NPRDP Launches 2019 Scholarship Program

NEW YORK CITY – The National Puerto Rican Day Parade (NPRDP) is now accepting applications for its 2019 National Scholarship Program.

For the third consecutive year, the NPRDP will award 100 scholarships valued at $2,000 each, for a total $200,000, to exceptional students of Puerto Rican descent that are making a difference in their communities. Applicants must be high school seniors or full-time college/university students in their freshman through junior years in college.

“We are excited to launch the 2019 NPRDP Scholarship Program to continue supporting the students in our community as they pursue their higher education,” said Nilda Oyola, NPRDP Board Member and Education Committee Chair. “Last year, we received applicants from students representing 19 states and Puerto Rico, and we are diligently working to further broaden participation in 2019.”

To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria:
* Be of Puerto Rican descent;
* Have a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better, or equivalent high school grade;
* Be a high school senior or freshman through junior in college, ages of 17 through 25;
* Be enrolled in an accredited two or four-year college/university, for college students;
* Have a track record of doing volunteer work or community service;
* Participate in an interview with a member(s) of the scholarship selection committee.
Scholarship winners from prior years are eligible to re-apply, given that they comply with all other eligibility criteria.

Applications are available for download at www.nprdpinc.org. Candidates must electronically submit completed applicationand academic transcriptsby Friday, February 22, 2019.

Transcripts should be emailed to scholarships@nprdpinc.orgor mailed to National Puerto Rican Day Parade, P.O Box 975, New York, NY 10272 by Friday, February 22, 2019. Materials received after this date will result in disqualification.

NPRDP Scholarship application packages must include: a completed application form; an essay; a written biography; two letters of recommendation, of which one letter of recommendation must be from the site where the student performs his/her volunteer work; official academic transcripts and a head shot photo. Letters of recommendation should be requested from teachers, professors, counselors, mentors, clergy, community leaders, etc. Letters should speak to the applicant’s community service, length of the relationship with the candidate, and any specific contributions the applicant has made to the community.
NPRDP established the Scholarship Program to promote the pursuit of higher education in the Puerto Rican community. In 2017, the organization broke its all-time record for total number and dollar amount of scholarships to be awarded (100 scholarships valued at $2,000 each, for a total $200,000), which the organization has maintained since.

For more information about other NPRDP programs and updates on the upcoming annual parade on Sunday June 9, 2019, the public can visit www.nprdpinc.org. Facebook: @nationalpuertoricandayparade. Twitter and Instagram: @PRParadeNYC.