Massachusetts Hispanic Scholarship Fund, Inc.

Our goals are achieved across two programs:

Scholarship Program
-Annual $4,000 scholarship for a 4-year college or $2,000 scholarship for a 2-year college starting with a single applicant, commencing with the 2022-2023 class
-Focus is on Hispanic High School Seniors attending an accredited two or four-year college or university starting in the Fall of the same year as the award
-Rotated across key Massachusetts cities/towns each year via high school awards night working in conjunction with the HS
-Targeting the largest Hispanic communities with the greatest need including but not limited to: Lawrence, Chelsea, Holyoke, Springfield, Lynn, Revere, Southbridge, Methuen, Fitchburg, Everett, Boston and Framingham
-Criteria:
*Must be a graduating senior
*Must be at least one-quarter Hispanic/Latino
*Attending an accredited two or four-year college, university or vocational school
*Complete 300-500 word personal statement essay
*Meet GPA requirement
*Demonstrate financial need
*Undocumented or DACA-eligible students accepted

High School Outreach & Education
As part of the above scholarship, outreach to the focused high school on some key scholarships that are often underrepresented or unknown, but are reasonable to complete and valuable to achieve. The idea is to work with guidance counselors and set up information sessions for parents/guardians and students on key Hispanic scholarships to consider including:

-Seniors, Fall: Massachusetts Hispanic Scholarship Fund
-Juniors, September/October: College Board’s National Hispanic Recognition Program
-Juniors & Seniors, Fall & Spring: Hispanic Heritage Foundation, Youth Awards
-Juniors, Seniors & Enrolled College Students: Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF)
-Juniors & Seniors: Other Scholarships

Our strategy is about focusing on the largest High School Hispanic communities with the greatest need in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts with providing an outreach and education program and an impactful scholarship. We will be equitable as we will rotate across the state to the High Schools meeting this criteria, so to represent the entire Commonwealth and touch as many as we can. A two-pronged approach of education and an impactufl scholarship we believe to be extremely valuable to this underserved community.

Our simplistic yet effective approach allows for us to be targeted each year on a particular community with a strong need. We are extremely focused, without trying to do too much, yet feel we have a local and extremely impactful approach to Hispanic students and their families. Our board members include those that are part of the Hispanic community and have more than 20 years experience in working similar functions around the areas of education and providing scholarships, with excellent communication and fundraising skills. With a successful track record in previous charitable organization and a focused approach, we expect to be successful on a yearly basis.

The Massachusetts Hispanic Scholarship Fund thus far as seen the following progress:

-Reformed the organization, completed legal documentation and maintained our 501 c3 charitable status
-Built a strong capable board
-Secured funding from sponsors to sustain Year 1 through 2025
-Secured strategic partners to further spread the message
-Confirmed first high school to work with in 2022-2023 school year
-Added additional high school in 2023-2024

What is next and being worked done:
-Bi-annual website, social networks update by June 2024
-Additional partnerships announced throughout 2024
-Fundraising for 2024-2025 school year and beyond
-Publicity, outreach and visibility in the communities we represent