The upcoming fall school year is fast approaching. As you think about your plans for the long, Labor Day weekend ahead, take some time to think about your college scholarship plans. College money is tighter than ever and it is imperative that you search out every possible source of free funding, to ensure that you don’t miss out on college.

Many scholarship programs are available to minority students, including Hispanic students. As college costs rise every year, the amount of federal loans and grants have remained the same. Most of us don’t come from wealthy families where money is not an issue. That means you need to win free scholarship money to attend college.

Who is Hispanic?

Most scholarships have clearly defined rules determining the Hispanic status of a student applying for scholarships. Typically, students or their families must be able to show they are descendants of one of the following countries: Uruguay, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Panama, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Argentina, Cuba, Chile, Bolivia, Paraguay, the Dominican Republic and Brazil.

Students from, French Guiana, Guyana, Belize and Suriname are not deemed Hispanic for scholarship purposes. Some scholarship programs require a student to be at least 25% Hispanic. If you meet the Hispanic status criteria, now comes the exciting part: applying for and winning some of the millions of dollars of free, Hispanic scholarship money. Below are some of the top, college scholarship programs for Hispanic students:

HISPANIC SCHOLARSHIP FUND (http://www.hsf.net/)

This non-profit, Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) is the largest source of free, college scholarship money for Hispanic students entering college, and those students already in college. With millions of dollars awarded every year to Hispanic students, the HSF should be included among your top resources for scholarship money. HSF is committed to awarding free financial grants to as many Hispanic students as it can, to increase college attendance for Hispanic youth.

HSF’s General College Scholarship application must be completed online, with the new applications available on September 1. The general scholarships make awards from $1,000 to $5,000 per year. Even if you are not ready to complete the application on September 1, look at it and make a copy for later reference. In addition to the General College Scholarship, HSF offers many other scholarships with specific criteria such as, geographic location and field of study. Once you complete the general application, you will automatically be alerted to other scholarship programs you are eligible for.

The eligibility requirements for HSF’s scholarship programs require, students to be Hispanic under its definition and U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Further requirements include, a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, a completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and plans to attend a two or four year accredited college as an undergraduate or graduate student.

HSF also sponsors the Gates Millennium Scholars program that is available to all Hispanic students with a minimum GPA of 3.3, significant financial need and excellent leadership skills. If you have the required GPA don’t hesitate to apply for this scholarship. The award amounts can be substantial and continue during all four years of school.

Hispanic College Fund (http://www.hispanicfund.org/scholarships.php)

The Hispanic College Fund (HCF) is the next largest source of free college scholarship money for college students. The minimum qualifications are the same, as HSF’s, requiring at least a 3.0 GPA in addition to financial need. It sponsors many other scholarships with different requirements. Once you complete the general application you will be automatically matched to the programs you are eligible for. The scholarship awards range from $500 to $5,000 per year.

The HCF sponsors the Sallie Mae Fund First in My Family Scholarship Program that makes awards to Hispanic students with a 3.0 GPA and financial need, which are the first in their family to attend college. The program awards from, $500 to $5,000 per student. All Hispanic students who meet these requirements should apply for this award as soon as you can, as competition is tight for the available dollars.

Latin American Educational Foundation (http://www.laef.org/)

The Latin American Educational Foundation (LAEF) awards millions of dollars of free, college money to eligible Hispanic students residing in Colorado. The LAEF has been in existence since 1949, with a mission of helping Hispanic youth attend college and become active in the community. These scholarship awards are also matched by some participating colleges, which makes this scholarship program a must for all Hispanic students of Colorado who have a 3.0 GPA, financial need and proven involvement in the Hispanic community.

Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) offers many scholarships for those students already attending a college that has at least 25% Hispanic students. These schools with a large Hispanic population ((HSIs), are eligible for federal grants and are supported by HACU, with free scholarship money. If you are already attending a HACU sponsored college, you can apply for the many available scholarship programs awarding free money. The HACU has a complete list of approved HSIs on its website.