Scholarships

HPRSD Scholarships

The House of Puerto Rico San Diego (HPRSD) offers scholarships to local Puerto Ricans seeking to further their educational pursuits — high school seniors, graduates, and college or post-graduate students attending 2-year, 4-year, post-graduate, or vocational institutions.

Doña Casilda Pagan Scholarship

In 1972, Doña Casilda Pagan co-founded and became the first President of the House of Puerto Rico San Diego. Born in Aguas Buenas, Puerto Rico, she moved to San Diego in 1967 with only an 8th-grade education. That never stopped her, and it led to her strong belief that education is a luxury everyone should be able to afford. HPRSD offers this scholarship in her name to San Diego County residents of Puerto Rican descent — or members of the House of Puerto Rico — who are high school seniors/graduates or college/post-graduate students. All applicants must have contributed at least 10 hours of community service through HPRSD within the last year.

If you need to complete your volunteer hours, please contact Carmen Acevedo-Belasco at carmenacevedo@houseofpuertorico.com.

Kelvin S. Carlisle Vocational / Educational Scholarship

The Kelvin S. Carlisle Scholarship, supported by funds from the Carlisle family, helps students seeking to further their education — especially in the field of Education. The family wishes to expand the unique opportunity for students to continue sharing their culture while helping to shape future minds. This scholarship is open to all San Diego County residents of Puerto Rican descent — or members of the House of Puerto Rico — who are high school seniors/graduates or college/post-graduate students and have contributed at least 10 hours of community service through HPRSD within the last year.

What Your Application Must Include

• This completed application.
• A personal essay (250-word minimum) covering your educational/vocational goals, your financial needs, how you will contribute community service through the House of Puerto Rico, and your prior history of community service.
• Proof of current enrollment in an educational or vocational institution for the current school year.
• Most recent academic transcripts. (Those already in a college or vocational program should submit a transcript showing all courses and grades completed to date; high school seniors should submit their most recent transcripts.)
• Three letters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, employers, or community leaders — on company letterhead and dated within the past year.
• Any additional materials you believe may enhance your application (awards, community service, etc.).

How Applications Are Reviewed

The Scholarship Committee reviews all applications and ranks candidates across five key areas:

• Need — employment status, family income and support, and other financial assistance available. A priority is to open doors for those who might not otherwise have this support; in the event of a tie, this area is given the most weight.
• Goal — the clarity and focus of the applicant’s educational/vocational goals, and how their plans will benefit society.
• Motivation — the applicant’s drive and commitment toward attaining their goal.
• Application — the application is complete and contains all required information.
• Contribution — the applicant’s intended contribution of community service through the House of Puerto Rico.

Selected applicants are invited to an interview during August. All award monies are paid to the recipient(s) directly and may be used to support their current educational attendance.

For questions about HPRSD scholarships or volunteering, contact hprsd@houseofpuertorico.com.