Instructions
Be sure to view the Eligibility, Deadlines, and Requirements
for each program.
- For students only applying to the NASA MUST Scholarship Program click here >> MUST Instructions
- Students applying to other scholarship programs read the instructions below
HCF Applications cannot be completed last minute. Recommenders need at least 2 weeks warning to write a thorough and useful letter and transcripts usually take 2-3 weeks for a school to process and mail.
Registration
Create your login and password.
You will be able to use this login and password to enter the application system and make updates to your application until the application deadline.
Fill in your contact & academic information and submit.
You will be automatically logged out so you can verify your email address.
Check your e-mail.
You should have an email from autoemail@hispanicfund.org. This email will contain a link for you to access to verify your registration. Click the link provided in your email to verify your account.
Log into your application.
You will be taken to a screen that shows your registration information.Verify that it is correct and select “continue.”
Section 1: Scholarship Applications
Determine your eligibility.
If any scholarship applications are currently available, you will now see them on a table on your homepage.You will need to fill out more information to determine your eligibility.You can either:
a.Click the “apply” button to fill out only the questions required for a specific scholarship program.
OR
b.Fill out the full profile to determine your eligibility for all available scholarship programs.
Apply.
1. Click APPLY for the program(s) for which you qualify. You will need to submit an essay, upload a resume, and sign an online legal agreement. For some applications you may need to answer additional questions.
2.If you do not qualify for any currently OPEN programs, you will be redirected to other scholarship resources. Please review eligibility criteria for all programs currently OPEN if you have any questions concerning your eligibility.
Read the essay prompt and other questions carefully.
Log out and write your essay on a separate document.
Return to your application by logging in, then copy and paste your essay into the space provided.
Click SUBMIT and you will see the Legal Agreement.
You must SUBMIT the Legal Agreement before you can access Steps 3 – 4.
Section 2: Letter of Recommendation
The recommendation letter must be submitted online BY your recommender by the given program deadline.
HCF will request a letter of recommendation from the recommender of your choice. We DO NOT accept paper letters of recommendation.
The letter of recommendation is a key component of your application.You should choose someone who knows you well, can speak of your accomplishments in the classroom, and can talk about any outside activities in your field of study in great DETAIL.
Call the person you would like as a reference and tell them you are applying for a scholarship through the Hispanic College Fund at least 2 full weeks before the deadline.
Enter your recommender's name, email and phone in Section 2.
Call your recommender! They should expect an email with instructions from autoemail@hispanicfund.org. We will send them this email the evening after you complete this step of the online application. If your recommender does not receive the email the next day, contact HCF staff.
You are responsible for making sure your letter of recommendation is received by HCF online no later than the deadline.
Send a reminder.After you have submitted your recommender’s information you can send a reminder e-mail by re-accessing Section 2 and clicking on the envelope icon.
Section 3: Sending Documents
Mailed documents must be postmarked by the given program deadline.
Read the Eligibility & Deadlines to find out which documents are required for your applications.
Read the Description of Documents to find out what documents are acceptable.
Collect and mail your documents (make sure they are legible), before the postmark deadline, to:
Hispanic College Fund
Attn: Scholarship Processing
1301 K Street, NW
Suite 450-A West
Washington, DC 20005
Enter the date of when you mailed or PLAN to mail each of the documents requested.
Check the status of your documents. Once HCF has received and processed your document, the status will say “Complete” next to each item.
Documents take 3-4 weeks to process.If you notice that your documents have not been received within 4 weeks of mailing them, it is your responsibility to follow up with HCF.
Any paperwork postmarked after the deadline will not be processed, and will be shredded for your protection.
Section 4: Financial Aid Verification
Read the Eligibility & Deadlines to find out if the Financial Aid Verification is required for the program(s) to which you are applying.
When required, financial aid contact person name and email must be submitted online by the given program deadline. The financial aid office will have an extended deadline to submit the online verification directly to HCF.
HCF will ask for financial aid information for scholarship semifinalists from their university or college in May/June. We need the most accurate contact information possible.
Print HCF Financial Aid Verification Letter.
Call your Financial Aid office at the university you are most likely to attend during the Fall semester. Find out the best person for HCF to contact about your financial information and take down their name, phone and email.
Completely fill out and sign the Financial Aid Verification Letter and deliver or fax it to your Financial Aid counselor – NOT to HCF.
Enter your Financial Aid counselor’s contact information in the spaces provided.Please make sure that you provide the information for your college/university Financial Aid counselor, NOT a high school counselor
All sections must be completed by scholarship program deadline(s).This includes all required documents received by HCF and Letter of Recommendation submitted correctly by your recommender.
