Berks County Community Foundation-Hispanic Center Application

The Hispanic Center Scholarship Fund Application for Traditional Students

Application must be submitted between January 1st and March 1st.

For assistance in completing this application or the FASFA form contact the Centro Hispano Daniel Torres at 610-376-3748.

This application may be completed by Berks county residents who are:

current high school seniors who intend to enter an institution of higher education as full-time students upon graduating from high school; or
former high school graduates or GED recipients, age 24 and under at time of application, who will be entering an institution of higher education as full-time students; or
current undergraduate students enrolled at an institution of higher education as full-time students, age 24 and under at time of application, and who also meet the following criteria:

One or more scholarships will be awarded annually to a resident of Berks County who will be pursuing post-secondary, undergraduate education as a full-time student at an accredited institution in the United States and whose ethnic background originates from Mexico, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Central America or South America. GRADUATE STUDENTS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO APPLY.

Scholarship applicants shall exhibit a strong commitment to academic achievement or demonstrate a special talent in the humanities or a vocational trade, and be actively involved in school and/or community activities. The intent is to acknowledge and encourage those individuals who have demonstrated a level of personal responsibility necessary to attend and succeed in a continuing education institution, and who have a financial need.

Past recipients may reapply each year and will be reconsidered along with all other applicants. Kutztown University, Reading Area Community College, Alvernia College, Albright College and Penn State Berks-Lehigh Valley College will match scholarships given from this fund for students who attend those schools. Additional match money may also be given from other sources.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to file the Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FASFA) form by March 1. For help in submitting the FASFA form, contact The Hispanic Center.

Note: If you are responsible for raising your child, or you will be furthering your education on a part-time basis, complete the non-traditional student application, regardless of your age.

To be considered for this scholarship, complete and submit the following form electronically between January 1st and March 1st.

You may submit your application electronically or you may print it, complete it and mail it the address listed below postmarked no later than March 1st.

In addition to submitting your application, the following documents must be mailed, postmarked no later than March 1st:

A copy of your most recent high school and college transcript (if applicable).
A recommendation form (download here as a Word document or a PDF) from an individual who can provide information in regard to your financial need. This letter should be from a teacher, school official, clergy, employer, advisor, community leader or other person who knows you well.

Mail the above information to:
The Hispanic Center Scholarship
Berks County Community Foundation
P.O. Box 212
Reading, PA 19603-0212

Please fill out the form below and submit electronically:

Applicant Name:

Prefix

First

MI

Last

Suffix

Street Address:

Address 2 (optional):

City:

State: Zip Code: County

Home Phone Number:

Email address:

Do you live in Berks County?
Yes No

Country of origin/ethnic background:

Birth Date (mm/dd/yyyy):

High School Name:

Graduation Date:

Have you previously received an award from this scholarship fund?
Yes No

Are you currently employed? Yes No

If yes, where do you work?

If yes, how long have you worked there?

If yes, how many hours per week do you work?

About Your Family

Father, stepfather or male guardian's name:

Father's Address (if different from above):

Father's Occupation and Employer:

Mother, stepmother or female guardian's name:

Mother's Address (if different from above):

Mother's Occupation and Employer:

Are you being claimed as a dependent by one or more of your parents?
Yes No

If yes, by whom are you being claimed?

Have you completed and submitted the FASFA for the upcoming school year? Yes No

If no, do you intend to submit the FASFA before the May 1 deadline?
Yes No

Are you responsible for caring for any siblings? Yes No

If yes, please explain the situation:

Post-Secondary Plans

What educational institution are you planning to attend?

Educational institution location:

Have you been accepted? Yes No

Will you be a full-time student? Yes No

Will you live: on campus off campus at home

Briefly describe the course of study you will pursue:

What is your intended career?

Expected cost of tuition per year:

Expected cost of room and board per year:

Total annual expenses:

Have you received or do you anticipate receiving any scholarships, grants or financial awards? If yes, please indicate which ones and the amount of each (do not include loans you must pay back):

Where do you intend to live after college graduation and why did you select this location?

Activities, Awards and Honors
List all school activities in which you have participated in the past four years:

List all community activities in which you have participated in the past four years:

Indicate all special awards, honors and offices held:

Attach a one-page essay that describes how you have provided or demonstrated leadership in a particular event, situation or experience, OR, if you have received a scholarship from this fund before, attach a one-page essay describing the past year at your educational institution, the lessons you've learned or accomplishments you've achieved.

How did you hear about the Community Foundation?

Note: Berks County Community Foundation employees, board members and/or committee members are not eligible to apply or be nominated for a grant or scholarship, nor are their immediate family members. Immediate families include spouses, children, stepchildren, grandchildren, and stepgrandchildren. The ineligibility period for Berks County Community Foundation board members or employees extends five years after board service or employment terminates. The ineligibility period for committee members who are not Berks County Community Foundation board members or employees is in effect only during their term of service.