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McDonald’s Announces $500,000 HACER Scholarship Program

Learn how you could win a $100,000 scholarship from McDonald’s.

Shawna Newman

November 14, 2023

McDonald’s Announces $500,000 HACER Scholarship Program
High school seniors of Hispanic descent should apply!
What’s better than McDonald’s fries or the return of the McRib? Money to help you pay for college, of course! For the 38th year, the McDonald’s HACER National Scholarship program is offering 30 Hispanic students access to higher education with the help of college scholarships. JUMP TO APPLY for the McDonald’s HACER Scholarship

McDonald’s HACER Scholarship

This McDonald’s scholarship is for high school seniors looking to attend a two- or four-year university or college as full-time students. This scholarship is offered in three tiers: • Tier 1 Recipients: Awarded up to $100,000 • Tier 2 Recipients: Awarded $20,000 or $10,000 • Tier 3 Recipients: Awarded up to $5,000 According to McDonald’s, since 1985, the McDonald's HACER National Scholarship is one of the largest college scholarship programs and “has awarded $33 million to help Hispanic students attend college.” Scholarship winners will also be a part of a network of more than 17,000 Hispanic college students from more than three decades.

McDonald’s HACER Scholarship Eligibility

Like other scholarships, there are eligibility requirements for the McDonald’s HACER scholarship.
In order to apply for this scholarship, you must be/have: • A high school senior. • A legal resident of the United States or a DREAMer/DACA recipient • Younger than 21-years old. • Eligible to attend a two- or four-year college as a full-time student, attending an accredited institution. • At least one parent of a Hispanic heritage. • Willing to disclose other scholarships you’ve applied for.

How to Apply for the Scholarship Program

The McDonald’s HACER More Scholarship's application process is simple; it does not require an essay, but candidates that make it to level two will participate in a scholarship interview. Your personal interview will be an opportunity for you to highlight your personal qualities and strengths as well as your Hispanic heritage. Interested students can apply until February 13, 2024, and will need to have these required documents: • High school transcripts • Personal statementsLetter of recommendationList of community service projectsFAFSA report and/or 1040s

Apply for the McDonald’s HACER National Scholarship

Deadline: 2/13/24
Award Amount: $100,000

Winning the McDonald’s HACER More Scholarship: TIPS

According to McDonalds' HACER Scholarship Website, scholarship winners are selected based upon the four following principles:
  1. Academic Achievement
  2. Like other merit scholarships, you’ll need to meet Grade Point Average requirements. This McDonald’s scholarship program requires at least a 2.8 GPA. The higher your GPA the better.
  3. Financial Need
  4. Your FAFSA reflects how much money your family can contribute to fund your college education. The scholarship committee will consider this number to help them choose award winners.
  5. Community Involvement
  6. Community involvement shows that students are aware of the broader issues impacting their community and are working to create change. Compassion is a wonderful element that can fuel community growth, and scholarship judges know this.
  7. Personal Strengths
  8. Student resiliency reflects your ambition to achieve. It’s likely the HACER More Scholarship committee will want to hear ways you’ve overcame obstacles. It doesn't hurt to document your story via a personal essay.
In addition to the four specifications listed above, there are other important insider tips and secrets to winning scholarships.

More Scholarship Opportunities

If you like what the McDonald’s HACER Scholarship has to offer, you should check out these scholarships:

Asian and Pacific Islander American (APIA) Scholarship Fund

The APIA Scholarship Program is available to full - time undergraduate students who are of Asian and / or Pacific Islander ethnicity. You must have a minimum GPA of 2.7 or have earned a GED to be eligible for this award. Deadline: 1/9/24
Award Amount: $5,000

McDonald's Black and Positively Golden Scholarship

The McDonald’s Black and Positively Golden Scholarship is available to full - time undergraduate students attending TMCF - member HBCUs and Predominately Black Institutions. You must have a minimum 2.7 GPA and demonstrate financial need to be eligible for this award. Deadline: 3/27/24
Award Amount: $15,000

Scholarships for Minority Students

Scholarships for Hispanic Students

Scholarships for African American Students

Scholarships for High School Seniors: Class of 2024

Live Más Scholarship

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Shawna Newman

Managing Editor, Contributing Writer

Shawna Newman is the Managing Editor and a writer at Fastweb. She has over 10 years of experience in higher education. Her direct work with college admissions teams, financial aid officers, college deans, ...

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