Latinos and Planning Division Scholarship

The Latinos and Planning Division of the American Planning Association (APA) strives to address planning issues affecting Latino communities in the U.S. as well increase Latinos in the profession. The purpose of the division scholarship program is to foster increased interest in the study of urban planning within the Latino student population at the advanced undergraduate and graduate levels.

The program is open to third and fourth year undergraduate students and first and second year masters degree students. One scholarship of $500 is awarded per semester to be used for fees, books, or academic materials contingent on available funding.

Deadline: January 1, 2012

Eligibility

Latino students who intend to work as a practicing professional planner in the non-profit, public or private sector and are:

Currently enrolled in either of the following:

• Third or fourth year undergraduate students in a planning program accredited by the Planning Accreditation Board (PAB)
• First or second year graduate students in a planning program accredited by the PAB

Application Requirements

Applicants shall submit all of the following:

• 1- to 2-page personal and background statement written by the student, describing their interest in a career in planning and describing what impact they want to make on planning in Latino communities;
• One letter of recommendation from a professor, a community leader, or current or past employer in support of the student's application and personal background statement.
• Official transcript of current course of study (for current students) or a copy of an acceptance letter from a PAB-accredited undergraduate or graduate planning school (for incoming students); and
• Resume of work experience and background.

An email verification of application receipt will be sent to the participant by the division's Scholarship coordinator.

Selection Criteria

The division's Executive Committee will review applications and determine award winners. Applications will be judged using the following criteria, listed in order of importance:

• The significance of the applicant's personal and background statement
• The content in the letter of recommendation; and
• Academic achievement and/or service or impacts made in the Latino community or the planning profession. 

As part of the selection process and at the sole option of the Executive Committee, the top applicants may be required to participate in a telephone interview with members of the committee.

The Award Process

The Executive Committee will convene in January 2012 to review applications and identify award recipients. The Committee will identify the top three participants and issue the award to the highest ranked. In the event that the winner cannot fulfill the requirements of the scholarship, the award will be granted to the next ranked participant. Award recipients are required to provide an emailed acceptance of the award to the Division Chair within ten (10) calendar days of receiving an award notification letter. With the acceptance of the money, the award recipient will be featured the next division newsletter. 

To submit your entry

Mail completed applications to:

Fred Solis, AICP
Latinos & Planning Division Scholarship
333 N. Rancho Drive
Las Vegas, NV 89101