Hispanic Student Success

Hispanic Student Success

Hispanic students can succeed at California Community Colleges.

Access to financial aid. Being the first in your family to attend college. Undocumented status. These are barriers that discourage some Hispanic students from enrolling in college. At California Community Colleges, our goal is to offer support services, student organizations and programs to help Hispanic students complete college and enter a rewarding career. Read on to learn more and get connected to support.

Financial Aid

Money shouldn't get in the way of going to college and reaching your goals. Thankfully, financial aid is available to help cover college costs like tuition, textbooks, supplies—and sometimes even rent. To get started, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) to apply for financial aid year-round. No matter your financial situation, it's always free to apply and it opens the door to most types of financial aid.

There are many financial aid options available, including grants and work study, as well as scholarships specifically for Hispanic students. Use our locator tool to get contact information for your local college financial aid office to learn more. Here are just a few financial aid options:

GMiS STEM Scholarship

Scholarship

Applicants must be of Hispanic heritage or demonstrate high involvement in an underserved community. They must also have a minimum 3.0 GPA and be pursuing a full-time STEM graduate or undergraduate degree.

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Hispanic Scholarship Fund

Scholarship

Applicants must be a U.S. citizen, a permanent legal resident, or DACA-eligible. They must also be of Hispanic heritage with a minimum 2.5 GPA for high school students or a minimum 3.0 GPA for college and graduate students.

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La Unidad Latina Foundation

Applicants must be of Latino/a heritage and enrolled in a graduate or undergraduate program.

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LULAC National Scholarship Fund

Scholarship

Hispanic students can qualify for various League of United Latin American Citizens awards. Applicants should be able to demonstrate strong academic performance, leadership potential, and community involvement.

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TheDream.Us National Scholarship

Scholarship

Applicants must be DACA- or TPS-certified. They must also be current U.S. high school or community college students, or recent graduates/GED recipients.

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Chicana Latina Foundation Scholarship

Scholarship

Applicants must be women of Chicana or Latina heritage enrolled in an accredited graduate or undergraduate program in one of 13 northern California counties.

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The Gates Scholarship

Scholarship

A highly selective, last-dollar scholarship for outstanding, minority, high school seniors from low-income households.

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Quest for Excellence: New Americans Award

Eligible applicants are immigrants or children of immigrants in their junior year of high school who demonstrate exceptional academic potential and plan to attend college after their senior year.

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Hispanic Heritage Foundation Youth Awards

Applicants must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or DACA recipients of Hispanic heritage.

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Associate Degree for Transfer

Start your college journey at a California community college and you can earn a guaranteed saved spot at participating California State Universities, online and private non-profit universities. You can enroll at a California community college and earn an Associate Degree for Transfer, then continue your education to earn a bachelor's degree at a four-year university. Get started today. 

Career Education

Affordable, local and convenient. With over 200 hands-on career training programs, you can enroll in a Career Education program that fits into your busy schedule.  

Undocumented Student Resources

California community colleges believes every Hispanic student deserves the right to higher education—regardless of immigration status. Most California community colleges have undocumented student success centers. Check with your local school and learn about some of the resources below.

  • California Department of Social Services/DACA Support
    California Department of Social Services funds programs and provides community education that helps immigrants living in California, including DACA students.
  • Immigration Legal Resource Center
    Immigration Legal Resource Center works with immigrants, community organizations and the legal sector to help build a society that values diversity and rights.
  • Supporting Undocumented Students
    California community colleges offer numerous services to undocumented students including students with a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) work permit and those without one
  • Undocumented Student Resource Centers
    Check our locator tool to find if your local campus has an Undocumented Student Resource Center.

Notable Hispanic Alumni

Join a Distinguished List
A California Community Colleges education can open you up to extraordinary things, just as it did for some of our most notable Hispanic alumni.
Antonio Villaraigosa Mayor of Los Angeles Los Angeles City College Former Student
Antonio Villaraigosa

Mayor of Los Angeles
Los Angeles City College

Dolores Huerta Co-Founder of United Farm Workers San Joaquin Delta College Former Student
Dolores Huerta

Co-founder, United Farm Workers
San Joaquin Delta College

Frank Cruz Co-Founder of Telemundo East Los Angeles College Former Student
Frank Cruz

Co-founder of Telemundo
East Los Angeles College

Make your mark. Enroll today.
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