A new $1,000 scholarship is available for full-time college or college-bound students living in Kalamazoo and Van Buren counties who have “exemplified the life of Cesar E. Chavez through demonstrated academic success and civic responsibility in their communities.”

The Cesar E. Chavez Scholarship, announced Tuesday by the Southwest Michigan Cesar E. Chavez Committee, will be available to high school seniors or graduates who are enrolled or are planning to enroll full-time for the 2009-2010 school year.

Applicants must demonstrate financial need and have maintained a cumulative 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale).

Mike Ramirez, Chavez committee chair and assistant director of the Division of Multicultural Affairs at Western Michigan University, told 24 Hour News 8 the committee raised the money for the scholarship at banquets over the course of two years.

The scholarship is set to be awarded at at the committee’s March 28 dinner.

“As part of the application, students will be required to write an essay describing their experiences, activities and leadership roles, as well as any challenges or obstacles they have had to overcome. The scholarship is not renewable, however former recipients may apply in succeeding years,” Ramirez said in a statement.

Applications have to be postmarked by Feb. 16 and sent to:

Southwest Michigan Cesar E. Chavez Committee
P.O. Box 50989
Kalamazoo, MI 49005