Latin American and Caribbean Studies (LACS)

Scholarships & Awards

The Latin American and Caribbean Studies (LACS) program offers funding opportunities to support undergraduate students in their academic work, research, and engagement with Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx communities.

These awards are designed to reduce financial barriers and recognize students’ academic achievement, leadership, and community involvement.

A. Sanchez Award for Undergraduate Academic Achievement

Each fall, thanks to the generosity of donor Amelio Sanchez, LACS awards the A. Sanchez Construction Corporation Scholarship for Undergraduate Academic Achievement. This scholarship is a $2,500 prizeawarded annually to recognize an undergraduate student at Stony Brook University who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, scholarly promise, service, and leadership.

The scholarship is open to Hispanic and Latino/a/x-identifying juniors and first-semester seniors in the College of Arts and Sciences with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.

 

This $2,500 award recognizes an undergraduate student at Stony Brook University who demonstrates:

  • Outstanding academic achievement
  • Scholarly promise
  • Leadership and service to their community

Eligibility

  • Latino/Latina undergraduate students
  • Junior or first-semester senior
  • Enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA

Application Requirements

  • Current undergraduate transcript
  • CV (including academic achievements, work, and community experience)
  • Two faculty letters of recommendation
  • A short essay (maximum 2 pages) addressing:
    • Academic interests
    • Accomplishments
    • Future intellectual or professional goals

Applications typically open in early September each year.

Recent Sanchez Award Recipients

  • 2025–2026: Natalie Gomez
    BA in Hispanic Languages & Literature

Natalie Gonez

  • 2024–2025: Victor Chacón Cabrera
    BA in Hispanic Languages & Literature, Minor in LACS

Victor Chacon

Mariposa Education Award

The Mariposa Undergraduate Education Award is a $500-$1,000 award for books and other educational materials given to 2 SBU undergrads of an immigration status (undocumented, DACA, international) that deems them ineligible for many US scholarships. Status will remain confidential and LACS will purchase the students' materials for them. The award will be usable through the end of the 2025-26 academic year. Major/minor concentration is open.

Eligibility

  • Minimum 3.0 GPA
  • Identification as a inegible for US scholarships

Application Requirements

  •  Unofficial undergrad transcript

  • 2-pg essay describing your accomplishments and personal background, your academic interests, and the specific educational materials that would aid your coursework, research, and intellectual progress for the remainder of this academic year (books, small tech or equipment for classes, materials for poster presentations, grad school application fees, etc).

  •  Current resume/CV

  • ONE letter of recommendation from an SBU faculty member (faculty members should send their confidential letters directly to lacs@stonybrook.edu)

     

    Send all your materials to lacs@stonybrook.edu. Please label your email clearly with the subject line "Application for Mariposa Undergrad Award"

 

Additional Awards

Additional scholarships and recognitions are periodically offered through the Hispanic Heritage Month Committee.

Apply & Learn More

Application forms and detailed instructions are made available during the academic year. Students are encouraged to check this page regularly and contact LACS for guidance.

Support LACS

LACS welcomes donors interested in supporting undergraduate scholarships, research initiatives, and cultural programming.
For inquiries, please contact Dr. Karina Yager at karina.yager@stonybrook.edu