Can non-citizens apply for college scholarships?

As a high school junior who's a non-citizen, I'm trying to figure out my options for college funding. I'm not sure how citizenship status plays into the scholarship application process. Has anyone else dealt with this, or know of scholarships that non-citizens are eligible for? Any insight or resources would be a huge help in planning my next steps!

Certainly, non-citizens can indeed apply for several types of college scholarships. There are many different kinds of scholarships available that are not restricted to U.S citizens.

These include Institutional Scholarships, which are offered by the universities themselves. These can often be need-based or merit-based, and the eligibility criteria vary widely from school to school. If you have a specific institution in mind, it would be best to research its scholarships and the eligibility criteria.

Furthermore, there are also various external scholarships that non-citizens can apply for. These are sponsored by private organizations and companies, including both international organizations and U.S. entities looking to support non-citizen students.

You might also explore merit-based scholarships which are awarded based on your academic or extracurricular achievements, regardless of citizenship. It's important to keep in mind that you should still look at all the eligibility requirements even with merit-based scholarships.

Despite your non-citizen status, you'll find there are many scholarships out there for you, and starting your search early is an excellent step. Remember to look beyond the large, more well-known scholarships to smaller, less competitive ones, as those can add up.

I encourage you to look into organizations that specifically offer resources to support non-citizens with college funding like the Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans which caters to immigrants and children of immigrants. Lastly, consulting with your school's guidance counselor or college advisor could also be invaluable as they may be able to point you towards resources that are tailored to your specific situation. I wish you the best of luck in your college journey and scholarship search!