José Antonio Echeverría Scholarship
The José Antonio Echeverría Scholarship is awarded every year to an undergraduate or graduate FIU student who meets the requirements. All undergraduate applicants must enroll in the Undergraduate Certificate Program in Cuban and Cuban American Studies, if not enrolled at the time of application. This requirement is not applicable to graduate students.
The scholarship was created to honor the memory of José Antonio Echeverría, president of the University Students Federation (FEU in Spanish) at the University of Havana in 1957, who was murdered while defending democracy in Cuba. The purpose of this scholarship is to promote the understanding of the political, social, and economic realities of 1950s Cuba, and in particular of the life and legacy of José Antonio Echeverría, and to encourage students to become active in governmental and political affairs.
In 2007, Echeverría's family and friends donated $100,000 to establish the scholarship fund at FIU. The scholarship has been awarded every year since then. The José Antonio Echeverría Foundation announces the scholarship winner(s) every year in October at a fundraising luncheon.
In 2018, the Echeverría family decided to grant two scholarships, one for an undergraduate student, and a second one for a graduate student. The best two applications received will be awarded $4,000 each.
Eligibility Criteria
- Majors. At the time of application, the student must be enrolled at FIU as an undergraduate degree-seeking student taking at least twelve credit hours each semester, or as a graduate degree-seeking student.
- Certificate Program. At the time of application, undergraduate students must also be enrolled in the Certificate Program in Cuban and Cuban American Studies, and must continue taking at least one program course during any semester that the applicant will be a recipient of the scholarship (including any summer semester). Students who are not currently registered in the Certificate Program in Cuban and Cuban American Studies can apply to this scholarship only if they enroll prior to or simultaneously at the time of application, and continue taking at least one program course during any semester that the applicant will be a recipient of the scholarship (including any summer semester). This requirement is not applicable to graduate students.
- GPA and Transcripts. Applicants must submit unofficial transcripts demonstrating a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale at FIU, or, if newly enrolled at FIU, at other institutions attended.
- Essay. Applicants must submit an original, well-researched, and properly documented three-page essay (double-spaced, twelve-point font, in English or Spanish) demonstrating knowledge of the life and beliefs of José Antonio Echeverría and his contributions to and efforts toward democracy in Cuba. The selected essay will be published on the José A. Echeverría Foundation website and other online outlets.
Award
Two scholarships of $4,000 each (one for undergraduate, one for graduate)
How to Apply
Please sign into FIU Scholarships and complete the application form here.