Bunche Freshman Alumni Scholarships

About

Bunche Freshman Alumni Scholarships are dedicated to continuing the legacy of Dr. Ralph J. Bunche '27, class valedictorian, United Nations founder and Nobel Peace Prize winner. Established during the 1970s, these scholarships recognize and support UCLA students from historically underrepresented backgrounds, who add to the diversity of the UCLA community.

The Dr. Ralph J. Bunche Alumni Scholarship is awarded through an application screening and interview process. The scholarship award is divided into equal annual installments paid out over four years. The second-, third- and fourth-year payments are awarded through a Renewal Scholarship and have additional requirements.

Applicants may also apply for a Freshman Alumni Scholarship. A separate application is required. If a student is chosen to receive both a Freshman and a Bunche scholarship, only one will be awarded.

Requirements

• Preference is given to California freshman applicants from historically underrepresented groups (African-American/black, American Indian/Alaska native, Mexican/Mexican-American/Latino).
• Must be a freshman applicant graduating from a California high school
• Must attend UCLA in the fall quarter immediately following graduation
• May not apply after a one-year sabbatical in a study abroad program

Statewide Competition

State Finals is a 30-year tradition for California's top-scoring district scholarship recipients. Every April, these students participate in a weekend competition at UCLA to increase their base scholarship award up to $20,000 paid over four years.

• Immersion into the UCLA community presented by the Alumni Scholars Club
• Panel discussion with distinguished UCLA faculty
• Question and answer session about student life conducted by current Alumni Scholars
• Overnight stay in on-campus housing hosted by a current Alumni Scholar

• Three areas of competition judged by alumni: essay-writing, interview and group problem-solving
• Awards ceremony to announce State Finalists