Options for scholarships for immigrant college students?

I'm an immigrant planning to attend college in the U.S. and I'm on the hunt for scholarships that are specifically for immigrant students. What are some good options, and how competitive are these scholarships?

There are a number of scholarships and programs that provide financial assistance to immigrant students studying in the U.S.

One highly acclaimed scholarship is TheDream.US Scholarship, which awards up to $33,000 for bachelor's degrees and up to $16,500 for associate's degrees. This scholarship is fairly competitive, as they awarded approximately 4,000 scholarships in 2020.

The Golden Door Scholars program offers scholarships to high-performing DACA students. Selected students receive funding for tuition, room and board, along with other school expenses.

The Ascend Educational Fund awards scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $20,000 to immigrant students and children of immigrants who are graduating from a NYC high school.

Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans is another highly competitive scholarship which supports immigrants or children of immigrants who are pursuing graduate school. You don't qualify just yet but consider it for the future.

Keep in mind that competition for these scholarships can be high, given the large number of immigrant students in the U.S. To increase your chances of securing a scholarship, be sure to submit a compelling personal statement and proof of academic excellence, as well as displaying resilience and motivation in your application.

Also, don't forget to check out the financial aid options at the schools you're applying to. Some colleges offer specific grants or scholarships for immigrant students, or have generous need-based financial aid policies that can significantly lower your cost of attendance. Best of luck!