Ethnic and Minority-Based Scholarships
If you have questions about any of the scholarships listed or your eligibility for a particular scholarship program, contact the Financial Aid Office.
- Deadline: June and December
- Award: Varies
- Application: Online Application
- Criteria:
- U.S. citizen
- Minority student
- Member of ABC Club
American Association of University Women – Downer’s Grove Area Branch
- Deadline: Contact AAUW for application date
- Award: $1,500 – $3,000
- Application: Contact AAUW at 630-986-8334
- Criteria:
- Woman who has resumed higher education after a 5-year absence
- Enrolled at least half-time
- Within 2 years of completing BS or graduate degree
- Resident of one of these Illinois towns: Darien, Downers Grove, Lisle, Westmont, Woodridge
American Indian Graduate Center Award
- Deadline: July 15
- Award: $1,000 – $5,000
- Application: Available Online
- Criteria:
- Have Native American heritage
- Have plans to enroll full-time in a degree-seeking program at an accredited institution
- Must have completed the FAFSA
- Pursuing undergraduate or graduate degree
- Call 505-881-454 for further information
- Deadline: Varies
- Award: Varies by source
- Application: Available online
- Criteria:
- American Indian heritage
- See website for additional requirements
Congressional Black Caucus Foundation
- Deadline: Varies from February to June
- Application: Available Online
- Criteria:
- Reside in a congressional district represented by a Congressional Black Caucus member
- Minimum 2.5 GPA
- Have plans to enroll full-time in a degree-seeking program at an accredited institution
- Must have completed the FAFSA
- Pursuing undergraduate or graduate degree
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, Inc.
- Deadline: April 16
- Award: $1,000 – $5,000
- Application: Appy Online
- Criteria:
- Latino student
- Enrolled full-time in an accredited college or university
- Demonstrate financial need
- Consistent, active participation in public and/or community service activities
- Strong writing skills
- U.S. citizenship or legal permanent residency
Gates Millenium Scholars Program
- Deadline: January
- Award: Varies
- Application: Apply Online
- Criteria:
- African American, American Indian, Alaska Native, Hispanic American, Asian American, or Pacific Islander American
- U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident
- 3.3 GPA
- Full-time student
- Consideration given to academic achievement, community service and leadership potential
- Deadline: Mid October
- Award: Varies
- Application: Download (Next year’s application available mid-August)
- Criteria:
- Must be female
- Full-time undergraduate (2nd year and above) or full-time graduate student
- At least one parent of Greek ancestry
- U.S. citizen
- Permanent resident of Chicago metro area
Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society Chicago Scholarships
- Deadline: generally in January
- Award: Varies depending on scholarship
- Application: Available Online
- Criteria:
- Jewish immigrants to the United States
- Received assistance from HIAS Chicago during immigration process between Jan. 1, 2001 to present
- Is an undergraduate or graduate student in a degree-seeking program at an accredited institution
- Must have financial need and can demonstrate academic excellence
- Deadline: December 15
- Award: $1,000 – $3,000
- Application: Available Online
- Criteria:
- Be of Hispanic heritage
- U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Have plans to enroll full-time in a degree-seeking program at an accredited institution
- Must have complete the FAFSA
- Pursuing first undergraduate or graduate degree
- Deadline: February
- Award: Varies by source
- Application: Apply Online
- Criteria:
- U.S. Citizen, permanent resident, or have graduated high school in the U.S.
- Must have attended high school in the U.S. for a minimum of 3 years
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Plan to enroll as a full-time undergraduate student
- See website for other requirements
Jewish Vocational Service Scholarship
- Deadline: February 15
- Award: $1,000 or more
- Application: Available Online
- Criteria:
- Must be Jewish
- Either born/raised in Cook County, Chicago metro area, or Northwest Indiana; or have one continuous year of full-time employment in Cook County or Chicago metropolitan area
- Intend to remain in the Chicago metropolitan area after completing school
- Entering an accredited professional graduate education program on a full-time basis
- Must be available for a personal interview at Jewish Vocational Service
- Pursuing a career in a helping profession
- See website for other requirements
Korean American Scholarship Foundation
- Deadline: varies by state – for Illinois it is July 16
- Award: varies depending on scholarship
- Application: Available Online
- Criteria:
- Students with a Korean heritage studying in the U.S. regardless of citizenship status (including Korean Nationals)
- Minimum GPA to apply is 3.0
- Is an undergraduate or graduate student in a degree-seeking program at an accredited institution
- Must have financial need and can demonstrate academic excellence
National Italian American Foundation Scholarship
- Deadline: Early March
- Award: $2,000 – $3,000
- Application: Apply Online
- Criteria:
- At least one ancestor who immigrated from Italy
- Minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale
- Deadline: mid-January
- Award: Up to $5,000
- Application: Available Online
- Criteria:
- Women who have earned HS diploma or GED on or before September 2004
- Undergraduate enrolled at least half-time
- Have at least 24 credits remaining to complete at the start of the next fall trimester
Virginia M. Wagner Grant from Soroptimist Midwest Region Scholarships
- Deadline: mid-January
- Award: $500
- Application: Available Online
- Criteria:
- Women living in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio or Wisconsin
- Effort toward education
- Scholarship
- Extracurricular activities
- Financial need
Additional Resources
The following website is not affiliated with NUHS, but offers additional information for minority students seeking scholarships and other financial aid options.
