Goobie-Ramlal Education Scholarship

Funded by
$2,000
2 winners, $1,000 each
Open
Application Deadline
May 4, 2024
Winners Announced
Jun 4, 2024
Education Level
Undergraduate, High School
Recent Bold.org scholarship winners
Eligibility Requirements
Education Level:
High school senior or undergraduate student
Background:
First-generation
GPA:
3.0 or higher
Experience:
Volunteering experience
Identity:
Immigrant or the child of immigrants
Race/Ethnicity:
Caribbean decent
Education Level:
Background:
GPA:
Experience:
Identity:
Race/Ethnicity:
High school senior or undergraduate student
First-generation
3.0 or higher
Volunteering experience
Immigrant or the child of immigrants
Caribbean decent

Immigrants face a wide world of challenges when starting their lives in a new country. From language barriers to a lack of connections to financial difficulties, students from immigrant families often have less access to higher education, especially students who will be the first in their families to complete a college degree. 

Rhia Ramlal Wagner immigrated to the United States from the Twin Island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, at the age of 15. As she embarked on high school in Florida, she faced several challenges as she adjusted to high-school life. Despite these challenges she has embodied success in her education and career. She understands setbacks, challenges, grit, hard work, sacrifice, and truly values education.  

This scholarship seeks to offer recognition and relief to college-bound students who stand on the shoulders of their hardworking immigrant families. This scholarship is dedicated in honor of Rhia’s grandparents (from the Goobie and Ramlal families) who toiled on sugarcane plantations in Trinidad and Tobago to provide a better life for their children and future generations, while instilling the value of hard work and education.   

Any first-generation high school senior or undergraduate student of Caribbean decent who has at least a 3.0 GPA and volunteering experience may apply for this scholarship if they’re an immigrant or the child of immigrant parents. 

To apply, tell us about your experience as a college-bound student of an immigrant family and how you plan to use your education and experience to make a difference in the world.

Selection Criteria:
Ambition, Need, Boldest Bold.org Profile
Published November 4, 2023
$2,000
2 winners, $1,000 each
Open
Application Deadline
May 4, 2024
Winners Announced
Jun 4, 2024
Education Level
Undergraduate, High School
Recent Bold.org scholarship winners
Essay Topic

Write about your experience as a college-bound student of an immigrant family and how you plan on making a positive impact on the world through your experience and education.


400–600 words

Winning Application

Ian Ruelas
Minnesota State University-MankatoBurnsville, MN
As a first generation Hispanic I have seen the struggles that immigrant parents face first hand. Whether it is language barriers or only being accepted to low paying jobs because of your race or legal status, It impacted my parents for years. However my parents were the masters at making situations stress free for me and my younger brother. Multiple times my parents got eviction notices and struggled to provide the next meal, but through all of it my parents kept my brother and I worry free. When we lived in old motels for three months my parents would tell us that we were on vacation and that we would be back at home soon. I remember watching my mom wash our clothes in the motel bathtub so I could go to school some what clean. All of this was brought to light to me when I turned 16, my family now is well off but at the cost years of blood, sweat and tears. My parents have preached education on me for as long as I remember, telling me that as a U.S. citizen I have unlimited doors of opportunity waiting to be opened and that I should take advantage of all of them. They tell me that they only dreamt of the opportunities I have as immigrants. They always tell me that a pen weighs less than a pail, referring to the laborious jobs they had to do when they got to America. For that reason I want pressure a masters degree in criminology. My upmost goal is to join the FBI to prevent mass crimes and to ensure that criminals are punished accordingly. Learning about crime would also help me put an end to crimes that many immigrants face during their journeys to the U.S. like human human trafficking. It would be an honor to me and my family to be considered for this scholarship.
Nahiyan Sattar
Temple UniversityPhiladelphia, PA
As a college-bound student of an immigrant family, I have experienced a unique blend of cultures and perspectives that have shaped my worldview and motivated me to make a positive impact on the world, which is something I really appreciate, being able to experience both side of spectrum. Growing up, my parents instilled in me the importance of education and the opportunities it can provide for personal and professional growth. As an immigrant, my parents faced numerous challenges and sacrifices in pursuit of a better life for our family, and I have always felt a sense of responsibility to pay it forward and give back to my community. In college, I plan on majoring in international studies with a focus on human rights and social justice. I believe that education is a powerful tool for creating positive change, and I hope to use my education to advocate for marginalized communities and work towards a more equitable and inclusive society. I also plan on participating in service-learning opportunities and internships to gain hands-on experience and make a tangible difference in the world. Along with that, I hope to use my personal experience as an immigrant to shed light on the struggles and challenges faced by immigrant communities and work towards policies and initiatives that support and empower them. I hope to use my experience as an immigrant and the skills I acquire in college to advocate for marginalized communities and promote equality and justice. Although it dosen't directly fall under my majors or minor. I also plan on using my education to give back to my community and help others achieve their goals. I hope to mentor and support young immigrants, particularly those who may face similar challenges as I did. Overall, my experience as a college-bound student of an immigrant family has taught me the value of hard work and determination. I am excited to use my education to make a positive impact on the world and contribute to a more inclusive and just society. I believe that my unique background and perspective can provide valuable insights and contribute to important discussions and decision-making processes. Ultimately, I hope to use my education and experiences to make a positive impact on the world through activism, advocacy, and service. I am grateful for the opportunities that education has provided for me and am determined to use my skills and knowledge to make a difference in the world.

FAQ

When is the scholarship application deadline?

The application deadline is May 4, 2024. Winners will be announced on Jun 4, 2024.