Immigrant Made From Roots to College Scholarship
Immigrant Made was founded by Dr. Antonio Martinez, a first-generation college graduate who earned a Bachelor’s degree, a Master’s degree, and an Educational Doctorate.
Raised in Richmond, California, Dr. Martinez grew up in a community where many young people faced poverty, violence, and limited access to opportunity. With the steady love and guidance of his mother and grandmother, and the support of educators who believed in his potential, he was able to navigate those obstacles and become the first in his family to complete college and pursue advanced degrees.
Dr. Martinez’s mother and grandmother immigrated to the United States from El Salvador in pursuit of a better life. Their decision required leaving behind family, home, language, culture, and community, driven by hope, sacrifice, and a commitment to creating new possibilities for the next generation. That legacy is the foundation of Immigrant Made.
This scholarship seeks to invest in Bay Area students by honoring immigrant family sacrifice, celebrating perseverance, and providing meaningful support to students as they take their next step into higher education.
Any BIPOC high school senior in the Bay Area who will be a first-generation college student at a four-year college may apply for this scholarship opportunity if at least one of their parents was not born in the United States.
To apply, tell us your family story and background, including how your family’s story has impacted you and your goals.
Please tell us the story of your family:
Where does your family come from, and what experiences, sacrifices, or responsibilities have shaped your household’s journey to where you are today?
Describe one specific moment, lesson, or example that captures the heart of your family’s story. Then explain how this background has influenced who you are, how you view education, and how it will continue to inspire and guide you as you enter college.
Optional guiding questions you may consider:
What sacrifices have been made for you to have access to the opportunities you have today?
What values, traditions, or life lessons were passed down to you that you carry with pride?
How have your family’s experiences shaped your goals, your resilience, or your sense of responsibility?
What do you hope to build or change for your family and community through your college journey?
Closing instructions:
Be specific and personal. We are not looking for perfection. We are looking for honesty, clarity, and a story that shows how your roots have shaped your vision for the future.
Explore All Kinds of Scholarships for All Kinds of Students
FAQ
The application deadline is Jul 10, 2026. Winners will be announced on Aug 11, 2026.
Your privacy is a top priority on the Bold.org platform, and you can find our privacy policy in full here. You may opt out of communications from Bold.org at any time, and unless we’ve first notified you and gotten your consent, you’ll never receive communication from any third parties related to personal information you give us.
Award amounts per winner are designated by the donor. Check the award amount for a detailed breakdown.
The winner will be publicly announced on Aug 11, 2026. Prior to the announcement date, we may contact finalists with additional questions about their application. We will work with donors to review all applications according to the scholarship criteria. Winners will be chosen based on the merit of their application.
Award checks will be sent to the financial aid office of the winner's academic institution or future academic institution in their name to be applied to their tuition, and in the name of their institution (depending on the school's requirements). If the award is for a qualified educational non-tuition expense, we will work with the winner directly to distribute the award and make sure it goes towards qualified expenses.
Before we award the scholarship, the winner will be required to confirm their academic enrollment status. Depending on the circumstances, verification of Student ID and/or their most recent transcript will be required.
If you have any questions about this scholarship or the Bold.org platform, just email contact@bold.org and we’ll get back to you as quickly as we can.
Yes. The terms and conditions for this scholarship can be found here.
