Unlocking Opportunities: A Guide to Chicanos Por La Causa and Other Scholarships

For students striving to achieve their academic dreams, scholarships can be a game-changer. Several organizations and programs are dedicated to providing financial assistance and support to deserving students. This article explores the Chicanos Por La Causa (CPLC) Scholarship and other notable scholarships, outlining their requirements and opportunities.

Chicanos Por La Causa (CPLC) Scholarship

The CPLC Scholarship program stands out by offering financial assistance and ongoing supportive services to outstanding students attending Arizona colleges and universities. This program is particularly dedicated to serving students with limited access to financial resources.

Key Features

Financial Assistance: The program provides financial aid to help cover the costs of college or university education.
Supportive Services: Beyond financial support, CPLC Scholars receive ongoing services designed to help them succeed academically and personally.
Community Focus: CPLC Scholars are committed to making positive changes in their communities and fields of study.
Community Membership: Recipients become part of a community of motivated learners with similar backgrounds, providing a social foundation as they navigate their academic journey.

Application Details

Arizona State University (ASU): The CPLC Scholarship application for ASU is available through Scholarship Universe. For example, the deadline to submit the ASU application was February 01, 2026.
Northern Arizona University (NAU): CPLC has partnered with NAU to offer scholarships to 45 students, covering tuition, fees, and other expenses.
Dolores Huerta Scholarship: In collaboration with the City of Tempe, CPLC offers the Dolores Huerta Scholarship, a $1,000 award for high school seniors living in or attending school in Tempe.

New Pathways for Youth (NPFY) Level Up Scholarship

New Pathways for Youth (NPFY) has been dedicated to transforming the lives of young people in Phoenix since 1989. Their Level Up Scholarship aims to support youth in pursuing postsecondary education, providing them with the stability and skills needed to flourish.

Eligibility Criteria

Program Enrollment: Applicants must be currently enrolled in the Level Up Program and have been an active participant for at least one year. Preference is given to students based on their length of participation and level of engagement with NPFY.
Education Level: The applicant must be a high school senior, a high school graduate, or a GED holder.
Postsecondary Enrollment: Applicants must be seeking to enroll in any type of postsecondary education, including trade, vocational, 2-year, and 4-year schools. Enrollment can be part-time or full-time, and current enrollment in a postsecondary program is permitted.

Selection Criteria

Financial Need: Demonstrated by the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or other financial aid indicators.
Academic Record: Assessed through the applicant's high school GPA.
Community Involvement: Record of community volunteer work, school activities, or paid employment.
Motivation and Potential: Demonstrated evidence of high motivation, determination to succeed, and potential for leadership.

Award Details

Award Amount: Up to ten awards of $2,000 are granted each year.
Funding Use: Funding is sent directly to the school to be used for tuition and/or other fees/expenses, including housing, meals, books, technology, and transportation.

Application Process

Dougherty General Application: Youth must complete the General Dougherty Foundation Scholarship Application. This application makes them eligible for many scholarships based on their answers and background information. The NPFY Level Up Scholarship Application cannot be accessed without completing this application first.
NPFY Level Up Scholarship Application: Youth must complete the NPFY Level Up Scholarship Application by the specified deadline, which includes writing short essays.
Scholarship Acceptance Form: Awarded youth must submit the Scholarship Acceptance Form to accept the scholarship. Failure to complete this form will result in the scholarship being revoked.

Scholarship Review & Selection

Review Committee: Scholarship applications are reviewed by members of the NPFY Emeritus Council.
Blind Review: Applications are sent to a minimum of four members of the Emeritus Council for review and rating, with names and race/ethnicity redacted to ensure impartiality.
Ranking: Completed rating sheets are compiled by NPFY staff and ranked numerically. Applications are rated in two categories (essays and overall) on a scale of 1 to 10.
Evaluation Criteria:
- Essays: Evaluated on writing quality, message, reflection of NPFY values, and program impact.
- Overall: Evaluated on financial need (FAFSA), academic record (GPA), community/work involvement, potential for success, and motivation.
Award Allocation: The NPFY senior leadership team determines the size of the scholarship pool based on available funding and the number of applications. Amounts are allocated based on the ranking of reviewed applications, with the goal of providing some level of funding to all qualified applicants.

Additional Scholarship Opportunities

In addition to the Level Up Scholarship, three additional scholarships are available if funds permit and applicants are eligible:

Dew Family Scholarship ($5,000): The top three ranked Level Up applicants are reviewed by Jim and Mimi Dew for one $5,000 award. This scholarship may be renewed for up to three years.
Lanita Lewis and HL Woodberry Scholarship: Requires a supplemental essay for youth with a parent/caregiver who has struggled with substance abuse.
Chris Yakscoe Scholarship: Preference is given to applicants attending trade schools or career-focused training. Requires an additional essay on career goals.

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Read also: Foundation Scholarship Details

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