Financial Assistance

REGENT JESUS SALAS ACADEMIC ACTIVIST SCHOLARSHIP

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The Jesus Salas Academic Activist Scholarship is a $500 award granted annually to a CLS Certificate student who has excelled academically and made outstanding service contributions to the Chican@ and Latin@ Community. Administered by the Program, the award is named in honor of longtime activist Jesus Salas for his commitment to the advancement and well-being of the Chican@ and Latin@ community. Regent Salas earned a Master’s degree in Political Science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and in 1964 he helped found the Obreros Unidos, a Wisconsin agricultural labor union (more information). He was also the first Latino executive director of United Migrant Opportunity Services, Inc. He served on the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents from 2004 to 2007, and was an instructor at the Milwaukee Area Technical College for many years.  Students may apply through the Wisconsin Scholarship Hub (WiSH). Submit an essay, résumé, and one letter to apply.
The Deadline for Spring 2024 is April 5th.

SOMOS STUDENT AND FACULTY DEVELOPMENT AWARDS

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The Chican@ & Latin@ Studies Program takes applications for the Somos Student and Faculty Development Awards every Spring.  The awards are supported by the generosity of Dr. Andrea-Teresa Arenas with proceeds from the sale of her book Somos Latinas, and by her husband, former Chancellor John Wiley.  The Program will make at least one student award and at least one faculty award up to $1500.00 each every year.  The awards will support professional, academic, or artistic initiatives.  Examples of eligible initiatives include travel to professional meetings, research expenses, research assistants, travel to collections, training that would enhance teaching, and creative projects.   Funds will be distributed by reimbursement on a timeline determined by recipients and the Director. Students may apply through the Wisconsin Scholarship Hub (WiSH).  Faculty may email their applications to the Program office.  Please review application instructions for students and faculty before submitting.
The Deadline for Spring 2024 is April 5th.

UW-MADISON FINANCIAL AID RESOURCES

Search the Wisconsin Scholarship Hub for opportunities (Apply with NetID).

The UW-Madison Multicultural Student Center has scholarship information for undocumented students, along with other helpful information.

The UW-Madison’s Center for DREAMers may also be able to offer advice about financial aid for undocumented students.

The Dreamers of UW-Madison have begun offering scholarships to students.  Contact the organization directly for more information and for application deadlines.

EXTERNAL RESOURCES

USDE Resource Guide: Supporting Undocumented Youth (2015)  A 2017 guide to scholarships open to students regardless of immigration status may also contain useful leads.

Complete your FAFSA application

Centro Hispano of Dane County, through its Becas Program, annually awards an average of two to four $2,500 scholarships to high school seniors, and two $5,000 scholarships to students already enrolled in college to help them complete their studies.  Centro is also part of the coalition that awards the Roberto G. Sánchez Scholarship to Spanish/English bilingual college students.

Latinos United for College Education Scholarships (LUCES), a south central Wisconsin nonprofit, offers scholarships to recent high school graduates and returning college students in the state.