PALCUS National Scholarship Program

 

The PALCUS Scholarship Program was established with the purpose of supporting Portuguese-American students in the pursuit of their higher education goals.  The merit-based scholarships are awarded to students of Portuguese ancestry who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in their academic careers and who show a commitment to completing an approved plan of study.

 

Since 2012, thirty-seven Portuguese-American graduate and undergraduate students from across the country have received PALCUS scholarships. The $1,000 scholarship awards are presented at the Annual Leadership Awards Gala.

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Eligibility Requirements:

• PALCUS membership: Young Portuguese-American at $25 per year      

• U.S. citizenship or a permanent legal U.S. resident (proof of I551 card with no restrictions required),

• Portuguese ancestry of an aggregate of least 25%, i.e. total Portuguese ancestry of the applicant;

• Full-time student attending a baccalaureate or graduate degree program at an accredited college or university in the United States (high school seniors / entering freshmen are not eligible);

• Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of a minimum of 3.0. 

 

Selection Criteria:

The Scholarship Committee of the PALCUS Board of Directors will have the sole responsibility for the selection of the scholarship award recipients based upon the following:

• Academic record

• Extra-curricular activities

• Community Service

• Essay

 

Application Requirements

The applicant must submit the following by the application deadline:

• the PALCUS Scholarship Application Form;

• an official college academic transcript (with official seal or registrar's signature; not a screenshot) from all colleges previously attended;

• a one page typewritten (double-spaced 12 pt. font) essay addressing the questions:

What impact has your Portuguese ancestry had upon your own personal development?

What role do you anticipate that your Portuguese ancestry will play in your future?

Discuss any specific career goals for the future or any community involvement that might be pertinent to the question.

What additional information would you like the Scholarship Committee to consider in evaluating your application?

• one Instructor’s Recommendation  submitted to PALCUS electronically in PDF format  on the attached form by a teacher or professor in an academic setting.

 

 

Submission Instructions and Deadline:

1) Please complete application and submit all supporting materials in PDF format

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2) Applications must be received in the PALCUS Office by  July 31, 2021 with supporting materials, i.e.

• completed and signed application form with essay,

• official college transcript(s),

• Instructor's Recommendation (see link below)

3) N.B.:  Incomplete applications will not be considered.

4) Forward “Instructor’s Recommendation Form” to teacher/instructor/professor which he/she will email in PDF format directly to PALCUS at palcus@palcus.org

 

Award Presentation

The scholarship award recipient is strongly encouraged to attend the Leadership Awards Gala in the fall in order to receive the award. The scholarship winner and a guest will receive complimentary tickets to the gala event.

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Award Renewals

Scholarship awards are NOT automatically renewed. Former scholarship recipients must re-apply.

 

Revocation of Award

PALCUS reserves the right to cancel any scholarship or aid awarded at any time if the applicant fails to meet the standards of academic progress, any other scholarship requirements, or falsifies information reported.

 

Decline Award

PALCUS reserves the right to decline awarding a scholarship during any selection period if there are no eligible applicants or if the Scholarship Committee is unable to select a qualified recipient.

 

Disclaimer

PALCUS reserves the right to determine the monetary amount, number and criteria for awards as well as the selection of recipients.  All decisions are final.

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For more information, contact:

Gracielle Camilo, Program Coordinator

PALCUS

9255 Center St., Ste 404, Manassas, VA 20110

Email: palcus@palcus.org      Phone: (202) 466-4664     FAX:  (202) 466-4661

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The PALCUS Scholarship Fund is made possible through the generosity of the Rosa Family and the Graciette M. Simão Rosa Scholarship Fund with matching funds from Merrill Lynch, as well as donations from the community such as the Luso-American Fraternal Association of New Jersey which has sponsored a scholarship for a Portuguese-American student from New Jersey.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please consider creating or sponsoring a PALCUS scholarship in honor of or in memory of someone in order to enable us to provide additional support in the future. Your donation may be eligible for matching funds from your employer.  Please consult with your Human Resource Office for more information about matching funds.

 

If you would like to make a donation to the PALCUS Scholarship Fund, please click here.

 

Questions may be directed to Gracielle Camilo at palcus@palcus.org or 202-466-4664.

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For your information, the following is a partial list of scholarship programs for Portuguese-Americans:

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CALIFORNIA:

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U.P.S.E.S. Inc.
Attn: Scholarship Committee
2818 Avenida de Portugal
San Diego, CA 92106

The United Portuguese S.E.S. Inc. (UPSES) awards up to five (5) $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors of Portuguese descent each year. If you are or know a graduating senior of Portuguese descent please download the attached application for more details and submit your application! 
Website: www.upses.com 

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Luso-American Education Foundation

925-828-3883

7080 Donlon Way, Suite # 200

Dublin, CA 94568

Website: http://luso-american.org/foundation.html

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Portuguese Education Foundation of Central California

P.O. Box 2839

Turlock, CA 95381

Website: http://portugueseeducationfoundation.com

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Cabrillo Clubs of California

1227 Lincoln

Tulare, CA. 93274

559-686-5140

Website: http://www.cabrillocivicclubs.org/

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Portuguese Historical and Cultural Society

P. O. Box 161990

Sacramento, CA 95816

(916) 392-1048

Website: http://www.sacramentophcs.com/

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CONNECTICUT:

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Portuguese Cultural Center

P.O. Box 3588

Danbury, CT 06813-3588

Website: https://www.portugueseculturalcenter.org/scholarship

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The Portuguese Foundation, Inc.

P.O. Box 331441

West Hartford, CT 06133-1441

Website: http://www.pfict.org/scholarship-program.html

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FLORIDA:

 

Fundação Antonio Amaral

13 Utility Drive
Palm Coast, FL 32137

Website: https://foundationantonioamaral.org/scholarships/

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MASSACHUSETTS:

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Club Madeirense Scholarship
50 Madeira Avenue
New Bedford, MA 02746
www.portuguesefeast.com
The deadline is a RECEIPT date of April 1.
The Charitable Foundation provides 30 - $1,000 scholarships.  In addition, family scholarships, such as the Newby-Nunes Scholarship, Macedo, Neves, etc.  As such, the total could be as high as $35,000 in any one year.

clubesss.scholarship@comcast.net

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Dr. Leitão Memorial Scholarship

East Cambridge,  MA 02139

Website: https://www.drleitaoscholarshipfund.org/

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Portuguese Americans for Higher Education

PAFHE, Inc.
c/o Luso American Credit Union
37 Tremont Street
Peabody, MA 01960

https://pafhe.com/scholarship/

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Prince Henry Society of Fall River

P. O. Box 3563

Fall River, MA  02721

Website: http://www.phsfr.org/scholarship-program

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NEW HAMPSHIRE AND MASSACHUSETTS:

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Saab Family Foundation

579 East Merrimack Street

Lowell, MA 01852

info@saabfamilyfoundation.org

(603) 475-6162

https://www.saabfamilyfoundation.org/scholarships

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NEW JERSEY:

 

The Portuguese American Scholarship Fund of New Jersey
P.O. Box 3848,
Union, NJ  07083
Email: pasf@vivaportugal.com
Website: http://www.americo.net/vivaportugal/nj/org/pasf/index.htm

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NEW YORK:

 

NYPALC - New York Portuguese American Leadership Conference
Attn: Scholarship Program Committee
P.O. Box 90
New York, NY 10163
Email: info@nypalc.org
Website: www.nypalc.org

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PENNSYLVANIA:

 

The Portuguese American Club Scholarship
Portuguese American Club
337 Brodhead Ave.
Bethlehem, PA. 18015
(610) 691-9612 & (610) 691-5100
Website: http://www.portugueseamericanclub.org/scholarships.html

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RHODE ISLAND:

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Day of Portugal and Portuguese Heritage in RI, Inc.

P.O. Box 9464

Providence, RI 02940

Visit for rules and application form:  www.ridayofportugal.org 

Deadline: All materials postmarked by July 31st

 

Portuguese American Scholarship Foundation, Inc.
M. Grace Fernandes, President
P.O. Box 6641
Providence, RI 02940
Email: pasfmail@yahoo.com

 

The Portuguese American Citizens Committee of RI
PO Box 9175
Pawtucket, RI 02862
Website: http://www.paccri.com/

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Fundação Faialense, Inc.

c/o Scholarship Committee

P.O. Box 14291

East Providence, RI 02914

Contact: Tony Teixeira, 401-253-6974

Website: http://www.fundacaofaialense.org/

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PORTUGAL

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New scholarship to assist students to pursue study abroad in Portugal | Fredonia.edu

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CAISL Scholarship

Rua António dos Reis 95
Linhó 2710-301
Sintra, Portugal

Webiste: CAISL Scholarship - Carlucci American International School of Lisbon (caislisbon.org)

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