Established in 1999, Panda Cares is the philanthropic arm of Panda Express, a family-owned and privately held restaurant company founded by Andrew and Peggy Cherng in 1983 with more than 2,200 locations nationwide and in 11 countries. On a mission to inspire better lives, Panda is committed to serving the communities in which it operates by providing food, funding of health and education programs, and volunteer services to underserved youth, and disaster relief efforts. The Panda Cares Foundation is powered by its global family of associates and guests through its in-store donation box fundraising program.
The Panda Cares Foundation’s mission is to serve the health and education needs of underserved youth and to foster the spirit of giving. For more information, visit pandaexpress.com or pandacares.org.
The Panda Cares Foundation has partnered with UNCF to create the Panda Cares Scholars Program.
Accepting applications from current college freshmen who will begin college in fall 2020 as a college sophomore.
Application Overview
The Panda Cares Scholars Program is a selective scholarship program that advances higher education for community-minded and intellectually gifted students. The Panda Cares Scholars Program will award a three-year renewable scholarship for up to $15,500 (up to $3,500 sophomore year, up to $5,000 junior year and $7,000 senior year) to highly capable future leaders for America who demonstrate academic achievement, strong leadership skills and a commitment to community service.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify, applicants must:
* Current enrolled full time at a U.S. located, accredited college and university as a college freshmen that will be sophomore beginning fall 2020
* Be a citizen, legal permanent resident, or national of the United States*
* Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on an unweighted 4.0 scale
* Have a minimum of 20 hours of Community Service
* Have demonstrated financial and unmet need as measured by the student’s college or university
* Permanent address in one of states listed below: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin
* Completed Recommendation (evaluation of applicants community service and leadership activities) submitted via the UNCF application portal
* Complete and submit the application by the deadline of July 1, 2020 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time
PROGRAM BENEFITS
Tiered tuition scholarship with funding up to $15,500:
* Up to $3,500 per academic year for sophomores, $5,000 for juniors and $7,000 for seniors.
* Scholarships are renewable for three undergraduate years, contingent upon:
1) Maintenance of a 3.0 (out of 4.0) GPA + continued full-time enrollment at a U.S. located, accredited college and university
2) Academic support and mentoring
Participation in:
* New Scholars Orientation
* Panda Cares Leadership Institute
Career-development support:
* Mentoring, training and education
* Access to entrepreneurial training in launching community service ventures through student leadership conference
For questions or concerns please email pandacaresscholarsprogram@uncf.org.