from The Marie Maxey Foundation is open to Hispanic and Latin American students accepted or currently attending a 2-year or 4-year college in the United States. Award is $500. Deadline is December 15th. For more information visit maxeys.org/scholarship.
Dulce Deinken Scholarship. This scholarship from The Marie Maxey Foundation is open to Hispanic and Latin American students accepted or currently attending a 2-year or 4-year college in the United States. Award is $500. Deadline is December 31st. Write an essay on “The Most Important Hispanic Women in My Life.” For more information visit maxeys.org/scholarship.
Golden Door Scholarship. This scholarship is for DACA undocumented students, who are high school seniors and current undergraduates. Applicants must have a high GPA and have demonstrated leadership and community service. Award is up to $40,000. Deadline is September 30th. For more information visit goldendoorscholars.org/future-scholars.
Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards. Multiple scholarships open to high school seniors of Hispanic heritage including Spain, Brazil and Philippines, who are US citizens or DACA eligible. Must have a GPA minimum of 3.0. Awards are up to $15,000 and are awarded in the categories of business and finance, education, engineering, entrepreneurship, healthcare and science, media and entertainment, social justice and technology. Deadline is December 6th. For more information visit hispanicheritage.org/programs/leadership/youth-awards.
The Entertainment Technology Scholarship. This scholarship is open to all college students enrolled full time at a US college or university. Online university applicants welcome. No GPA minimum. All career majors are encouraged to apply. This scholarship is open to students worldwide including undocumented students. Award of $1000. Deadline is September 1st. For more information visit hometheaterdirect.com/scholarship/.
We Mount TVs Scholarship. Open to all students enrolled full time at a US college or university. Domestic, international and undocumented students may apply. There is no minimum GPA and all majors are welcome to apply. This scholarship aims to bring attention to supporting local business in your community. Award is $1000. Deadline is September 5th. For more information visit wemounttvs.com/scholarship.
Democrats for Life of America. This scholarship is open to US citizens and DACA eligible incoming or full-time college students ages 17-26. Award is up to $2500 and the deadline is June 7th. For more information visit democratsforlife.org/index.php/75-uncategorised/1052-dfla-2020-essay-contest.
Opportunity Scholarship. This is an opportunity for DACA eligible students from AK, NC, SC, ND, SD, GA, IN, IA, LA, MI, MS, WV and WI with a minimum GPA of 2.8. The award is up to $80,000 and the deadline is January 30th. This scholarship is open to students planning on attending a college or university in the Opportunity Scholarship network. For more information visit thedream.us/scholarships/opportunity-scholarship/.
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Jean O’Toole is an educational consultant and author of the bestselling book, Scholarship Strategies Finding and Winning the Money You Need. Over the past 15 years, she has helped tens of thousands of students in the United States. Individuals collectively have been awarded millions of dollars by applying her scholarship strategies. In 2008 she co-founded Connections101, a company specializing in providing
motivational tools for scholarship searching. It is her goal to empower students to design their paths to their future without college debt. For more information about Jean, visit www.connections101.com.
Twitter: @ScholarshipJean, FB: @ScholarshipStrategies, IG: @ScholarshipStrategies