VIISTA Scholarship ApplicationLoading...VIISTA Scholarship Opportunities With a goal to expand access to immigrant justice by training immigrant advocates and Accredited Representatives, Villanova University’s College of Professional Studies offers multiple scholarship opportunities to support students enrolling in the innovative 100% online certificate program, VIISTA (Villanova Interdisciplinary Immigration Studies for Advocates). Designed and developed by Professor Michele Pistone, VIISTA is the first program of its kind. VIISTA’s online curriculum provides a holistic understanding of immigration practice grounded in competencies—the knowledge, skills, and values graduates will need to accompany immigrants in various ways and to represent clients before USCIS and in immigration courts. To learn more about VIISTA, visit immigrantadvocate.villanova.edu. Scholarships are available through multiple funding partners and institutional support to assist students who are passionate about serving immigrant communities and pursuing pathways as Accredited Representatives through a Department of Justice (DOJ) Recognized Organization. Scholarship OptionsST. AUGUSTINE FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP The St. Augustine Foundation offers scholarships for students in Southern California to support access to VIISTA training and expand the network of immigrant justice advocates in the region.Who is Eligible? Students living in or planning to work or volunteer in Southern California Individuals passionate about serving immigrant communities Applicants interested in immigrant accompaniment and potential career pathways as DOJ Accredited Representatives Scholarship Guidelines Open to first-time, new VIISTA students only Applicants with prior or current VIISTA enrollment are not eligible Applicants must live in or plan to work/volunteer in Southern California Scholarship covers tuition, fees, and materials for Modules 1, 2, and 3 Students must pass all courses with a grade of C or higher to maintain eligibility JUSTAMERE SCHOLARS VIISTA SCHOLARSHIP The Justamere Foundation offers a limited number of scholarships to financially support students committed to immigrant justice and service within Pennsylvania. Who is Eligible? Bilingual and bicultural students living in Pennsylvania Students with demonstrated financial need Individuals interested in immigrant accompaniment and careers as Accredited Representatives through a DOJ Approved Organization Scholarship Guidelines Open to first-time, new VIISTA students only Applicants must reside within the state of Pennsylvania Scholarship covers tuition, fees, and materials for Modules 1, 2, and 3 Students must complete all three modules within one year (three semesters) Students must pass all courses with a grade of C or higher to maintain eligibility CPS VIISTA SCHOLARSHIP Villanova University offers a limited number of institutional scholarships to support students enrolling in VIISTA across multiple terms. Who is Eligible? Individuals passionate about immigrant justice and interested in enrolling in VIISTA Applicants pursuing work with DOJ-recognized or DOJ-seeking organizations supporting immigrant communities Scholarship Guidelines Scholarships are awarded to first-time, new VIISTA students Applicants may only apply once Scholarships are awarded at the start of each semester (Fall, Spring, Summer) Scholarship covers tuition costs for Modules 1, 2, and 3 Students may take modules non-consecutively, but must complete all three within three years Students must pass all courses with a grade of C or higher to maintain eligibility General Application Instructions Below is a list of instructions and information concerning the scholarship application process. Specific requirements may vary slightly by scholarship. Scholarship applications may require essays, recommendation forms, and/or professional references depending on the scholarship selected Applicants are responsible for obtaining and submitting all required materials Once an application form is submitted, changes cannot be made Accepted file formats for uploads include Microsoft Word, PDF, and JPG All application materials must be submitted by the posted deadlines on the VIISTA website Essay Requirements (where applicable): Applicants may be required to respond to prompts related to: Interest in the VIISTA program Intended work serving immigrant communities Financial need or motivation for scholarship support Recommendation Requirements (where applicable): Some scholarships require two recommendation forms, including: A sponsoring organization (DOJ-recognized or willing to seek recognition) A professional or academic reference who can speak to the applicant’s qualifications and commitment IMPORTANT: Please ensure that all required materials (essays, references, and supporting documents) are prepared and available prior to completing the application, as all components are required for submission.___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________PERSONAL INFORMATIONFirst NameMiddle NameLast NameEmail AddressBirthdateBirthdateJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930312026202520242023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005200420032002200120001999199819971996199519941993199219911990198919881987198619851984198319821981198019791978197719761975197419731972197119701969196819671966196519641963196219611960195919581957195619551954195319521951195019491948194719461945194419431942194119401939193819371936193519341933193219311930192919281927192619251924192319221921192019191918191719161915191419131912191119101909190819071906190519041903190219011900Home AddressHome AddressCountryStreetCityRegionPostal CodeYEAR/TERM APPLYING TO VIISTAYear applying to VIISTA:202620272028Semester applying to VIISTAFall 2026Spring 2027Summer 2027Fall 2027Spring 2028SCHOLARSHIP SELECTIONWhich scholarship are you applying for? St. Augustine Foundation ScholarshipCPS VIISTA ScholarshipJustamere Scholars VIISTA ScholarshipST. AUGUSTINE FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONSt. Augustine Foundation Scholarship The St. Augustine Foundation offers scholarships for students in Southern California to support access to VIISTA training and expand the network of immigrant justice advocates in the region. Who is Eligible? Students living in or planning to work or volunteer in Southern California Individuals passionate about serving immigrant communities Applicants interested in immigrant accompaniment and potential career pathways as DOJ Accredited Representatives Scholarship Guidelines Open to first-time, new VIISTA students only Applicants with prior or current VIISTA enrollment are not eligible Applicants must live in or plan to work/volunteer in Southern California Scholarship covers tuition, fees, and materials for Modules 1, 2, and 3 Students must pass all courses with a grade of C or higher to maintain eligibility COUNTY OF RESIDENCE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIACounty of Residence you live or plan to work/volunteer in southern California:Imperial CountyKern CountyLos Angeles CountyOrange CountyRiverside CountySan Bernardino CountySan Diego CountySan Luis Obispo CountySanta Barbara CountyVentura CountyFINAL GRADE REQUIREMENTSI understand that VIISTA is a rigorous course that requires 10-15 hours of work each week and will commit myself to that level of rigor. Moreover, I understand that my eligibility for continuation in the scholarship program requires that I earn a grade of C or higher in every course.I understand that VIISTA is a rigorous course that requires 10-15 hours of work each week and will commit myself to that level of rigor. Moreover, I understand that my eligibility for continuation in the scholarship program requires that I earn a grade of C or higher in every course.YESStudent Signature:Click to Sign...ESSAY PROMPT AND UPLOADEssay Prompt: In approximately 750 words, please thoughtfully answer the following question: This scholarship is designed to address needs for immigration-related legal services in the immigrant community. Please describe (~750 words) what drives you to want to provide legal services to immigrants. (Please feel free to include whatever motivates you; it could be information about your own personal lived experience or the experiences of your friends or family members, something you learned in school, your faith tradition, your cultural upbringing, whatever is moving you to devote yourself to this important work). Upload Essay: REFERENCESProfessional References (2): Please upload two reference letters below. Each letter must include the reference’s name, professional title, and organizational affiliation. The letters should specifically address: How the reference knows you and the length of your relationship Your character Your commitment to supporting immigrant communities You are responsible for obtaining these letters directly from your chosen references and uploading them directly below.Upload Professional Reference 1:Upload Professional Reference 2:CPS VIISTA SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONCPS VIISTA SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION Villanova University offers a limited number of institutional scholarships to support students enrolling in VIISTA across multiple terms. Who is Eligible? Individuals passionate about immigrant justice and interested in enrolling in VIISTA Applicants pursuing work with DOJ-recognized or DOJ-seeking organizations supporting immigrant communities Scholarship Guidelines Scholarships are awarded to first-time, new VIISTA students Applicants may only apply once Scholarships are awarded at the start of each semester (Fall, Spring, Summer) Scholarship covers tuition costs for Modules 1, 2, and 3 Students may take modules non-consecutively, but must complete all three within three years Students must pass all courses with a grade of C or higher to maintain eligibility ESSAY PROMPT AND UPLOADPlease submit ONE DOCUMENT, answering the following prompts. 1) Why do you want to participate in the VIISTA program? (250-500 words) 2) Please provide a summary of the work you would like to be able to do post-VIISTA, including the types of cases or clients you would like to serve (maximum 250 words) 3) Why are you seeking scholarship funds? (250-500 words) Upload Essay:REFERENCESProfessional References (2): Please upload two reference letters below. Each letter must include the reference’s name, professional title, relationship to applicant and duration of relationship, organizational affiliation and signature. Professional Reference #1 Is this recommendation from a DOJ Recognized Organization or an organization that is willing to seek Recognition?YESNO Please submit a recommendation letter from your sponsoring organization. The letter should be signed by a member of the organization’s leadership team and indicate that the sponsoring organization is recognized by the DOJ or willing to seek recognition and willing to provide you with a paid or volunteer placement after you complete VIISTA. Sponsoring not-for-profit organizations must be: A. Recognized by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to provide low or no cost legal services to migrants and refugees or willing to apply for DOJ recognition; and B. Willing to provide employment or a volunteer position to the scholarship winner post-graduation. You can learn more about the DOJ recognition process here: www.justice.gov/eoir/recognition-andaccreditation-program.The letter should specifically address: Please respond whether your organization is recognized by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to provide low- or no-cost legal services to migrants and refugees, or willing to apply for DOJ recognition.What is your relationship to the applicant? How long and in what capacity have you known the applicant? Why do you recommend this applicant for the VIISTA program?What challenges or new areas of learning do you believe the applicant may encounter?VIISTA is a rigorous program requiring approximately 10–15 hours per week. How would you assess the applicant’s motivation and ability to meet the program’s time and learning expectations?Is there anything else you would like us to know about the applicant?Professional Reference #2 Please attach a recommendation letter completed by someone who can speak to the following: Your passion for immigrant justice.Your previous community/volunteer work OR your experience as a student.You are responsible for obtaining these letters directly from your chosen references and uploading them directly below.Upload Professional Reference 1:Upload Professional Reference 2:JUSTAMERE SCHOLARS VIISTA SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONJustamere Foundation Scholarship The Justamere Foundation offers a limited number of scholarships to financially support students committed to immigrant justice and service within Pennsylvania. Who is Eligible? Bilingual and bicultural students living in Pennsylvania Students with demonstrated financial need Individuals interested in immigrant accompaniment and careers as Accredited Representatives through a DOJ Approved Organization Scholarship Guidelines Open to first-time, new VIISTA students only Applicants must reside within the state of Pennsylvania Scholarship covers tuition, fees, and materials for Modules 1, 2, and 3 Students must complete all three modules within one year (three semesters) Students must pass all courses with a grade of C or higher to maintain eligibility COUNTY OF RESIDENCE IN PENNSYLVANIACounty of Residence you live or plan to work/volunteer in Pennsylvania:Adams CountyAllegheny CountyArmstrong CountyBeaver CountyBedford CountyBerks CountyBlair CountyBradford CountyBucks CountyButler CountyCambria CountyCameron CountyCarbon CountyCentre CountyChester CountyClarion CountyClearfield CountyClinton CountyColumbia CountyCrawford CountyCumberland CountyDauphin CountyDelaware CountyElk CountyErie CountyFayette CountyForest CountyFranklin CountyFulton CountyGreene CountyHuntingdon CountyIndiana CountyJefferson CountyJuniata CountyLackawanna CountyLancaster CountyLawrence CountyLebanon CountyLehigh CountyLuzerne CountyLycoming CountyMcKean CountyMercer CountyMifflin CountyMonroe CountyMontgomery CountyMontour CountyNorthampton CountyNorthumberland CountyPerry CountyPhiladelphia CountyPike CountyPotter CountySchuylkill CountySnyder CountySomerset CountySullivan CountySusquehanna CountyTioga CountyUnion CountyVenango CountyWarren CountyWashington CountyWayne CountyWestmoreland CountyWyoming CountyYork CountySCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION QUESTIONSPlease list all languages in which you are proficient:Please indicate the culture(s) with which you identify:Please describe your financial needFINAL GRADE REQUIREMENTSI understand that VIISTA is a rigorous course that requires 10-15 hours of work each week and will commit myself to that level of rigor. Moreover, I understand that my eligibility for continuation in the scholarship program requires that I earn a grade of C or higher in every course.I understand that VIISTA is a rigorous course that requires 10-15 hours of work each week and will commit myself to that level of rigor. Moreover, I understand that my eligibility for continuation in the scholarship program requires that I earn a grade of C or higher in every course.YESStudent Signature:Click to Sign...ESSAY PROMPT AND UPLOADEssay Prompt: In approximately 750 words, please thoughtfully answer the following question: This scholarship is designed to address needs for immigration-related legal services in the immigrant community. Please describe (~750 words) what drives you to want to provide legal services to immigrants. (Please feel free to include whatever motivates you; it could be information about your own personal lived experience or the experiences of your friends or family members, something you learned in school, your faith tradition, your cultural upbringing, whatever is moving you to devote yourself to this important work). Upload Essay: Submit
