Student Financial Support
Scholarships
At HECUA, we are committed to making our programs affordable for all students. Explore scholarship opportunities designed to support students pursuing experiential learning, social justice, community engagement, and international education.
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BIPOC students, first-generation students, and students from low-income backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
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Find the Right Scholarship for You
HECUA offers three primary scholarship awards to students participating in eligible programs. Additional opportunities may be available for eligible Community Internships in Latin America participants, Augsburg University students, and students applying for external scholarships.
General Requirements
Before You Apply
- Applicants must be enrolled students at a HECUA consortium school for the three primary scholarships, subject to each award's specific eligibility criteria.
- All applicants must have an application on file for a HECUA program to apply for the primary scholarships.
- Applicants may apply for only one of the three primary HECUA scholarships per HECUA program.
- BIPOC students, first-generation students, and students from low-income backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
- HECUA's scholarship work is supported by donations from its community.
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Important Dates
Scholarship Deadlines
| Deadline | Type | Application Period |
|---|---|---|
| November 1 | Early Bird | Early bird deadline for January-term and spring scholarships |
| December 1 | Regular | Regular deadline for January-term and spring scholarships |
| March 1 | Early Bird | Early bird deadline for summer and fall scholarships |
| April 15 | Regular | Regular deadline for summer and fall scholarships |
Students who apply by the early bird deadline and do not receive an award will automatically be considered for the regular deadline.
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Primary Awards
Explore HECUA Scholarships
Review the award amounts, purpose, eligibility requirements, and application notes for each of HECUA's three primary scholarship opportunities.
A central component of HECUA's mission is to equip students with skills and knowledge for building just communities and democratic societies.
In U.S. society, racial discrimination and white supremacy shape power and privilege, including within institutions of higher education.
The Scholarship for Racial Justice is one of HECUA's concrete commitments toward undoing institutionalized racism in higher education.
Eligibility Requirements
- Applicants must be students of color.
- Applicants must demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to racial justice.
- Applicants must be currently enrolled at one of HECUA's member colleges or universities.
- Applicants must have a program application on file for a semester-long U.S. or international HECUA program.
- HECUA short-term programs are not eligible for this scholarship.
Important note: Students who apply for but do not receive the Scholarship for Racial Justice may withdraw from the HECUA program without financial penalty before the program begins.
A central component of HECUA's mission is to equip students with skills and knowledge for building just communities and democratic societies.
In U.S. society, racial discrimination and white supremacy shape power and privilege, including within institutions of higher education.
The Scholarship for Social Justice is one of HECUA's concrete commitments toward undoing institutionalized racism in higher education.
Eligibility Requirements
- Applicants must be first-generation college students, students from low-income families, individuals with undocumented or refugee immigration status, and/or students of color.
- For the low-income category, the supplied eligibility definition states that the family's taxable income for the preceding year must not have exceeded 150 percent of the applicable poverty-level amount.
- Applicants must be currently enrolled at one of HECUA's member colleges or universities.
- Applicants must have a program application on file for a semester-long U.S. or international HECUA program.
- HECUA short-term programs are not eligible for this scholarship.
Important note: Students in HECUA's short-term programs are not eligible to receive the Scholarship for Social Justice.
HECUA provides a number of these $750 scholarships each semester to students who have demonstrated a commitment to working for social change and whose future goals will be strengthened by a HECUA program.
Smaller awards of up to $500 are available to students participating in January-term or summer programs.
Eligibility Requirements
- Applicants must be enrolled in a HECUA program.
- Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to working for social change.
- Applicants must be currently enrolled at one of HECUA's member colleges or universities.
Important note: Students in HECUA's short-term programs may receive up to $500 from the Scholarship for Community Engagement.
Application Process
How to Apply for a HECUA Scholarship
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01
Apply to a HECUA Program
Applicants must have a program application on file for a HECUA program before applying for one of the three primary HECUA scholarships.
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02
Choose One Primary Scholarship
You may apply for only one scholarship per HECUA program.
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03
Complete the Scholarship Application
Complete the application online using one of the scholarship application links provided for the relevant award.
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04
Check Whether You Have Another HECUA Program
If you are participating in a second HECUA program and have already received a HECUA scholarship, you may apply for an additional scholarship for your second program.
Students may apply for only one of the three primary scholarships per HECUA program. A student participating in a second HECUA program may apply for an additional scholarship for that second program, even if they have received a scholarship for a previous HECUA program.
Program-Specific Awards
Additional Scholarship Opportunities
In addition to the three primary HECUA scholarships, the supplied information describes specific awards for eligible students in certain programs and at a particular institution.
The Gerardo Marín Scholarship for the Community Internships in Latin America (CILA) program honors the memory of Gerardo Marín, a leader in the field of international education at the University of San Francisco.
Dr. Marín was dedicated to diversity and inclusion and stewarded the expansion of international education programs in Central and South America, Eastern Europe, and Asia at the University of San Francisco.
This $500 scholarship is intended to help defray the out-of-pocket expenses of students enrolled in HECUA's Community Internships in Latin America program.
The scholarship is open to consortium member and affiliate school students and may be applied for in conjunction with any of HECUA's other scholarships.
Augsburg University and HECUA award an automatic $2,100 scholarship for Augsburg University DACA and undocumented students who participate in one of HECUA's semester programs.
Eligibility Requirements
- Applicants must be enrolled undergraduate students at Augsburg University.
- Applicants must be DACA recipients or have undocumented immigration status.
- Applicants must be enrolled in a HECUA semester program.
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Outside Funding
Explore External Scholarships
Students may also explore scholarship opportunities offered by external organizations, foundations, and institutions. Verify current eligibility, deadlines, award amounts, and permitted uses directly with each provider.
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- Sieben Edmunds Miller Criminal Justice ScholarshipURL placeholder for site administrator
- Fund for Education Abroad: Minnesota ScholarshipURL placeholder for site administrator
- Hosteling International: Explore the World ScholarshipURL placeholder for site administrator
- Scholarships for Study Abroad Programs in New ZealandURL placeholder for site administrator
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All Hispanic Scholarship Fund scholarships can also be used for study abroad through HECUA, according to the supplied source information. Verify current terms directly with the scholarship provider.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about HECUA scholarship applications, eligibility, review procedures, and other ways to finance your program.
Students always have until HECUA's scholarship application deadline to submit scholarship materials, even if their school's application deadline comes earlier.
The scholarship review committee looks primarily at essays to assess candidates for these scholarships.
HECUA encourages students to have their essays reviewed by a mentor, a campus writing center, or an academic advisor.
Yes. Federal aid always follows the student, and financial aid from home institutions often applies to HECUA programs.
Students should consult their home campus financial aid office and study abroad office. They should also ask about additional scholarship possibilities available through their home campus.
Students can also refer to the list of external scholarships and scholarship search resources provided on this page.
Only students who apply for the Scholarship for Racial Justice are allowed to withdraw their HECUA program application without financial penalty if they do not receive a scholarship.
Applicants may apply for only one of the three primary HECUA scholarships per HECUA program.
The three primary scholarships are the Scholarship for Racial Justice, the Scholarship for Social Justice, and the Scholarship for Community Engagement.
If a student participates in a second HECUA program and has already received a HECUA scholarship, they may apply for an additional scholarship for the second program.
Students in HECUA short-term programs are not eligible for the Scholarship for Racial Justice or the Scholarship for Social Justice.
Eligible students in January-term or summer programs may receive up to $500 from the Scholarship for Community Engagement.
The Gerardo Marín Scholarship for Community Internships in Latin America is described in the supplied information as open to consortium member and affiliate school students, subject to the relevant program conditions.
Applicants must be students of color, demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to racial justice, be currently enrolled in one of HECUA's member colleges or universities, and have a program application on file for an eligible semester-long U.S. or international HECUA program.
HECUA short-term programs are not eligible.
Eligible applicants must meet at least one of the specified background criteria: be a first-generation college student, a student from a low-income family under the supplied income definition, have undocumented or refugee immigration status, and/or be a student of color.
Applicants must also be currently enrolled at a HECUA member college or university and have a program application on file for an eligible semester-long U.S. or international HECUA program.
HECUA short-term programs are not eligible.
If you are participating in a second HECUA program and have already received a HECUA scholarship, you may apply for an additional scholarship for your second program.
The general rule remains that you may apply for only one of the three primary HECUA scholarships per HECUA program.
No. Students should first explore other financing options, including federal aid, financial aid through their home institution, additional campus scholarships, and the external scholarship resources listed on the page.
Only students who applied for the Scholarship for Racial Justice are permitted by the supplied policy to withdraw from their HECUA program application without financial penalty if they do not receive a scholarship.
Support Student Access
Help Make HECUA Programs Accessible
HECUA's scholarship work is supported by donations from its community. Contributions help sustain opportunities for students to pursue experiential learning and engage with social change.