Important Information:

            We regret to inform you that due to unforeseen financial difficulties, the Portuguese Heritage Scholarship Foundation will be unable to give out new scholarships for the  2006-2007 academic year. We here at PHSF pride ourselves on the fact that we have helped people from the Portuguese community achieve their goals every year for the past fifteen years. This year, however our fundraising activities did not yield the donations they regularly do.

            Though it grieves me to say so, considering the tragedies that have taken place around the world in the past few years, it is to be expected. Beginning with the fateful attacks on September 11, 2001 to the tsunami that ravaged Southeast Asia last holiday season, to Hurricane Katrina and the forest fires that destroyed our forests on the West Coast and many more issues, many of our directors and principal donators and benefactors have been contributing to these pressing issues around the world. This is why fundraising efforts have failed to blossom into what they usually achieved.

            Please be assured that the foundation is not closing its doors for good and hopefully this year will prove more fruitful at which point we will resume giving out scholarships.

            Again, please accept our apologies on this issue, and if we can be of any other kind of assistance to not hesitate to email us.

            Also, please keep everyone in the world that has been suffering the hardships detailed above in your thoughts. May 2006 bring happiness and health to yourself and your families, and good luck to you in the university or college of your choice.

Although the Academic Secretary is available via US Postal Service, it is preferable if you would contact her via e-mail at:

PortugueseScholarship@hotmail.com

This will expedite any questions or requests. When writing to the Academic Secretary please include a permanent street address where you can be reached, a telephone number where you can be reached as well as an active e-mail address. Thank you for your cooperation on this matter.

Please note, if you do not include the information requested above in you correspondence, it may take a while for a response.

Requirements

Students wishing to apply for a scholarship must:

1. Have a parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent who is a Portuguese citizen or a naturalized Portuguese-American;
2. Be a high school senior or currently enrolled at an accredited four year undergraduate university or college;
3. Be a permanent resident or citizen of the United States;
4. Plan on attending a four year college/university in the United States.

 
Criteria

The criteria used for selection are:

1. Academic achievement; 
2. Extra-curricular activities; 
3. Community involvement; 
4. Financial need. 
   
   Past scholarships offered:
   
   FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS
   
   The Foundation annually awards to students of Portuguese ancestry scholarships for full time undergraduate study. Awards up to $8,000.00 are distributed over four years of normal undergraduate study with good academic standing. In the past years the Foundation has given from 3 to 6 awards based on the quality of the applicants and their financial needs. These scholarships are available to all students of Portuguese ancestry pursuing undergraduate study without geographic restrictions. Criteria for selection of recipients is foremost academic achievement, financial need and community involvement. Interested students may download an application.
   
   THE CRISTINA NAZARIO SCHOLARSHIP
   
   This scholarship has been established for students of Portuguese ancestry pursuing undergraduate studies in the Arts. Preference will be given to applicants from the Washington, D.C. area concentrating in the fine arts. This scholarship has been established with the generous support of the Nazario family and friends in memory of Cristina Nazario. Cristina was an accomplished artist whose works reflected a strong appreciation for the Portuguese culture. The scholarship amount of $8,000.00 is distributed over four years of normal undergraduate study with good academic standing by the student. Selection criteria includes academic achievement and artistic accomplishments. Interested students may download an application.

Joe Rodrigues Jr. Scholarship for the Sciences

The Joe Rodrigues Jr. Scholarship for the Sciences has been established by the Rodrigues family in memory of their beloved son Joe. The Joe Rodrigues Jr. Scholarship is awarded to students with a demonstrated emphasis in the study of health sciences. The family has made this special request from their own experience with the need for further research and study in the area of medical and life science. While struggling to deal with Joe Jr.'s unexpected illness, the Rodrigues family came to know firsthand how important and critical research is to finding cures for many of our most serious health risks. The family's hope is that this scholarship will benefit students whose mission is a career in developing and implementing cures for serious illnesses. Joe Jr. was diagnosed with chronic mylogenic leukemia in the summer of 1992. For three years, family and friends looked to the medical community for help in saving Joe's life. Although very grateful to many who worked to save Joe's life they also came to realize that so much more needs to be done to help find a cure for those diagnosed with leukemia and other cancers. It is their hope this scholarship expresses their appreciation for those efforts and helps to keep Joe's memory in our lives.

Joe was a graduate of Marymount College with an accounting degree and was working in various functions at Fort Myer Construction Corporation. His professional ambition was to apply his skills and knowledge towards strengthening the company. He lived his life to the fullest and shared his passions with his friends and family. Joe was an avid sportsman, passionate for speedboating, and enjoyment of travel. Those fortunate to have known Joe appreciated his commitment and strong conviction, he viewed challenges as opportunities. It is the hope of the Rodrigues family and this Foundation that this scholarship will be an opportunity for the recipient to challenge for medical cures to many of our illnesses and diseases with a like strength of spirit.

Joe Rodrigues, Jr. will always have a special place with the Portuguese Heritage Scholarship Foundation. Joe served as the Treasurer from 1991 through 1994. He established and maintained the computerized accounting controls still in use by the Foundation. Joe's input and involvement was instrumental in the early success of the Foundation. The Foundation is grateful for his contributions and pleased to participate in honoring Joe with this scholarship in his memory.

The Maria and Antonio Pereira Scholarship

The Maria and Antonio Pereira Scholarship has been established by their daughter, Maria P. Monet Markowitz.

Maria Pereira was born in the United States in 1922 to Portuguese parents. Shortly after her birth, her parents returned to Portugal. Antonio was born in Portugal in 1917. Both Maria and Antonio grew up in Penalva do Castelo, Beira Alta. Maria married Antonio in 1947, and Maria Fernanda, their only child, was born in 1949.

In 1954, Maria immigrated to Fall River, Massachusetts, alone. Six months later, her husband and fous-year-old daughter, joined her. Maria and Antonio's dream was to see their daughter go to college. Although neither of them went beyond the equivalent of a few years of high school, they were determined to see that change with their only child. They worked hard - Maria in factories, Antonio in construction. Often, they worked two jobs.

Their single-minded dedication resulted in their daughter going to Harvard University and graduating magna cum laude. She then received her law degree after attending Boston University and Columbia Law Schools.

Today, Maria and Antonio live near their daughter, their son-in-law, Jerry, and their eight-year-old grandson, Philip. Needless to say, they are devoted grandparents.

In appreciation of all their sacrifices, their daughter has established this scholarship to honor her parents. This scholarship will help other children of Portuguese decent realize their dreams through education - and there is no greater tribute to Maria and Antonio who have, through hard work and determination, enabled their daughter to achieve her dreams.
 

The Joseph B. Fernandes Scholarship

Joseph Bento ("JB") Fernandes was born on May 31, 1903 on the Caribbean island of Trinidad and Tobago, the son of Jose Gregorio Fernandes, a native of Funchal, Madeira who immigrated to Trinidad in the 1870's. On the death of his father in 1930, JB took charge of Fernandes and Co., at the time a simple rum blending and bottling operation. By the early 1960's he held the largest stocks of aging rum in the Caribbean. The word quality and the name Fernandes became synonymous in Trinidadian rum production. In 1973, JB sold the business to Bacardi and diversified his holdings under the Fernandes Group of Companies, principally a property investment company.

JB was an extremely private man with a modesty that believed his significant business achievements. He was one of Trinidad's foremost philanthropists supporting a wide range of causes in Trinidad and in Madeira, his father's homeland. He died on December 19, 1992, leaving behind his widow Maria Manuela and his four children-John Paul, Joseph E_ Ana Maria and Luisa. His philanthropic work is carried out today by his namesake Foundation.

The Joseph B. Fernandes Foundation was established to provide assistance and support to Portuguese communities where the Fernandes Companies have interests. Education support is one area the Foundation has an interest in providing support. Joseph Fernandes credits much of his and his children's success to the opportunities provided by higher education. To that effect the Fernandes Foundation supports educational programs which supports education in the Portuguese community at various levels. The Portuguese Heritage Scholarship Foundation has named a scholarship award in Mr. Fernandes' honor to recognize his Foundation's substantial commitment to providing funding.

The Irene Correia Ramos Scholarship

Irene Lopes Correia Ramos was a dynamic presence in the Portuguese-American community. Through direct involvement, she supported the Portuguese Community in the Greater Washington, DC area. She was involved with various education and scholarship groups and her support for such causes was widely recognized. She served as President of the Portuguese Women's Cultural Club and was a member of the Portuguese American Leadership Council of the United States.

Irene was born in 1934 in Columbeira, Conselho de Bombarral, Portugal and immigrated to the United States in 1953. She settled in New Jersey where she completed her studies in 1961. While in Newark she was active in various community activities to the benefit of the growing Portuguese presence. Once her studies were complete she moved to Washington, DC to work as administrative assistant to the Portuguese Naval Attache, a post she held through 1967. At the Naval Attache's office she met Manuel Correia Ramos, they were married in 1962. By 1968 she worked for the National Savings and Loan League where she was Manager of International Contracts. Irene retired in 1987 as Vice President of International Operations to pursue independent consulting opportunities. After a period of five years of consulting work for Deloitte & Touche she was named Deputy Director of International Municipal Programs Association. Her career focused on teaching and helping individuals around the world how to establish efficient and democratic municipal governments.

Throughout her professional career, Irene was always regarded as one of the best in her field. She established standards for work in international contract management that are considered representative hallmarks of the industry. With her strong educational background in business administration and fluency in Portuguese, English and French, one can see why her contemporaries considered her one of the best and ideally suited for work at an international level.

lrene sadly passed away on August 12, 1998. succumbing to cancer. Her husband Manuel Correia Ramos has established a scholarship in her memory to continue her legacy of contributions to the Portuguese-American community. Irene and Manuel have always regarded higher education as one of the most important tools for success. In establishing this scholarship with the Portuguese Heritage Scholarship Foundation, Mr. Ramos continues Irene's legacy and inspires future generations to succeed. The Foundation is gratefully appreciative and pleased to participate in this effort.

THE LEONETTE LEAL FELICIANO MEMORIAL AWARD

This award is given to an individual or organization within the Washington, D.C. area. Previous recipients have been students with strong community involvement and exceptional academic achievement. Local organizations supporting Portuguese language education have also received this award. The award is given as a onetime grant in an amount of $1,000.00 for use towards educational pursuits. Academic achievement with a record of extra-curricular activities which benefit the Portuguese community are the criteria in the selection of student recipients. The award is given in memory of Leonette Leal Feliciano who tirelessly devoted much of her time to charitable causes to benefit the Portuguese community. Area students applying for a Foundation Scholarship will be considered for this award.