CA Dream Network Scholarship - June 24th, 2011

CA Dream Network Scholarship

2nd Annual Scholarship

Deadline: June 24, 2011

In 1996, the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA) began focus groups to bring together immigrant youth in the Los Angeles area. Since then, CHIRLA, has been investing in youth through leadership and academic development programs such as Wise Up! and the CA Dream Network. The CA Dream Network, founded in 2003, is a statewide network composed of immigrant student organizations from all across the state of California. The CA Dream Network works on campaigns that promote education access, immigration reform, and other issues affecting undocumented and immigrant youth.

Due to California’s current education budgets cuts and tuition increases, undocumented students are facing an even harder challenge to independently finance their education. With the mission of helping California’s immigrant youth achieve their dreams and aspirations, the CA Dream Network organized several successful entertainment events to fund raise money for scholarships. Through the CA Dream Network’s extraordinary efforts, this year CHIRLA will be awarding (4) $500 scholarships for the 2011 school year to help California’s immigrant youth achieve their dreams and aspirations. The CA Dream Network Scholarship will be awarded to four immigrant students, regardless of status, who excel in academics while actively engaged in his/her community in the fight for immigrant rights.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Must come from an immigrant family
  • Must demonstrate financial need
  • Must demonstrate participation and/or activism on immigrant rights issues and/or other progressive social justice causes (school or local community)
  • Must be a college student enrolled in one of the following accredited institutions:
    • California Community College
    • California State University
    • University of California
    • Private Four Year college or university
    • Vocational School
  • Must have a minimum 2.0 G.P.A.
  • Must commit 10 hours of community work with the CA Dream Network (if awarded the scholarship)

Application Materials:

         CA Dream Network Scholarship Application-Please complete application in full.

         Three Written Prompts:

1.       Personal Statement (500 words maximum)-Provide an autobiography that includes:

§  Family history-upbringing experiences, financial barriers, obstacles confronted

§  Community involvement-past, present and future  

§  Dreams, hopes, and aspirations

2.       Career Goals (100 words maximum)-What are your career goals? What influenced you to choose this particular career?

3.       Use of Award (100 words maximum)-If you are granted the CA Dream Network scholarship, how will the money be used.

         Letter of Recommendation-Please submit only one (1) letter of recommendation. The recommender should be a person of responsibility: Employer, Supervisor, Teacher/ Professor, community leader (church, non-profit organization, etc…).  Letters should be sent on official letterhead (when applicable) and address the following:

1.       Relationship to the applicant

2.       Length of acquaintance

3.       Applicants strengths and weaknesses

4.       Examples of applicant’s leadership and/or commitment to civic service

5.       Assessment of the applicant’s overall potential to succeed in college

         College Transcripts-Submit most current college transcript. You may submit an unofficial or official transcript

         Resume-Please include work experience, community involvement, internships, awards, etc.

         Tax Return-Please include copy of your and your parents’ tax return (if applicable)

         Proof of Enrollment-Official proof of enrollment will be needed from your college or university if awarded the scholarship.

Application Instructions:

  1. Send only application materials listed above.
  2. Make sure to clearly label all three prompts. Prompts must be one-inch margin and double-spaced. Font must be Times New Roman and size 12.
  3. Everything must be mailed together in the following order:
    1. Scholarship Application (In front of all documents)
    2. Written Prompts
    3. Resume
    4. Transcripts
    5. Copy of your and your parents’ tax return (if applicable)
  4. Application must be postmarked or delivered in person by June 24th,  2011 to the address below.
  5. Faxed or emailed applications will not be accepted
  6. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.  Applications missing any of the required documents are considered incomplete.
  7. Awardees will be notified by July 15th, 2011. Finalist names will be posted on the CA Dream Network and CHIRLA website.
  8. Regret letters will not be sent.
  9. For more information go to www.chirla.org and www.cadreamnetwork.org
  10. Please mail your application to the address below:

Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles

CA Dream Network Scholarship

Attn: Jacqueline Amparo

2533 W 3rd. Street, Suite 101

Los Angeles, CA 90057

To Download the application please click here