Applications will be open from November 1st, 2025 to January 5th, 2026. No late applications will be accepted.

It is open to all Latino and Hispanic high school seniors and undergraduate students in Utah. Detailed eligibility criteria can be found in the application itself, but here are key reminders:

• Available for college, certificate, or trade program-bound high school seniors and current college undergraduate students.

• First-generation, immigrant, and international students are encouraged to apply.

A letter of recommendation is a personal letter from a teacher, coach, employer, or mentor who can talk about your strengths and why you should be considered for scholarship, career, or school opportunities. We have provided an optional letter of recommendation template for you to use with suggestions on what your recommender can share.

Check out these resources for more tips and reach out to us at admin@somosfoundation.org if you need additional help.

• How to Ask for a Letter of Recommendation, Coursera

• Asking a Teacher for a Letter of Recommendation, National Society of High School Scholars

Although it seems like a lot, submitting three essays is a common requirement in many college and program applications. The SOMOS Scholarship application has three essays (200-350 words each) as a way to help you prepare for future applications. And yes, you can use information from other applications to help you start your drafts.

Helpful Tips

• We want to know you beyond your academic achievements and test scores. Let your personality, values, experiences, and goals shine through.

• Each essay has a limit between 200-350 words which is roughly 2 paragraphs. Make sure your writing is straightforward and brief. Using fewer words can often be more effective than using too many.