Please review the questions below for any possible inquiries you may have.
The Tam Tran Scholarship has been set up to help undocumented students continue on their academic path. It is our hope that this scholarship can respond to the lack of financial assistance provided to students who do not have the legal documentation who wish to attend college in the United States. In particular, we seek to support undocumented students that have met the rigorous academic requirements asked of them and hold the academic promise to continue to a college or university.
If you are undocumented and are eligible to pay in-state tuition in RI, you are eligible to apply for the Tam Tran Scholarship.
» Click on each tab below to read Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
If you are undocumented and are eligible to pay in-state tuition in RI, you are eligible to apply for the Tam Tran Scholarship.
» Click on each tab below to read Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
- 1. What is the eligibility of the Tam Tran Scholarship?
- ▪ Must be a Rhode Island resident.
▪ Must be an undocumented student, or someone who was born outside of the U.S. but lives here without the legal permission of the federal government.
▪ Must be or will be a high school/GED graduate who will enroll for the first time in an accredited college or university in the U.S. or Puerto Rico for the 2016-2017 academic year. We will accept applications from undocumented students who graduated from a high school in Rhode Island and who are currently taking coursework in an accredited college or university in Rhode Island.
▪ Must demonstrate financial need.
▪ Must demonstrate academic potential and promise.
▪ Recipients must agree to volunteer to attend meetings and/or speak with other undocumented students seeking advice during the first year after receiving the award.
▪ As time allows, recipients will be expected to participate in CASO events and commit to community service or professional development activities throughout the year.
- 2. Is your scholarship open to students outside of Rhode Island?
- No. At this time, the scholarship is open only to Rhode Island students. However, if a student who graduated from a Rhode Island high school is accepted to a college or university outside of Rhode Island, he or she may be considered.
- 3. How many scholarships will be awarded?
- Six (6) scholarships in the amount of $500 will be awarded to students graduating from an accredited high school in Rhode Island who will enroll for the first time as a freshman during the 2016-2017 academic year. Scholarships may also be awarded to students currently enrolled at CCRI, RIC or URI for the 2016 Summer or Fall sessions. Please download and carefully read the application guidelines.
- 4. What is the deadline for the Tam Tran Scholarship?
- Applications must be received in our office no later than Friday, February 26, 2016. Due to the competetive nature of this scholarship award, no exceptions will be made.
- 5. I am a DACA student, can I apply?
- Yes. For the upcoming 2016-2017 academic year, we will continue to accept requests from any DACA applicants, regardless of age, as long as you can prove you graduated from a Rhode Island high school and are enrolled or have been accepted into an accredited college or university in Rhode Island.
- 6. Can I apply for a second-year scholarship?
- Yes, we will accept applications from previous scholarship recipients who are college students, and who are currently taking coursework in an accredited Rhode Island college or university. Re-applicants will need to send us your first-semester grades plus a letter from a professor or mentor. Returning applications must also show that you have fulfilled the requirements as listed in the eligibility criteria listed above; specifically your willingness to volunteer, attend community meetings and list any community service interests. If you have not fulfilled this criteria, you must tell us how you plan to do that in the upcoming semester during a one-on-one interview. You will not receive your scholarship check until this interview takes place.
We will also accept applications from previous scholarship recipients who are college students, and who are currently taking coursework in an accredited Rhode Island college or university.
- 7. Will you be offering this scholarship every year?
- Yes. It is our goal to offer the scholarships in the amount of $500 each at the Annual César Chávez Scholarship Breakfast on March 31 to be used the following academic year, and as our endowment grows we will offer scholarships at an increased amount on March 31 of each year thereafter.
- 8. When will the recipients be notified?
- Depending on the number of applications we receive, it is our intention to make a decision on recipients and notify them all by March 15.
- 9. How will I know if I have been awarded a scholarship?
- Recipients will be notified via E-Mail. Once the recipient has been notified and confirmed, we will post an announcement on our home page of this notification.
- 10. How many scholarships have you awarded?
- On March 31, 2011 we awarded two (2) scholarships; in 2012, we awarded $500 scholarships to ten (10); in 2013 we awarded eight (8) scholarships; in 2014 we awarded fifteen (15) to Rhode Island students; and in 2015 we awarded 18 scholarships. We hope to increase not only the amount of our awards each year, but also the amount we give. You can help by donating today.
- 11. Is your scholarship open to college students?
- We will accept applications from undocumented or DACA students who are currently taking coursework in an accredited Rhode Island college or university. Please download and read the guidelines carefully for application requirements in this category.
GED students must submit a transcript. If one is not available, please show us a certified copy of his or her diploma with an original seal or signature on it along with proof that you have been accepted into an accredited college or university.
- 12. How can I make a donation for this scholarship?
- Make a donation online by visiting our donation page or make a check or money order payable to César Chávez Scholarship Fund and mail to: César Chávez Scholarship Fund, P.O. box 25118, Providence, RI 02905. Be sure to write “Tam Tran Scholarship” on the bottom of your check.
The Tam Tran Scholarship is a scholarship program managed by the César Chávez Scholarship Fund. The Chávez Scholarship Fund is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
- » How else can I help?
- We welcome your support by coordinating a fundraiser. Ideas include: car wash, cupcake or cookie sale, a dance, dinner event, raffle, etc. If you are interested in hosting a fundraiser for the Tam Tran Scholarship, please contact us at [email protected]