Dr. Carreón Foundation Scholarship

The Reynaldo J. Carreon M.D. Foundation was founded in 1990 by the late valley philanthropist and pioneer, Dr. Carreon, to provide underprivileged students of Mexican descent a chance to pursue a higher education. To date, the foundation has awarded more than $1 million to more than 400 students from local high schools. Recipients have attended schools including College of the Desert, the University of Southern California, UCLA, MIT and Harvard University.

Dr. Carreon was a co-founder of what is now John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital in Indio and helped found the Coachella Valley Mexican American Chamber of Commerce in 1980. Dr. Carreon Boulevard, the Dr. Reynaldo J. Carreon Junior Academy and Dr. Carreon Park, all in Indio, are named in his honor. In 1984, College of the Desert dedicated the International Fountain of Knowledge in honor of Dr. Carreon and his family for establishing the Dr. Carreon Scholarship Endowment at the College of the Desert Foundation. Dr. Carreon also established three other scholarship endowments at the University of California, Irvine, College of Medicine; Southern California College of Optometry, Fullerton; and Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona.

Scholarships are awarded to students who have at least a 3.0 GPA, are involved in the community, are of Mexican ancestry, and demonstrate leadership skills and financial need. Scholarships range from $1,250 to $5,000. Students must show a commitment to bettering their communities like the organization's founder, Dr. Carreon.

All scholarship applicants must complete and submit this application for the Reynaldo J. Carreon M.D. Foundation no later than March 1. LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

Eligibility Requirements

• Be enrolled as a full-time student in a Coachella Valley high school.
• Have earned at least a 3.0 unweighted grade point average for all four years of high school work completed.
• Be able to demonstrate qualities of good citizenship, leadership and financial need.
• Be of Mexican ancestry.
• Apply for federal financial aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the March 2 priority deadline. http://www.fafsa.ed.gov
• Must demonstrate financial need (as identified by academic institutions & FAFSA).
• You must submit a copy of 2012-2013 Student Aid Report (SAR) from FAFSA.
• Permanent residents of the Coachella Valley over the past 3 years.
• Attended a California high school for a minimum of 3 years and graduated or completed a GED in the state of California.
• Apply for federal financial aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the March 2 priority deadline. http://www.fafsa.ed.gov
• Must demonstrate financial need (as identified by academic institutions & FAFSA).
• Must be pursuing their first bachelor or associates degree at an accredited college, university, or academic institution in the U.S.
• You must submit a copy of your unofficial transcripts.
• You must submit a copy of 2012-2013 Student Aid Report (SAR) from FAFSA.
• You must submit two letters of recommendations from a Professor, Instructor, Counselor, or Community Leader.