The Hispanic Business Council Scholarship Foundation of NJ, Inc. (HBCSF) reminds Bergen County residents that applications are now being accepted for the annual scholarship and book stipend awards for current college and college-bound Hispanic students for the 2012-2013 school term.  The HBCSF, a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization, has a mission to advance the educational aspirations of Hispanic students to become professionals, leaders and valued citizens of the community.

Open to all New Jersey residents of Hispanic heritage, the current application can be accessed through www.hbcsf.org. Applications and all required information must be postmarked by Wednesday, February 29, 2012. HBCSF will award a total of $40,000 in scholarships and book stipends. Scholarships up to $4,000 each will be disbursed directly to the college or university of the student's choice during the 2012-2013 school term.

A student must remain enrolled full-time at an accredited college, university, community college or trade school in the United States and maintain a 3.0 GPA. In addition to tuition scholarships, HBCSF also awards $1,000 stipends for books and other course required materials. Scholarship recipients will be required to complete 80 hours of community service between June 2012 and June 2013.

Interviews and the final award selection will be completed by the end of March and the scholarships will be presented at the Foundation’s 21st Annual Scholarship Gala to be held at The Estate at Florentine Gardens in River Vale, New Jersey on Thursday, May 3, 2012. The annual gala serves as the major fund-raiser for the HBCSF.

Several sponsors were instrumental in providing funding for the scholarship and stipend awards for books and other course required materials. Platinum sponsors were Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC and Wells Fargo Private Bank. Gold sponsors were Berkeley College, “PIX11 and Tribune Broadcasting”, Quixote Dunes, Inc., Unilever and Verizon. The bronze level sponsors were Booz/Allen/Hamilton, New Jersey Accounting Services, Inc., haute couture designer Nicolás Felizola, "Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation" represented by the Hispanic Leadership Network, Prudential, and PSE&G.

Since 1993, HBCSF has awarded $325,500 to 120 students throughout the state. Information about the 2011 scholarship recipients and the organization's gala may be accessed at www.hbcsf.org or requested by e-mail to info@hbcsf.org.

About Hispanic Business Scholarship Foundation of NJ, Inc. The HBCSF is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization with a mission to advance the educational aspirations of Hispanic students so that they may become professionals, leaders and valued citizens of the community. The foundation accomplishes this by providing scholarships for a college education based on academic excellence and financial need. The HBCSF scholarship application may be downloaded at the organization’s web site. Donations are welcome and may be made online or sent to HBCSF, 429C Cedar Lane #313, Teaneck, New Jersey 07666.

For further information about the HBCSF, visit www.hbcsf.org or send an inquiry to info@hbscf.org.