Top DACA Scholarships in 2021
Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.Undocumented students, or “DREAMers” as they are sometimes referred to, are not eligible to receive educational grants or loans from the federal government. Perhaps that is why you landed on this page. If so, we are happy to assist in the form of this list of credible and current DACA scholarships that are open to you!
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Keep on reading to learn more about the scholarships and financial aid opportunities available to undocumented DACA students!
Top DACA scholarships in 2021
#WeBelongInCollege Scholarship
- Eligibility: Participation is limited to residents of the 50 United States and District of Columbia who are currently attending an accredited postsecondary institution in the United States or plan on attending prior to December 31, 2022.
- Amount: Up to $2,500
- Deadline: October 31, 2021
Global Citizen Scholarship
- Eligibility: Open to international and DACA students enrolled at Universities MPOWER supports
- Amount: $5,000 and two $1,000 awards
- Deadline: October 15, 2021
Jack Kent Cooke College Scholarship
- Eligibility: Open to high-achieving high school seniors, including DACA status, with financial need who seek to attend four-year colleges and universities
- Amount: Unmet college tuition financial need as well as college planning support and personal advising
- Deadline: November 18, 2021
Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship
- Eligibility: Outstanding graduate students (high GPA, class rank, honors, etc.), who are committed to a career in teaching and research at the college or university level in the U.S.
- Amount: Varies to $50,000+
- Deadline: January 6, 2022
Bezos Scholars Program
- Eligibility: High achieving high school juniors with demonstrated financial need
- Amount: All expenses for the Program are covered, including transportation, lodging, meals, and all passes for the Aspen Ideas Festival in Colorado. Also includes opportunities to apply for $1,000 seed grants to design and implement ideas
- Deadline: January 11. 2021
Bold.org Scholarships
- Eligibility: All of the scholarships found on Bold.org are open to DACA students at various stages in their education. So, if you qualify for the scholarship in every other way, apply!
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: Varies
HACU Scholarship Program
- Eligibility: Open to college students of Hispanic descent with financial need who are attending one of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities
- Amount: $1,000 to $5,000
- Deadline: Varies
Resources for DACA students
The following list offers a variety of resources for DACA students. Remember to check with your current school, as sometimes there are local resources and groups to take advantage of and get involved in.
Immigrants Rising Mental Health Connector
This free and confidential organization provides undocumented young people in California with 100% free psychological support and resources.
National Conference of State Legislators
This website offers students and their families information on what their state offers DACA students in regard to higher education funding.
Questbridge Prep Scholars Program
The QuestBridge College Prep Scholarship helps high-achieving high school juniors successfully apply to the nation’s top colleges. The Program provides resources such as a full scholarship to a college summer program at Stanford, Yale, Notre Dame. These scholarships are valued at up to $20,000, and cover travel, tuition, and room & board. The program opens in March, so bookmark and check back!
TheDream.Us
This website offers legal resources and links to other sites where DREAMers can find scholarships, programs, and local support.
US Department of Education DACA Q&A
This document is written in an easy to understand Q&A style. The questions are organized into two categories: “Eligibility for Financial Aid” and “Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) Form.”
Summary of DACA Scholarships
- #WeBelongInCollege Scholarship
- Global Citizen Scholarship
- Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship
- Jack Kent Cooke College Scholarship
- Bezos Scholars Program
- Bold.org Scholarships
- HACU Scholarship Program
Upcoming scholarships
Dream.US National Scholarship
- Eligibility: High school seniors schools and community college students. Students are eligible to apply if they were under age 16 when they came to the USA before November 1, 2015. Recipients must qualify for in-state and attend on of the partner colleges found on this list
- Amount: Up to $16,500 for an associate’s degree and $33,000 for a bachelor’s degree
Dream.US Opportunity Scholarship
- Eligibility: Open to high school graduates who live in states that do not offer DREAMers in-state tuition or bar them from attending state colleges and universities
- Amount: Up to $80,000 to cover tuition, fees, and on-campus housing and meals for a bachelor’s degree.
Esperanza Education Fund
- Eligibility: Graduating senior at a high school in the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia or a recent GED grad residing in DC, Maryland or Virginia
- Amount: Scholarships range from $5000 to $20,000, depending on financial need
Hispanic Scholarship Fund Scholarship
- Eligibility: Must be of Hispanic heritage and have a minimum 3.0 GPA for high school seniors and 2.5 GPA for undergraduate and graduate students
- Amount: $500 to $5,000
- Opens: January 1, 2022
Jack Kent Cooke Tranfser Scholarship
- Eligibility: Open U.S. community college students, including DACA, with a 3.5 GPA with financial need. Applicants must be enrolling as a full-time student at a four year college in the fall
- Amount: Up to $40,000 per year
