Defining Minority: Are you making this scholarship mistake?

Feb 19

The biggest mistake a student can make when applying to scholarships is assuming that he or she doesn’t qualify for it. The area this mistake is made the most is the subject of “Minority” scholarships. Here’s the most important items you need to know about avoiding missing out on thousands of dollars in scholarships.

External Scholarships

Know how the scholarship defines minorities before applying.

You know what they say about people who assume…..

Many students see the term minority and automatically assume the criteria is based on race (African-American, Hispanic, Asian etc.). In reality, scholarships all have different criteria when it comes to defining the term minority. Often, minority is defined in scholarship applications as underrepresented groups which includes, but is not limited to the following characteristics:

Ethnicity/Race
Gender
Disability status
Sexual orientation (LGBTQ+)
Military or parental status
Socioeconomic background
Non-traditional circumstances (mothers, foster care, gap years)

For example, the PFLAG organization advocates for the LGBTQ+ community. Right away, most students would assume they are not qualified for any of the scholarships this organization offers if they are not LGBTQ+. However, the organization offers scholarships to both students who identify as LGBTQ+ and allies of the community. You could potentially qualify for a scholarship, even ones that don’t explicitly define what a “minority” is. Asking for clarification from the scholarship provider directly could earn you thousands in the long-run.

Institutional-Based Scholarships

Know how the school defines minorities when reviewing the university’s scholarships.

The definition for minority may vary from institution to institution, so before assuming, ask. The term “minority” may be different depending on the scholarship. For example, some larger institutional scholarships could be based solely off of race, while other departmental scholarships may be based off factors like gender or sexual orientation.

If a university has an established history of offering scholarships based on race/ethnicity then they will likely continue this practice in future years - even if there is not a large number of students in need at that time period. It doesn’t mean, however, that you can’t contact the school’s financial aid office if it is not clear what they deem “minority” in the requirements of the scholarship. This is only if the term “minority” or “underrepresented group” is not explicitly stated.

The Biggest Takeaway: Check with your school or scholarship provider to find out if you meet the definition of “minority” or “underrepresented group” for their scholarships.