Fund: Dr. Manuela and Mr. Randy Sosa Scholarship Endowed Fund Department: Undergrad Student Financial Aid D02089 Purpose: Undergraduate Student Support History and Purpose: Since its founding in 1998, the Inland Empire Scholarship Fund (IESF) has awarded scholarships to hundreds of low-income, high achieving Latino students from Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. This extraordinary accomplishment is the result of a focused vision and tireless year-round volunteer effort put forth by Dr. Manuela Granado Sosa, a retired dentist, and Espartago (Randy) Sosa, a retired engineer. The backgrounds of IESF students are as varied as the demographics of the Inland Empire. The common thread that has united all IESF recipients is that they have drive, determination, and a passion to excel, pursue a college education, and give back to their communities. both Manuela and Randy share a similar background with many IESF recipients. Both were low-income and first-generation high school and college graduates. They understand first-hand the needs and challenges of Latino students wishing to achieve the goal of a college education. Both Randy and Manuela worked in the fields alongside their respective families until high school. Although Randy and Manuela had the loving support and encouragement of their parents to continue their education, their families did not have the financial means to help with college expenses. Once they became established in their professions, the Sosas were motivated by their personal experiences to help students who lacked the financial resources and guidance to attend college. In 1998, they established the Inland Empire Scholarship Fund, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, to support low-income, high achieving Latino students from Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. This Fund shall be used to provide general scholarship assistance for undergraduate students. Selection and Guidelines: The criteria and selection process for recipients of this fund will be as follows: * Must demonstrate a financial need * Must be an incoming freshman with a High School GPA of 3.0 or higher, or a transfer or continuing student with a current GPA of 3.0 or higher. * Must be a permanent resident of Riverside or San Bernardino County, but exclude residents east of Banning * Preference to be fluent in Spanish * Must demonstrate an interest to work in the Inland Empire and use their skills and resources to give back to helping their community (scholarship recipients are encouraged to volunteer as tutors, act as mentors, and work alongside medical personnel at community healthcare clinics during college) * A scholarship selection committee shall be established and include at a minimum the following representatives: 1.- Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs or Designee 2.- Financial Aid representative 3.- One community representative from Riverside County 4.- One community representative from San Bernardino County 5.- Dr. Manuela Sosa or Mr. Randy Sosa may sit on the scholarship committee, if available, in an advisory capacity only. Eff: 05/02/24 fund name changed from: Dr. Manuela and Mr. Randy Sosa Scholarship Fund Endowment per amendment. Request for Information: Request Scholarship Information