Scholarships

The Scholarships of the Pan American Association of Philadelphia are intended to encourage and reward area college students for their academic achievement, community service, and engagement with Latin America.

Over the years, the Association has increased its support for the program and now awards nearly $20,000 in scholarships annually.

Those selected to receive Association scholarships are invited to an award ceremony held annually in April to commemorate Pan American Day.

Deadline: All materials must be submitted via our website online application form no later than midnight, March 21, 2025.

Common Criteria

Students applying for any of the Pan American Association Scholarships must meet the following criteria:

• Superior academic performance
• Major in Latin American or related studies, including Spanish or Portuguese languages
• Extra-curricular activities or demonstrated experience related to Latin American countries, and
• Be nominated by a Latin American Studies affiliated professor acquainted with the student

Alejandro Reyes Award

This $5,000 award is presented by the Pan American Association of Philadelphia to a Junior Year undergraduate student to be used for his or her Senior Year expenses in a college or university of the Delaware Valley.

Irene Rivera Diaz Award

The Irene Rivera Diaz award has been established to honor the memory of Mrs. Diaz who was born in Mexico and immigrated to Texas as a young child with her family. She was an active community volunteer, and was committed to serving the working poor and increasing educational opportunities for disadvantaged youth

This $5,000 scholarship is presented by the Pan American Association of Philadelphia to a non-Senior undergraduate student to be used for his or her expenses attending a college or university of the Delaware Valley area.

Additional Criteria: In addition to the common criteria outlined above, students applying to the Irene Rivera Diaz Award must come from historically underrepresented or underserved communities.

The Carmelita Manning Community Service Award

The Carmelita Manning Community Service Award will go to an undergraduate student exemplifying the spirit of public service in either Latin America or the Greater Philadelphia Latino community.   We believe that any personal endeavor should always be partnered by a responsibility to serve the community.  With this award, we hope to challenge students to participate in the community and help nurture a sense of global social responsibility and duty.

This $5,000 award is presented by the Pan American Association of Philadelphia to a non-Senior year undergraduate student to be used for his or her expenses in a college or university of the Delaware Valley area.

Additional Criteria:in addition to the common criteria outlined above, students applying to The Carmelita Manning Community Service Award must exemplify the spirit of public service in either Latin America or the Greater Philadelphia Latino community.

Janice Bond Memorial Plaque and Award for Graduating Seniors

The Janice Bond Memorial Plaques and $500 monetary award is presented to graduating Seniors of area colleges and universities for general excellence in courses related to Latin America during four years.   No institution, however, shall have more than one recipient of the plaques in a single year.

Procedure

The student candidate should submit application online and provide the following information:

• Current academic transcript
• Two references, one of which needs to be from a Latin American Studies affiliated faculty member, and
• A one page, single spaced statement describing interest in Latin American Studies and career goals.

Once the application is submitted, your references will receive an email containing the link that must be used to submit their recommendation letters.

Applicants will be notified if a personal interview is necessary.

Deadline: All materials must be submitted via our website online application form no later than midnight, March 21, 2025.