LARES Graduate Scholar Award
Application window for the 2025-2026 academic year is currently closed and shall reopen in January 2025.
The LARES Graduate Scholar Award was established to support the academic success of Latino students pursing a post-baccalaureate degree from UIC. Candidates are considered based on merit, leadership, and commitment to the Latino Community. The $2,000 award must be applied toward tuition, fees, and educational related expenses.
Eligibility:
- Must be a Latino student who is currently enrolled in a UIC master’s or doctoral degree program.
- Must have a minimum graduate G.P.A. of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale.
- Must be enrolled full-time (at least 9 credit hours) in a graduate program.
- Must maintain a full-time course load during the semester the award is distributed.
- Must be eligible for in-state tuition.
- Holders of F-1 student visas are ineligible.
To be considered for this award, students will need to:
- Complete the LARES Graduate Scholar Award online application.
- Visit http://uic.academicworks.com.
- Select “Sign In With Your Institution”.
- Complete the general UIC SnAP application.
- When finished, click on “Finish and Submit”.
- Go to the “Opportunities” tab and search “LARES Graduate Scholar Award”; click “Apply”.
- Complete required supplemental questions.
- Click “Finish and Submit”.
- In completing your application, you will be prompted to answer the following questions:
- Describe your professional aspirations. How will you use your degrees to serve as a change agent for the Latino community? (300 words)
- Share your involvement / leadership with the Latino and/or UIC community. (300 words)
- Discuss your current financial situation including financial hardships if applicable (i.e. unemployment, medical expenses, etc.). In your responses, please explain how you are currently paying for school. (300 words)
- Submit resume.
- Submit one letter of recommendation on official letterhead from a professor or an individual who can comment on your academic potential. Letters should be e-mailed directly to Dr. Mitzi Ramos (mramos8@uic.edu) with “Graduate Scholar Award Committee” in the subject line.
