St. Augustine Foundation Scholarship Application

With a goal to expand access to immigrant justice by training immigrant advocates and Accredited Representatives, the St. Augustine Foundation is offering scholarships for students in Southern California to enroll in an innovative 100% online certificate program to train advocates for immigrant justice.  Designed and developed by Professor Michele Pistone and offered through Villanova University, College of Professional Studies, VIISTA (Villanova Interdisciplinary Immigration Studies for Advocates) is the first program of its kind.  To learn more about VIISTA, visit immigrantadvocate.villanova.edu.
 
To qualify for the scholarship, students must live or plan to work/volunteer in Southern California and be passionate about serving immigrant communities.   

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 also to represent clients, both before USCIS and in immigration courts.  

Who is Eligible?

The St. Augustine Foundation Scholarship will support students (Augustine Scholars) living or planning to work/volunteer in southern California. Applicants should be interested in immigrant accompaniment and potential career pathways as Accredited Representatives through a Department of Justice (DOJ) Recognized Organization.

Scholarship Guidelines

Scholarships are awarded to first time, new VIISTA students. Students who have prior or current enrollment in VIISTA are not eligible.

Applicants must live or plan to work/volunteer in southern California.

To qualify for the scholarship, students must live or plan to work/volunteer in southern California and be passionate about serving immigrant communities.  The scholarship award covers tuition, fees, and material costs for Modules 1, 2, and 3. To maintain scholarship eligibility, students must pass all courses with a grade of C or higher.  

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St. Augustine Scholars VIISTA Scholarship Application

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

Below is a list of instructions and information concerning the scholarship application process:
  • An essay and two (2) professional references are required to submit this scholarship application.
  • You are responsible for obtaining the reference letters directly from your chosen references and uploading them to this application.
  • Once you submit your application form, you will no longer be able to make further changes to your application information. 
  • Acceptable document formats for uploads are Microsoft Word, PDF, and JPG.
  • For consideration, all scholarship applications and essays must be received by the posted deadline on the VIISTA website. 

PLEASE HAVE YOUR ESSAY AND REFERENCES AVAILABLE TO UPLOAD BEFORE COMPLETING THIS SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION AS ALL ARE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT.

PERSONAL INFORMATION
Birthdate
Birthdate
Home Address
Home Address
COUNTY OF RESIDENCE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
YEAR/TERM APPLYING TO VIISTA
FINAL GRADE REQUIREMENTS

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.

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.

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ESSAY PROMPT AND UPLOAD

REFERENCES

Professional 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:

  1. How the reference knows you and the length of your relationship

  2. Your character

  3. Your commitment to supporting immigrant communities

You are responsible for obtaining these letters directly from your chosen references and uploading them directly below.