History
HENAAC stands for Hispanic Engineer National Achievement Awards Corporation. It was started in the 1989 as a means to inspire and motivate underserved students to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). They have since rebranded themselves as Great Minds in STEM, becoming a non-profit organization focusing on STEM educational awareness programs for students from kindergarten through their career. Great Minds in STEM provides resources to encourage and help minority students to be leadersand to enlighten and engage families, educators, communities and employers to assist underserved students pursuing STEM careers.
HENAAC scholarship recipients are expected to pave the way for future generations of Hispanics and lead by example to empower our communities and enhance the national professional and technical workforce.
The Scholarships
HENAAC scholarship applicants must be of Hispanic origin and/or must significantly demonstrate leadership or service within the Hispanic community. They should demonstrate merit through academic achievements, leadership,and campus/community activities. They must have a minimum 3.0 GPA andintend to pursue a STEM-related degree. The application requires a photo, a personal statement, a resume, one letter of recommendation from a friend, classmate, lab partner, roommate, teammate, or fellow member of a campus or community organization, one letter of recommendation from a faculty, teacher, mentor, advisor, counselor, principal, dean, or MEP Director. Applicants should also submit their official transcripts with the imprinted seal of their college or high school. Transcripts must be in English and should indicate a cumulative GPA based on a 4.0 scale.
The HENAAC Scholarship for Hispanics is a merit-based scholarship with award amounts ranging in amounts from $500 to $10,000. Awardees will also be listed in the HENAAC Scholars press release, and receive transportation support to the annual HENAAC Conference, where Scholars are presented with their scholarship alongside the sponsor.
Awardees must be enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate program for the upcoming fall semester, at an accredited 2-yr or 4-yr college/university in the U.S. or its territories at the time they receive their award.