Hispanic Public Relations Association opens Call for Entries for the 2012 Scholarship Program.

The Hispanic Public Relations Association, Los Angeles Chapter (HPRA), announced the call for entries for the HPRA Scholarship Program which to date, has awarded $250,000 to assist students with tuition or related school expenses. Honoring California college students of Hispanic heritage pursuing careers in public relations and related communications field, the HPRA Scholarship Program recognizes outstanding undergraduate academic achievement and community service among students.

When Governor Jerry Brown signed the State budget last year, funding for public colleges and universities was cut by more than 20 percent. Since tuition has skyrocketed and students are feeling the bulk of the impact, the HPRA Scholarship Program provides assistance at this time of need.

“We encourage students who are looking for ways to cover their school expenses amidst the State budget cuts to apply for an HPRA Scholarship as these are funds that are readily available to them,” said Delia L. Lopez, HPRA-LA president. “Over the past 27 years, the HPRA Scholarship Program has awarded $250,000 in financial support to students of Latino descent in California to assist them in achieving their educational goals. An HPRA scholarship can assist students with tuition, books, living expenses and food.”

The 2012 HPRA Scholarship Program will award five scholarships, each in the amount of $2,000. Each recipient is automatically considered for the Esther Renteria Community Service Scholarship, also awarded by HPRA, in the amount of $1,000 based on their contributions to the community. Recipients also get the opportunity to interview for a public relations internship at leading agencies and corporate organizations which are part of HPRA as well as receive a complimentary membership to HPRA-LA.

“Receiving an HPRA scholarship helped me out so much, and since I received the award, HPRA has played an integral part of my career,” said Pauline France, 2010 scholarship winner. “As an award recipient, I was able to establish and develop a relationship with key industry leaders, some of whom are now my mentors providing me with strategic career guidance.”

To be eligible, students must:

Be accepted to attend a four-year accredited California college or university by Fall 2012 semester

Be an incoming junior or senior student of at least 25 percent Hispanic descent

Have a minimum 2.7 cumulative GPA and 3.0 GPA in their major subject

Be a California native/resident attending school in California

Major in public relations, communications, journalism, advertising and/or marketing

Have a desire to work in the public relations industry with a major in other disciplines

Be available to attend the HPRA PRemio Awards dinner in October 2012 in Los Angeles

Interested students must complete the online application at www.hpra-usa.org by no later than Friday, April 27, 2012. Students will be notified by August if they are selected.

The 2012 HPRA Scholarship Program is funded, in part, by generous contributions of HPRA sponsors.

For more information please visit http://www.hpra-usa.org>