Scholarships benefit Hispanic students

Applications for scholarships from the Hispanic Scholarship Fund will be accepted until Oct. 15. Awards range from $1,000 to $3,000.

Established in 1975, the HSF is a prestigious program created to help Hispanic American students continue or complete their education. To be eligible for the scholarship, students must a U.S. citizen, or permanent resident and have at least one parent full Hispanic, or both parents at least half Hispanic.

Students must also have completed 15 college units at an accredited university or college, and carry a minimum 2.7 GPA.

Recipients are evaluated on academic achievement, financial need and letters of recommendation. Applications are available either in the financial aid office or the Multi-Ethnic center. Both undergraduate and graduate students are encouraged to apply.

Last year, the HSF awarded more than $9.3 million in grants. More than 4,200 students applied from all 50 states and Puerto Rico. HSF personnel would not release the number of applicants from BSU.

Mayra Calderon, an International Business student at BSU applied last year and was selected by a committee to receive an award. “The scholarship definitely helped my academic career,” said Calderon. “It covered tuition, books and I still have a little left over for next semester.

The scholarship and grant award money comes from more than 200 corporate sponsors, offering different scholarships to students. The recipients are notified as to which sponsor contributed to their scholarship and are encouraged to write thank you notes in return.

Specialized programs in business, engineering, or computer science are available to students with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. HSF also offers awards to High School seniors planning to attend an accredited university in the upcoming year.

For further information on the HSF scholarship, or other awards available to ethnic students, visit the Multi-Ethnic Center across University drive from the Student Union Building.

“So many scholarships go unclaimed because nobody applies for them and students are not aware of them. Here at the center, we are trying to bring the information to the students,” said Tam Dinh, Multi-Ethnic Center Coordinator.

Laura Wylde (The Arbiter)

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