REFORMA Scholarship

Applications will be accepted beginning January 4, 2024. The deadline for submission of the REFORMA Scholarship is midnight, March 15, 2024. The scholarship will apply to this coming academic school year, Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 semesters.
 

REFORMA Scholarship Application


 

Who should apply?

Any current or newly entering graduate library school student [M.L.S. or Ph.D.] may apply for these scholarships. The applicant must provide proof of enrollment to an ALA-accredited library school. Full-time status is not a requirement.

Since 1971, REFORMA has supported the active recruitment of bilingual and bicultural librarians to meet the information needs of the Spanish-speaking community. The REFORMA Scholarship provides financial assistance to encourage and enable Latinos and/or Spanish speakers to pursue or advance a career in Library and Information Science.

Title of Award: REFORMA Scholarship

REFORMA has established a scholarship to be awarded annually for the academic year, commencing in the fall. The award is announced at the American Library Association Annual Conference and is granted for graduate study in the field of Library and Information Science.

Amount

$1,500 maximum. The number of scholarships and amount awarded varies from year to year.

Eligibility

The scholarship is open to students who qualify for graduate study in Library and Information Science who are Spanish-speakers or interested in serving Latinos or the Spanish-speaking. The scholarships are not restricted by age, sex, creed, national origin, or minority group/association membership. Applicant must attend or plan on attending an ALA-accredited library school.  

Qualifications

Applicants must show evidence of commitment to a career in librarianship and the potential for high academic standing.  Applicants already enrolled in graduate school must have two semesters of work remaining before they get their degree. They should also have grades of a B or better. Applicants should demonstrate an understanding of and desire to serve the Spanish- speaking community.  The recipients must display character and leadership, which are essential for success both as a student and as a professional. Preference is given to applicants who plan on serving Hispanic/Latinos and the Spanish-speaking community.  

NOTE: Before scholarship funds are disbursed, recipient must be accepted to an accredited library school and provide proof of enrollment.

Application Procedures

Applicants must submit the following:

  • Completed application & current resume
  • Two letters of reference from professors, employers, librarians or other professionals (excluding family) who are well acquainted with the applicant's educational background, intellectual abilities, and personal character. Recommendations must be sent by the recommender via email to scholarships@reforma.org.
  • An official transcript, either graduate or undergraduate. Official transcripts come directly from the university in electronic format to scholarships@reforma.org.

Additional Information

Recipients will be notified prior to the awarding of the scholarships. They will also be announced on the REFORMA online forum before the ALA Annual Conference in June. The REFORMA Scholarship MUST be used within the academic year following notification of the award, and the recipient must be enrolled in an ALA-accredited library school program. Students who have been awarded a scholarship but do not use it during the year for which it was awarded must return the award and reapply for the following year or later.

Please submit the application and all correspondence no later than the March 15, 2024 deadline.

Any application postmarked after March 15, 2024 will not be accepted.

If you have any questions, please email ​Tinamarie Vella, REFORMA Scholarship Committee Chair, at scholarships@reforma.org.