General Scholarship
UPSES Scholarship 2026
A $1,000 scholarship awarded to one qualified applicant pursuing higher education.
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be pursuing further education and enrolled in or accepted to a four-year university, community college, graduate program, post-graduate program, or technical/vocational career education program
- Must have a minimum 3.25 GPA, or a 2.5 GPA with documented learning disability (IEP)
- Must be of Portuguese descent
- Must reside in San Diego County
- Must complete 30 hours of community service with UPSES during the year of application
Key Details
- Award Amount
- $1,000
- Deadline
- Postmarked by June 30, 2026
- Submission Method
- Mail completed application packet
- Mailing Address
-
UPSES Inc.
Attention Scholarship Committee
2818 Avenida de Portugal
San Diego, CA 92106
Scholarship funds are paid directly to the college or university designated by the recipient.
Required Application Materials
- Completed application form
- Proof of GPA
- Letter of acceptance or proof of enrollment
- Two letters of recommendation
- Background information
- Activity record
- Personal statement
- Portuguese community essay
- Recommendation letter information
- If applying under the learning disability criteria, proof from a qualified professional
Selection Criteria
- Scholastic achievement and academic merit
- Involvement in the Portuguese community of San Diego County
- Activity record, community service, leadership, and character
- Personal statement
- Letters of recommendation
- Essay on the Portuguese-American community of San Diego and what it means to you
- Essay on future education and lifetime goals
Essay Requirements
- Personal Statement — maximum 150 words
- Portuguese Community Essay — maximum 500 words
Recommendation Letters
- Two letters are required
- One must be from a recent high school academic counselor
- One must be from someone not related to the applicant