Jaime Torres Scholarship - Puerto Rican Society of St. Louis

The Puerto Rican Society, Inc. is honored to offer the Jaime Torres Scholarship in 2026 to 1 (one) student. The scholarship is worth $2,500 and is presented in honor of one of the society’s most influential founding members. This award is given to a Puerto Rican student who shows exceptional academic achievement, active involvement in their community, and a willingness to help others. The scholarship recognizes a student’s academic achievements (3.20 GPA minimum on a 4 point scale) and is available to Hispanic or Latino students from the Greater St. Louis region (includes Missouri and Illinois) enrolled for post-secondary course work in Fall 2026. For the purpose of this scholarship and to qualify, at least one of the applicant’s grandparents must be of Puerto Rican descent. Students must submit a resume, most recent transcript, essay/video, and 2 letters of recommendation.

Eligibility Criteria

  • First time college bound students, current college students, dual credit program students or trade school students
  • Pursuing an Associate’s, Bachelor’s, or graduate degree in the state of Missouri or Illinois
  • Full-time or part-time enrollment
  • At least one grandparent must be of Puerto Rican descent
  • 3.20 GPA or higher
  • Resident of the STL Metro area (MO Counties – Franklin, Jefferson, Lincoln, St. Charles, St. Louis, St. Louis City, Warren, Washington; IL Counties – Bond, Calhoun, Clinton, Jersey, Macoupin, Madison, Monroe, St. Clair)

Recipients will be required to share their story and experience with the Puerto Rican Society for marketing purposes. Candidates may be asked to participate in an interview.

The scholarship will be presented during the event sponsored by the Hispanic Scholarship Alliance of St. Louis on July 24th, at 6:30 pm at St. Louis Community College (Forest Park Campus). Students are required to attend this event in order to receive their Scholarship reward. Recipients may need to provide a picture and sign a cable/broadcast consent form should the ceremony be recorded for TV broadcast and the student agrees to participate in the ceremony. This information will be requested around the time the award decision is communicated.

Questions? Contact the scholarship committee at scholarships@sprstlouis.com or support@myscholarshipcentral.org

Donor
Puerto Rican Society, Inc.
Award
$2,500
Deadline
06/02/2026
Supplemental Questions
  1. Birthplace
  2. Hispanic Origin
    • 1. Are you Hispanic?
    • 2. If yes, what nationality?
    • 3. Is at least one of your parents Hispanic?
    • 4. If yes, what nationality?
    • 5. Is at least one of your grandparents Hispanic?
    • 6. If yes, what nationality?
  3. Please upload your most recent OFFICIAL transcript.
  4. Upload Resume: Highlight leadership positions, extracurricular involvement, awards and honors, community service and volunteerism, and work experience.
  5. Upload a letter of acceptance from a college or university (high school seniors) or proof of enrollment (current college students).
  6. Parent/guardian information required for minor applicants.
  7. Parent (or legal guardian) 1 Full Name
  8. Parent (or legal guardian) 1 Mailing Address, City, State, Zip Code
  9. Parent (or legal guardian) 1 Cell Phone Number
  10. Parent (or legal guardian) 1 Home Phone Number
  11. Parent (or legal guardian) 1 Email
  12. Parent/Guardian 1 Place of Birth
  13. Parent (or legal guardian) 2 Full Name
  14. Parent (or legal guardian) 2 Mailing Address, City, State, Zip Code
  15. Parent (or legal guardian) 2 Cell Phone Number
  16. Parent (or legal guardian) 2 Home Phone Number
  17. Parent (or legal guardian) 2 Email
  18. Parent/Guardian 2 Place of Birth
  19. Essay or Video
    • 1. Please answer one of the following questions in an essay (300 to 600 word count) or video (2 to 5 minutes) format..

      Option 1: Describe a specific moment when you recognized a need in your community and chose to take action. What motivated you in that moment? What challenges did you face, and what did you learn about leadership and service through that experience? How will this shape the way you continue to support others in the future?

      Option 2: In what ways has your Puerto Rican heritage shaped not just who you are, but what you feel responsible for? Reflect on how your identity influences the choices you make today and describe the kind of impact you hope to have on your community and future generations.

    • 2. If you are answering with an essay, enter it here. Essay should be 300-600 words.
    • 3. If you are answering with a video, provide a link to the video here. Make sure the video is is public.
  20. SCHOLARSHIP CENTRAL RECOMMENDATION: Enter the name and e-mail address of an instructor, counselor, advisor, supervisor or other similarly qualified individual who will submit a recommendation on your behalf. NOTE: As the applicant, it is your responsibility to inform that person to watch for an email sent on your behalf that will explain how to complete this process.
  21. SCHOLARSHIP CENTRAL SECOND RECOMMENDATION: Enter the name and e-mail address of an instructor, counselor, advisor, supervisor or other similarly qualified individual who will submit a letter of recommendation on your behalf. NOTE: As the applicant, it is your responsibility to inform that person to watch for an email sent on your behalf that will explain how to complete this process.
  22. The Puerto Rican Society is a proud member of the Hispanic Scholarship Alliance. Outstanding candidates who are not selected for the Puerto Rican Society could be nominated for the Hispanic Scholarship Alliance's Scholarship. By answering yes to this question, you authorize the Puerto Rican Society to share your application information with the Hispanic Scholarship Alliance.
  23. APPLICANT SIGNATURE: By entering my full name below, I authorize The Puerto Rican Society, Inc. and their agents to examine, verify and discuss my academic and other information that apply to the consideration of this application. I certify that all answers are accurate and truthful to the best of my knowledge, and that all information in the application and essays are my own work. I understand that the decisions made regarding my participation in this program are made by The Puerto Rican Society, Inc. in reliance upon the truth and correctness of my statements.
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