You can make a difference in the journey of future changemakers today! Ibero has been instrumental in creating better opportunities to support the journey of hundreds of individuals to achieve their full potential . We have scholars in government, we have scholars in leadership, in nonprofits, in school districts, we have scholars on Broadway!

Fund an Ibero Scholar today and join us for the 2025 Ibero Scholars Networking and Recognition Reception Thursday, May 22nd at 6:00 PM!

To RSVP or to become a sponsor for the Ibero Scholars Program, please email iberoevents@iaal.org.

Sponsorship Opportunities:

For additional information, please contact information@iaal.org

About Ibero Scholars

The Ibero Scholars Program provides merit-based scholarships to deserving high school seniors from six counties in the greater Rochester area: Monroe, Genesee, Livingston, Ontario, Wayne, and Yates. Each year, local Hispanic students are invited to apply for these scholarships from December through March.

These scholarships are designed to support students in their academic journeys by offering financial assistance that can be used for tuition, books, and other educational expenses. The awards range from a minimum of $500; however, in 2024 we were able to increase the minimum award to $1,000 per applicant. It is our desire and commitment to sustaining this improvement moving forward.

You can partner with Ibero and make college a reality for Hispanic students helping to fund higher education future community leaders and professionals. Donors are allowed to create a specialized scholarship name, and to suggest specific requirements towards their 100% tax deductible contribution. Each scholarship donor is responsible for determining the amount of their scholarship and how much would like to designate to each scholarship if more than one scholarship will be provided.

The Ibero-American Action League, Inc. has been instrumental in supporting Hispanic high school graduates' pursuit of higher education since 1985. Through its commitment to empowering the Hispanic community and with the support of the Hispanic Scholarship Endowment Fund, Ibero, in collaboration with community organizations, businesses, and individual donors, has awarded over 1,000 scholarships, positively impacting the future of community leaders and professionals.

Impact:

The Ibero Scholars Program has empowered hundreds of young Hispanic students to pursue their college dreams, making a significant impact on the educational landscape in our community. The Ibero-American Action League, Inc. remains committed to expanding this program and continuing to provide opportunities that ensure Hispanic students have the resources they need to succeed.

In the fall of 2023, Hispanic or Latino students accounted for 20% of the total enrollment at Title IV institutions in the United States, with 3,932,481 students enrolled. Latinos now represent the second-largest group enrolling in graduate, undergraduate, and under two-year programs nationwide.

The resilience of Latino students is undeniable. Community-based initiatives, scholarships, and programs such as the Ibero Scholars play a crucial role in helping these students overcome financial barriers and achieve their academic and career aspirations.

Meet an Ibero Scholar

Ibero Scholars Reflecting on the Impact of the Program

“It is a glimpse of hope… I know it helped me to believe that I can achieve a college degree.” – Yversha Roman, director of CASH, Monroe County legislator for the 26 legislative district, awarded in 2002.

“The IBERO Scholarship exposed me to IBERO as an agency, and I think that this scholarship really opens the doors for more Hispanic students to consider continuing their education” – Miguel Melendez, Chief of Community Engagement At IBERO, and president of Rochester City Council. Recipient of 2004.

“It’s important because no matter how much the sum of the scholarship is, it allows the students to feel that there’s others supporting them to go ahead in life…is more of a motivation. It encouraged me to continue on… that there were people out there who believed and that wanted me to succeed.” – Orlando Ortiz, President of the Puerto Rican Festival Inc., and Manufacturing Manager at The Gleason Works. Scholarship recipient in 1999.

Our goal is to award 50 applicants with scholarships that can be used for tuition, books, and other educational expenses. To better support them, we aim to increase the base scholarship award to $1,000. With your support, we can also create the opportunity for recipients to start building meaningful connections by underwriting the networking and recognition reception, where we will also be acknowledging and celebrating their achievements.

Hispanic Scholarship Recognition Awards Ceremony

In 2019, our program provided 94 scholarships to students provided in partnership with over 30 organizations and private donors. The scholarships are merit-based and provide financial support in the range from $500 to $2,000. Student majors include biomedical engineering, business, economics, political science and health.

In 2020, the Ibero-American Action League was able to maintain the amount of scholarship donations necessary for our 91 recipients, despite adversity form the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of scholarship recipients were average similar to last year’s with 94 recipients. Due to social distancing concerns, Ibero held its first virtual gala, which included CEO & president Angelica Perez-Delgado, mayor Lovely A. Warren, county executive Adam Bello and former Ibero scholarship recipient Orlando Ortiz.

In 2022, Ibero awarded 57 students from Cuba, Chile, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, and Spain with scholarships from $500 to $1500.

  • 19 from Rochester City School District
  • 38 from other public and private schools