Courtesy:(HACE)
The hacer scholarship is a national program that provides scholarships to up to 30 outstanding Hispanic students every year.
The scholarship is sponsored by McDonald’s and aims to help recipients finance their college tuition and pursue their dreams.
In this article, you will learn about the eligibility and requirements, the application process, the benefits and opportunities, and the success stories of the hacer scholarship.
Eligibility and Requirements
To qualify for the hacer scholarship, you must meet the following criteria:
- You are a high school senior
- You are a legal US resident or a DREAMer/DACA recipient
- You are younger than 21 years old
- You have at least one parent of Hispanic heritage
- You have a minimum 2.8 GPA
- You are eligible to attend a two- or four-year college or university with a full-time course of study
- You will disclose other scholarship programs that you have applied for
- You will enroll and attend an accredited institution in the academic year after your selection
You will also need to submit the following documents:
- Transcript
- Personal statement
- Letter of recommendation
- List of community service projects
- FAFSA report and/or 1040s
Application Process
The application period for the hacer scholarship is usually from October to February.
You can apply online through the McDonald’s HACER website.
Also You will need to create an account, fill out an online form, upload your documents, and submit your application.
You will receive a confirmation email once your application is complete.
The selection process involves two stages: semi-finalists and finalists. Semi-finalists are notified by email in March and are required to participate in a phone or in-person interview. Finalists are announced in June and are invited to attend an award ceremony where they will receive their scholarship funds.
Benefits and Opportunities
The hacer scholarship offers three tiers of awards:
- Tier 1: Up to $100,000 for four years ($25,000 per year)
- Tier 2: $20,000 or $10,000 for four years ($5,000 or $2,500 per year)
- Tier 3: $5,000 for one year
The scholarship funds are paid directly to the schools and can be used for tuition, fees, books, supplies, and equipment.
The scholarship recipients also receive mentoring and networking opportunities from McDonald’s and its partners.
They can also access other resources such as the [HACER Education Tour], a series of livestream workshops that provide guidance and tips for college success.
Success Stories
The hacer scholarship has helped more than 17,000 Hispanic students achieve their academic goals since 1985. Some of the success stories include:
- Maria Elena Salinas, a journalist and anchor who received the hacer scholarship in 1986 and went on to become one of the most influential Hispanic media figures in the US.
- Luis von Ahn, a computer scientist and entrepreneur who received the hacer scholarship in 1996 and went on to create Duolingo, the world’s most popular language-learning app.
- Ana Patricia Gámez, a TV host and model who received the hacer scholarship in 2008 and went on to win Nuestra Belleza Latina, a reality show that showcases Hispanic beauty and talent.
These are just some of the examples of how the hacer scholarship can help you make your dreams come true.
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