Scholarships for DACA Recipients (2026): 17 Verified Scholarships With Official Links

Scholarships for DACA Recipients (2026)

January

1) TheDream.US Opportunity Scholarship

Why It Slaps: This is one of the biggest real-money opportunities on the board for DACA recipients who live in states that block or heavily restrict access to affordable college options. It is not a tiny “essay contest” scholarship that barely dents tuition. It is a serious pathway award built specifically for undocumented students who are locked out by state policy, and it can change the whole college list a student is able to consider.

Amount: Up to $100,000 for a bachelor’s degree.
Deadline: Most recent verified cycle closed January 31, 2026; the next application round opens November 1, 2026.
Apply/info: TheDream.US Opportunity Scholarship

February

2) HEEF: Hispanic Education Endowment Fund Scholarship

Why It Slaps: This is a strong regional play for Orange County students because it is tied to real local access, not vague national branding. It is especially useful for DACA students who qualify as Dream Act or AB 540 students and need a scholarship that actually recognizes that route. The award size is not gigantic, but it becomes much more interesting because HEEF also layers in donor-specific subfunds that can raise the total support.

Amount: Individual awards begin at $2,500.
Deadline: February 2, 2026 in the most recently verified cycle.
Apply/info: HEEF Scholarship Application

3) Hispanic Scholarship Fund Scholar Program

Why It Slaps: HSF is still one of the most recognizable Latino scholarship brands in the country, and that matters because the value is bigger than the cash alone. Students who make it into the HSF system also gain access to mentorship, conferences, career support, and network effects that can keep paying off long after one scholarship cycle closes. The catch is important, though: the program’s public page still lists a FAFSA submission requirement, so this one is best for DACA students who can meet that specific application requirement.

Amount: $500 to $5,000.
Deadline: February 15, 2026 in the most recently verified cycle.
Apply/info: HSF Scholar Program

4) McDonald’s HACER® National Scholarship

Why It Slaps: This one stands out because the award ceiling can get legitimately large, which is rare in the DACA-friendly scholarship space. It is also a familiar national program with a real track record, so students are not wasting time on something that looks legitimate but has no visible history. For Hispanic high school seniors with strong academics, service, and need, this is a high-upside shot worth taking every single year.

Amount: Up to $100,000.
Deadline: Most recently verified deadline was February 17, 2026; the current public page shows the application period is closed.
Apply/info: McDonald’s HACER® National Scholarship

5) TheDream.US National Scholarship

Why It Slaps: This is the closest thing many DACA students have to a major anchor scholarship if they qualify for in-state tuition at a partner college. It is built for first-generation immigrant students with serious unmet need, which makes it far more practical than random low-value awards that eat hours of application time. It is also unusually clear about the audience it serves, which makes it easier for students to judge fit fast.

Amount: Up to $33,000 for a bachelor’s degree, plus up to $6,000 in stipend support.
Deadline: Most recently verified deadline was February 28, 2026; the next round opens November 1, 2026.
Apply/info: TheDream.US National Scholarship

6) Ascend Educational Fund Scholarship

Why It Slaps: Ascend is one of the cleanest examples of a scholarship that truly centers immigrant students without trying to squeeze them into a citizenship-based box. It is especially strong for New York City seniors because it pairs substantial scholarship dollars with mentoring, which can matter just as much as the money once college actually starts. The public page is also refreshingly direct about immigration-status openness, which saves applicants from guesswork.

Amount: $2,500 to $20,000.
Deadline: The public scholarship timeline says applications open in November and close in February.
Apply/info: Ascend Educational Fund Scholarship

March

7) Latin American Educational Foundation Scholarship

Why It Slaps: LAEF is a very strong Colorado option because the public eligibility language is explicit: Colorado residents may apply regardless of legal residency status or citizenship. That makes it one of the safer scholarships to recommend to DACA students because there is less ambiguity and less risk of wasting time. It also works for both high school seniors and current undergraduates, which widens the usefulness of the program.

Amount: $2,000 to $3,000 per academic year.
Deadline: March 15, 2026 in the most recently verified cycle.
Apply/info: LAEF Scholarships

8) Microsoft HOLA Scholarship

Why It Slaps: This is one of the better high-value STEM-targeted options for Hispanic DACA students who are finishing high school and heading into tech or business-adjacent majors. The combination of brand credibility, larger possible award size, and specific DACA eligibility makes it more attractive than a lot of vague diversity scholarships. It is also nice because the target majors are clearly listed, so students can decide quickly whether it is worth the time.

Amount: $2,500 to $20,000.
Deadline: Typically closes in March.
Apply/info: Microsoft HOLA Scholarship

9) Andrés y María Cárdenas Family Foundation Scholarship

Why It Slaps: This is a smart regional scholarship to watch for students tied to the Northeast San Fernando Valley or Los Angeles Mission College, especially because the public page explicitly says AB 540 students may apply if they meet the general requirements. That kind of language matters. It means undocumented and DACA students in California do not have to guess whether they are being quietly screened out.

Amount: Not publicly listed on the scholarship landing page; verify the current award amount when the application opens.
Deadline: March 14, 2026 in the most recently verified cycle.
Apply/info: Cárdenas Foundation Scholarship

April

10) Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund

Why It Slaps: Davis-Putter is a great fit for DACA recipients whose application story is rooted in activism, organizing, or serious community justice work. It is not built around heritage branding or clean-cut merit language alone, so students with strong movement work can have a real edge here. That makes it especially useful for applicants who may not look “traditional” on paper but have done meaningful work in their communities.

Amount: Up to $15,000 per year.
Deadline: April 1 each year.
Apply/info: Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund

June

11) Esperanza Education Fund Scholarship

Why It Slaps: Esperanza is one of the strongest immigrant-focused scholarships in the DMV because it is very direct about who it serves and how the program works. The money is meaningful, but the mentoring and scholar support make it even better for first-generation and immigrant students who need a support system, not just a check. This is one of the clearest, best-documented fits for DACA students in DC, Maryland, and Virginia.

Amount: Up to $10,000.
Deadline: June 30, 2026; the 2026 application opens May 1, 2026.
Apply/info: Esperanza Education Fund Scholarship

September

12) QuestBridge National College Match

Why It Slaps: QuestBridge is not a DACA-specific scholarship, but it absolutely belongs on a serious DACA strategy list because the public eligibility rules are broad enough to include students regardless of citizenship when they are attending high school in the U.S. For low-income, high-achieving seniors, the upside is massive. This is one of the few routes where the payoff can be a true full four-year package at a top college instead of a small outside scholarship.

Amount: Full four-year scholarship package; value varies by college partner.
Deadline: Typically closes in September.
Apply/info: QuestBridge National College Match

October

13) Golden Door Scholars

Why It Slaps: Golden Door is a serious option for high-need students in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina who want much more than a one-time award. The program emphasizes scholarships, mentorship, career readiness, and partner-school access, which makes it feel more like a long-range support system than a single scholarship transaction. For the right student in the Southeast, that combination can be stronger than chasing a dozen smaller national awards.

Amount: Award amount is not publicly fixed on the current scholarship landing page; verify the current cycle details on the official site.
Deadline: Typically closes in October.
Apply/info: Golden Door Scholars

November

14) ILACHE Scholarship

Why It Slaps: This is a clean Illinois option for Latino students because it publicly welcomes undocumented students, including DACA recipients, instead of leaving the question fuzzy. That alone makes it more useful than many regional scholarships with vague wording. It is also practical for students who want something straightforward, leadership-focused, and manageable rather than a huge application gauntlet.

Amount: $1,000.
Deadline: Typically closes in November.
Apply/info: ILACHE Scholarship

15) USHLI Rumba Meats Scholarship

Why It Slaps: This is a strong scholarship for Hispanic high school seniors who have real community service involvement and financial need, and it publicly says non-U.S. citizens, including DACA or undocumented students, are eligible. That makes it one of the more useful heritage-based scholarships for Dreamers who still want a relatively mainstream application. The award size is smaller, but the eligibility clarity is a big plus.

Amount: $1,000.
Deadline: Typically closes in November.
Apply/info: USHLI Rumba Meats Scholarship

December / late-cycle watchlist

16) Dr. Juan Andrade Jr. Scholarship for Young Hispanic Leaders

Why It Slaps: This is another good USHLI option because it clearly allows non-U.S. citizens, including DACA and undocumented students, and it is designed for younger undergraduate students, including high school seniors. It is a strong fit for applicants with financial need who want a Hispanic leadership-oriented award without the citizenship wall that blocks so many mainstream scholarships. It is not huge money, but it is very usable and publicly inclusive.

Amount: $1,000 for four-year institutions and $500 for two-year institutions.
Deadline: The most recently indexed cycle listed a late-December deadline; verify the next live deadline on the official page before applying.
Apply/info: Dr. Juan Andrade Jr. Scholarship

Rolling / varying deadlines

17) HACU Scholarship Program

Why It Slaps: HACU is not just one scholarship. It is a scholarship-matching system, and that matters because the official FAQ says undocumented immigrant students with or without DACA or TPS can create a profile and be matched only to scholarships they are eligible for. That makes it a smart efficiency move. Instead of guessing which corporate or partner-funded awards might work, students can get filtered into a smaller, more realistic set.

Amount: Varies by matched scholarship.
Deadline: Varies by scholarship.
Apply/info: HACU Scholarship Program

FAQs

Can DACA recipients get federal financial aid through FAFSA?

Usually, no. DACA recipients may have an SSN and may encounter FAFSA-related workflows, but federal Title IV eligibility is generally restricted, so the real money hunt usually shifts to state Dream Act systems, institutional aid, and private scholarships.

Are scholarships for “undocumented students” also open to DACA recipients?

Often, yes. In many cases, DACA recipients are included inside broader “undocumented,” “Dreamer,” or “with or without DACA/TPS” language. Still, students should always read the exact eligibility line on the live page before spending time on essays.

What is the safest way to build a DACA scholarship list?

Start with scholarships that do one of three things publicly: say “DACA,” say “undocumented/Dreamer,” or say applicants are eligible regardless of immigration status or citizenship. After that, add state Dream Act or AB 540-based institutional programs if the residency fit is right.

Are regional scholarships worth it, or should students only chase national ones?

Regional scholarships are often the better play. They usually have a smaller applicant pool, clearer fit, and less competition. A DACA student in Orange County, Colorado, NYC, the DMV, or Illinois should absolutely prioritize region-matched scholarships before spraying time across generic national lists.

What should a DACA student do if a scholarship page is vague?

Skip guessing. Email the scholarship office, ask whether DACA recipients are eligible, and save the response. If the page clearly excludes noncitizens or quietly relies on federal aid eligibility without another path, move on fast.