The THBA is honored to be able to offer Florida law students the opportunity to be awarded several law school scholarships. To learn more, read the descriptions of both below.
1. VICTORIA CRUZ-GARCIA LAW STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
The Tampa Hispanic Bar Association (THBA) seeks to promote the exchange of information and ideas related to the practice of law in order to enhance its members’ knowledge and skills. THBA also strives to provide resources and enhanced opportunities for the education of future attorneys of Hispanic origin or descent while promoting the improvement of Florida’s legal system. These efforts ultimately promote the organization’s important goals of improving the administration of justice and increasing the quantity and quality of the legal services rendered to members of the Hispanic community. As such, the THBA will award two (2) law students a $2,000 scholarship with the expectation that they will further the goals of our organization throughout their legal career. The following are the eligibility requirements for the THBA Victoria Cruz-Garcia Law Student Scholarships:
- Applicant must be a Juris Doctor candidate of Hispanic origin who has lived in or lives in the Tampa Bay area (Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Polk, Manatee, or Sarasota counties); and
- Applicant must be enrolled in an accredited law school in the State of Florida; and
- Applicant must have a minimum law school GPA of 2.0 (or equivalent); and
- Applicant should have distinguished himself/herself in service-oriented activities that benefit the Hispanic community in the Tampa Bay area; or
- Applicant should have a demonstrable interest in serving the Hispanic community in the Tampa Bay area upon graduation and/or during law school; and
- If selected, applicant will be required to attend the Tampa Hispanic Bar Association’s Gala on Friday, November 8, 2024.
To apply, please: (1) complete the attached application; (2) submit a current resume; (3) submit a copy of your current law school transcript; and (4) submit an essay (no more than 1,000 words as that addresses in detail why you are qualified for this scholarship along with any other information you wish to share with the scholarship committee on why you are deserving of this award. This essay should address the criteria outlined above and should not be the same essay submitted for other THBA scholarship opportunities.
Please submit the above items in PDF format to the Tampa Hispanic Bar Association Scholarship Committee via email to info@thba.org by noon on October 18, 2024.
2. THE HONORABLE EMILIANO JOSE “E.J.” SALCINES, JR. LAW STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
The Honorable Emiliano Jose “E.J.” Salcines, Jr. (retired) is not only a founding member of the Tampa Hispanic Bar Association (“THBA”) but he has continued to serve as a mentor, advisor, and role model to all members of THBA and so many other Hispanic judges, attorneys, community leaders, and students. In addition, throughout Judge Salcines’ incredible career, having served as a top federal prosecutor and the State (Prosecuting) Attorney for 22 years, in private practice for 13 years, as an appellate judge for the Second District Court of Appeal, and since his retirement, he has demonstrated a steadfast dedication to fairness, diversity, and breaking down barriers. Words will never fully express the incredible impact he has had and continues to have in our community.
In recognition of the countless students Judge Salcines has mentored throughout his career and his continued dedication, service, and financial commitment to this scholarship and other THBA efforts, THBA has named this scholarship after him. This scholarship further supports THBA’s dedication to fulfilling its purpose and providing resources and enhanced opportunities for the education of future attorneys of Hispanic origin or descent while promoting the improvement of Florida’s legal system. As such, THBA will award two law students seeking a Juris Doctor degree a $2,500 scholarship with the expectation that he/she will further the goals of our organization throughout their legal career. The following are the eligibility requirements for “The Honorable E.J. Salcines Student Scholarship”:
- Applicant must be a Juris Doctor candidate of Hispanic origin; and
- Applicant must be enrolled in an accredited law school in the State of Florida; and
- Applicant must have a minimum law school GPA of 2.0 (or equivalent); and
- Applicant must be able to provide at least one example of how he/she has broken down a barrier for himself/herself or others in a meaningful manner; and
- If selected, applicant will be required to attend the Tampa Hispanic Bar Association’s Gala on Friday, November 8, 2024.
To apply, please: (1) complete the attached application; (2) submit a current resume; (3) submit a copy of your current law school transcript; and (4) submit an essay (no more than 1,000 words) that addresses in detail why you are qualified for this scholarship along with any other information you wish to share with the scholarship committee on why you are deserving of this award. This essay should address the criteria outlined above and should not be the same essay submitted for other THBA scholarship opportunities.
Please submit these items in PDF format to the Tampa Hispanic Bar Association Scholarship Committee via email to info@thba.org by noon on October 18, 2024.