The Ritchie Perez Scholarship

In 2004, the Puerto Rican community lost an advocate, community leader, and urban warrior. Richie Pérez was an activist and leader in the fight for social justice and human rights. Richie believed greatly in the power and potential of young people to create social change. In his memory, Comité Noviembre established the Richie Pérez Scholarship for Peace & Justice to recognize Puerto Rican young people for their commitment, activism, and achievements in the areas of human rights and social justice.

This award will recognize Puerto Rican youth for their commitment, activism, and achievements in the areas of human rights and social justice.

ELIGIBILITY
The Richie Pérez Scholarship for Peace & Justice Applicants must:
• Be of Puerto Rican descent.
• Document a minimum of one-year active participation and organizing work in a social justice or human rights issue.
• Be enrolled in an accredited college or university by the fall of each year or at the time of the scholarship award.
• Be between the ages of 19 and 25.
GUIDELINES
• A completed application package must include an application form, essay, two letters of recommendation, a short biographical sketch, and a recent photo. All items must be submitted by email to: Lisa M. Rodriguez, Co-Chair, Comité Noviembre Scholarship Selection Committee, cn.scholarship@gmail.com, (347) 693-6893.
• A 500-word essay must answer the question posed on the application.
The Richie Perez Scholarship for Peace & Justice Eligibility and Guidelines
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• The 500-word biographical sketch should include volunteer work and any hardship experienced.
• Letters of recommendation must be from community members who personally know their work, leadership and commitment to social justice and human rights causes.
• Application package must be received by email by deadline date provided
• Application package emailed after deadline date provided will be disqualified.
• A mandatory personal interview will be conducted by the scholarship committee
• Finalist will be notified with two weeks of deadline date.
• Finalist will not be considered if he/she does not show-up for interview. Other arrangements will be made for finalist away at college.
• Recipients of the Richie Perez Scholarship for Peace & Justice will be notified within a week after personal interview.
• Recipients of the Richie Perez Scholarship for Peace & Justice will be disqualified should any of the following conditions occur:
o (1) recipient provides false information on application
o (2) recipient is not enrolled in an accredited college or university by the fall or at the time if the award
o (3) recipient is not of Puerto Rican descent.
• Scholarship payment will be made by Comité Noviembre upon recipient of official college registration or Bursar’s Office documentation