UPSES is proud to support students of Portuguese descent in San Diego County through scholarship opportunities that recognize academic achievement, community involvement, leadership, and commitment to higher education.
Beatrice and Joseph DeSilva Scholarship
$1,000 scholarship awarded to one qualified applicant pursuing higher education.
At a Glance
Award Amount: $1,000
Deadline: Postmarked by August, 15, 2026
Application: Click Here For Application
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.
Selection Criteria
- Personal statement and essay
- Letters of recommendation
- Academic achievement
- Involvement in the San Diego Portuguese community
- Community service
- Leadership
- Character
Required Application Materials
- Completed Application Forms (Pages 1–4)
- Official transcript or proof of GPA
- Letter of acceptance or proof of current enrollment
- Two letters of recommendation
- Personal Statement / Essay
- Documentation of a qualifying learning disability (if applying under the GPA accommodation criteria)
Eligibility Requirement
- Be of Portuguese descent and reside in the United States.
- Be a high school graduate.
- Be accepted to or currently enrolled in an accredited college, university,
community or junior college, trade school, technical or vocational program, or graduate/master’s degree program. - Be entering their first year of higher education or currently enrolled and seeking support for subsequent years of study.
- Submit a personal statement explaining their educational and career goals, why they are deserving of this scholarship, and how it will help them achieve their future plans.
- Submit two letters of recommendation from non-family members.
- Have completed a minimum of 20 hours of community service.
- Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, or a minimum GPA of 2.0 with documentation of a qualifying learning disability.
- Submit a completed application packet postmarked no later than August 15.
UPSES Scholarship
$1,000 scholarship awarded to one qualified applicant pursuing higher education.
At a Glance
Award Amount: $1,000
Deadline: Postmarked by June 30, 2026
Application: Click Here For Application
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.
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
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
Required Application Materials
- Completed application form
- Proof of GPA
- Letter of acceptance or proof of enrollment
- Two letters of recommendation:
- One must be from a recent High School Academic Counselor
- One must be from a non-relative Community Member
- Background information
- Activity record
- Personal Statement (Maximum 150 words)
- Portuguese Community Essay (Maximum 500 Words)
- Recommendation letter information
If applying under the learning disability criteria, proof from a qualified professional
Kenny Alameda Scholarship
A $1,500 scholarship for one qualified graduating high school student of Portuguese descent pursuing a college education.
At a Glance
Award Amount: $1,500
Deadline: Postmarked by July 15, 2026
Application: Click Here To View Application
Submission Method: Mail completed application packet
Award Disbursement: Paid directly to the college or university designated by the recipient
Selection Criteria
- Scholastic achievement and academic merit
- Involvement in the Portuguese community of San Diego
- Activity record, community service, leadership, and character
- Personal statement and essay
- Letters of recommendation
Required Application Materials
- Completed application form
- Proof of GPA
- Letter of acceptance or proof of enrollment
- Two letters of recommendation:
- One must be from a recent High School Academic Counselor
- One must be from a non-relative Community Member
- Background information
- Activity record
- Personal Statement (Maximum 150 words)
- Portuguese Community Essay (Maximum 500 Words)
- Recommendation letter information
If applying under the learning disability criteria, proof from a qualified professional
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be of Portuguese descent and reside in San Diego County
- Must attend a San Diego Catholic high school or Point Loma High School and be in the graduating class of the current year
- Eligible schools include Saint Augustine High School, Academy of Our Lady of Peace, Cathedral Catholic High School, Mater Dei High School, and Point Loma High School
- Must have a minimum 3.0 GPA
- Must complete 30 hours of community service within their community
- Must be accepted to a four-year institution; recipients may attend a two-year college
- Must submit an essay explaining why they are deserving of this award
- Must submit two letters of recommendation
Jose F.S. Finete Scholarship
A $1,000 scholarship will be granted to one or split between seniors of a Point Loma High School or San Diego Catholic High School pursuing Higher Education.
At a Glance
Award Amount: $1,000
Deadline: Postmarked by July 15, 2026
Submission Method: Mail completed application packet
Award Disbursement: Paid directly to the college or university designated by the recipient
Only applicants who are awarded a scholarship will be notified.
Selection Criteria
- Scholastic achievement and academic merit
- Involvement in the Portuguese community of San Diego
- Activity record, community service, leadership, and character
- Personal statement and essay
- Letters of recommendation
Required Application Materials
- Completed application form
- Proof of GPA
- Letter of acceptance or proof of enrollment
- Two letters of recommendation:
- One must be from a recent High School Academic Counselor
- One must be from a non-relative Community Member
- Background information
- Activity record
- Personal Statement (Maximum 150 words)
- Portuguese Community Essay (Maximum 500 Words)
- Recommendation letter information
If applying under the learning disability criteria, proof from a qualified professional
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be of Portuguese descent and reside in San Diego County
- Must attend a San Diego Catholic high school or Point Loma High School and be in the graduating class of the current year
- Eligible schools include Saint Augustine High School, Academy of Our Lady of Peace, Cathedral Catholic High School, Mater Dei High School, and Point Loma High School
- Must have a minimum 3.0 GPA
- Must complete 30 hours of community service within their community
- Must be accepted to a four-year institution; recipients may attend a two-year college
- Must submit an essay explaining why they are deserving of this award
- Must submit two letters of recommendation
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We strive to honor those who have come before us, preserve our traditions and customs, and instill in our youth the spirit of devotion to the Espirito Santo, so our community will go forward in faith and tradition, generation after generation.
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2818 Avenida De Portugal, San Diego, CA 92106
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+1 619 223 5880