2026-2027 Scholarship Application: Click here for the scholarship application!
The Orange County Chapter of REFORMA seeks to support the recruitment and retention of bilingual (Spanish/English) and bicultural students, as well as those who actively demonstrate a commitment to working with and service Latinx and Spanish-speaking communities, to the profession of librarianship through our local REFORMA chapter scholarship funds.
All Master in Library and Information Science (MLIS) students are encouraged to apply.
For additional questions, please contact ocreformascholarship@gmail.com
Deadline to Apply: Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Eligible applicants must:
Currently attend an ALA-accredited MLIS program, or be accepted into a MLIS program for Fall 2025
Be bilingual/bicultural and/or actively demonstrate a commitment to working with and service Latinx and Spanish-speaking communities
IMPORTANT: Awardees must commit to attending to at least one (1) OC REFORMA chapter meeting within a year of receiving their scholarship
Scholarship Opportunities
For Ayala Family Scholarship: Be a resident of Southern California
Francisco Garcia-Ayvens Scholarship: Be a resident of Southern California. Preference will be given to students pursuing a library and information studies career in a college or university setting
For Serrato Family Scholarship: Be a resident of Orange County, California
Application Process
Attach proof of acceptance/attendance to any ALA-accredited institution. [Ex: a copy of your letter of acceptance, a list of current classes, or an unofficial copy of your transcript.]
Attach a personal statement of at least 500 words with your name and date. Statement should be typed, double-spaced, and attached as a .pdf or .docx file to the online application.
Please use the personal statement to illustrate your experiences, activities, background, and/or interests that are relevant to the scholarship goals. The statement should also describe your commitment to working with Latinx communities, and include your past and/or future activities that demonstrate this commitment. This narrative is weighted heavily in your selection for a scholarship; factors such as style, spelling, and clarity will be considered.
Note: Scholarships are to be applied to school expenses. The number and the amount of each scholarship will be determined by available funds. A committee of chapter members reviews all eligible applications.