In our fast-evolving world, life is impacted daily by the use of technology, both directly and indirectly.
Our world and our future will be shaped by technological advancements, making today’s students who will lead the technology industry tomorrow all the more important. Many students who are passionate about technology and devoted to making a difference are held back by financial limitations.
This scholarship seeks to support minority students who are pursuing careers in STEM in order to make a difference in the world.
Any underrepresented minority undergraduate student who is pursuing STEM may apply for this scholarship opportunity.
To apply, tell us why you’ve chosen your field of study, what your goals are, how being an underrepresented minority in your field has affected your goals, and how this scholarship would help you.
Please tell us why you have chosen your field of study and what your long and short-term goals are. How does being an underrepresented minority in this field have an effect on your career goals? Tell us how this scholarship will help you financially.
I chose Artificial Intelligence because I don’t want to just be a part of the future, I want to shape it. At first, I was drawn to Computer Science because I believed it was one of the most resilient careers. But as I began learning about AI, I realized I was looking at something far bigger than a career. I was looking at a tool that could reshape entire systems: education, finance, healthcare, government, all at once. It was like seeing electricity for the first time and knowing you had to learn how to harness it. That’s what AI is to me.
My short-term goal is to master the foundations of AI and get deeply involved in research, competitions, and real-world projects during my time at Adelphi University. I want to build not just technical skill but strategic insight, how to use AI ethically, how to communicate its value, and how to bring others with me. Long-term, I want to become a leader in the AI space: building startups, advising governments, and helping underdeveloped countries implement AI systems that actually solve human problems. I’m also learning about blockchain, because I believe combining AI and decentralized systems is the key to unlocking transparent and fair technology.
Being an underrepresented minority in this field isn’t something I carry lightly, especially as a Latino immigrant who moved to the U.S. under an E2 visa. I can’t legally work. I don’t have access to FAFSA. And yet I wake up every morning determined to earn a seat at the table. I don’t see myself represented in the AI world, and that only makes me more committed to changing that. I want to show other hispanic students that this space is for us. That we can not only contribute, but lead.
There’s a certain pressure that comes with being the first. But I welcome it. I want to be a reference point, the person who made it so others could see it was possible. And I don’t just want to blend into this field. I want to redefine it with my voice, my culture, my story.
This scholarship would directly help me contribute to my 49,000 fall tuition at Adelphi, a number that weighs heavily on my family. My mom is our only provider right now, working hard while going through her own grief. I’ve done everything in my power to keep my grades perfect, to find creative ways to contribute, and to not let financial hardship become a reason to give up. This scholarship isn’t just financial help, it’s fuel. It allows me to keep showing up fully. To keep dreaming big. And to keep proving that where you come from doesn’t define how far you’ll go.
AI is changing everything. And I plan to be one of the people changing AI, with wisdom, courage, and purpose.
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main CampusMarietta, GA
Becoming fascinated about space from a young age, I was captivated by the idea that something built by human hands could break through Earth’s gravity. I always dreamed about contributing to the most advanced technologies to expand the aerospace engineering field. My field of study, aerospace engineering, wasn’t a casual choice. It was the product of years spent dreaming bigger than my circumstances and pushing against the boundaries placed on students who look like me.
As a first-generation Hispanic student raised in a low-income household, I rarely saw anyone in science or engineering who shared my background. In fact, it was sincerely rare that a Hispanic descendant reached the heights of college. My parents, both Mexican immigrants, worked long hours in physically demanding jobs to provide for our family. They didn’t have college degrees; they never even completed grade school. Regardless, they passed on something just as valuable: grit, humility, and the belief that sacrifice is the price of progress. I internalized their work ethic and applied it to my academics, becoming valedictorian of my graduating class while also supporting my family on weekends and leading service projects for my community.
My short-term goal is to attend Georgia Tech and earn my degree in aerospace engineering. In college, I hope to join undergraduate research teams and gain experience working on propulsion systems, satellite design, and flight dynamics. I wish to intern at Lockheed Martin, NASA, or Northrop Grumman, not only to contribute to cutting-edge aerospace work but also to bring those experiences back to my community through mentorship and outreach to aspiring Hispanic scholars.
In the long term, I plan to work as an aerospace engineer developing innovative solutions for space exploration and defense. With that, I wish to give back to the community that enabled me to achieve my dreams. My ultimate goal is to create accessible STEM programs and workshops for Hispanic students in underserved communities. I want to be the mentor I never had — someone who understands the barriers of language, culture, and economic hardship, and who actively works to dismantle them. I envision a future where young Hispanic scholars don’t just dream of building rockets — they achieve it.
Being an underrepresented minority in aerospace has shaped these goals. The lack of representation in this field isn’t just a statistic — it’s something I’ve felt in every classroom where I was the only student of my background. Often, I had to teach myself the content because my school was unable to offer certain AP classes. It’s a quiet isolation, but also a powerful motivator. It proves that excellence doesn’t come from privilege — it comes from perseverance. And I want to open the door wider for others to follow.
This scholarship would relieve a significant financial burden on my family. Despite my academic achievements, paying for college remains a constant source of stress. I continue to work on weekends with my mother to help cover expenses, but tuition, housing, and materials are overwhelming. This scholarship would allow me to focus fully on my studies, immerse myself in research and leadership opportunities, and avoid the financial pitfalls that prevent many first-generation students from graduating.
More than money, though, this scholarship represents belief — belief in students like me who come from overlooked neighborhoods, who grew up navigating two cultures, and who are ready to contribute to a world that often doubted them. I don’t take that belief lightly. I intend to live and honor it by achieving more than I thought possible — and by making sure I’m not the last one to do it.
The application deadline is Jul 4, 2025. Winners will be announced on Aug 4, 2025.
How will scholarship application information be used?
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What is the scholarship award?
Award amounts per winner are designated by the donor. Check the award amount for a detailed breakdown.
When will the scholarship winner be chosen? How will they be notified?
The winner will be publicly announced on Aug 4, 2025. 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.
How will the scholarship award be paid?
Award checks will be sent to the financial aid office of the winner's 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.
How will my scholarship application be verified?
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.
How should I get in touch with questions?
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.
Does the scholarship have terms and conditions?
Yes. The terms and conditions for this scholarship can be found here.