PASO A PASO SCHOLARSHIP

 PASO A PASO SCHOLARSHIP

the 2025 Paso a Paso Scholarship application is now OPEN!

The Escalera program created the Paso a Paso Scholarship to help students in their program overcome those barriers and reach their full potential.

The purpose of the scholarship is to encourage and provide Latino/a/x students the opportunity to further their post-secondary education regardless of their status and background.

Selected scholarship recipients will be awarded a one-time $2,000 scholarship for higher education.

Before applying, please read the following information regarding student eligibility and scholarship guidelines.

  • Applicant must be part of the Escalera program.

    Applicant must be from a high school graduating class of 2025 or equivalent.

    Applicant must plan to enroll or be enrolled at a two or four-year public or private, accredited post-secondary institution in the United States in the fall of 2025.

  • The Paso a Paso Scholarships are in the amount of $2,000 per selected student. The number of scholarships is awarded pending available funds.

    The Paso a Paso Scholarships are made possible by contributions from individuals, businesses, organizations, and associations both public and private

    Latino Network administers the scholarship fund

  • One of the fundamental pillars of the Escalera program is to foster community and to help Latine/o/a/x youth and their families achieve their educational goals. Upon receiving the scholarship award, recipients are expected to share insights from their college experience and explain the manner in which participating in Escalera benefited them, and/or detail how Paso a Paso award helped them in their first year of college in one of the ways below:

    Creating a video

    Volunteer with Escalera

    Write a statement

  • Before beginning the application, please make sure you have a valid email address. Once you start the scholarship application, you cannot save it and come back to it. The scholarship process will be entirely online. Please use this template as a guide.

    Please also include answers to all three personal statement questions, with 250-400 words in the response for each question:

    1. What motivated you to join the Escalera program? How has participating in the Escalera program contributed to either your personal growth, academic progress, OR community engagement? 

    2. What are your plans after high school and explain how this scholarship will support your journey.

    3. How have your personal experiences shaped who you are today? Please share how either of these experiences are influenced by your family OR where you come from OR focus on any meaningful aspect of your life.

    Please note that you will be deducted points if you do not meet the minimum word count or if you exceed the maximum word count.

  • Make sure you have read the “Application Checklist” section above before you start.

    Only one application is allowed per person.

    Only complete applications submitted will be considered. To complete your application, you must fill out the form as well as email a copy of your transcript to janie@latnet.org.

    The application closes Friday, March 22nd, 2025 at 11:59 PM Pacific time.

    Use this link to submit your application!

If you have questions or concerns about the scholarship, please contact:

Janie Ramirez (janie@latnet.org)

Thank you to all the donors who contributed to the Paso a Paso Scholarship. If you would like to contribute to the scholarship fund, please do so at the link below.

“For a community to be whole and healthy, it must be based on people’s love and concern for each other”

Tony DeFalco - Executive Director

Our Values (ACCESS)

  • The key to advancement for all Latino children and youth

  • The empowerment, leadership development, and active engagement of Latinos in the decisions that affect their lives.

  • The organization and integration of Latino communities as a catalyst for equity and social change.

  • The commitment to excellence and results

  • The continued connection to our rich histories, languages, and diversity.

  • The power of multicultural, multi-generational, and cross-sector partnerships

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