OC Hispanic Education Endowment Fund

Last month HEEF hosted a workshop and celebration for 2024/2025 scholarship recipients.
A morning filled with HEEF Alumni voices including keynote Alex Serna from Breakthrough Collaborative; Alumna Martha Rivera provided an interactive workshop on the power and value of networking; a Q&A of Alumni led by Lisette Martinez-Acebo - followed by the always inspiring words from HEEF Founder and Advisor, Ambassador Gaddi H. Vasquez created a welcome experience for the latest cohort of HEEF scholarship recipients.

We are so grateful to all who attended in support of first generation scholars pursuing their academic dreams!

Special thanks to Dawn Reese and team at for opening their doors and sharing in our mission!

A large benefit of the HEEF scholar experience is the community you join. HEEF scholarship recipients embark on this higher education journey with the opportunity to forge lasting, mutually beneficial connections with students and alumni who share similar backgrounds.

While there are many more reasons than the 4 listed here, the lasting impact HEEF can make on scholarship recipients, alumni, and the community is palpable.

Some of you might recognize Lisette as the Director of Community Engagement & Leadership Development at Cielo. Others might recognize her as the friendly face at HEEF Alumni events or other community events. Soon, you’ll also recognize her as the HEEF Alumni that’s taking over our Instagram story for a day!

Lisette has graciously accepted our request to follow her around and peek into her daily life. For one day, she’ll “take over” posting stories on the HEEF Instagram account. This “take over” will allow our community, new and current, a first-hand look at her life as an important member of the HEEF community and Orange County.

She’ll “take over” our Instagram stories next Friday, February 2nd – stay tuned!

Be sure to double check that you’ve submitted the HEEF application ahead of next Wednesday’s application deadline! We’ve had a few calls from students who submitted the General Application but didn’t complete the HEEF supplemental questions. These are just a few questions, mostly checkboxes, that help HEEF match your application to the best scholarship opportunity for you.

**If the HEEF questions are not submitted, you have not yet been added to the HEEF applicant pool!

*Reminder* Letters of recommendation are due 2/2/24 – you still have time after submitting your application to connect with your recommenders for your request.

Applications are due by 1/17/24
Apply at bit.ly/3Duikvg

The OC Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and HEEF have partnered for over 20 years to provide scholarships supporting their OC Hispanic Youth Chamber! If you are a participating member, consider submitting an application to the HEEF Scholarship program at bit.ly/3Duikvg

Applications are due by January 17, 2024

Looking for other undergraduate scholarships? Take a look at the Eisner Foundation Scholarship and Nicholas Foundation Scholarship from our post about program specific scholarships!

Calling all Latina high school seniors at Huntington Beach High School and Ocean View High School📣 HEEF has an opportunity specifically for you! The Students with Vision Scholarship is a renewable award supporting Latinas pursuing an undergraduate degree at a four-year college or university. Apply today!

Apply at bit.ly/3Duikvg
Applications close 1/17/2024

Scholarships for Anaheim High School Unified School District graduating seniors! The Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez Anaheim Achievement Fund provides scholarships for AUHSD graduates who are pursuing an undergraduate degree. Applicants must have participated in Head Start programs.

Apply to this and other scholarships available through the HEEF Scholarship program at bit.ly/3Duikvg
Applications are due by 1/17/24







Anaheim High School
Cypress High School
Gilbert AUHSD
John F. Kennedy High School
Loara High School
Magnolia High School
Savanna High School Official
Western High School

HEEF partners with University of California, Irvine, California State University, Fullerton, and Vanguard University of Southern California to support first-generation Hispanic students enrolling at their campuses. If you applied for acceptance for Fall 2024, consider applying for a 2024 HEEF Scholarship too!

Apply at bit.ly/3Duikvg
Applications close 1/17/2024

Today's HEEF highlights are...
MANA de Orange County Scholarship for Latina mothers enrolled or re-enrolling in college
De La Libertad Scholarship for Human Options clients and their children

If you or someone you know may be a fit and are in need of scholarship support, apply today! These scholarships often receive a low number of applications due to their unique criteria. Help us spread the word about these great opportunities!

Apply at bit.ly/3Duikvg
Applications close 1/17/2024

HEEF is proud to partner with various community organizations serving Orange County youth to provide scholarships advancing equity in education. Scroll through the slides to see a few of our scholarships supporting students participating in specific programs throughout . Students can apply at bit.ly/3Duikvg through January 17, 2024

To learn more about the various scholarship opportunities available through HEEF, visit heef.org/sub-funds

Did you hear? HEEF’s 2024 scholarship application deadline has been extended until 1/17/24!

Whether you dream of becoming a teacher, doctor, or just being the first to attend a university in your family, there is still time to join the thousands of scholars making their dreams a reality.

🤳Visit the link in bio to apply today or share with any students who might be interested in applying.

📣 Please help spread the word - Share with your students, colleagues, and friends! HEEF welcomes students who are undocumented.

📍The HEEF Scholarship Program is currently accepting applications through 1/17/24.

ℹ️ This program offers competitive academic scholarships for OC high school seniors and community college transfer students, as well as providing scholarships for OC college graduates to attend law school.

HEEF is a collaborative of more than 30 funding partners passionate about helping first generation college students. The HEEF Scholarship program offers individual scholarship awards of $2,500 - $5,000 across multiple areas of interest.

Applicants need only complete ONE application to be considered for the best matched HEEF Scholarship opportunity. Find one that fits you!

🤳Visit the link in bio to apply today or share with any students who might be interested in applying.

For over 30 years, HEEF has empowered educators and their students by opening the doors of opportunity. The reasons teachers continue supporting HEEF are countless but here are three main ones.

Tag friends and family in the education field and help them get their students to their dreams.

📅 HEEF’s 2024 scholarship application deadline has been extended until 1/17/24!

🤳Visit the link in bio to apply today or share with any students who might be interested in applying.

In this season of gratitude, the Hispanic Education Endowment Fund is immensely thankful for our community of founders, scholars, alumni, donors, community partners and volunteers that keep our mission thriving.

En esta temporada de agradecimiento, HEEF está sumamente agradecido por nuestra comunidad de fundadores, becados, antiguos becados, donantes, socios comunitarios y voluntarios que hacen que nuestra misión siga prosperando.

That's a wrap! HEEF's 30th Anniversary Celebration was a night to remember - the HEEF community gathered for a beautiful evening at Bower's Museum in Santa Ana - the location of the first celebratory reception in 1993! The evening centered around recalling the vision of HEEF's early founders, recognizing the ongoing efforts of donors and educators who continue to propel the mission forward, alumni who inspire and current scholars who are the future of HEEF.

A big thank you to all our sponsors, alumni, event committee, donors, scholars and community members who made this milestone celebration a success.

Be sure to follow us and help shape the next 30 years to come!

The Hispanic Education Endowment Fund is so incredibly grateful for the comunidad of supporters that time and time again demonstrate their support for first-generation Hispanic college students. We successfully raised over $35,000 for the HEEF Scholarship program, 119% of our original goal! THANK YOU!

We are delighted Concordia University Irvine will also be joining HEEF's 30th Anniversary Celebration! Gracias for your support as a Dean's List Sponsor!

It’s Igniting Potential Day! HEEF is raising $30,000 for scholarships in honor of our 30th Anniversary! Donate today and become a part of first-generation college student success and generational impact for our Hispanic community.

Donation link is in bio or you can visit the webpage directly at
Bit.ly/IgnitingPotential_HEEF30

Thank you Director Sponsors - Orange County Department of Education for your continued support of the HEEF mission!

Thank you SVA Architects – Dean’s List Sponsor – for your continued support of the Hispanic Education Endowment Fund! Looking forward to celebrating together tomorrow!

Gracias President’s Circle Sponsor University of California, Irvine! UC Irvine has been a longtime partner for HEEF, with a dedicated subfund scholarship supporting first-generation Hispanic college students enrolling at UC Irvine.

We’re delighted to have the support of many of their departments and schools on campus including:

Center for Educational Partnerships
UCI Public Health
UC Irvine School of Social Sciences
Vice Chancellor of UC Irvine Student Affairs
UCI School of Social Ecology
UCI School of Education
UCI – OC Alliance

We’re thrilled to be a part of the annual collaborative effort . It’s a Giving Day when youth focused nonprofits are partnering to raise $350K that will make lasting change in the community. HEEF’s goal for is to raise $30,000 in honor of HEEF’s 30th Anniversary! Save the date for September 27 and visit the link in our bio to donate and learn more.

Learn More: https://bit.ly/IgnitingPotential_HEEF30

Thank you Coast Community College District! Excited to have the Coast Colleges joining HEEF's 30th Anniversary Celebration!

Thank you Dean's List Sponsors - SAEA: Santa Ana Educators' Association! We look forward to seeing you next Wednesday at Bowers for the 30th Anniversary Celebration!

Gracias Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) - Director Sponsor for HEEF's 30th Anniversary Celebration! We are so appreciative of your continued support for Hispanic students pursuing a higher education.

Thank you Disneyland Resort for your President’s Circle Sponsorship! Disneyland Resort has long been involved with HEEF’s history as well as a donor and community partner. The Disneyland Hotel was home to several HEEF Annual Dinners, including the first HEEF Annual Dinner in December 1994.

Swipe 👉🏽 for a picture from the HEEF archives!

Purchase your tickets for HEEF's 30th Anniversary Celebration at heef30.eventbrite.com 🔗

Thank you National University for your President’s Circle Sponsorship! We’re excited to welcome you to the HEEF familia again this year at Bowers Museum!

Thank you California State University, Fullerton for your Provost’s Circle Sponsorship!

Cal State Fullerton has been a longtime partner to HEEF, providing invaluable support for OC’s Hispanic students. In 1998, The Richard Bermudez/ Friends of Cal State Fullerton Scholarship was founded under the Hispanic Education Endowment Fund’s Scholarship program.