The NHCSL STEM Targeted Majors Scholarship Fund
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION & CRITERIA/ELIGIBILITY RULES

The National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators (NHCSL) is a national association of Hispanic state legislators working to design and implement policies and procedures that will impact the quality of life for Hispanic communities throughout the country. Headquartered in Washington, DC, NHCSL was founded in 1989 as a nonpartisan, nonprofit 501(c) (3) organization. The mission of NHCSL is to be the most effective voice for Hispanic legislators from all states, commonwealths, and territories of the United States. NHCSL actively promotes public/private partnerships that yield positive results for the Hispanic community and serves as a catalyst for joint action on issues including housing, health, education, immigration, economic development, and broadband access.

To ensure that Hispanic college students achieve educational success and enhance entry to underrepresented fields, NHCSL has established its STEM Targeted Majors Scholarship Fund. This scholarship has been designed to promote completion of undergraduate studies in targeted STEM fields for Hispanic students who lack financial capacity, yet are academically equipped to succeed through college.

The NHCSL Scholarship program is specifically designed to help Hispanic college students majoring in targeted STEM fields to achieve educational success. NHCSL will award scholarships to Hispanic college students in four states: California, Illinois, New Jersey and New York. Guidance and financial support will be provided to a total of 4 Hispanic college students (1 from each state). Only college undergraduate students that are in their sophomore year or higher and majoring in the specific fields listed below are eligible to participate. THE DEADLINE TO APPLY IS April 15, 2011.

Recipients will be selected by an independent evaluation committee. The scholarship will be provided to the student upon completion of his or her 2011 spring semester. NHCSL will connect students to opportunities to receive exposure and work experience throughout this initiative. The recipient will also be given an opportunity to obtain an internship with one of NHCSL’s corporate members.

The Award
The scholarship will include the following:

• • A one-time $2,500.00 grant for educational purposes. The scholarship will be awarded upon completion of the spring 2011 semester with a GPA of 3.0 or better.

• • An opportunity to intern with one of NHCSL’s corporate members.

Criteria & Eligibility Rules
To be eligible for the NHCSL STEM Target Majors Scholarship, each student must meet all of the following criteria:

• The student must be of Hispanic descent
  
• The student must have a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better
  
• The student must be a U.S. Citizen (proof required)
  
• The student must be at least in sophomore standing and enrolled full-time at a college/university in the target states (California, Illinois, New Jersey or New York).
  
• The student must be enrolled in one of the following majors: accounting, business administration, computer electronics, computer engineering, finance, industrial engineering, informational technology, management information systems, mechanical engineering, network administration or retail management.