Purpose: To provide financial assistance to deserving Latino students pursuing a 2-year or 4-year degree or attending a vocational program who are active members of a local CalPac United Methodist Church (UMC) in Southern California.
The 2022 scholarship dates include the following:
In order to apply for the UMC Latino Youth SAI Scholarship, applicants must satisfy the following criteria:
Complete and submit the SAI application, write a 500-word essay, and submit two letters of recommendation (one must be from applicant’s pastor or church leader). All these required documents must be emailed by deadline date.
The following documents must be available upon request:
Applicant must complete a 500-word essay on such topics as background, life obstacles, role models, interests, short and long term goals, need for award, and indicate how he/she identifies with the Latino culture.
At least one letter of recommendation must come from the Pastor or Church Leader. Other letters of recommendations can be from teachers, coaches, community members, employers, and even family members who will attest to the applicant’s character, passion, drive, potential and accomplishments to date.
If the applicant is a high school student, applicant should have all available school transcripts starting with the ninth grade. If the high school student has taken college courses, then it is recommended that s/he obtain transcripts for the college work, also.
If unable to file FAFSA application, please have income tax documents available to submit upon request.
A completed application and required documents must be received by the deadline date
An email will be sent to those who will receive a scholarship giving them the amount and informing them of the next steps to receive the scholarship. Recipients will have 12 months to provide proof of enrollment or the scholarship award will be withdrawn. The scholarship withdrawal date can be extended an additional 6 months for extenuating circumstances if a written request is received one month before the withdrawal date.
Once proof of college enrollment for the fall semester is received by SAI, a check will be sent to the school where the student is attending.
A database of all recipients will be kept to include name, contact information (address, cell, home phone, email address), date scholarship received, school attended, and amount of scholarship, in order for SAI to follow up in the future.
Spanish American Institute (SAI) is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to providing educational assistance to Hispanic students in Southern California. Since 1909, when it was established as a boarding school teaching vocational skills to local Mexican boys, SAI has adapted both its structure and its programs to meet the changing needs of the Hispanic community in Southern California. SAI currently offers college and vocational scholarships. SAI’s unique combination of stability and flexibility has proven successful through the years and has helped thousands of Hispanic students to REACH FOR THE STARS! SAI has granted over $160,000 in scholarships to over 260 students between 2008 and 2018. Since SAI has been giving scholarships since the 1970’s, over $1M of scholarships have been awarded.
As one of the fastest growing demographic groups in the United States, Hispanics under the age of 25 are becoming a crucial part of the American social network. It is essential that these young people have access to the preparation they need to become productive, successful adults, capable of meeting the challenges of modern life.
It is widely agreed that a key element of such preparation is quality education. Unfortunately, a solid education has become increasingly difficult for many Hispanic students to obtain, as inner city schools struggle both with increased enrollment and severe per pupil budget cuts. Overburdened teachers are unable to assist students with special educational needs (for example, those whose home language is not English). University tuition costs have skyrocketed, and virtually all colleges struggle to maintain their financial aid programs. Many motivated, intelligent Hispanic students encounter two principal obstacles to attaining higher education degrees: inadequate academic preparation and debilitating financial impediments. SAI hopes to make higher education a reality for those in our community.
