New Applicants_Utah Somos Foundation Scholarship Application 2025-2026

Utah Somos Foundation Scholarship Application

The Utah Somos Foundation, founded in 2002, is a local non-profit organization dedicated to develop leaders and improve education and career opportunities for Latino and Hispanic students. The scholarship recognizes students who show dedication to community involvement, leadership potential, and demonstrate deep financial need in order to achieve their college & career goals. This year, recipients will receive a scholarship award of at least $1,500.
Scholarship Deadline: Monday, January 5th, 2026

Recipients will be notified by April 2026.
General Eligibility:
- Submit a complete application by Monday, January 5th, 2026 at 11:59 P.M.
- Be living in and attending a school in Utah.
- Be of Hispanic and Latino descent.
- Demonstrate financial need.
- Minimum of 3.0 GPA and making satisfactory progress (as formally defined by the institution) toward the student’s program objective (degree, diploma, or certificate).
  - If your GPA is below the requirement, the application includes a space to explain your circumstances and make your case for consideration.
- Must be a high school senior or undergraduate student. We do not fund graduate students at this time, but this may change in the future as our program grows.
- Available for students in or planning on attending a two-year or four-year college, a certificate program, or trade/vocational school.
- Have demonstrated involvement or leadership in school, community and/or other service organizations.
- If received, this scholarship cannot be deferred.
- All scholarship recipients MUST ATTEND the Somos Gala on Thursday, May 14, 2026, from 6:00–9:00 PM in West Valley City, to receive their scholarship award.
- Scholarship winners will be asked to verify their enrollment to a college, university, or vocational school in the state of Utah and must be enrolled or plan to enroll at least part-time.
We welcome applications from first-generation and immigrant students of all immigration backgrounds, including those who are not eligible for FAFSA.
What We Look For:
Scholarships will be awarded in amounts of at least $1,500 based on relative need and the following criteria (not in any particular order):
- Academic achievement
- Financial need
- Community involvement and leadership
- Personal qualities and potential for growth based on essays and letter of recommendation
- A copy of your most recent unofficial high school or college transcript
- A copy of your most updated resume
- One letter of recommendation (someone who can describe your academic, leadership, and personal qualifications, for example your counselor, teacher, employer, or mentor). We have provided an optional letter of recommendation template for you to use with suggestions on what your recommender can share.
If you have any questions regarding your application, email admin@somosfoundation.org.
Your responses will NOT autosave.

Tip: Scroll to the bottom of the page and click "save" if you'd like to complete your application at a later time. Review and type your responses in a separate document to check for grammar and spelling.

Essay Portion

You may write up to the specified word count (200 or 500 words, depending on the question). However, please don’t feel pressured to reach the word limit—focus on sharing your thoughts clearly and thoughtfully. We value the quality of your response over the quantity of words.
Tell us your story. What goals, interests, and life experiences would you like to share that show us who you are as a student and a growing leader? *

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As you look ahead to your future, what kind of impact do you hope to make in your community or in your chosen field? What steps are you taking to turn this vision into reality, and how will this scholarship help you achieve it?*

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Who has been a mentor, supporter, or source of inspiration in your journey, and how do you hope to pay that forward?*

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File Uploads (.pdf)

Please submit all documents in .pdf format
A copy of your unofficial high school or college transcript*

You can submit either an official or unofficial transcript, but It must be the most recent.
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One letter of recommendation*

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I understand and agree to the terms and conditions of applying for and potentially receiving this scholarship. The answers given on this application are true and complete. I hereby authorize information regarding my scholarship application, academic record and financial aid award to be released to the Utah SOMOS Scholarship Review Committee. The Committee may require additional documentation to verify the completion or accuracy of this application. If awarded a scholarship, I understand that I must try hard to attend the SOMOS Gala where student scholars and recognized and I must be able to send a brief thank you letter to donors who have made this scholarship possible. I understand that submitting a completed application does not guarantee me a scholarship. I certify that the information given on this application is complete and correct to the best of my knowledge.
Signature*

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Date of Signature & Submission*

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Final Reminders
- Applicants may may be contacted for additional information to verify completion or accuracy of their application.
- All scholarship winners will be notified by e-mail and may recieve a phone call as a follow-up.
- Scholarship winners will be announced by April 2026.
- Scholarship winners will be asked to verify their enrollment to a college or university, or vocational school in the state of Utah and must be enrolled or plan to enroll at least part-time.
- All scholarship winners MUST BE present at the SOMOS Gala on May 14, 2026 to receive their scholarship award. The Scholars and their families will be invited as honored guests.
If you have any question please contact us at admin@somosfoundation.org.
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