Choosing the right college as a Hispanic student involves more than rankings and location. The federal HSI designation, an institution's HACU membership, and access to Hispanic-specific scholarship programs can all materially change your financial aid picture — sometimes by tens of thousands of dollars.
This guide covers what matters financially: what HSI status means for students, the scholarship programs available specifically to Hispanic students, and the schools with the strongest combination of support, aid, and outcomes.
Keep an Eye Out for HSI’s
Are you a Hispanic student looking for the best college options out there? One of the factors to consider is if the college you’re considering is an HSI, or a Hispanic Serving Institution.
The government defines an HSI as an eligible college with a full-time undergraduate population that is at least 25% Hispanic. Apart from the fact that going to an HSI means Hispanic students can find a lot of friends from similar backgrounds, the United States government offers specific grants to HSI schools. Some of these include:
- Developing HSI Program
- HSI STEM Program
- HSI Articulation Program
- Promoting Postbaccalaureate Opportunities for Hispanic Students
These colleges also provide academic support, cultural representation, and work preparation specifically tailored to Hispanic students. So while there are plenty of great colleges to choose from, HSI schools have benefits specifically helpful to Hispanic students.
For the remainder of the article, we’ll go through some of the best schools for Hispanic students, whether they are HSI classified or not, and discuss what support they provide.
Best Colleges for Hispanic Students
University of Texas, Austin
Location: Austin, Texas
Undergraduate Population: 41,300 students
Acceptance Rate: 29%
HSI School? Yes
A relatively recent climber to the ranks of HSI schools, UT Austin has over 27% of its undergraduates identify as Hispanic. Along with being a top school in general, UT Austin is one of the best places for students of Spanish-speaking heritage.
They recently received the Seal of Excelencia, a prestigious award given to a small handful of colleges that are committed to accelerating Latino student success. It is only 1 of 39 colleges to receive this, and only 1 of 2 colleges in the Association of American Universities (AAU), which encompasses the nation’s top research universities.
To be awarded the seal, a college has to show:
- Evidence of effectiveness and intentionality in institutional practices serving Latino students
- Positive momentum for Latino student progress
- Dedication to transforming the institution into an environment where Latino students thrive
- Strategies in leadership that clearly articulate institutional focus on advancing Latino student success
There are many academic resources for Hispanic students at UT Austin, including the Center for Mexican American Studies, which has lots of opportunities for Hispanic students.
Florida International University
Location: Miami, Florida
Undergraduate Population: 46,000 students
Acceptance Rate: 64%
HSI School? Yes
FIU has one of the largest Hispanic student bodies in the entire nation, with more than 60% of attendees identifying as such. Considering how many people attend FIU, there are going to be thousands of students with similar backgrounds to you.
Florida International offers specialized programs like the Latin American and Caribbean Center. This center offers many resources and educational opportunities, one of the biggest being their Tinker grant fund, which funds graduate student travel to any Spanish or Portuguese speaking country in Latin America or the Caribbean to do pre-dissertation research.
There are also Hispanic-specific scholarships that FIU offers, such as:
- First Generation Scholarship
- Latin American and Caribbean Scholarship
- Goizueta Foundation Scholarship
- Global First-Gen Scholarship
FIU is a recipient of the Seal of Excelencia for its commitment to Hispanic students.
University of Central Florida
Location: Orlando, Florida
Undergraduate Population: 69,000 students
Acceptance Rate: 41%
HSI School? Yes
The largest school in Florida and one of the largest schools in the nation, UCF is both an HSI school and a recipient of the Seal of Excelencia. They have resources, scholarships, and community-building initiatives targeted for Hispanic students, like the Latino Faculty and Staff Association, the Puerto Rican Student Association and the Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations.
Even besides Hispanic students, UCF is one of the most diverse campuses in the country. This vibrant environment creates loads of opportunities for cultural engagement. The school also offers the Multicultural Academic and Support Services (MASS) for students.
UCF has a specific fund for Hispanic students, called the UCF Hispanic Scholarship Fund. Also, being based in Orlando, there are loads of industry connections that are useful for any student looking to break into fields like science and engineering.
University of Miami
Location: Coral Gables, Florida (near Miami)
Undergraduate Population: 11,000 students
Acceptance Rate: 28%
HSI School? No
Being right in the heart of Miami, the University of Miami is deeply connected to the Hispanic community in the region. There are countless cultural opportunities just because of where it is located.
Beyond just location, the school is dedicated to helping Hispanic students as well. Even though they don’t reach the 25% threshold to be an HSI school, they are close to that number, meaning there is still a significant Hispanic presence on campus. Their center for Multicultural Student Affairs aims to make sure everyone has a safe and supportive environment.
There are also Hispanic cultural events like the annual Día de los Muertos celebration or other heritage month programs.
California State University, Long Beach
Location: Long Beach, California
Undergraduate Population: 33,000 students
Acceptance Rate: 47%
HSI School? Yes
CSULB is a great destination for Hispanic students, with lots of programs dedicated to their success. Some of these include the Hispanic Students Business Association (HSBA) and Educational Opportunity Program (EOP). The HSBA is a completely student-run, non-profit organization that serves as a support program and educational resource to prepare students for their future careers. The school also has the La F.U.E.R.Z.A. Student Association, promoting cultural awareness and social awareness while also providing community.
California State University at Long Beach is more than 50% composed of Latino students, and it is another one of the few colleges in the nation to receive the Seal of Excelencia – the award distinguishing colleges that are dedicated to ensure Latino student success. The university is also ranked as an HSI leader by the Fulbright Program.
University of Arizona
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Undergraduate Population: 35,000 students
Acceptance Rate: 87%
HSI School? Yes
We mentioned that UT Austin was one of two schools that won the Seal of Excelencia as an AAU school. The other one was the University of Arizona. Students going to Arizona know they are attending a top research university that also cares deeply about making sure that Hispanic students succeed.
Over 12,000 students at the University of Arizona are Latino students, creating a large community of people from similar backgrounds. The college offers support centers for these students, like the Guerrero Student Center, which provides free cultural events and mentorship.
There are also Hispanic specific scholarships at Arizona, including the National Hispanic Scholar, which rewards students with the benefits of a normal National Merit Scholarship, like individualized support and automatic admission to the honors college.
University of Texas, El Paso
Location: El Paso, Texas
Undergraduate Population: 20,000 students
Acceptance Rate: 100% (Open Admission Policy)
HSI School? Yes
Situated near the border between the United States and Mexico, the University of Texas at El Paso is almost entirely populated by Hispanic students – over 85% identifying as such. They have an open admission policy, accepting any student that wants to learn, so you don’t have to worry about being turned away.
One of their biggest selling points is that they offer a bilingual education and are bicultural, which can be especially great for Hispanic students. For their dedication to supporting Hispanic students, they are another recipient of the Seal of Excelencia.
Pacific Oaks College
Location: Pasadena, California
Undergraduate Population: 1,000 students
Acceptance Rate: 40%
HSI School? Yes
With over 50% of students at this small college identifying as Hispanic, Pacific Oaks is a social-justice oriented school with considerable support for Hispanic students. They are especially interested in promoting multicultural education. For example, their Marriage and Family Studies program offers specializations in Latinx Family Studies.
Also, in 2020, Pacific Oaks was given a $2.5 million grant from the Department of Education as a Hispanic Serving Institution. With such a multicultural student body and staff, the small college of Pacific Oaks is committed to serving Hispanic students.
Pomona College
Location: Claremont, California
Undergraduate Population: 1,700 students
Acceptance Rate: 7%
HSI School? No
A top liberal arts college, Pomona College is dedicated to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need, making it a great option for anyone who makes it through the rigorous acceptance process.
While this college is only 15.8% comprised of Hispanic students, the demographic is growing, and there is considerable support through the Draper Center for Community Partnerships and the Latinx Alliance. There is also a Latinx Diaspora Lounge, which is a space to explore their identities and cultural experiences.
What HSI designation means for your financial aid
A Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) is a college or university where at least 25% of full-time undergraduate students are Hispanic. This designation is certified by the Department of Education and unlocks federal Title V and Title III-Part F funding — grants that flow directly to the institution and are used for student services, scholarships, academic support, and infrastructure.
As of 2024, there are more than 600 HSI-designated institutions in the United States, enrolling approximately 65% of all Hispanic undergraduates. HSIs are concentrated in California, Texas, New York, Florida, and Puerto Rico — but the designation now exists in 30+ states.
What HSI status means practically for students:
- HSI institutions typically have more institutional scholarship dollars available specifically for Hispanic students
- Title V funding supports bilingual programs, counseling, and financial aid outreach that non-HSI schools don't receive
- Many HSIs have dedicated financial aid advisors with experience navigating the specific circumstances of first-generation and immigrant-family students
- Several HACU scholarship programs are only available to students attending HACU member institutions — many of which are HSIs
What HSI status doesn't guarantee:
HSI designation reflects enrollment demographics — it doesn't guarantee program quality, graduation rates, or financial aid generosity. A school can be HSI-designated with poor outcomes. Use the metrics: graduation rate, average net cost, and median earnings after graduation (available at collegescorecard.ed.gov) to evaluate any school's actual value.
HACU scholarships — the most accessible source of funding
The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) is a nonprofit organization representing over 500 colleges and universities — including many HSIs — and runs one of the most important scholarship programs specifically for Hispanic students.
HACU National Internship Program (HNIP): HACU's flagship program places Hispanic students in paid internships at federal government agencies and private sector organizations. Placements include the Department of Homeland Security, NASA, the Department of Defense, and dozens of major corporations. The program is competitive but open to students at HACU member institutions in both undergraduate and graduate programs.
Interns earn a salary, gain federal employment experience, and build a network that directly feeds into PSLF-eligible careers for students in social work, public policy, education, and government. Apply at hacu.net/internships.
HACU member institution scholarships: Individual HACU member colleges administer their own scholarship programs for Hispanic students. These vary by institution — contact the financial aid office at each HACU member school on your list and ask specifically about Hispanic student scholarship programs.
The Gates Scholarship — the most valuable scholarship available to Hispanic students
The Gates Scholarship (formerly the Gates Millennium Scholars Program) is one of the most comprehensive scholarship programs in the United States and is specifically limited to minority students — including Hispanic American students.
What it covers: Full financial need for the entire undergraduate program, including tuition, fees, room and board, books, and personal expenses not covered by other aid. For graduate school in specific fields (education, public health, library science, mathematics, science, or engineering), funding continues.
Eligibility:
- US citizen, national, or permanent resident
- Hispanic American, African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, or Asian Pacific Islander American
- Minimum 3.3 GPA unweighted
- Pell Grant eligible
- Applying to or enrolled in an accredited US degree-granting institution
The scholarship is extraordinarily competitive — fewer than 1% of applicants are selected. But for eligible students, there is no more valuable scholarship available.
Apply at thegatesscholarship.org. The annual deadline is typically mid-January.
MALDEF and legal aid scholarships
The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) administers scholarship programs for Hispanic students pursuing legal careers. The MALDEF Law School Scholarship Program provides awards to Hispanic students enrolled in ABA-accredited law schools who demonstrate commitment to advancing the legal rights of the Hispanic community.
This is a field-specific program, but it's worth noting because social work, education, government, and law — the fields where PSLF eligibility is highest — overlap heavily with the career paths of many MALDEF scholars.
See maldef.org/education for current programs.
Hispanic scholarship programs — full list
Financial aid strategy for Hispanic students
File the FAFSA — every year, regardless of immigration status concerns.
US citizen and permanent resident Hispanic students should file the FAFSA without hesitation — all federal aid programs are available. Undocumented students are not eligible for federal financial aid, but many states have separate state aid programs for undocumented students and DACA recipients. California (Cal Grant), Texas (TEXAS Grant), New York (TAP), and several other states have state aid programs accessible to undocumented students. See your state's higher education agency for current eligibility.
Mixed-status families: Hispanic students from mixed-status families (where some family members are undocumented) can and should file the FAFSA. The FAFSA only asks about the student's own citizenship status — not the immigration status of parents. Parents without Social Security numbers can still complete the FAFSA using alternative identification. See studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out/parent for guidance.
Prioritize HSI schools in your college list if net cost is a significant factor. HSI-designated schools receive federal funding that flows to student services and scholarships. At comparable academic quality, an HSI may offer substantially more institutional aid than a non-HSI.
Apply to every Hispanic scholarship you're eligible for. The programs listed below have dramatically lower competition than general scholarships of equivalent value, because eligibility is restricted to Hispanic students. A $2,000 scholarship with 500 eligible applicants is a better use of your time than a $2,000 scholarship with 50,000 applicants. And don't forget to read our guide to winning scholarships -- and up your chances of getting an award.
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