Panda Cares Scholars Program

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The goal of the Panda Cares Scholars Program is to promote academic excellence and to provide an opportunity for outstanding students with significant financial need to reach their highest potential by reducing financial barriers, offering year round professional development coaching and exposing students to the importance of community engagement. We aim to develop a diversified cadre of future leaders for America who, upon college graduation, will demonstrate academic achievement, strong leadership skills and a commitment to community service.

What It Takes to Be a Panda Cares Scholar

The Panda Cares Scholars Program seeks high-performing students for this innovative scholarship. Our rigorous career development training process will challenge scholars to commit to excellence and raise the bar in campus leadership and community service.

Program Benefits

  • Support for the cost of education by covering a portion of unmet need
  • Renewable awards for Panda Cares Scholars maintaining satisfactory academic progress
  • Leadership development programs with distinctive personal, academic and professional growth opportunities

Proven Academic Success

  • Our scholars have academically maintained a 3.0 GPA while matriculating at his/her selected U.S.-accredited, four-year higher education institution

Commitment to Community Service

  • Scholars should have a minimum of 20 hours of community service at the time of application and be committed to maintaining an annual minimum of 20 hours of community service while in the program

Program Eligibility Requirements

  • Students must be a sophomore, enrolled full-time at a four-year, accredited college/university during the application period
  • Students must have a demonstrated unmet financial need as verified by the Financial Aid Office of their college/university of enrollment
  • Students must have a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
  • Students must submit a personal essay that demonstrates both leadership potential and a commitment to community service
  • Students must submit one letter of recommendation from a non-family member that evidences their leadership potential and community service
  • Students must complete an online application describing extracurricular activities, honors and awards, community service and career goals
  • A citizen, national or legal permanent resident of the U.S.
  • Enrolled at and attending a U.S.-located, four-year accredited college or university
  • Reside at the time of selection in any of the following states or territory: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin

Applications for 2020 are closed