Dear Applicant:

The USC Mexican American Alumni Association provides partial tuition aid grants to U.S. Citizens/Permanent Residents that are currently attending or will be attending the University of Southern California for the 2008-2009 academic school year. The scholarship is for students pursing Undergraduate and Graduate (Master’s Candidates Only) degrees at USC who have demonstrated a strong commitment to the Latino/Hispanic community. Students must be enrolled full-time in order to be eligible for the scholarship. In order to be considered as full-time, undergraduate students must complete a minimum of 12 units per semester and graduate students must complete a minimum of 8 units per semester. The scholarship awards range from $1000 to $5000 per academic year.

The intent of this program is to supplement the financial aid received by the applicant. A student must apply and be eligible for other financial aid resources (CSS Profile Registration and Application, FAFSA, USC Financial Aid, student loans, college workstudy, etc.). The financial aid status of the applicant is determined by the USC Financial Aid Office. The need assessment and the financial aid package are evaluated to determine the amount of assistance that can be provided by the USC MAAA. If a student is awarded, the MAAA Scholarship will alleviate part of a subsidized loan (i.e. Subsidized Stafford, Perkins, Gate loan) or workstudy in the student’s financial aid package for the academic year.

The applicant is responsible for providing the following items:

• A completed USC MAAA Scholarship application form. Make sure you answer all items. Thoroughness and neatness of the application are important. An incomplete application will not be evaluated by the Committee.
   
• Submit a typed essay (2 pages maximum, double spaced) on one of the following topics:
  
  
  1. Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is important to you. How does this relate to the person you are?
     
     
  2. Tell us about an obstacle that you have faced in your life. How did you deal with this obstacle and what was the outcome? How has this obstacle shaped your life and/or your dreams and aspirations?
     
     
  3. Describe a fictional character, a historical figure, or a creative work (as in art, music, science, etc.) that has had an influence on you and explain that influence. Why has this influence been important to your personal development?
     
     
  You may include any other information you feel is relevant in explaining why you are a good candidate for the MAAA Scholarship. Continuing MAAA scholars may include in the essay their participation in any MAAA activities. Provide a brief explanation as to how this participation has been significant in your development as a student.
  
  
• A student resume is a required part of the MAAA Scholarship application. Please attach your resume to the application itself. If you have any questions regarding the structure of the resume, please use the sample resume attached in the following page as a guide. Applications not containing the student resume will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed for an award.
  
  
• Two original letters of recommendation are required from incoming students. Continuing MAAA scholars are only required to provide one letter of recommendation. The letters of recommendation can be from professors, teachers, teacher’s assistants, work supervisors, community service supervisors, principals, school administrators, school counselors, advisors, etc. Please ensure that letters are on official stationery and are addressed to the “USC Mexican American Alumni Association Scholarship Committee.” The letter(s) must provide insightful information about yourself so that the Scholarship Committee may properly evaluate your application.
  
  
• Unofficial transcripts are required for continuing USC graduate and undergraduate students, and for incoming transfer and graduate students. Transcripts should include Fall 2007 and Spring 2008 grades. Oasis and Stars reports will not be accepted for continuing USC students. Incoming freshmen do not need to submit transcripts.

An application will be considered only after the above mentioned items have been provided. The DEADLINE for submitting the completed application with all required items to the USC Mexican American Programs Office is Friday, MAY 30, 2008. No applications will be accepted after the DEADLINE!!!

APPLICATION CHECKLIST

• Signed and Completed Application
• Essay (2 pages double spaced)
• Student resume
• Letter of recommendation #1
• Letter of recommendation #2 (if not continuing scholar)
• Unofficial Transcript
• Postmark on or before May 30, 2008

SELECTION CRITERIA
Some of the factors considered in evaluating the application include:

• Financial Aid Need
• Availability of other Financial Aid resources
• Grade Point Average (G.P.A.)
• Current Student Loan obligations
• Completed Application
• Community/University involvement

One of the expectations of the USC MAAA is that upon graduation the scholarship recipients will become members of the Association. Therefore, special consideration is given to those students/recipients who are actively involved with the USC Office of Mexican American Programs and participate in the various MAAA activities.

A student who has received the USC MAAA scholarship in the past will be given priority consideration for an MAAA award. However, continuing USC MAAA scholars must still submit a completed application package and have 24 or more completed units for the 2007-2008 academic year with a G.P.A. of 2.5 or better. THE MAAA IS NOT OBLIGATED TO FUND ALL FORMER RECIPIENTS.

The legibility, completeness, accuracy and quality of information provided in this application is taken into consideration when evaluating applicants. Please ensure that your application and its required items meet acceptable quality standards.

PLEASE NOTE: FAXED APPLICATIONS ARE NOT ACCEPTED!

All awarded students will receive notification of their award throughout the months of August and September.  However, no regret letters will be sent.  All decisions by the Scholarship Committee are final.

*For those who are selected, 10 credits of volunteer/involvement service within MAAA events will be required for the 2008-2009 Academic Year.

If there are any questions, please call the USC Mexican American Programs Office at
(213) 740-4735.