Pedro Pallares Foundation Scholarship Program

Mission: The Pedro Pallares Foundation offers scholarships based on field of study, financial need, academic performance, and other criteria to support equity, diversity, and inclusion in under-resourced communities.

Background

• Scholarships are made possible by generous support from the Board of Directors
• Each scholarship has its own set of criteria

Geographic Scope

• Primary focus: California (partnership with San Jose City College and community college system)
• Eligible institutions: Accredited colleges/universities/programs in the United States

Eligibility Requirements

• General requirement: Minimum 2.0 GPA and/or approval from counselor, supervisor, or advocate
• Enrollment: Must be enrolled in at least 10 credits
• Citizenship: No U.S. citizenship required
• Financial aid status: Open to students not eligible for other types of aid (including FAFSA and WASFA)
• Duration of employment: Minimum 1 year of part-time or full-time employment at current employer (may apply to specific scholarships)
• Master's degree requirement: Some scholarships require proof of enrollment in a master's degree program in autism, education, psychology, or behavior analysis
• BCBA-bound requirement: Some scholarships require applicants to be BCBA-bound with proof of acceptance/enrollment to an accredited BCBA program

Award Details

• Awardees: Scholars of honorable mention receive annual awards
• Acceptance deadline: Candidates have three days to accept the scholarship award
• Dispersal method: Funds dispersed via check mailed after scholarship award is accepted
• Award dinner: Annual Award Dinner held to celebrate and congratulate awardees

Contact Information

• Email: ppallares@pedropallares.foundation

Additional Program: Emergency Need Fund Program

• Assists students experiencing unforeseen financial crisis creating a barrier to student success
• Provides small grants for one-time financial hardship unlikely to occur again

Application Process

Required Application Packet Components:

1. Completed Application Form (available on scholarship webpage)
2. Essay/Request Statement
   • Length: 200-250 words
   • Must address the provided prompt only
3. Recommendation Letter
   • From supervisor/counselor
   • Typically 1 paragraph in length for some scholarships (Regional Director approval)
4. Brief Biography
   • Submitted as part of application packet
5. Recent Photo
   • For publicity purposes on PPF website
6. Proof of Enrollment
   • As a graduate degree candidate at an accredited college/university/program in the United States
   • For specific scholarships: proof of enrollment in master's degree program in autism, education, psychology, or behavior analysis
   • For BCBA scholarships: proof of acceptance/enrollment to an accredited BCBA program
7. Regional Director Approval
   • Approval statement from Regional Director
   • Checkbox confirmation required in application form

Timeline

• Award notification: After selection
• Acceptance deadline: 3 days to accept scholarship award
• Fund dispersal: After acceptance, funds mailed via check

Important Notes

• Selected candidates must respond within 3 days or another winner will be chosen
• Annual Award Dinner celebrates awardees
• Contact foundation for specific scholarship criteria and prompts