The Hispanic minority is one of the largest groups in the US with an estimated of 44.3 million members as of 2006. Even with the awareness of free education, surveys still said that only a few Hispanics have pursued tertiary education and graduated with a degree.

Most Hispanic men are still taking white collared, low-paying jobs to support their families. Hispanic women are also tied to their domestic duties at home.

These reasons lead the US government and some private institutions like the Stanford Society of Chicano/Latino Engineers and Scientists, and the Hispanic Heritage Foundation to give free scholarship grants for deserving individuals. If you are a Hispanic student who are to graduate this year, finding scholarship applications is a very good option. Here is a guide:

Take time to prepare the needed documents. Get everything ready two or three months before the submission month. Documents that reflect your scholastic records should be asked from the school. Get a recommendation letter from the school or any expert that can attest your ability. Secure your proof of residency, resident card or passport issued within the last five years. Have your recent and professional-looking picture ready. Documents portraying results of previous national achievement tests and other related tests should be presented.

Have a survey of possible scholarship grants available. The newspapers’ yellow pages, school announcements and online searches are possible avenues. In California, one can apply for the Silicon Valley Scholarship offered by the National Hispanic University in California. In Florida, Hispanics may try applying for the Jose Marti Challenge Grant sponsored by the Florida’s Department of Education and other funding agencies. Latinos who specializes in public service may apply for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute. There are also regional scholarships like the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Regional Scholarships.

Assess your self for possible strengths and special skills. It is still important to know where your forte lies. Assessing your abilities will somehow guide you in selecting the right career. Take advantage of your school’s personality and scholastic exams and ask advice from the school counselor’s office. Reading stories and watching films of successful people may also enlighten you.

Consider studying in other countries like Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands or Guam. In these countries, you can increase your consciousness of the Hispanic culture. Though, you may be away from home for quite a while yet consider the benefits that you can gain after the scholarship. There are also programs that have been specialized in these countries, so why not go for it!

Take the interviews and wait for the results. When an institution calls you up for an interview or screening, you should be more than prepared to face it. Pray for a positive result and wait for further announcements. While waiting, you may also consider passing applications to other programs.

Less opportunities of the Hispanic community should not hinder you to pursue your dreams as there are free scholarship grants [https://www.scholarships.com/financial-aid/college-scholarships/scholarship-information/scholarship-f-a-q/] for deserving individuals. If you are a Hispanic student who are to graduate this year, free scholarship applications [http://www.scholarships.com] is a very good option.