The East Los Angeles Community Union (TELACU) Scholarship

About the Scholarship

Administered by the TELACU Education Foundation, this scholarship program was created in 1983 to develop and empower new generations of leaders in the communities it serves. The program is funded by TELACU and the generous contributions of its partners—colleges and universities, corporations, nonprofit organizations, and individuals—who have joined in advancing educational opportunities for the community. The TELACU Education Foundation reserves the right to make the final selection of scholarship recipients based upon, but not limited to, the criteria described below.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

  • Be a first-generation college student.
  • Be from a low-income family.
  • Have a minimum GPA of 2.5.
  • Attend one of our partnering colleges and universities.
  • Be enrolled full time for the entire academic year.
  • Students majoring in any field of study are eligible to apply. Special consideration may be given to students pursuing careers in business, engineering, and science.
  • California Applicants: Be a permanent resident of unincorporated East Los Angeles, Bell Gardens, Commerce, Huntington Park, City of Los Angeles, Montebello, Monterey Park, Pico Rivera, Pomona and the Inland Empire, Santa Ana, South Gate, or other communities selected by the TELACU Education Foundation.
  • Texas Applicants: Be a permanent resident of San Antonio or Austin.
  • Illinois Applicants: Be a permanent resident of Greater Chicagoland Area.
  • New York Applicants: Be a permanent resident of the state of New York.

Selection Criteria

  • A select pool of applicants will be invited to interview with the Scholarship Selection Committee, which consists of representatives from the community and corporate and educational partners. Candidates will be ranked according to their ability to demonstrate a combination of the following:
    • Extracurricular involvement demonstrating a commitment to the community
    • A need for financial and academic support in order to successfully complete a postsecondary program
  • Completed applications, together with all required documents, must be postmarked no later than the published deadline.

General Scholarship Information

Scholarship amounts range from $500 to $5,000, which include any matching funds from the college or university. There are two types of scholarships: Continuing Scholarships and One Year Scholarships.

Continuing Scholarships

If you will be entering college for the first time this fall, you are eligible for a scholarship that can be renewed for four years. To renew the scholarship for subsequent years, scholars must:

  • Attend all sessions of the College Advisement and Leadership Program each year.
  • Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 and submit official transcripts to the foundation for verification.
  • Inform the foundation of any changes in address, phone number, or academic standing.
  • Volunteer 20 hours of service annually to the foundation or other community organization.
  • Plan to enroll full time for the entire academic year.

One-Year Scholarships

If you are enrolled at or plan to transfer to one of our partnering colleges or universities, you may apply for a one-year award if you:

  • Have a minimum GPA of 2.5.
  • Plan to enroll full time for the entire academic year.
  • Agree to volunteer 20 hours of community service.
  • Meet the eligibility criteria detailed above.
  • Attend all sessions of the College Advisement and Leadership Program.

If you wish to be considered for a one-year scholarship the following year, you will need to reapply.

Application Process

To apply for the TELACU Scholarship, visit the TELACU Education Foundation website.

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