HACU Scholarship Program

HACU Scholarship Criteria

HACU Scholarship Criteria

To be eligible to apply for HACU Scholarships, applicants must meet the following HACU Scholarship Program criteria listed below. 

1. Are currently enrolled at a HACU-member institution in the U.S. or Puerto Rico;
2. Have graduated from a high school (or have earned a high school equivalency diploma) in the U.S. or Puerto Rico;
3. Have completed your first-semester of college at a HACU-member institution;
4. Intend to enroll at a HACU-member institution in the Spring of 2024 or Fall 2024 (varies by scholarship). 
5.  If you are transferring institutions, the institution must also be HACU-member to be eligible to apply; for the most up-to-date listing of HACU-member institutions, Please Click Here.
6. Demonstrate financial need if required by the scholarship sponsor (typically determined by the FAFSA or State/Institutional Aid);

To stay up to date on application openings and deadlines, please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter - @HACUNews. 

Scholarships Available

Scholarships Available

Please carefully review each scholarship criteria to determine eligibility.

• The online application will automatically match you to the scholarship(s) for which you are eligible after creating your student profile.
• If you were not matched to a scholarship, then you are not eligible for HACU scholarships.

PLEASE NOTE: Additional scholarship opportunities may be added.

USTA Future Leaders in Sport Scholarship

USTA Future Leaders in Sport Scholarship applicants must also meet the following scholarship criteria to qualify:

• Open to student majoring in Sports Management.
• Must be attending a 4-year HACU Member Institution.
• Open to Undergraduate and Graduate (Master's degree) students.
• Must be enrolled Full-time.
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Open to U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents

Denny’s Hungry for Education Scholarship

Denny’s Hungry for Education Scholarship applicants must also meet the following scholarship criteria to qualify:

• Open to ALL Majors
• Must be attending a 2-year or 4-year HACU Member Institution.
• Open to Undergraduate and Graduate students.
• Enrolled Part-time or Full-time.
• Minimum GPA of 2.5 or higher.
• Open to U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents
• Must also submit a minimum 500-word essay on, "How Denny’s can help bring communities together?"
• If notified of selection, scholarship recipients are required to submit a head shot electronically to HACU for Denny’s press purposes.

Please Note: If applicant is under the age of 18 and is selected as a potential HFE scholarship recipient, in order to be confirmed as a winner, the student’s parent or legal guardian must sign an Affidavit of Eligibility and Assignment of Rights. (Affidavit provided by partner)

Palo Alto Networks Cyber Scholars Program

Palo Alto Networks Cyber Scholars Program applicants must also meet the following scholarship criteria to qualify:

• Open to student majoring in: Information Technology, Information System Security, Computer Information Systems, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or similar tech-related STEM & Business Majors.
• Must be attending a 2-year or 4-year HACU Member Institution.
• Open to Undergraduate and Graduate students.
• Enrolled Part-time or Full-time.
• Minimum GPA of 2.5 or higher.
• Open to U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents
• Preference will be given to students preparing to graduate during the Spring 2024 or Summer 2024 semester.

LanguageCert International Student Scholarship

LanguageCert International Student Scholarship applicants must also meet the following scholarship criteria to qualify:

• Open to ALL Majors
• Must be attending a 2-year or 4-year HACU Member Institution.
• Open to Freshman Undergraduate students only.
• Must be enrolled Full-time.
• Minimum GPA of 2.5 or higher.
• Open to International Students only.
• Applicant must show proof of English language proficiency to the HACU member school by means of the LanguageCert Academic test. 

Scholarship Application Guide: (Download Here) This guide walks you through applying for LanguageCert International Student Scholarship on AwardSpring.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for scholarships using the AwardSpring platform?

• Navigate to: https://hacu.awardspring.com/
• Download the Scholarship Application Guide: (Download Here). This guide walks you through applying for Palo Alto Networks Cyber Scholars Program on AwardSpring. 

Where can I print an enrollment verification form and financial aid release form?

These forms are accessible online before you submit your application. If you have already submitted your application online, then you can choose these links: verification form, financial aid release form.

May I submit an electronic unofficial transcript and enrollment verification if my school provides them?

Yes, scholarship finalists can e-mail their supporting documents to scholarship@hacu.net.

Include your full name and school ID# on the e-mail.

What do I do with my financial aid release form?

You file this form with your financial aid office. You do not need to mail this document to HACU.

Are high school students eligible?

HACU scholarships are available to students currently enrolled at a HACU member institution, which means high school students and students in a dual-enrollment program are not eligible.

Do I have to be Hispanic or Latina/o to apply for a HACU scholarship?

No.

If I do not attend a HACU member institution, am I eligible for a HACU scholarship?

No. HACU scholarships are for students currently enrolled at a HACU member institution.

How can my school become a member of HACU?

Please refer your school personnel to the HACU Membership page on our website by clicking here. This page provides information on how your school can join and details about our membership categories, dues and benefits. You can personally deliver a membership information packet to your college or university president.

To request a HACU membership information packet, please email your name and mailing address to our Membership Department at memberinfo@hacu.net.

The scholarship I want to apply for is not on my scholarship selection page, why not?

If you were not matched to a scholarship, then you are not eligible for that award.

Based on the information you enter, the online application will automatically match you to the scholarship(s) for which you are eligible. Please review the specific scholarship criteria.

When will I be notified if I was selected for a HACU scholarship?

We will email notification to scholarship recipients.

How are scholarship funds disbursed, and how can I use my scholarship funds?

If you are awarded a scholarship, we will mail a scholarship check directly to your financial aid office. These funds can be used for any educational expenses.

Will I receive my scholarship funds before the start of the semester?

No, scholarship funds will be disbursed after enrollment verification has been completed. Disbursements occur in September/October for the fall semester or February/March for the spring semester. 

How does the scholarship award selection process work?

Once you complete your online application and the deadline has passed, your application is sent to the selected scholarship review committee who will review your application.

Once all applications have been reviewed, we will begin selecting finalists and notifying them to submit their supporting documents (official transcripts, enrollment form and letter of recommendations).

Once all documents are submitted and reviewed, recipients will be selected and notified beginning late August or early September for fall semester awards.

What other external scholarship resources are there? 

If you are not eligible for a HACU scholarship, please visit our Other Scholarship Resources.

What other recommendations do you have for Financial Aid support? 

We welcome you to visit our "Financial Aid Tips for College Students - Find the Resources You Need at Your College Campus."