CUNY Becas Scholarship Program

CUNY BECAS Scholarship Program 2019

Program Overview
The Mexican Studies Scholarship Fund awards scholarships to highly motivated students. The scholarship program is intended to help current and future community leaders to advance their educational goals. Recipients will work closely with the Institute staff and community-based organizations to advance the Mexican and/or immigrant community. Criteria for selection are academic excellence, financial need, and commitment to service in the immigrant and/or Mexican community in New York, without consideration of immigration status.

Award Amount
Up to $6730 to current and prospective CUNY students.
Application Materials- Applicants:
• Completed application form
• Most recent transcript, can be an unofficial student copy
• Two essays, 750-word max each
• Resume
• One recommendation letter
Eligibility Requirements
• Have graduated or will graduate from high school or have earned or will earn a high school equivalency diploma by the end of the 2018-2019 academic year
• Intend to enroll full time in an associate or baccalaureate program at a CUNY Campus in Fall 2019 AND Spring 2020
• OR If a Graduate Student, must intend to enroll full time in a master’s degree program either Fall 2019 OR Spring 2020
• Must demonstrate significant financial need
• Willingness to be a lifelong learner
• Openness to share experiences and accomplishments to inspire other students
Conditions of the scholarship for Applicants
Failure to comply with the following conditions may result in the suspension or revocation of scholarship award and future eligibility.
• Undergraduate students are expected to enroll full time (more than 12 credits per term).
• Graduate students are expected to enroll full time for one semester (Fall or Spring).
• Remain in good academic standing and maintain a GPA of 3.0.
• Must take a course in either Mexican Migration and or Spanish Language at their home campus (course may have been taken in previous semesters prior to receiving scholarship)
• Complete 200-hour internship in an affiliated nonprofit institution;
Special Features: The Mexican Studies Scholarship Fund offers several special features:
• A series of professional workshops;
• A series of leadership workshops;
• 3-day team building retreat in the Catskill Mountains;
• Opportunity to participate in a 200-hour internship in an affiliated nonprofit institution;
• Special invitations to exclusive events throughout the year;
• Assigned Mentor, who will advise students in the areas of program planning and academic and career goals;
• Pay it forward by hosting one CUNY Becas promotional workshop;
• Opportunity to write a blog post about their CUNY Becas experience, to be featured on the Institute website and in monthly newsletter;
• Access to prominent CUNY alumni, faculty, and staff;
• Opportunity to become an Institute fellow, limited scholarship that cover remaining years until graduation.
How to Apply
This application is for NEW CUNY BECAS Applicants. New applicants and current BECAS recipients have different applications. Make sure you are using the correct application.
• Application must be submitted online. You will provide us with your demographic, academic, and financial information.
• You will be prompted to provide your information as well as the name and email address of one recommender. We encourage you to start your online application as soon as possible. You will be able to save your application and continue later.
• Please note that only complete applications submitted through the online system will be accepted. Late applications will not be considered. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
Important Dates
• November 16, 2018- Application Opens
• January 31, 2019, 11:59PM. EST- Application Closes
• March – Semifinalist Group Interview
• Late April- Awardees Notified
• Late May- Award Ceremony, recipients must attend