With the announcement of its 2023 scholars (shown left, Sharit Cardenas Lopez and Xemiyulu Tapepechul), LULAC Lambda DC shared it will commence on March 1, 2024 its seventh scholarship grant program to provide funds and mentorship to selected students from the LGBTQ+ Latinx community.

“Our community is coming together to help invest in our LGBTQ+ family,” Javier Aquino, President of LULAC Lambda DC, said. “We are thankful to our members and allies who have donated and encourage all to consider a contribution. By investing now in the work of those pursuing their academic and career goals, our scholarship program is making a stronger future for all of us.”

Founded in 2014 to strengthen DC’s LGBTQ+ and Latinx communities, LULAC Lambda DC is one of more than 1,000 local councils affiliated with the League of United Latin American Citizens, the nation’s largest and oldest Latinx civil rights volunteer-based organization. LULAC includes education access as one of its many missions and encourages local councils like LULAC Lambda DC to sponsor scholarships.

LULAC Lambda DC’s 2024 educational grants of $2,500 will be for DC graduating high school seniors, current college students or “returning to school” adults obtaining bachelors, masters, doctoral degrees or professional trade certifications. The program is open to those in the LGBTQ+ Latinx community who reside in DC or will be attending a higher education institution in DC.

Scholarship Committee Chair, Michael Ramirez, said last year’s application was amended to include adult education or “returning to school” adults, as well as, individuals seeking an associate’s degree, including professional trade certifications.

“We are excited to have expanded our applicant pool and be more inclusive in the scholarship candidate consideration process so we can serve even more within our community. In addition, our streamlined application makes this process even more accessible,” Ramirez said.

It is intended that the LULAC Lambda DC Scholarship application process opens March 1, 2024 and applications are due by May 31, 2024. The scholarship committee will review academic performance as well as the student’s extracurricular work in social justice and community service accomplishments in the Latinx and/or LGBTQ+ community. Finalists will be interviewed in June 2024, winners will be notified later that month and checks are presented in July 2024.

To make a donation, send contributions via Venmo to @LULACLambda or contact Michael Ramirez, Scholarship Committee Chair, at dclonghorns@yahoo.com

Shown from top: 2023 LULAC Lambda DC Scholarship Recipients Sharit Cardenas Lopez and Xemiyulu Tapepechul