National Puerto Rican Day Parade Scholarship

Every year the National Puerto Rican Day Parade awards 100 scholarships of $2,000 each to exceptional students of Puerto Rican descent who are making a difference in their communities. Eligibility is nationwide, including Puerto Rico, and prior winners may re-apply while they still meet the criteria.

Applicants must be of Puerto Rican descent; have a GPA of 3.0 or better; be a high school senior or a college freshman through junior between the ages of 17 and 25; be enrolled in an accredited two- or four-year college or university (for college students); and have a track record of volunteer work or community service. Finalists interview with the selection committee.

The application includes an essay, a biography, two recommendation letters (one from the volunteer site), transcripts, and a photo. Applications open in February and close in mid-March.