FCHCC: First Coast Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

The 2012 Achieving the Dream Scholarship Program

Congratulations to our 2012 Scholarship Winners!

Congratulations to the 2012 Achieving the Dream Scholarship Winners
Francisco Borrallo Perez	Graciela Mundac
Grace Dahlstrom	Alexandra Nunez
Brianna Falcon	Jessica Ribado
Lisha Lopez	Nancy Robayo

 Below are the requirements to apply for this year's scholarships.

Basis for Selection:

Scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit. Applications will be evaluated and selections made by a panel of judges. Applicants’ scores will be based upon the following criteria:

Deadline for Submission:

Scholarship Requirements:

The scholarships have been established scholarships in the amount of up to $2,500 to be awarded to Hispanic students that meet the following criteria:

• The applicant must be currently accepted to and planning to attend a two or four year university during the 2012-2013 fall term, or currently a full-time undergraduate or graduate student and has a cumulative GPA average of 2.8 or better.
• The applicant must be at most a third generation Hispanic, a Permanent Resident Alien or U.S. citizen with established residency in the Florida First Coast region: Duval, St. Johns, Clay, Baker or Nassau Counties; for at least three (3) years prior to the awarding date of the scholarship.

Applicants must submit:

• Completed online application
• Official transcript
• Proof of acceptance or enrollment in a two or four-year university or graduate school
• Essay between 400-500 words on why you need or deserve this scholarship
• Two professional letters of recommendation
• The stipend will be used to pay for tuition and/or books and will be in addition to and not to conflict with any other scholarships or grants the student may be entitled to.

2012 Frequently-Asked Questions:

Can I hand deliver my application to one of the BOD members? 
Your application must be submitted online and only applications submitted online will be accepted. 

Do I need to submit my application via Certified mail?
There's no need to mail your application.

Would I be notified if I have been selected?
Yes, only selected recipients will be notified by phone. Communications will happen in the late summer. Keep checking our website for the list of selected Achieving the Dream recipients. The names of the selected recipients will be published on our website and in our Fall eNewsletter issue.

Do I have to be Hispanic/Latino to apply?
Yes. You or your family (parents, grandparents) must be of Hispanic descent.

Is there a minimum GPA requirement?
Yes.  Students must have a minimum cumulative 2.80 GPA based on a 4.00 scale.

• High School graduating seniors - transcripts must include a cumulative GPA for grades at least 9th through 11th.   
• Undergraduate students - transcripts must include a cumulative GPA for a minimum of 12 units/credits earned. 
• If you are a first year freshman or first year community college student at the time you are applying, you will want to enter your final high school GPA and submit your high school transcripts that reflect grades through the end of your senior year.

Do I have to be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident to apply for a scholarship?
Yes. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, legal permanent residents or eligible non-U.S. citizens.

I am a high school student. Can I apply?
Yes. High School Seniors are encouraged to apply.

I am older than the traditional college student. Am I eligible to apply?
Yes. Our scholarships are not age-based.  Students may apply as long as they meet all the eligibility requirements, regardless of age. 

Do you offer scholarships for Community College Students?
Yes. Our scholarships are available to students currently enrolled in a community college.

I am enrolled part-time. Am I eligible to apply?
Applicants may be enrolled part-time at the time of application.  However, students must be enrolled full-time in order to be eligible to receive the scholarship.

I am a home-schooled student. Am I eligible to apply?
Yes. In addition to submitting all required documents, home-schooled applicants must submit a copy of their official results from either the SAT I or ACT test.

I am pursuing my 2nd Associate’s, Bachelor’s, or Master’s Degree. Am I eligible to apply?
No. Our program is intended to advance higher education for Hispanic Americans. The program wishes to increase the number of Hispanics earning their first college degree.

Don't see your question here? Send an email here.

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"Achieving the Dream" Success Stories

Share the stories of our past recipients of the Achieving the Dream Scholarship! Also, if you'd like to add your story, please contact Maribel Hernandez, Director of Education here.

"To Whom It May Concern":
 ...I would like to thank Mayor's Hispanic American Advisory Board and the First Coast Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for giving me the opportunity to continue my education with the Achieving the Dream Scholarship I have received.

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Our 2011 Scholarship Winners

Congratulations to the 2011 Achieving the Dream Scholarship Winners
Sophia Array	Monika Gonzalez Kroll
Amber Boyette	Nicolas Lara
Chedly Broche	Joseph Segis Muslimani
Dimelza Broche	Oscar Vives Ortiz
Shirley Castillo	Jose Barrientos Restrepo
Gianinna Cooper	Nancy Robayo
Carolina Garcia	Diana Rojas
Michael M. Gropper	Katherine Thanos
Mariel Hammond	Karina Alexandra Vargas

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What Our Past Recipients Have Said...

 

To the First Coast Hispanic Chamber, 

I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to all involved in the Achieving the Dream Scholarship. I'm honored to have been chosen for this prestigious award and I thank all members. This scholarship has been very helpful in achieving my dream of graduating from the University of Florida and becoming a doctor. This dream of mine will help better the Hispanic community as well; I hope to one day provide medical care to the underrepresented Hispanic members of society. I'm once again very thankful for this award.  

Thank you for all you do. 
- Monika Gonzalez, 2011 Recipient 

 

"I am writing to express my sincere gratitude to the First Coast Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for making the "Achieving the Dream" scholarship possible. I was thrilled to learn of my selection for this honor and I am deeply appreciative of your support with my education... I know that my grandmother, who sadly passed away in 2005, would be proud to know that her granddaughter has been recognized by the Hispanic community, since it had always been her dream for my sister and I to stay involved in Hispanic customs and traditions. It fills me with the greatest happiness to know that I would have made her proud of me, no matter if she is not here to see me achieve my goals now and in the future. Needless to say, my parents are very happy and grateful as well... I feel deep pride now more than ever in my Hispanic background, and promise to never forget where I came from."  - Mariel Ada Hammond, 2011 Recipient

"I want to thank each and everyone of you who are in involve in the Achieving the Dream Scholarship.As the mother of Joseph Muslimani, I just want to say that you as a group came as a gift from heaven because I was trying to figure how I could pay for his food this year.Once again Dios nos comprueba que aprieta pero no ahorca; EL pone sus angelitos en nuestro camino.By the way, Joseph has all A'S thus far. Thanks!" - Maria Orduna-Muslimani, mother of 2011 scholarship recipient, Joseph Muslimani

"I would like to thank the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the 'Achieving the Dream' scholarship program and its' sponsors - not only for awarding me this scholarship but for recognizing the Hispanic Community in a positive way and allowing have new opportunities to be opened for students liked myself. It is both an honor and a privilege that I accept this award. This scholarship will truly help me achieve my dreams and allow me to help others achieve their dreams. Thank you."
-Raquel Aida Hernandez - 2010 Recipient

"I'm very thankful about this investment in my education. I will do my best to honor the Hispanic community."
-Gianinna Cooper - 2010 Recipient

"I'm extremely excited and honored to be one of the students selected. I'm grateful because this gives me an opportunity to continue chasing my dream and also allows me to someday be an inspirational tool for those who come after me. I'm proud to be able to represent the Hispanic community in Jacksonville and all over the world. Once again, I greatly appreciate being selected. With more students dropping out of school due to finances than to academics, this definitely helps out tremendously."
-Oscar Ortiz – 2010 Recipient

"The second I heard I was selected for this award I was overwhelmed by happiness. Being at the only school the offers my major in state means that if I can't afford to stay here, I can't afford to follow my dream. It's such an honor to be selected; I've been relieved knowing that financial shortcomings are little by little making less of an impact on my ability to get my diploma. Thank you."
-Jessica Ribado - 2010 Recipient

"I am very grateful and feel honored to be selected as a scholarship recipient. A formal education is a necessity in this day and age. This organization plays a critical role in making my dream a reality. Thank you very much for investing in my future."
-Diego Molina – 2010 Recipient

"Unfortunately, after serving our community through a non-proift organization for the last three years, my husband and I have been laid off due to the current economy situation. I have been out of work for more than 10 months...this scholarship will help me achieve my goals. I really appreciate so much this opportunity and I hope that Foundation can continue helping more students like me. "
 - Sincerely, C. Angelica – 2010 Recipient

"Hola Ed.

It was so nice seeing you yesterday. I was very happy to talk with you again. Yesterday I didn't have the opportunity to let you know that right now I am part of a juried exhibition for emerging artists with disabilities. I am the grand prize winner in this exhibition entitled "Momentum". which opened September 7 at the S. Dillon Ripley Center in Washington DC. Here is a link about the exhibition. 

I really want to let you know that I am trying my best to achieve my goals and I sincerely want to thank you for being an inspiration to me." 
Saludos, - Dimelza Broche

CHAMBER TRUSTEES